Lucian waited patiently for two hours as many students were still undergoing their examinations. His expression remained indifferent, but his mind was already racing through potential strategies for what lay ahead. The second phase of the Grandmaster Class Exam had been more troublesome than he anticipated, but his real focus lay in uncovering the academy's secrets.
Maximus vs. Elara Thorne
Maximus Raveshade stood across from his opponent, Instructor Elara Thorne. She was an 8th-class water mage, renowned for her precise spell control and defensive mastery. Unlike Lucian's fight, which had been an overwhelming display of power, Maximus had to rely on his adaptability and swordplay.
Elara raised her hand, and the battlefield was instantly covered in a dense mist. "Water is fluid and ever-changing. If you cannot adapt, you will drown," she said, her voice echoing through the fog.
Maximus smirked. "Then I'll carve my way through."
With a swift movement, he unsheathed his sword, its blade crackling with ember-like energy. He was a dual wielder of both magic and swordsmanship, but unlike Magnus Rutherford, his fighting style was aggressive and unpredictable.
"Aqua Prison!" Elara chanted, summoning tendrils of water that lashed out to ensnare Maximus. The bindings surged towards him with unnatural speed, aiming to constrict him in an unbreakable torrent.
Maximus stomped the ground, igniting the mana-infused terrain beneath his feet. "Infernal Break!" A ring of fire burst from his body, instantly evaporating the water bindings. He dashed through the dissipating mist, closing the distance with Elara in an instant.
She reacted quickly. "Aegis Tide!" A spiraling vortex of water formed a shield around her.
Maximus didn't hesitate. He adjusted his grip and coated his blade in condensed flames. "Severing Fang!" With a powerful downward slash, the fire-imbued sword cleaved through the water shield, scattering droplets across the arena. The impact sent Elara skidding backward, her expression turning from amusement to intrigue.
"You truly live up to your family's name," she murmured. "However, let's see how you handle this—Poseidon's Wrath!"
The battlefield rumbled as a colossal spear of compressed water manifested above Elara. With a flick of her wrist, it shot toward Maximus with devastating force.
Maximus took a deep breath. At the last moment, he twisted his body and swung upward. "Infernal Rend!" His sword cleaved through the spear, splitting it in half and dispersing the attack into harmless droplets.
Elara chuckled. "Enough. You pass."
The Third Phase: The Illusory Trials
Maximus and his group rejoined Lucian for the third phase. The instructors whispered amongst themselves, their expressions mixed with shock and awe. To see such prodigies forming a single team was unprecedented.
Students from the first, second, and third tiers shivered as they watched Lucian and Maximus. The earlier battles had already instilled fear in their hearts.
At the center of the battlefield, the floor trembled. A massive stone formation split apart, revealing a deep underground chamber.
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Another underground passage… That makes three now. Just how deep does this place go?"
Professor Lysandra Wythe stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered students. "Students, beyond these doors lies your final test. What you will face are not mere illusions—they are echoes of something far older than this academy itself. The magic woven into these chambers is intricate and relentless. You will not truly die, but you will feel every moment as if it were real. Pain, fear, and exhaustion will push you to your limits. Do not falter."
She gestured toward the ten massive stone doors arranged in a circular pattern. "Each team will enter one of these doors. Your task is to overcome the illusions and defeat the creatures within. Only those who clear their trial will pass."
Lucian's group was the first to enter.
As soon as they stepped through the portal, the scenery changed. They found themselves standing in an ancient ruin, the air thick with an ominous presence.
The ground trembled.
A deep growl echoed through the chamber as a massive, six-limbed beast emerged from the shadows. It had obsidian-black skin, glowing crimson veins, and eyes that burned like molten lava.
"A Shadow Tyrant," Elias Draxen muttered, gripping his staff. "A high-class illusion beast."
"Then let's not waste time," Lucian said. He lifted his hand, dark flames crackling at his fingertips. "Crimson Eclipse!"
The dark-red fireball shot forward, illuminating the chamber as it consumed the Shadow Tyrant in a torrent of flames. However, the beast roared and charged through the fire, seemingly unaffected.
"Damn," Maximus cursed. "It's resistant to fire."
Isolde Valmont stepped forward. "Then let's try ice—Frozen Spires!" Sharp spikes of ice erupted from the ground, piercing the creature's limbs and halting its movement.
Lucian smirked. "Good enough. Now… let's finish this."
He extended his arm, forming a spear of condensed mana. With a swift throw, the spear pierced through the beast's chest, shattering its form into countless fragments of light.
The illusion faded. They had passed.
After the trials, the students were dismissed, and Lucian returned to his dormitory. He sat on his chair and opened a portal, retrieving a newspaper from the same informant he had met upon first arriving in this world.
His gaze darkened as he read the headlines.
"The Shadow of Rutherford: Lucian's Growing Influence Raises Concerns"
"Political Turmoil—Is Arcadia Academy Breeding a Future Tyrant?"
Lucian scoffed. "They're really using all their power to bring us down."
The article was full of fabricated accusations, claiming that Lucian and the Rutherford family were amassing strength to challenge the aristocracy. Some noble factions were already calling for restrictions on his activities within the academy.
Lucian tapped his fingers on the desk. "I expected this… but it's sooner than I thought."
His mind raced. He needed a countermeasure before the academy intervened.
"If they want a reason to fear me, I might as well give them one," he muttered. "But first… I should control the rumors at their source."
Lucian reached for a quill and parchment, drafting a message for the academy's information guild. If he could manipulate the flow of news within Arcadia, he could turn this political attack into an opportunity.
A slow smirk formed on his lips. "It's time to play the game properly."