Hundreds of acolytes filled the Virtual Hall, their presence casting an air of tension and anticipation. Unlike the previous rounds, the participants in this round appeared much more intimidating. These were seniors who had spent one or two years in the academy, many of them already in their 20s—fully grown adults with considerable experience and skill.
What caught the attention of many were the acolytes wearing the bronze insignia. These were the top 1000 acolytes, mostly from the middle and high halls. Their presence only added to the tension inside the hall, as the competitors eyed each other warily, sizing up their opponents.
In the midst of this atmosphere, Kat's confident voice rang out, breaking through the anxiety that gripped the group. "Don't worry about them, I am positive half of us will return with those bronze insignia!" Her words were t with a mixture of skepticism, but her unwavering confidence managed to quell so of the anxiety that had settled over them.
With a determined glint in her eye, Kat rallied her fellow acolytes. "Let's kick so asses!" Unfortunately, facing off against these seasoned seniors proved to be a daunting challenge for the acolytes of Hall 120. Many of the seniors were not only in the high stage rank 9 but also equipped with high-grade techniques, giving them a significant advantage in battle.
Ha Ron, Kingrig, Arnius, and Titus—who just recently promoted to rank 9 found themselves at a disadvantage. Having only ford their first and second pillars, they found themselves outmatched by the more experienced seniors.
Throughout the four days of battles, the acolytes of Hall 120 faced an uphill struggle. Despite their determination and efforts, the odds were stacked against them. The two centurions, in particular, struggled to secure any victories, while Ha Ron and Kingrig managed to win only one fight each. Ulong fared slightly better, achieving two victories.
The remaining six seniors faced similar challenges, with none of them able to secure more than two victories. In the end, only Kat and Blaine managed to advance to the next round. Kat managed to hold onto her bronze insignia and Blaine was the only one from Hall 120 to return with a new insignia. As he entered the hall, his sister Bellana greeted him with pride, but Blaine remained his usual indifferent self, seemingly unfazed by his achievent.
Klea and Ashaka warmly welcod their return, offering words of encouragent. Damo, having completed his training, was also ready to join the next round of battles. #####
After a day of rest, the third round of the examination comnced, marking a significant shift in both venue and scale. Unlike the previous rounds, this stage unfolded in the Academy's main hall, an arena nestled within the mountain.
The imposing figure of Deputy Headmaster Aurora presided over the proceedings, her presence commanding respect and attention.
As the acolytes gathered in the center of the arena, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Among the 900 participants were 500 adorned with bronze insignias and 400 with silver insignia, each symbolizing their strength. Surrounding the arena, dozens of instructors and staff mbers stood ready, their eyes trained on the unfolding events.
The majority of acolytes present hailed from the higher and top halls of the academy, making the inclusion of three representatives from Hall 120—Kat, Blaine, and Damo—particularly noteworthy. Their presence sparked murmurs and whispers among the crowd.
With a nod from Deputy Headmaster Aurora, the event officially comnced.
"Let the exam begin," she declared, her voice resonating throughout the hall with authority.
Unlike the virtual battles of the previous rounds, this stage unfolded in the physical realm, with the central area of the main hall transford into 20 small arenas. A virtual screen displayed the nas of the combatants, signaling the comncent of the duels.
There will be two fights happening in two consecutive days, and for an acolyte to continue fighting the next day, they only need to win once. However, unlike the earlier rounds, which still featured unranked seniors, this stage boasted a field of 900 proven geniuses, each formidable in their own right.
Despite his formidable transformation, Blaine found himself unable to secure even a single victory in the fierce battles that ensued. Kat, too, faced an uphill battle, managing to secure only one hard-fought victory amidst a series of challenging duels. Damo proved to be the most successful of the trio, erging victorious in two of his battles. His strategic thinking and skillful execution allowed him to outmaneuver his opponents and claim hard-earned victories on the arena floor.
The next day dawned with only 632 participants remaining. As the stakes grew higher, the academy's matching system sought to pair acolytes with opponents of similar strength. The arena crackled with tension as each duel unfolded, with competitors pushing themselves to their limits in pursuit of victory.
It quickly beca apparent to both staff and instructors that many of the seniors were being bested by their first-year counterparts. Despite their skill and determination, Kat found herself on the losing end of both of her duels, while Damo managed to secure only one hard-fought victory.
As the dust settled on the day's battles, Kat and Blaine would remain in the top 1000 ranks with their bronze insignias. However, Damo's position in the top 500 was tenuous at best, with his single victory barely enough to secure his place. Disappointnt hung heavy in the air as the realization set in that Damo had not been selected to be part of the elite group of 200 acolytes chosen to participate in the final round.
That night, the halls of Hall 120 were filled with silence, the weight of their collective disappointnt palpable. Despite their best efforts, none of them managed to advance to the next round, leaving them to grapple with the bitter sting of defeat.
During this pivotal mont, Ery and Dillion erged from their two weeks of intensive training, their faces etched with determination and resolve. Dillion, in particular, seed to exude a newfound confidence, a testant to the rigorous regin they had undergone.
Sensing the somber mood that pervaded Hall 120, Ery took it upon himself to offer words of encouragent and guidance to his students. With a reassuring tone, he reminded them that the journey of a magus was a long and arduous one, and that the competition they had just faced was but a single step on their path to greatness.
His words resonated deeply with the acolytes of Hall 120, With renewed determination and resolve, they nodded in acknowledgnt.
After one day of rest, the academy finally opened its doors to outside visitors, showcasing last year's top 100 acolytes who will be facing 200 top challengers.
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