Even before Rock finished speaking, three figures stepped forward simultaneously - Nephis, Caster, and Ray.
The instructor raised an eyebrow, scanning the trio before a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Eager ones, huh?
"Fine," Rock said, crossing his arms. "Let's make this interesting."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered students.
Everyone knew Caster was strong - fast, skilled, and backed by a legacy name. Nephis was a mystery; rumors of her True Name swirled, but no one had actually seen her fight yet. And then there was Ray - the anomaly, the wildcard with a True Name.
Rock gestured to the sparring rings. "Three fights. No killing blows. First clean hit to a vital spot wins. We'll start with-"
Nephis and Caster were already stepping forward.
Rock exhaled. "Right. That works too."
Both fighters took their stances, eyes locked in silent focus.
The moment Rock gave the signal-
Caster blurred forward, closing the distance instantly. His right fist swung in a sharp body hook, aimed for Nephis' ribs.
She moved before the punch even fully extended, stepping back just enough to evade. And in the same motion, she swept low - a lightning-fast ground sweep.
Caster reacted instantly, shifting his weight mid-attack and using his Aspect in a burst. He vanished-
-and reappeared behind Nephis, who was still crouched from her sweep.
But she wasn't unprepared.
Even before fully turning, Nephis launched a back kick. The angle was off - rushed - but it forced Caster to use another burst of acceleration to escape.
The fight barely paused.
Nephis spun, her elbow darting toward his ribs.
Caster didn't dodge. Instead, he *stepped in*, absorbing the force before she could fully extend. His hand snapped out, gripping her wrist in a controlled lock.
Then, with a sharp pivot of his torso, he *pulled* her forward.
Nephis tensed, off-balance for the first time.
Caster didn't hesitate.
He flickered out of existence for an instant - using his Aspect to shift positions - and reappeared at her flank, arm raised.
Before she could react, his palm struck her collarbone, though, he lightened the blow at the end.
Impact.
Nephis exhaled sharply, body stiffening.
Rock raised a hand. "Winner: Caster."
The dojo fell silent.
Nephis straightened, rolling her shoulder as if shaking off the blow. If she was frustrated by the loss, she didn't show it. She simply nodded and stepped out of the ring.
Caster exhaled, flexing his fingers. "Thanks for the good fight."
Nephis didn't respond.
Rock's voice cut through the murmurs.
"Next fight. Ray versus Caster."
Ray was already stepping forward.
Caster rolled his neck, exhaling. "On a good match."
The moment Rock gave the signal-
Caster vanished.
But so did Ray.
A ripple of shock ran through the watching students.
Caster reappeared first, fist already swinging - only to hit nothing but air.
Then-
A whisper of movement.
Caster barely turned in time to see Ray phasing through the space beside him, re-materializing with a perfectly timed right hook.
Impact.
The force sent Caster stumbling several steps back, barely catching his balance. His eyes widened.
Ray cracked his neck. "That all?"
Caster's expression darkened.
Then, his body blurred-
But before he could fully accelerate, Ray stepped into the motion, his hand passing through Caster's strike like mist-
-before solidifying at the perfect moment to grab Caster's wrist.
Caster had no time to react.
Ray yanked him forward - brutally efficient - and drove a knee into his gut.
Air exploded from Caster's lungs as he staggered.
Rock stepped forward. "Enough."
Ray released his grip, letting Caster stumble back, coughing.
Silence.
Rock nodded. "Winner: Ray."
The dojo remained still.
Caster straightened after a moment, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Then, he let out a breath and chuckled. "Alright. That was a good fight brown, or would you rather I call you [Lost Witness]."
Ray shrugged.
Rock turned to the rest of the class. "We've seen the top three. Now it's time for the rest of you."
The remaining students stepped forward in pairs.
The spars were a mix of skill levels. Some students displayed solid foundations, moving with trained efficiency. Others were raw, relying on instinct more than technique.
Few matches were special. Some fights ended in clean, decisive hits. Others dragged out, showcasing potential but clear gaps in experience.
Rock watched each bout closely, his sharp gaze analyzing strengths and weaknesses.
When the last match ended, he clapped his hands once. "Good. Now we have an idea of where you all stand."
His eyes swept over the group, pausing on the three who had stepped forward first - Nephis, Caster, and Ray.
"You'll all be sorted into groups based on performance. But remember," Rock said, his tone sharpening, "next time, were also gonna start with weapons, so make sure to pick the right one."
A weight settled over the class at his words.
"Dismissed."
As the students began murmuring, Ray exhaled and turned away.
The fights were over.
As the lesson wrapped up, the students dispersed, making their way toward the changing rooms. Some walked in pairs, discussing the fights, while others moved in silence, still processing what they had seen.
Ray, however, didn't bother.
He wasn't drenched in sweat, and even if he was, it didn't matter much to him. The standard-issue training gear was practically what he wore daily anyway. Instead of following the others, he simply turned and left, his steps unhurried.
A few of the other students noticed but said nothing, watching as he disappeared down the hallway.
Inside the changing room, conversation gradually picked up.
"Did you see that? Ray's Aspect is insane."
"Yeah, but Caster wasn't fighting at full strength. If they went all out, it'd be different."
"That was him not going all out?"
Caster let out a breath as he pulled off his training shirt, shaking his head. "Ray's good. I won't deny that. But there's someone here who's more interesting."
One of the other Sleepers frowned. "You mean Nephis, [Changing Star]? Yeah, she's strong, but-"
"You don't get it," Caster interrupted, frowning slightly. "You guys really don't know who she is?"
A few shook their heads.
Caster chuckled. "Lady Nephis isn't just some random person. She's the legacy."
That got their attention. The room quieted slightly.
One of the boys narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Caster leaned back against the lockers, his voice dropping just enough to make the moment feel heavier.
"Lady Nephis is the last survivor of the Immortal Flame Clan."
Silence.
The weight of those words settled over the group. Even the ones who didn't immediately recognize the name felt the significance.
The Immortal Flame Clan.
One of the oldest and strongest Awakened bloodlines - once. Before it was wiped out.
Caster, enjoying the attention, went on. "Her father was one of the first to reach the rank of Saint. As for her grandfather, I hopefully don't need to say anything. But now?" He made a dramatic pause, empathizing the topic. "She's all that's left."
No one knew what to say.
Most had heard of the clan's destruction, but few knew the details. Even fewer had ever imagined that its last living heir would be standing next to them in a combat class.
---
Elsewhere, a shadow moved unseen through the hallways.
Small, nearly imperceptible, it weaved through the academy's corridors like a silent observer. It had no true presence, no weight - just a sliver of darkness slipping under doors and creeping through unseen spaces.
In his dorm, Sunny sat cross-legged on his bed, his expression unreadable.
He had sent his Shadow to watch the lesson.
And what he had seen… surprised him.
Caster was fast. Nephis was sharp.
But Ray?
Ray was something else.
Before today, Sunny had only seen him as an easygoing guy, a bit too relaxed, a bit too cocky. But in the ring, he had been a different person entirely.
Every movement was calculated. His Aspect - intangible yet lethal - was used with a precision that most Awakened took years to develop.
There was no wasted energy. No hesitation.
And when he saw an opening, he ended the fight.
Fast. Efficient.
Dangerous.
Sunny leaned back, his fingers drumming against his knee.
Ray wasn't just strong. He was the kind of strong that could change things.
And that meant Sunny had to keep an eye on him, even if they were more or less acquainted, to Sunny, everyone here could become an enemy.