Kyle was huffing and panting, his body drenched in sweat.
He had just defeated a pack of wolf-type monsters with steel jaws, their bodies scattered around him.
The fight had been tougher than he expected, and it had taken a lot out of him.
'They were stronger than I thought,' Kyle muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Kyle let out a tired sigh.
His goal was to get into the top 20.
The top 20 students received better facilities—luxury dorms, private training areas, and more.
For Kyle, the private training area was the most important.
He couldn't risk practicing his other elements in public, where someone might notice his multiple affinities.
But he knew his limits.
He couldn't compete with the main characters not when he is only using lightning affinity.
From the novel, he remembered that the main characters were all Grade 1 Bronze when they entered the academy, and Cedric, the protagonist, was already Grade 3 Silver.
Kyle, on the other hand, was only Grade 2 Bronze, with barely any mastery over his elements.
The only reason he had managed to defeat other students and monsters so far was because of his blessing, which made his elemental power stronger than normal.
But his mana control was still terrible, and he wasted a lot of mana with every spell he cast.
Kyle looked up and saw the timer in the sky.
[Remaining Time: 00:15:45]
"Only 15 minutes left," he muttered.
"I just need to hold on a little longer."
Just as he was lost in thought, his instincts screamed at him to move.
He tilted his head to the side, channeling lightning mana to boost his reflexes.
A spear grazed past his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.
Kyle quickly jumped back, putting distance between himself and his attacker.
He looked up to see a young man with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. His green eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Oh, you dodged that," the young man said, clearly impressed. He seemed almost thrilled that his attack had been avoided.
Kyle's eyes narrowed as he recognized the boy.
He was Reo Dustbane, one of the main characters from the novel.
Reo was a battle maniac, always seeking out strong opponents to test his skills.
And now, it seemed, Kyle was his latest target.
'Why him, of all people? Seriously how bad is my luck' Kyle thought, feeling a mix of frustration and dread.
He knew Reo wouldn't back down easily.
As Kyle stood there, catching his breath, Reo suddenly shot forward, his spear gleaming with wind mana.
The attack was fast, but Kyle was ready. He raised his Jian, blocking the spear.
"Clangg"
The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Kyle held his ground.
Reo didn't stop there. With a quick twist of his body, he swung his free hand in a punch aimed at Kyle's stomach.
Kyle reacted instantly, sidestepping just in time to avoid the blow.
Using the momentum, he drove his knee upward, lightning crackling around it as he aimed for Reo's ribs.
Reo's eyes widened, but he was quick to react.
He brought the shaft of his spear down just in time, blocking Kyle's lightning-infused knee.
The force of the attack pushed him back, his boots skidding across the ground as he struggled to keep his balance.
Reo looked up at Kyle, his green eyes shining with excitement.
"Not bad," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
"You're faster than I thought."
Kyle didn't respond, his focus entirely on the fight.
He knew Reo was testing him, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Reo was a Grade 1 Bronze, and his wind affinity made him incredibly fast.
Kyle had to stay sharp.
Reo lunged again, his spear darting forward like a snake.
Kyle dodged to the side, but Reo was already spinning, using the momentum to swing his spear in a wide arc.
Kyle ducked just in time, the spear whistling over his head.
Kyle countered with a quick slash of his Jian, aiming for Reo's side.
Reo twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blade, and retaliated with a kick aimed at Kyle's chest.
Kyle blocked it with his forearm, but the force still pushed him back a step.
Reo didn't let up.
He thrust his spear forward, the tip glowing with concentrated wind mana.
Kyle parried the attack, but Reo followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each one faster than the last.
Kyle blocked and dodged as best he could, but he could feel himself being pushed back.
"You're good," Reo said, his grin never fading.
"But let's see how you handle this!"
Reo's spear began to glow brighter, the wind mana swirling around it like a miniature tornado.
He thrust the spear forward, and a blast of wind shot toward Kyle, tearing up the ground as it went.
Kyle's eyes widened.
He raised his Jian, channeling lightning mana into the blade.
With a swift motion, he slashed through the air, sending a bolt of lightning to meet the wind blast.
The two attacks collided in mid-air, creating a small explosion that sent both fighters stumbling back.
Kyle gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the effort.
Reo, on the other hand, looked even more excited.
"Now we're talking!" he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Let's see what else you've got!"
Before either of them could make a move, a loud roar echoed through the forest.
The ground shook as a massive, flaming boar burst through the bushes, its fiery eyes locking onto them.
Both Kyle and Reo froze, their eyes widening in shock.
"A Grade 2 Silver," Kyle said, his voice tense.
"A Grade 2 Silver," Reo echoed, his tone a mix of excitement and disbelief.
The boar snorted, flames flickering around its body as it prepared to charge. Kyle and Reo exchanged a quick glance, their rivalry momentarily forgotten.
"Truce?" Reo asked, a grin spreading across his face.
"Truce," Kyle agreed, nodding.
They both knew they stood no chance against the monster alone.
****
In the teacher's observation area, the room buzzed with the low hum of monitors, each screen displaying different angles of the Artificial Rift.
The soft glow of the screens illuminated the faces of the instructors, their expressions a mix of curiosity and tension.
But all eyes were glued to one particular screen—the one showing Kyle and Reo as they stood their ground against the flaming boar monster.
The atmosphere in the room was thick with unease, and the instructors exchanged wary glances.
Aurelia, the black-haired instructor with sharp, observant eyes, couldn't hide her growing concern.
Her gaze flickered to the principal, who sat calmly in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming with an almost mischievous curiosity.
She took a deep breath, her voice steady but carrying a slight edge as she spoke.
"Sir," she began, her tone measured, "why is there a second Grade 2 Silver-rank monster in the Rift?
"That wasn't part of the plan. We only added the Grade 2 Silver-rank monster for Cedric Valtieri, who is already Grade 3 Silver.
"This seems... excessive."
The principal leaned back in his chair, his expression as relaxed as if this were just another ordinary day.
He waved a hand dismissively, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Oh, that?" he said casually.
"I added it just now. I wanted to see how Kyle Valemont managed to defeat a Grade 3 Silver-rank monster on his own, even though he's only Grade 2 Bronze."
"This should be interesting, don't you think?"
Aurelia's frown deepened, her lips pressing into a thin line.
She glanced back at the screen, her eyes lingering on Kyle as he tightened his grip on his weapon, his face set with determination.
Her fingers twitched slightly, betraying her unease.
"But sir," she said, her voice firmer now, "what if they get eliminated? Wouldn't they miss the chance to be in the top rankings? This could cost them dearly."
The principal chuckled softly, his tone light and dismissive.
"No buts, Instructor Aurelia. If they get eliminated, they'll always have a chance to climb the rankings during the midterms. Besides, this is a test of their true potential. Let's see what they're made of."
Aurelia's fists clenched at her sides.
She wanted to argue further, but she knew the principal's word was final.
Instead, she turned back to the monitor, her gaze locked on Kyle.
She watched as Kyle tightened his grip on his weapon, his face set with determination.
"Be careful," she whispered under her breath, so quietly that no one else could hear.
The principal, meanwhile, seemed almost amused.
He crossed his legs, his golden eyes glinting with anticipation.
"This is what the test is all about," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of excitement.
"Pushing them to their limits, seeing how they adapt, how they overcome. That's where true strength lies."
****
Back in the Rift, Kyle and Reo stood side by side, their weapons ready.
The boar let out another roar, its flames growing brighter.
"Alright," Reo said, his voice filled with excitement.
"Let's take this thing down."
Kyle nodded, his grip tightening on his Jian.
"Stay sharp. This isn't going to be easy."
The boar charged, its fiery hooves tearing up the ground.
Kyle and Reo moved in unison, their combined skills and determination their only hope against the powerful monster.
The fight was far from over, and the clock was ticking.