One week later, early morning.
The morning bell rang as usual. Sharkai Bai lay on his dorm bed, covering his head with a pillow, trying to drift back to sleep.
He seemed to have forgotten something. Today—was the day of the ranking battle.
Other apprentices woke up early and gathered on the vast playground.
Outside the combat arena, Dean Dishi of Celestial Carving Academy, Sharkai Manwei the leader of Sharksea Clan, and the head of Cecilia Family sat with their young lady Cecilia Xuelian.
(Is this kid standing me up?! It’s almost starting—why isn’t he here yet?!)
Sharkai Manwei smiled and chatted with the others on the surface, but inside, he burned with anxiety.
In the playground’s center, student council president Elucia cleared her throat.
“The student council will referee to ensure absolute fairness! Then—begin!”
The academy’s ranking battle was the ultimate stage for geniuses to prove their strength.
“Rank 11 challenges student council member, Rank 10, Aisha!”
The first challenger was third-year apprentice Cecilia Ozbell, clad in an A-rank mage uniform.
Cecilia Ozbell was Cecilia Xuelian’s elder brother. Unlike Xuelian, he’d left the family to join Celestial Carving Academy and showcase the Cecilia Family’s power.
Ozbell entered the arena, gazing at Aisha reading a book at the student council area.
Peak A-rank mage Ozbell versus peak A-rank Aisha—every eye locked onto the arena.
“Hmph. Student council member Aisha accepts.”
Aisha closed her book, stood, and walked into the arena.
The moment she stepped in, the playground’s temperature began rising.
Before Aisha could command it, the Infernal Demon Yorkson appeared behind her like a guardian.
“Girls who are too hotheaded age easily, you know~”
As Ozbell spoke, the air around him froze. Ice spread across the ground beneath his feet.
The arena became a miniature world of ice and fire.
Cecilia Xuelian watched her brother from the sidelines, sighing as she rubbed her forehead.
“Well, well. That show-off personality really fits him.”
“Devour him, Yorkson.”
Aisha ordered the infernal demon behind her.
“I hate your aura.”
The demon charged at Ozbell, roaring in disgust.
Ozbell didn’t move until the demon’s giant axe nearly struck his head—
“Ice Explosion: Ice Citadel Beast!”
A massive ice monster materialized before Ozbell, blocking the axe swing.
“And there are many more.”
Boom—! Boom—!...
Giant Ice Citadel Beasts rose from the ice, shielding Ozbell.
“I see. Trying to win with numbers?”
Aisha showed no surprise. Crimson lotus flowers bloomed across the sky above the playground.
The lotuses slowly opened, firing beams of light down at the ice beasts.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
Explosions echoed endlessly through the academy.
“Ahhh! Seriously! It’s so loud!!! This is my only rest day! Can’t those jerks tone it down?!”
Sharkai Bai roared from his dorm, jolted awake by the noise.
He couldn’t sleep anymore.
(Huh...? Didn’t I promise the old man to attend?)
Bai hastily combed his white hair in the mirror, washed up quickly, and headed to the playground.
In the arena, Aisha’s bombardments shattered Ozbell’s ice beasts into shards.
Ozbell faced Aisha, smiling.
“Truly impressive. No wonder you’re Rank 10.”
Aisha stayed silent. The duel had reached its climax—she couldn’t afford distraction.
Especially against this terrifying Cecilia Family man.
“Well. But it ends here.”
“Tch!”
Aisha watched Ozbell warily, planning her next move.
Unexpectedly, Ozbell leaped out of the duel area.
“I said it ends here.”
“Are you mocking me?”
His easy surrender angered Aisha. Ozbell just smiled back.
“So Aisha wins? Ozbell’s magic has reached S-rank level. Terrifying talent.”
Dean Dishi stroked his white beard, squinting.
After the duel, Elucia glanced at Ozbell and announced to the apprentices.
“Rank 11 Ozbell’s challenge to Rank 10 Aisha has failed.”
Ozbell’s forfeiture disappointed many.
“If you’d continued, you’d have won, right? Ozbell.”
As Ozbell walked toward the stands, a dark shadow brushed past him, whispering that question.
Ozbell turned sharply. A youth in the same uniform stood watching him.
“You. Dark King Fuxifa.”
“What do you gain from forfeiting?”
Fuxifa, the academy’s Dark King, gazed at Ozbell with deep eyes.
“We’re classmates. No need to fight to the death. I’m more worried about your duel with Wilkor.”
“Is that your answer? Hmph. Utterly boring!”
Ranked 15th, Fuxifa was a peak A-rank mage in third-year class A, wielding rare innate dark magic.
Rumors said he’d tortured A-rank mage Black Falcon near to death after an offense.
“Well. Good luck.”
Fuxifa stepped into the arena, challenging Wilkor—the student council vice president ranked 3rd.
This was predictable among the academy’s geniuses.
Wilkor strode in, stretching. Explosive cracks sounded from his bones.
“Long time no see.”
He advanced with steady steps, face blank.
A massive magic circle flared under Fuxifa’s feet, engulfing the arena.
“Grand Mausoleum!”
“Hah!”
Suction yanked at Wilkor. Black energy ignited his clenched fists. He slammed them down. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ground.
The Grand Mausoleum shattered instantly.
“Sky Explosion: Wolf Style!”
Wilkor charged. Black aura shaped his fists into a snarling wolf head, lunging at Fuxifa.
“Black Hole: Absorption.”
Fuxifa raised his palm. A small black hole swallowed the wolf head whole.
“What’s this? They’re in the middle of a heated fight?”
Sharkai Bai had reached the playground. He watched the duelers, complaining tiredly.
Nearby, apprentices chatted.
“This is Fuxifa versus Wilkor!”
“Rank 15 and Rank 3—who do you bet on?”
“Hmm... I still back the vice president.”
“Classmates, stop debating Ranks 15 and 3. How about I, Rank 3150, win this instead.”
Sharkai Bai spoke.
His pupils flashed purple. He rubbed his wrists and walked toward the arena.
As he emerged from the entrance, Elucia and the Cecilia Family noticed him.
“Th-this kid!”
Grand Magus Sharkai Manwei nearly toppled from his seat outside.
Bang!
A number plate flew between Fuxifa and Wilkor, embedding in the dirt.
“Huh?!”
“Who?”
The duelers turned simultaneously.
Sharkai Bai brushed back his hair, expressionless under the academy’s gaze.
“Celestial Carving Academy, Rank 3150, challenges Rank 15 and Rank 3!”
