Examinees in these few days of the Combat Test Tournament were having all sorts of emotions going through them. Some had grief for not being selected, some felt joy for clearing their rounds, some felt fear due to being beaten ruthlessly, some felt pain and their hopes crushed as they were disqualified and everyone in the academy grounds right now had only one thought going through their minds

“Will I make it in the top 10,000?”

Many candidates had the dream to study in the world’s most prestigious academy and be called as the genius among geniuses wherever they go. Being a student of Abalax World Academy was one of the best thing one could have done in their lives. There won’t ever be a second chance to join such an academy as life goes on and one starts to age. Unless of course, one dies and reincarnates and get into the academy once again.

But nobody took such chances. Reincarnation did occur but it was very random and nobody knew about which time, race or place they would reincarnate over. They did not even know if they’ll have their experiences and memories intact, unless they were of a very high rank when they died.

The candidates although were going through such emotions, they had been preserving and doing their best. Up until now, 9,980,000 candidates have been disqualified and had their applications rejected since the start of the entrance test. Only the last 20,000 were remaining and it was about time to decide the top 10,000 which would be admitted into the academy. Out of the 20,000 candidates, 10,000 were bound to suffer sever depression and would have a drop in their self-esteem due to failing at the last stage.

This was inevitable and even the academy could not do anything about it. It was the psychological nature of an intelligent being to feel such emotions. Without emotions, one is no different than a beast which runs on their instincts or a machine which runs on commands. Emotions is a characteristic and a trait of an intelligent being.

These depressed and low self esteem candidates would although be going through a difficult phase right now but the ones who could cope up with it and break through it would have a good experience from this and it would only shape them into their better selves and help them survive in this cruel world.

Life was like this. There are times when things are not in your control. You just have to hang onto one small piece of hope and try to pass these difficult times. Things would eventually be better. Predicaments, failures and hardships are the experiences one needed to face to become a better version of their own selves.

These 10,000 examinees which would be rejected right now are all the youngsters who are above average in the whole world among their age. They are among the elites but just lacked one little step to truly step into the world of genius among geniuses. Though they would be rejected, they would not go home empty handed. Their registration badges would have their scores and this would help them take admission into other prestigious academies which are just a little below Abalax World Academy. They would even get scholarships or even free tution due to their potential.

This happend every year and Abalax World Academy provided recommendation letters about these students to various prestigious academies. Thus, although a door for these elite students was closed, a new one was waiting for them to walk into. They could still reach great heights as academies were just a tool for people to get themselves prepared for the cruelty of the world that they have yet to see.

…..

Lith had been through 5 fights till now and everytime he won using the same type of trick. He didn’t come across any candidate who had time affinity and so breaking from his ‘Slow’ spell was difficult for them. He would repeat almost the same thing all the time and he has in total only used 4 spells. One was from Time, one from Water and the other two from Space element.

Though Emilia, Arya and Sel watched him with great interest nonetheless. They have realised after a few matches that he had been hiding a lot of prowess and they did not know the depth of it. They knew they they had just seen the tip of the iceberg and they were very curious to see what Lith would show them. Though they were disappointed in every match as he didn’t showcase any of it much.

Lith had been relaxing in the waiting room and it was about time for his next round. This one would ensure wether he would be in the top 10,000 or not. Though it didn’t matter if he won or lost as due to his previous test scores, his overall score was already pretty high and the academy wouldn’t want to lose a 6 elemental affinity elite gem and also they feared to offend the Vampire Queen.

…..

A black haired, blue eyed teen was sitting on a couch and was having some refreshments. He looked at his phone screen and was going through his fights which were recorded by the academy and given to him for personal use. He furrowed his brows and muttered

“Hmm, no, no, this is wrong, I should’ve used my ability [10s Super Reflex] but nevermind, I can use it in this upcoming match and secure my seat in the top 10,000. Heck, what am I even thinking? Top 10,000? What a joke. With these many unique abilities that I have, If I don’t top this shit test, I should just kill myself.”

He went through many videos and analysed and corrected himself many times. He then looked at his badge and then at his phone screen. He saw the tournament table to look at who was his next opponent.

“Let’s see who is the one I am fighting next.

Hmm? Lith Evure? Why does this name seem familiar? I think I may have heard it before. Lemme think, hmm, hmm, argh fuck whatever, who cares. If I can’t recall it, it must not be someone worthy to be remembered. I’ll beat this shit guy up and kill him. Though he may not be actually killed, he would know his bloody place and the shithole where he belongs.

I wish I could just kill all these shit Demons, Vampires, Werewolves fucks fully and bring a bit of justice earlier on in this world. It’s a pity that they are able to resurrect over here. Nevermind though, I could kill them later on. I have all the time I need. I have mastered the Sword and the Bow. Not me but my predecessor but it means one and the same thing and I also have 9 elemental affinities.

One long range weapon and one short range weapon along with 9 elemental affinities and on top of that a lot many unique abilities, who in the fucking world has the ability or potential like me? No shit can even kiss my foot in such terms.

Anyway, me being first in the tournament is pretty much the done deal. What am I supposed to do next? Fuck around with a bunch of beauties? Yeah seems like a good idea. The women in this world like the strong and I am the strongest. Well not yet but I have the ability. I can fuck around with as many beauties as I want.

Any women I ask will spread her legs for me. Though I love to bring justice to the world, women coming at my door to spread their legs isn’t any crime or me fucking stupid sluts or even r*ping them is their honour. These bitches of other races deserve to be r*ped and killed. Scum criminal whores.”

…..

Lith got up as it was time for his next match and left the room. He started walking to the arena I-5 as mentioned on the badge screen.

He walked to the stage for the 7th time and in the same calm way as before. He got into position and first looked at his opponent. His opponent seemed to be a black haired, blue eyed teen. He didn’t read anything about him before as he didn’t care. Even if the guy in front of him was someone super special, he wouldn’t care.

The reason being, Lith believed in himself and his ability to win any fight thrown at him. This confidence came from all the harsh training his big sister and mother gave him. He respected these two ladies from the bottom of his heart and they were the source of his pride and confidence. He was a bit arrogant but his arrogance was backed by his abilities and prowess that he had and trusted in.

Lith got into a battle ready position. Though he believed he would win, he wasn’t stupid enough to underestimate his opponent. Know yourself but not your enemy and you may suffer a defeat at the cost of a win. This was an art of war quote famous even in this world. He had naturally read about it in the various books about battle tactics and strategies.

In these fights, he knew about himself well enough but not his opponent. Even if he looked at his phone to check his opponent, he would only know his name and nothing else. He could ask for information from external sources about this name but it was pointless.

There wouldn’t be anyone having prowess above rank 4 in this tournament. It was simply not possible. Being able to fight above ranks was already a very genius feat and the candidates weren’t above rank 2. It takes around three to four months to reach rank 2 for the geniuses after awakening their magic core and after reaching rank 2 it takes around a year to reach rank 3. The academy test was made in such a way that no candidate is above rank 2. So, there were no rank 3 or above in this tournament and Lith knew this information.

A rank 2, even if the most elite would only have prowess around rank 4. Above it was simply unheard of. Fighting two ranks above themselves was not achievable by many and as people ranked up, it just becomes more and more difficult.

Lith with all the information he had, was therefore cautious and didn’t take his opponent lightly. He was prepared to fight anyone who showed the prowess of a rank 4.

The black haired, blue eyed boy looked at Lith and he too got in a battle ready position. He thought in his mind

‘Boy you are in for a beating. Consider it your blessing to not have died in my hands today but also a curse for I, Liam Novius, always remembers my opponents and I would add you into the list of targets I need to eliminate.

From today onwards, your own hunt would begin. So enjoy every moment you can that you have right now.’

The refree looked at the duo and gave a little instructions and then raised his hand and dropped it and said loudly

“FIGHT!”