The sun had barely risen over Zheno when the academy grounds were already alive with motion. Students from all sections of the academy, their crisp black cardigans replaced by lightweight training gear, milled about the sprawling exercise fields. Boys wore fitted navy training pants with sleeveless white tunics, allowing for movement without restriction; girls had a choice of pants or skirts that reached mid-calf, all practical and non-restrictive. A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and warm stone from the nearby castle walls, while the distant sound of flapping banners heralded the start of a new kind of challenge.
Wads adjusted his rectangular glasses, blinking against the morning sun, his dark hair slightly tousled from sleep. He wasn't the most physically imposing among the students—lean, average build—but his mind was sharp, a calculating engine waiting to be tested. Klyden, in contrast, radiated raw energy, his muscles tighter and more defined from years of constant movement. Liora, moving with catlike precision, exuded agility and control, her eyes constantly scanning the field for advantage.
The headmaster's voice rang out, carrying across the open training ground. "Welcome, students. Before official classes begin, each of you will undergo endurance and aptitude testing. Today, your physical abilities and Diety powers will be evaluated. The results will determine your placement and give insight into your potential. Observe carefully and remember: both mind and body are your tools. No weapons will be provided. Your bodies, your wits—these are your arms today."
The students arranged themselves into sections 1A through 1J, a subtle hierarchy based on prior assessments. 1A, of course, was expected to be the strongest, but the day would challenge assumptions. Among them, familiar faces caught Wads' attention:
Keiya Anastasia Zheka, radiating calm authority, her posture perfect, her presence almost regal. While her physical abilities were competent, it was clear her strength lay in her Diety power, her mind sharp and poised.
Reiyell, seated slightly apart from others, with her long wavy dark blue hair glinting in the sun, indicolite eyes reflecting every movement around her. Her aura was imposing, yet measured; Wads immediately sensed that she was a force to be reckoned with.
Thaddeus Wynthrope, black hair falling into sharp green eyes, standing like a coiled spring, muscles taut, radiating physical capability.
Ysoria Eldridge, pink hair catching the light, her cerulean eyes scanning the training field, a serene yet intense energy surrounding her, signaling her prowess in Diety power.
Nash Voldemort, black hair and piercing blue eyes, body compact and strong, ready to prove himself in the physical tests.
Yetro Zaikeroli, green-haired and dark-eyed, every movement precise, every step purposeful—a physical force with controlled aggression.
The physical tests began first. Obstacles, endurance trials, climbing, balancing, and running courses stretched across the field, designed to push strength, coordination, and stamina to the limit. Klyden leapt across the hurdles with ease, his fists pumping as he propelled himself, often shouting playful taunts at his peers. Liora moved with fluid grace, barely disturbing the sand beneath her feet, her agility precise and untouchable in several sections. Wads, however, remained average—he scaled the walls and climbed ropes, yet without the finesse or power of his friends. He compensated with careful observation, studying timing, angles, and weaknesses in the course, preparing for the next challenge where his mind would dominate.
Next came the Diety evaluation. Students were guided into a circular arena, its perimeter lined with luminous sigils and intricate glyphs. Each student was tasked with harnessing their innate magical aptitude, solving complex logical puzzles, channeling energy, and manipulating abstract forces with only their minds. The air shimmered with the collective concentration of dozens of young prodigies, the quiet hum of raw potential palpable.
Wads' pulse quickened. As the tests began, he approached each challenge deliberately, analyzing each problem, breaking down the components, and executing solutions with precision. The more complicated the task, the better he performed—runes aligned perfectly, energy flows manipulated flawlessly, and intricate puzzles unraveled beneath his calculated logic. Observers—including teachers and upperclassmen—began murmuring in surprise. Wads, the boy who had seemed average in physical training, now dominated the arena with mental acuity that few could rival.
Beside him, Reiyell moved with effortless elegance. Every movement of her mind was a dance of clarity and power; she manipulated energies, solved riddles, and anticipated the flow of the challenges as if they had been designed for her alone. Her presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of all, yet she neither flaunted nor sought admiration. Wads, for his part, barely noticed the whispers; he was too absorbed in the rhythm of the challenge, yet he could feel the subtle tension of a peer whose ability mirrored his own.
Klyden and Liora, meanwhile, dominated the more physically oriented sections of the Diety tests where movement and precision merged with magic, showing that strength, speed, and reflex could complement mental acuity. Keiya's intellect shone brightest, especially when manipulating complex sigils, her mind sharp and decisive, leaving the instructors nodding in approval. The other students, like Thaddeus, Nash, and Yetro, showcased raw strength, speed, and agility in both the physical and hybrid portions, while Ysoria's pink-haired form moved with controlled finesse, her magical aptitude evident in every solved puzzle and focused maneuver.
By the end of the day, all students had completed the tests. Whispers rippled across the academy grounds: Wads, despite his average physique, had surprised everyone with his mastery of the Diety challenges, matching Reiyell's exceptional display. Klyden and Liora had proven their dominance in physical prowess, complementing Wads' strategic brilliance. Keiya's mind left a lasting impression, and the new students—Thaddeus, Ysoria, Nash, Yetro—each left unique marks, hinting at their future potential.
Though no formal leaderboard had yet been posted, students and observers alike began speculating: the arena had revealed talents, strengths, and potential rivalries that would shape the academy. Soon, three leaderboards would emerge: one for physical ability, one for Diety aptitude, and a combined ranking that balanced mind and body. For now, though, the field lay open, the echoes of exertion and concentration fading into the evening light, leaving the students to ponder their place in this vast world of power and learning.