A feminine figure came into Aziel's peripheral view as she entered the classroom, immediately captivating everyone with her slender figure.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
She wore a sleek tailored navy blazer over a shimmering high-neck blouse.
Her dark hair fell in soft effortless waves, and her striking violet eyes drew all eyes to her.
Zara Hayes, the homeroom teacher of class Y113.
She was a legend-tier humanoid monster and the strongest in all of Verdant, Aventoria.
And also the only mage with more than three basic elements and even an exclusive element in humanity.
She reached the podium and coughed to get the class's attention.
"Good morning. I am Zara Hayes, your homeroom teacher, and some of you may know me as Verdant's strongest."
She spoke sternly, eyeing everyone to evaluate their worth.
As her gaze passed through each student, four in particular caught her attention.
Zephyr.
Lyra.
Alisa.
Seraphina.
---
"Alright, since today is the first class, let's start with introductions before heading toward the training grounds," Zara said decisively.
And so the introductions began with the first-ranked student.
Zephyr stood up, a hint of tension visible on his face as he spoke.
"Nice to meet you all. I am Zephyr Frost and also the top-ranked student in this class, as you know. I hope we can get along well."
Hmm… Frost clan has indeed produced an exceptional talent this generation.
The introductions kept going while other students paid close attention.
After a long tiresome wait, Zara finally reached the final ranks.
The student who sat just before Aziel stood up with an easygoing grin plastered on his face.
"Yo, nice to meet you all. I'm Oliver Drake. Don't expect me to top the charts like Zephyr or anyone else, but hey, at least I'll keep the mood light. Let's all get along, yeah?"
A few students chuckled at his relaxed tone.
Oliver flopped back into his seat, stretching his arms behind his head like he didn't have a care in the world.
Meanwhile, Aziel peered at the quartet sitting in front, engaged in a lively conversation.
If he was being honest, he was dying to talk to the main characters, but he couldn't, there was too vast a gap in their ranks.
Next, it was finally his turn.
Zara glanced at the boy with silver hair and eyes sitting in the last corner.
The boy, understanding the signal, stood up and spoke in a cold voice.
"I am Aziel Frost and also the twin brother of the top-ranked student Zephyr Frost. If any of you have a grudge against me despite me not doing anything, you can go and talk to him."
Every gaze shifted from Aziel directly toward Zephyr.
Zephyr was no exception. His mouth hung agape, perplexed by Aziel's blunt words, while Alisa and the others stared in bewilderment.
Having such an attitude despite being the lowest ranked…
Zara wondered.
Frost clan. Among a sea of diamonds, even a pebble stands out.
Clap. Clap.
Zara clapped, and everyone stood up, making their way toward the combat grounds.
"Let's analyze your combat abilities now, dear candidates"
---
Arriving at the combat grounds, all students lined up.
Zara then told them that ten students would be randomly selected and paired up to spar.
While the selected students fought, the rest would observe, analyze, and try to find weaknesses.
Soon the list of paired students appeared on a holographic screen in front of them.
• Zephyr Frost [1st] × Ryan Thornfield [9th]
• Alisa Vortex [2nd] × Kael Emberforge [7th]
• Lyra Astral [3rd] × Aric Stormrider [25th]
• Seraphine Luminara [4th] × Liora Moonshadow [58th]
• Aziel Frost [117th] × Sarah Goan [61st]
'She really wants to mess with me...doesn't she?'
Aziel thought as students whose names were listed stepped forward and stood beside Zara.
All ten of them paid close attention as Zara pursed her lips.
"As most of you might have noticed that the match-up is a bit suspicious, however it is intentional, just so that you can see the difference between the top ranks and yourselves"
She explained, then haulted for a moment and spoke again.
"We will start with the first pair. Each student will wear a wristband so that we can monitor vitals.
If any student shows critical fluctuations, he or she will be deemed unable to fight."
All of them nodded as she continued.
"Now, one by one, choose a weapon from the rack."
She pointed toward a structure with a sturdy metal frame, horizontal shelves, and vertical slots for securely holding weapons.
Each student stepped up in turn and chose a weapon.
Zephyr picked up a blade.
Alya preferred daggers.
Others picked rapiers.
Finally, it was Aziel's turn.
He approached the rack and scanned the weapons.
Swords, axes, maces, spears, daggers, rapiers, blades—there were many.
But none caught his attention.
Not because he disliked them, but because most of the weapons were completely unfamiliar to him.
Even if he had seen them before, he was afraid.
Afraid to shed blood.
In his previous life, he had never experienced pain like the kind he would face now.
And look at those protagonists, he thought.
Who transmigrates and on the very first day goes toe-to-toe with the top-ranked student?
'Whoever made this system, is absolute garbage'
Aziel gritted his teeth.
How the heck do they even know how to use mana and hold a sword?
His face turned pale as he imagined the pain awaiting him.
But then…
His eyes caught sight of a familiar weapon.
He picked it up and examined it.
A long, curved blade designed for powerful, sweeping strikes.
Its handle extended for greater reach, and when gripped with both hands, it enabled devastating swings.
The blade's sharp edge and intimidating curve seemed capable of both slashing and thrusting attacks.
A scythe.
One thing he needed for other weapons wasn't needed for a scythe.
Experience.
A scythe didn't need experience.
Atleast that was what he thought so.
"I think if someone doesn't know how to use other weapons, they should just pick up a scythe. It can be swung wildly and still work for both offense and defense.
Gripping the handle tightly, he returned to stand with the others.
Everyone, including Zara, was momentarily surprised at the unusual weapon in his hand.
"So without further ado, let's begin the first spar," Zara announced.
---
Thanks for reading.