Within the vast, sunlit stadium, the atmosphere was entirely different from the twilight of the dimensional zone.
The chaotic spatial tear had vanished, sealed by the Sub-Dean's immense power. In its place, a colossal, three-dimensional holographic image shimmered at the center of the arena. It was a perfect, real-time representation of the entire training dimension, a god's-eye view that allowed spectators to zoom in on any area, tracking the progress and struggles of the thousands of recruits within.
The spectator seats, empty just an hour ago, were now populated. A number of senior students, mostly from the second and third years, had come to watch the show. For many, the annual entrance examination was a break from the monotony of their own missions and cultivation. It was a chance to scout for promising new talent, reminisce about their own trials, and perhaps even witness a rising star—or a spectacular failure.
The fourth and fifth-year students were, as usual, conspicuously absent.
Their lives were a relentless cycle of high-stakes missions, deep cultivation, and brutal training.
If they weren't stationed at the Ancient Dimensional Battlegrounds, fighting at the very front lines of humanity's war against the endless monster hordes, they were undertaking high-level assignments for the academy. They had no time to spare.
On a particular set of seats, situated in a prime viewing location, a young man and a young woman sat comfortably.
The young man exuded an air of relaxed confidence, his posture leisurely but his eyes sharp and focused. He was a second-year student, and a notable one at that.
Cain Reddington. He was ranked 7th amongst the second-year elites and an impressive 353rd on the Supreme Elite Rankings, a comprehensive list that ranked every elite student from the first to the fifth year.
He wasn't just a typical student; he was a core member of the Elite Class, a fact that set him leagues apart from the common masses.
The academy's classes were divided into three main groups based on talent and potential.
At the bottom were the Human Class students, those who had passed the entrance examination but possessed limited potential. They were given basic resources and knowledge, their lives and futures considered far less important than those above them.
Next was the Elite Class. These students received ten times the resources of the Human Class and were given special treatment, trained by the best instructors with the finest materials the university could provide.
They were the monsters and geniuses of their generation, the core of the university's strength. If an Elite Class student were to die, the university would expend immense resources to investigate their death and exact revenge, a courtesy not extended to the disposable members of the Human Class.
And at the very pinnacle was the Supernal Class. They were legends, monstrous, once-in-a-hundred-year geniuses who were considered the true inheritors of the university's legacy. It was rumored they were so few they could be counted on two hands, though no one truly knew how many there were or who exactly they were, their identities a closely guarded secret.
For Cain to be ranked 7th among the second-year Elites was a testament to his formidable strength.
The young woman beside him was no less impressive. Jasmine, a beauty with an enchanting air, was ranked 8th in the Second-Year Elite Rankings and 354th on the Supreme Elite Ranking.
The two of them stared at the holographic projection, their eyes occasionally flicking to a constantly updating leaderboard at the side, which displayed the names of the recruits with the highest kill points.
The young woman suddenly spoke, her voice like the gentle chime of a jade bell. "I didn't think you'd still come here, Cain, especially after everything that happened this morning."
Cain didn't turn to look at her, his gaze remaining fixed on the projection. "They said a B-rank Astra Soul talent emerged from this batch," he said leisurely. "I simply wanted to see how his strength compares to our Prime Student from that year."
Jasmine raised a delicate eyebrow. "Of course, our Prime is stronger. Especially now that he's upgraded his Astra Soul talent from A-rank to the shocking S-rank. There's no comparison." She paused, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But I don't think that's the real reason you're here. You're here to see the guy who crippled your little brother, right?"
A cute, melodic giggle escaped her lips, a sound so enchanting it seemed to spread through the surrounding air. Several male students sitting nearby, who had been trying to subtly listen in, couldn't help but turn and stare at her, feverish, infatuated looks on their faces. They couldn't control their emotions; their faces flushed red at the mere sound of her voice and the sight of her soul-alluring eyes.
Cain finally glanced at her, his eyes flickered with a strangely odd look. "Hmmph. Your Jade Siren Soul seems to have gotten stronger. Didn't think you'd manage to level up your meditation technique so fast." He stared at Jasmine for a moment, the greed in his eyes so intense it was as though he wanted to consume her whole.
Jasmine simply smiled, and it was as if the most beautiful flower in the universe had bloomed, momentarily darkening the sun. However, Cain just chuckled and forced himself to look away, breaking the spell.
Jasmine let out a soft snort of disappointment. "He crippled Klein," Cain replied, his voice returning to its leisurely state. "It forced me to use one of my life-saving treasures just to begin his healing process. Of course, I came here to watch. I want to see what kind of a person dared to be so ruthless to a Reddington."
Jasmine snorted again, but this time it was laced with a chilling power. The students who had been staring at her with infatuation suddenly flinched as if drenched in ice water. The spell was broken, and they scrambled away from her in fear, their faces pale.
"Oh, look!" Jasmine suddenly pointed at the holographic leaderboard. "He got the first kill!"
---
On the high table, seated in the instructors' segment, Instructor Pearson leaned forward, his eyes wide with surprise as he saw the rankings change. At the very top of the list, a single name had appeared.
[1. Dravin Borne - 10 Points (Rank 2 Kill)]
"Hm? He actually managed to get the first kill?" Pearson murmured, an incredulous smile forming on his face. He had hoped the boy would survive, but he had never expected him to be the first one on the board.
"Hehehe! The lowest-ranked recruit was actually the first to get a kill. It seems this year's generation is nothing but trash, with only one or two real geniuses among them," a sneering voice sounded from beside him.
It was another instructor, a middle-aged man with a perpetually sour expression named Pedro. He and Pearson had a long-standing rivalry.
Instructor Pearson chuckled, not taking the bait. "Pedro, even the lowest of my recruits is getting a good mark right out of the gate. It means my teachings haven't been for nothing. Unlike the many resources you've wasted cultivating trash over the years."
"You!" Instructor Pearson's face instantly flushed with anger. He had never forgiven Pearson for stealing the position of Head Recruit Instructor from him two years ago, and now the man was openly insulting his teaching methods. This was simply unforgivable!
But before their argument could escalate, a familiar cold snort echoed, and like timid child they immediately went quiet, not daring to speak anymore.
It was Sub-dean Scarlett.