Chapter — Practical Combat Exam: Welcome to the Circus
The academy's Practical Combat Arena was massive.
Floating platforms.
Barrier crystals.
Illusion projectors.
It was designed to test combat ability.
Instead, it tested everyone's patience.
Instructor's Announcement (Already Ignored)
"Students will engage in one-on-one mock combat.
Excessive force is prohibited.
No lethal intent.
No property damage."
Lucien raised his hand.
"What counts as property damage?"
The instructor stared.
"…Lower your hand."
Lucien nodded obediently.
Match One — Immediate Chaos
A muscular noble stepped into the arena first.
"Witness my flame—"
He slipped.
On his own mana.
And faceplanted.
The barrier crystal projected:
DEFEATED
The arena went silent.
Then—
Someone clapped.
Lucien.
"Perfect execution," he said sincerely.
Match Two — Elf Precision vs Overconfidence
An elf student summoned dozens of mana arrows.
A human opponent panicked.
Tripped.
Rolled.
Accidentally kicked the elf's ankle.
The elf fell.
DEFEATED
Elarion leaned toward Lucien.
"…This exam lacks dignity."
Lucien nodded.
"It's beautiful."
Lucien's Turn
"Lucien Arden," the instructor called.
Lucien hopped down cheerfully.
His opponent:
A heavily armored student with an oversized hammer.
The crowd murmured.
"That's unfair."
"Lucien's dead."
"Why is he smiling?"
Round Start
The hammer came down.
Lucien stepped aside.
The platform cracked.
The examiner screamed internally.
Lucien blinked.
"…Oops."
Lucien's Strategy (Or Lack Thereof)
Instead of attacking—
Lucien ran.
Around.
In circles.
The hammer student chased him furiously.
"STOP RUNNING!"
Lucien called back,
"I'M KITING!"
Nobody understood that.
Except Elarion.
"…Is he treating this like a game?"
Seraphine smiled.
"He always does."
The Finish
The hammer student swung wildly.
Overextended.
Slipped on his own sweat.
Lucien gently poked his shoulder.
DEFEATED
The arena froze.
Then exploded with laughter.
The instructor rubbed his temples.
"…Next."
Seraphine's Match — Elegant Terror
Seraphine stepped forward.
Her opponent swallowed hard.
She didn't move.
Didn't cast.
Didn't attack.
She just looked at him.
The student's knees buckled.
DEFEATED (Mental Collapse)
Lucien clapped.
"Psychological damage counts."
The instructor screamed into the void.
Elarion's Match — Too Graceful
Elarion drew his blade.
One step.
One cut.
Clean.
Perfect.
His opponent never realized the match started.
DEFEATED
Lucien squinted.
"That was illegal levels of cool."
Elarion bowed.
"I apologize."
He did not.
Kael's Match — The Mood Shifts
Kael entered last.
His opponent charged.
Kael didn't dodge.
Didn't retreat.
He swung.
The air screamed.
The barrier shook violently.
Everyone fell silent.
DEFEATED (Force Override)
The instructor stood abruptly.
"STOP!"
Kael froze.
His breathing was heavy.
His eyes burned crimson for half a second.
Lucien's smile faded.
That's not supposed to happen yet.
Aftermath: Absolute Disaster
The exam results floated up.
Lucien: Pass (Method Questioned)
Seraphine: Pass (Fear-Inducing)
Elarion: Pass (Annoyingly Perfect)
Kael: Pass (UNDER OBSERVATION)
Lucien leaned back.
"Well," he said cheerfully,
"no one died."
The instructor glared.
"That is not the standard."
Closing Joke
As they left—
A student whispered,
"This exam was a joke."
Lucien overheard and nodded seriously.
"Yes."
Then added—
"We were the punchline."
The academy bell rang.
And somewhere—
Fate took notes.