Chapter 2: Practical test (part 1)

In the grand hall of Lazarius Academy, Lucian and the other students stood in a mixture of awe and trepidation, their eyes darting around the opulent surroundings. Yet, as minutes passed, a sense of unease began to settle among them. The absence of instructors went unnoticed at first, but soon, whispers of concern rippled through the crowd. With a sudden flicker, a light accompanied by smoke filled the hall, and the massive double doors leading to the hall sealed shut. Panic erupted as students shouted in outrage, demanding answers to the sudden turn of events. "What is the meaning of this?" cried one student, while another questioned, "Why is this happening?" The chaos intensified, voices blending into a cacophony of fear and confusion until, one by one, students succumbed to unconsciousness.

When they regained consciousness, Lucian and his peers found themselves on an unfamiliar island, the tranquil sounds of nature replacing the clamor of the academy halls. Disoriented and disbelieving, they struggled to comprehend their situation. The lush landscape stretched before them, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the canopy above. With a collective sense of apprehension, they realized they were stranded, left to navigate the challenges of this unknown terrain. Each student grappled with a mix of uncertainty and determination, uncertain of what lay ahead on this island that now served as their unexpected battleground for the practical exam.

As the students gathered on the island, confusion rippled through the crowd. How had they been transported here? And why? Suddenly Headmistress Oroma's authoritative voice cut through the murmurs, her words demanding attention even though no one could pinpoint where exactly the voice was coming from.

"Welcome, students," she declared, her voice carrying across the landscape. "You have been transported to this island as part of the practical exam for Lazarius Academy. Out of the 10,000 of you gathered here, only 1,000 will earn admission. This island will be your proving ground."

Lucian's heart quickened as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. This was his chance to prove himself, to escape the shadows of his family's expectations.

"With the power of my Future Sight," Headmistress Oroma continued, "I will ensure fairness throughout the trials. Each of you will face challenges designed to reveal your true potential."

Lucian felt a surge of determination. This was his moment to shine.

Lucian and the other students soon awakened to the realization that they were not alone. The island teemed with life, but not just any life – empowered creatures roamed the wilderness, each one a testament to the dangers that lurked within.

On the first day, as the students explored their surroundings, they quickly discovered that the island was inhabited by empowered monsters. From agile Shadow Foxes to massive Steel Tusk Boars, these creatures posed a formidable challenge to anyone who dared to cross their path. However, despite their ferocity, none of these creatures exceeded the rank of F which funnily enough was also the average rank of the students, ensuring that the students would not face insurmountable odds.

The ranking system, ingrained in the culture of Lazarius Academy, dictated the strength and prowess of each individual. Ranks ranged from G, the lowest, to S, the highest, with - and + indicating proximity to the next rank. Lucian himself was classified as an E rank, hovering on the verge of being classified as E+. The classification of one's rank depended on how well they had mastered their empowerment – their ability to harness and control their unique powers.

As Lucian ventured deeper into the island's wilderness, he encountered his first true test: a steel-tusked boar, its metallic hide gleaming in the sunlight. The creature charged with ferocious speed, its tusks poised to strike. Lucian's heart raced as he braced himself for the confrontation, knowing that his performance in this battle would determine his fate in the academy.

Summoning his power of Matter Manipulation, Lucian focused his mind, shaping the very earth beneath him to form an earth wall. The boar thundered forward, its massive form barreling through the underbrush with frightening speed and slamming into the earthen wall. As the steel-tusked boar collided with the earthen wall, the ground shook beneath Lucian's feet. Dust and debris filled the air as the impact reverberated through the forest. With a grunt of effort, Lucian maintained his concentration, holding the wall in place against the force of the boar's charge.

But the boar was undeterred, its metallic tusks scraping against the hardened earth as it attempted to break through Lucian's barrier. With each passing moment, the strain on Lucian's powers grew, threatening to overwhelm him. Sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled to maintain his focus, his mind a whirlwind of concentration and determination.

Drawing upon his power of Matter Manipulation, Lucian reinforced the wall, imbuing it with additional strength and resilience. The earth responded to his command, shifting and solidifying into an impenetrable barrier. For a brief moment, the boar faltered, its momentum slowed by the sheer force of Lucian's will.

Seizing the opportunity, Lucian sprang into action. With a swift motion, he unleashed a volley of projectiles, hurling rocks and debris at the distracted creature. The boar recoiled, its metallic hide pocked with bruises and scratches from the barrage.

But the respite was short-lived. With a snarl of rage, the boar renewed its assault, charging at Lucian with renewed ferocity. Lucian braced himself, his muscles tensing as he prepared to meet the creature head-on.

As the boar closed the distance between them, Lucian unleashed a surge of power, reshaping the very air around him into a whirlwind of energy. The tempest enveloped the charging creature, buffeting it with hurricane-force winds and disorienting it in a maelstrom of chaos.

With a final burst of effort, Lucian delivered the decisive blow, channeling his power into a concentrated blast of energy. The force of his attack sent the boar hurtling backward, its metallic form crashing to the ground with a deafening thud.

Breathless and exhausted, Lucian stood victorious amidst the wreckage of the battlefield. Sweat trickled down his brow as he surveyed the aftermath of the battle, his heart still pounding in his chest. But as he caught his breath, he knew that the true test was yet to come. With the memory of the boar's relentless charge still fresh in his mind, Lucian steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when the stakes were so high.

Determined to prove his worth, Lucian decided to seek out more empowered creatures to battle. He believed that by demonstrating his strength and skill, he would increase his chances of being accepted into Lazarius Academy. But just as he was about to venture deeper into the wilderness, a group of students emerged from the shadows.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Lucian Kaito," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Or should I call you the disgrace of the Kaito family? Never thought I'd be able to beat you during the entrance exam. I guess Lady Luck is on my side."

The student's words cut through the air like a knife, eliciting a wicked smile from his lips. Lucian's heart sank as he realized he was about to face another challenge, not just from the creatures of the island, but from his fellow students as well. With a steely resolve, he prepared himself for whatever lay ahead, knowing that he couldn't afford to back down now.