Chaos Mana

Alastor did not see anyone that could be considered remarkable with a quick scan. Their power level collectively could only be summed by 3 Magic Circles. 

Even with a damaged foundation, the previous Alastor was able to extract up to 4 Magic Circles power. Which made Alastor realize something about this Academy again. 

Although it was not glaringly stated in the documents, it was not hidden. The classes were divided based on power level, and since Alastor hid his power, alongside Evan, they were stuck in lower classes. 

"Evan, how weak are these people?"

Evan laughed helplessly, feeling that Alastor was coming back to his old persona. He did not hate that, the brilliant white hall matched his atmosphere now. 

Hiding behind a mask of weakness did not suit Alastor. 

Evan always felt that his friend was destined for something greater than what he was doing. And Evan knew that he would be supported magnificently by Alastor then. 

Friendship was one thing, and their beneficial relationship was another. They both were aware, and for them, that kind of life was the best. 

Although Evan messed it up before, now he knew he could fix it. 

"We are considered in the average classes. There are some who are labeled as a failure by even people of 'our level', they cannot even master the 2nd Magic Circle."

"That…"

'Pretty pathetic indeed,' Alastor held back from saying that part out loud. 

Evan nodded at him then pointed towards a few, "Havin, Shimy, and Britt are the only ones that actually have decent potential in this class. Us aside, of course."

Two boys and one girl, their appearance indicated they were at least eighteen years old. So, the age did not matter to which class you would be in. It all was divided by power, by strength. 

"We can fight one of them if we want to attain a good amount of attention. The others are too weak, the Instructors may not do anything to advance us."

Nodding, Alastor did not need any more explanation. He noted the three Evan mentioned and chose the strongest between them, Havin. 

Approaching him and extending his hand for a handshake, Alastor took note of his appearance. An average looking man, but his violet hair made him seem a bit special. 

"Hey, do you perhaps mind having a friendly fight with me?"

"Friendly?" Havin's eyes narrowed. 

He grinned, remembering a rumor about Alastor. 

"Aren't you that infamous fucked up dude?"

Oh, right. Alastor had quite the reputation around here for sure. Chuckling, he nodded casually. 

"That would be me, indeed."

"Oh yeah?" Havin's grin only grew at that as he turned towards the Instructor, "Sir! Would you mind an ascension battle?!"

'Ascension-? Oh.'

Ascension battles, according to what the library's book recorded, were battles to escape from lower classes to upper classes. They were not rare, per se, but they were not too successful. 

The students usually felt it was enough to not be a failure for themselves and their families by just being in the average classes, which hindered their training and thus also demotivated them about training. 

Which was why the Academy's arrangement according to power was never mentioned directly anywhere. If it did, perhaps they would have met some troublesome entitled students. 

The Instructor looked at each student and sighed, Alastor was always acting weak, but the Instructor could still feel he was the strongest in class. 

Havin was putting himself on the spot right now, that would be a free pass for Alastor to ascend. 

Under the pressuring gaze of both students, the Instructor groaned. He was given strict orders to keep Alastor in this class, but now.. 

The two students had agreed, the Instructor's answer was only secondary. And it had to be valid. 

Just as the Instructor was in a dilemma about what to choose, Havin inched closer to him and whispered something. 

Alastor was unable to hear it, but the Instructor's face brightened and he immediately smiled. 

"Of course, that is possible! I would be happy to see my students' growth! Keep in mind, however, to ascend officially, you would need to beat an upper class' student."

Evan who was standing by the side frowned a bit. From the information he gathered, Havin should not be able to say anything that would affect the Instructor's decision. 

He was not worried about Alastor winning or losing, he knew his friend was strong enough. 

But the possibility of a great scheme being the reason that Alastor's foundation was broken from the start bothered him. 

'Maybe I'm just desperate to pin that incident on someone else.'

Evan soon shook matters off soon and focused on the scene in front of him. Alastor was now standing face to face with Havin who was grinning viciously as if his win was certain. 

"Alright, students. The rules are simple in this match, you are allowed to do anything as long as your opponent is still alive, now, start!"

'Anything?'

The people who were watching started to gossip, did it really always have been like that? There should have been a limit. Just because you did not kill your opponent, it did not mean you are free to destroy him mentally for example. 

'Wait, mentally?!'

Evan caught up to Havin's trick and wanted to interfere, but something stopped him. Alastor's smile was soft as he easily chanted something-

A cast that no one had ever heard of before. 

"Before creation comes the chaotic destruction!"

One simple sentence shook everyone as Alastor was engulfed by a purplish aura, shaking the training hall while his smile only widened. 

He could feel how this was taxing on this broken body, his bones were screaming and his veins felt on the verge of explosion. 

The power he was channeling through the Magic Circles was too much, but it was somehow thrilling. 

'This is wild, I must say.'

Alastor was not afraid of breaking the 4 circles this body had, but he realized something. 

His specialty, Chaos Magic, was actually repairing this body. He almost laughed out loud as another surge of power engulfed him, he actually created the 5th circle now! 

'Fine, this body is not bad at all! It is the body of a genius who could master the tricks of mind and body!'

Havin who was excited a moment earlier and so sure about his winning was now wavering in the face of the pure Chaotic Mana Alastor was emitting.