14. Alaric Valle
1153 Words
The Practical Exam Arena is not an arena used for playful fights like those between Isla and Talia. This arena is a massive circular structure, specially designed to test the limits of students' strength. Its walls are made of high-level energy-absorbing material, and its floor is decorated with intricate magical patterns that serve as strength gauges and stabilizers.
A faint rumbling sound and occasional flashes of light from the arena across the way created an atmosphere of tension. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were fixed on the stage; the judges, consisting of senior instructors and several members of the Aegis Division, sat in the highest row, their faces serious and impassive.
Rivan stood at the arena entrance. His heart was pounding, but it was different from anger—it was pure adrenaline.
"Next fighters: Rivan Aster versus Leana Dione!" the referee's mechanical voice echoed throughout the complex.
Rivan stepped forward. His opponent, Leana, a girl with light brown hair and determined eyes, was already standing in the center. According to Tris, Leana was a Water Force user, not particularly strong, but very agile.
As they faced each other, Rivan glanced at the judges' seats. There, among the senior judges, sat Nathan. Nathan's eyes weren't looking directly at Rivan, but Rivan knew he was being watched. Nathan's presence gave Rivan the emotional anchor he needed.
Don't worry, control your emotions.
"Three seconds to prepare!"
"Wow, isn't this Rivan Ruang D?" exclaimed Leana, her voice clear. "I heard you're the owner of Arcane power, the fallen genius. I can't wait to defeat you."
Why Rivan Ruang D? That nickname wasn't cool at all.
Leana's words were a direct attack on Rivan's weakness. He could feel the veins in his neck tense up, and his unstable Time Control began to tremble around him, creating small visual distortions on the arena floor. Anger and shame surged within him.
Rage will drain your energy. Rage will cause you to fail.
"Begin!"
Leana wasted no time. She stomped her foot, and three fast-moving water balls shot towards Rivan.
Instead of dodging or counterattacking, Rivan did what Nathan had taught him. He stopped.
In Leana's eyes, Rivan suddenly stood stiffly, just staring at the approaching water balls. To the audience, it looked like he was giving up in panic.
However, in that second of self-control, Rivan calmed his heartbeat. He recalled the visualization of frozen flowers. The water balls seemed to move slowly. Rivan didn't freeze time around him, but he controlled his own rhythm.
When the three water balls were about to hit him, Rivan moved. He jumped to the right, using a brief 0.5-second Time Control—a fraction of a second that felt like the blink of an eye to Leana.
In that fraction of a second, Rivan managed to dodge all of Leana's attacks and landed right behind her. The arena floor beneath Rivan's feet creaked softly, registering his precise use of power.
Leana was shocked, turning around too late. "How—"
Rivan touched Leana's shoulder. The touch was not rough; it was the touch that ended the practice duel.
"I win," Rivan said calmly, without overflowing emotion.
Leana snorted in annoyance, but the referee immediately announced, "Rivan Aster wins! Extraordinary Control and Precision of Power."
As he walked out, Rivan looked at Nathan. Nathan didn't clap, but his usually cold face now showed a brief, almost imperceptible nod. It was a validation far more valuable than all the Theory scores.
Rivan realized that the key to becoming strong was not great power, but perfect control over the power he already possessed. And the key to that control lay in his emotional calm.
"Riv, here!" Isla's shout snapped him out of his thoughts.
Rivan approached and sat down next to the girl. "Isla! I haven't seen you since earlier. Did you take the test?"
"Yes, I did," replied Isla, stretching her body. "The comprehension test drained all my energy. So I went back to the dorm to sleep. Sorry I didn't tell you first."
"It's okay," replied Rivan. "But the test was really stressful. I've already resigned myself to getting a bad grade."
"Hehe... I—" Isla's words were cut off by the referee's voice.
"Alaric Valle wins!"
Rivan turned to look ahead, where a young man his age stood tall, opposite a woman who was lying unconscious on the ground.
"Alaric? Isn't that the genius from Room A?"
"Yes, he's very handsome."
The excited whispers of the students echoed around the arena. The admiring and curious stares didn't bother the young man in the slightest. His blackish-golden hair blew in the wind, complementing his cold golden eyes.
Rivan's body froze when the young man—Alaric Valle—glanced at him. That familiar face and gaze still felt like being stared at by a snake.
After that, Alaric immediately left the arena, while his opponent was carried out by medical personnel.
"He... It was him!" Rivan muttered.
The referee's voice was heard again. "Noah Dravon vs. Ryan Marshan."
"Dravon?" one of the students shouted in surprise.
"You mean that Dravon?"
"How can Room D have so many strange people in it?"
Who? Rivan ignored the whispers of the students next to him. He straightened his body, staring intently at the two people in the arena. He would not miss this opportunity to study the Young Master's weaknesses.
"Begin!"
At that very moment, Ryan launched a series of fire attacks, which Noah easily dodged.
His earrings swayed casually with his movements as Noah raised his hand and muttered softly, followed by a clenching motion.
Immediately, a loud scream of pain was heard. Ryan's body flew into the air, his limbs pressed together. It was as if he was being held by something.
"Noah Dravon wins!"
Noah's fist relaxed upon hearing the referee's announcement. Without looking back, he turned and walked away, leaving his opponent collapsed on the ground.
"Wow, that was so cool," Isla exclaimed in admiration.
Rivan rolled his eyes, his face scowling, seemingly annoyed by his roommate's victory. "Cool, my fight ended faster."
"Come on, Riv, don't lie. Don't you think you looked surprised and excited when you saw that fight just now?" Isla replied.
"Wh-what?" Rivan turned his face away, unable to stand Isla's nosy expression.
"Never mind, let's go. We only have one battle for the monthly exam." Rivan stood up and walked away.
"Wait for me," Isla shouted. She hurriedly chased after her friend.
After catching up, she wiped her forehead briefly before asking. "Where are we going?"
"Let's go to the market. Aren't you going to sell anything?"
"No, I'm taking the day off. How about we just look for a place to eat? I want to thank you for selling my beads," said Isla.
Rivan nodded in agreement, and the two of them walked off, continuing to chat and occasionally laughing at jokes one of them made.
- Writer
