The selection process was swift. One after the other, the cadets instinctively turned to each other, randomly choosing their sparring partners. It was an unspoken rule, a silent agreement between those who met eyes or simply stood in close proximity.
Even Kairos, who had made no moves to find a partner, found himself approached by a dark-haired boy who stepped toward him with a confident stride.
"Hey, let's spar. You look like someone that's really strong."
Kairos nodded without hesitation, his mind processing the boy's words with caution. The tone carried confidence—either he was strong or trying to intimidate. Yet, from the way his physique spoke volumes of trained power, Kairos quickly dismissed the idea of it being an empty bluff.
'Should I refuse?' Kairos questioned himself. 'I may be a legendary class, but a failed one at that...'
His gaze shifted momentarily to the other cadets, scanning for any potential alternative. But his silent debate ended the moment he realized something—there were no other unpaired candidates. Every other cadet had already locked in their matchups. Whether he liked it or not, it was too late to back out now.
"Now that you have all picked a partner, each team should proceed to a platform and await my command," the sergeant's authoritative voice rang out, carrying weight over the restless cadets.
Hearing her command, the participants moved in pairs, stepping onto the designated platforms. Kairos and his opponent walked toward the sixth platform, its bold number painted at its center. The tension in the air thickened as the duos positioned themselves opposite one another, awaiting further instruction.
Once all had settled, the sergeant's voice came through a speaker, loud and clear, ensuring that no one missed the instructions.
"The rules are simple: first to be knocked out of the ring or knocked unconscious loses the match. Now, you may proceed."
The concise nature of her speech left no room for confusion. As soon as the words left the speaker, most of the cadets wasted no time, summoning their beasts and engaging in battle with fierce determination. It was as if they had harbored grudges long before this moment, their attacks carrying an intensity that spoke of more than just a test.
However, Kairos and the dark-haired boy remained still, neither making the first move. They stood in a silent standoff, each analyzing the other.
Kairos' attention momentarily drifted toward the surrounding battles. His eyes widened slightly as he watched the beasts clash, their abilities manifesting in awe-inspiring ways. The strength, the speed, the sheer power displayed—it was unlike anything he had expected.
"They're so awesome..." he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough to hear himself.
Some candidates were thrown off the platform within seconds, while others held their ground, engaging in battles of equal footing. The fights were relentless, but Kairos' moment of admiration was abruptly interrupted.
"My name is Darnell Graves! What's yours?" the boy in front of him suddenly announced, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. He had the air of someone who preferred to know the name of his opponent before defeating them.
Kairos met his gaze with an unreadable expression. "Kairos Veyl... Shall we begin our battle?"
A grin spread across Darnell's face, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Kairos didn't know why, but something about that grin unsettled him.
Without another word, he placed his hands together, focusing his energy. Beneath him, a dark liquid began to pool, its surface rippling like a void. Slowly, from within the swirling darkness, a beast emerged—a large, wolf-like creature with eyes that gleamed like the abyss itself.
"Ready, Shadow Wolf?" Kairos murmured to his beast.
The creature responded with a low growl, its muscles tensed, prepared for battle.
Kairos kept his gaze locked on Darnell, waiting to see what kind of beast his opponent would summon. He needed to win this quickly.
And then—
A blur. Too fast. Before Kairos could fully register what had happened, Darnell had moved. His form vanished from where he stood, and in the blink of an eye, he reappeared directly in front of Kairos, his palm swinging toward his throat. Long, razor-sharp claws extended from his fingers, glinting with lethal intent.
Kairos' breath caught in his throat. He was too slow. He had no time to react.
WHAM!
A powerful force struck Darnell mid-motion, sending him skidding backward several feet. The Shadow Wolf had intercepted, swinging its massive paw at the last possible moment.
Darnell staggered before coming to a stop. A low chuckle escaped his lips, growing into an unhinged laugh. He licked his lips, his expression a twisted mix of amusement and thrill.
"Heheheh! Nice summon you've got there. If he had been a second late, you would have been dead!"
Kairos exhaled sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for his throat. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath.
'That bastard... he really tried to kill me,' he thought, his gaze sharpening.
And then, he saw it—things he hadn't noticed before.
Darnell's body had changed. A long tail protruded from his lower back, his frame was larger, his teeth had elongated into sharp fangs, and orange fur covered his skin. He had transformed into something more beast than man.
"Oh, is that it?" Kairos straightened his stance, clenching his fists. "Come at me."
As if the words fueled him, Darnell let out a laughter resembling that of a hyena before lunging forward once again. This time, Kairos was ready.
"Now, Shadow!" he commanded.
The Shadow Wolf wasted no time. Its maw opened, releasing a swirling beam of darkness aimed directly at Darnell.
"What?!" Darnell's instincts flared. He halted his momentum abruptly, his feet skidding against the platform as he leapt to the side. The dark energy struck the ground where he had stood, exploding on impact like the toll of a war drum.
'Nice attack, but too slow!'
Darnell's eyes locked onto Kairos once more. His wolf had used a strong attack—it would need time to recharge. That meant Kairos was vulnerable.
"Now, witness my full speed!" Darnell roared, bending his knees before launching himself forward at an even greater velocity.
Kairos saw it coming. But this time, he did not flinch.
Darnell's claws slashed through his form—and yet, there was no impact.
"What?! Darkness?!" Darnell's claws passed through Kairos as if he were nothing more than smoke.
Realization struck too late.
Behind him, the Shadow Wolf moved. With a forceful swipe, it struck Darnell in the gut, sending him flying off the platform.
He hit the ground with a resounding thud.
Kairos' voice carried over the silence that followed. "Power doesn't matter when wits are present."
The darkness that had concealed him dissipated as he reappeared beside his beast. The match had lasted longer than others, drawing the attention of all who had yet to leave.
He had been outmatched in raw strength.
But he had won with strategy.
From afar, the sergeant watched with interest. A subtle smile formed on her lips.
"What was his name again?" she asked one of her subordinates, who quickly scanned a tablet before answering.
"Kairos Veyl, ma'am."
She nodded, murmuring the name under her breath.
'I will keep my sights on him.'