Loud clashing weapons. Blinding magical conjurations. Painful groans. Cheerful shouts. The indoor training area was once again filled with people. There are currently three rings that are setup which are divided for the freshmen, intermidis and maximas. Each ring were surrounded by two groups of people. A larger group composed of the students from the Styrtan institute and a smaller group from a foreign school.

Students from a nearby city visiting another school was quite normal in Venturia. It is a way for them to learn from each other and at the same time, it is a way to gauge how good they are compared to those of the same generation. Additionally, the students are still young so winning and dominating against the other schools is a great way to make a name for themselves.

"From where are they from?" Cyziel asked, looking at the smaller groups of students.

"They are from the neighboring city of Taraj." Ru answered.

"To be specific, they are from the Amari grounds which is one of the two centers of education in Taraj." Rika added.

"Come on, let's go watch the freshmen arena!" Jorak shouted as he started walking to the right.

The group sat on the right bleachers which is closest to the freshmen ring.

"What's the rules on these fights? Is it the same with the combat class?" Cyziel asked.

"Yes, it is but you can also magic. Still, it is forbidden to use magic of rank 7 in fights. It would be too dangerous after all." Ru explained. "In actual competitions held outside then it might be allowed."

Magic classes are harder to supervise than combat classes because it is harder to control magic spells compared to the body's strength. This is especially true for higher level of magic. Luckily, higher magic would require a higher mastery of the energies which would also lead to a higher resistance for that type of magic. This means that if the two who are fighting are at least close to each other in magic rank then the damage one inflicts would be reduced. An example would be two people with different elements. If the two are both using aether magic then even if they have no affinity with the other element then they would still have some form of resistance.

As for combat classes, the rules are more simple. You just need to pull your punches if the enemy cannot fight back already. For fights that allows weapons, they should not be sharp and there is a maximum weight that people could use. They should also not target fatal locations like the head, heart or the neck. For higher level competitions like those in maximas, it is required that you are at least a level 4 in your combat arts to join. The reason for this is that your body would have cultivated enough to increase its durability and regenerative capabilities.

Cyziel nodded then observed the two people on stage. It was actually Aractos who was fighting. "Then how do they actually compare to us?"

"Not really far from us. Our results with the Amari grounds are close. It is the same for the intermidis and the maximas. This is why they like to spar with us." Vera answered.

"Well, that is only true for last year." Jorak chuckled. "I think they actually came here because of the two of you plus Ortix and Morgan."

"Yep! They probably heard the rumors about you!" Ru bumped Cyziel with her elbow. "You and Ortix really caused quite a commotion you know!"

"Not really bad for me. I am having a quiet life these days." Cyziel grinned.

-- Freshmen Arena (Indoor Training Area) --

Seeing the ring, Aractos won his first fight but lost to the next opponent he fought with.

"So where are the people that I am hearing about? I heard some rumors that there is someone here who could cast level 6 spells and she isn't even the top ranked." The short man who defeated Aractos was proudly staring down at the students from the Syrtan Institute. Wind consistently flew around him as he hovered a few centimeters above the ground.

Elvin forced his way towards the stage as he jumped inside it. "You are thinking too highly of yourself. I am more than capable to fight you."

"Oh! You are Elvin right? I would have been excited to fight before. Unfortunately, it seems that you have been replaced already. You are now only ranked 4."

"I didn't know that I am quite famous. Unfortunately, I do not seem to know you." Elvin mockingly retorted.

"I am Asif! The 2nd rank freshmen from the Amari grounds!" The short man shouted, seemingly pissed at his opponent. "I heard that you were beaten badly by some new guy."

This time Asif hit some nerves on Elvin. Ortix beat him up even as he had won their fight and it is practically an embarrassment for him. He wanted to take revenge on him but knowing that he was a friend of Cyziel, it made him worry about the possible consequences. He hasn't seen Cyziel personally fight but hearing the people talk about him and seeing some recorded footage of his fight, it signified that the rumors about Cyziel might be true. Additionally, both Vera and Morgan have not disputed any of it.

Elvin has already talked to both Vera and Morgan. Elvin at first wanted to dispute the rankings but Vera told him that she is far weaker than Cyziel. While, Morgan told him that she would not be able to beat Cyziel right now. When he also asked the instructors, they only told him that he should focus on his own self improvement and stop thinking about Cyziel. There was also the fact that Cyziel beat up an intermidis who was a member of the Mundus group and the group have not yet retaliated but instead kept quiet these days.

"Do you want to fight or just talk?" Elvin taunted, lightning essence started to gather around his hand.

Asif took out a blunt dagger then activated sharpen weapon while casting enchant wind. Enchant spells are a special type of magic. They are considered both a combat art and a magic. Unlike spells like float or wind thrust that generates wind outside the body. Enchant magic fuses the essence with its target to gain the properties of the essence. In reality, it is possible to use it with the body if the body is cultivated enough to adjust with the elemental essence. An example of this is Ortix who can turn into shadows.

Elvin then hurled bolts of lightning towards Asif. Asif then flew left and right dodging the bolts as he dived towards Elvin. Elvin stopped casting lightning magic as Asif grew closer to him. He reinforced his body and created a rock shield to block Asif but Asif tried to circle around him while casting wind strikes. There was a stalemate as one kept attacking and the other kept defending.

Asif then moved away as he prepared to cast wind blast. Elvin threw his shield towards Asif then gathered earth and fire essences. The wind blast hit the rock shield causing multiple rock fragments to fly towards the two. Elvin was already prepared as he created a wall of earth in front of him. Asif in retrospect was able to successfully block the fragments with a force shield. Unlike Elvin who was more inclined on elemental spells, Asif preferred to use combat arts that border the line of magic and body reinforcements.

Wind essences started to form some sort of wings behind Asif. These are the wings that most people from the Eleen race in the Teeny planet learn from they were young. These gave them a significant advantage as the other races when it comes to flying using the wind element.

Asif then charged towards Elvin but Elvin casted a wall of fire. He then protected himself by casting his own reinforce body art. He charged through the fire, catching some flames in the process but was able to easily disperse it with pure aether energy. Unfortunately, what greeted him behind the wall was a large ball of flaming earth that directly hit him. Elvin reused the wall of earth he created into a ball then set it on fire. Asif was hurled away while getting burned. This is the reason why Elvin was considered on the same level as Vera and Morgan. His control of the elements are superb that he could combine elements and reuse existing spells.

The teacher from the Amari grounds immediately helped Asif disperse the flames while trying to heal him.

"L-Leave me! I haven't lost yet..." Asif muttered. He didn't expect to be defeated that way. He knew that he could win that fight. His speed was greatly above Elvin and he is confident that in a war of attrition that he would win by continuously chipping at his opponent.

"That's enough!" His teacher reprimanded him, trying to shut Asif up.

"If that is all you could do then you would absolutely crushed by those above me." Elvin turned his back before pausing. "By the way, if you are confident about your speed then the one who beat me is even far faster than you."

Asif's teacher helped Asif stand up to get down the Arena, ignoring Elvin who was mocking Asif.

"You might have defeated me but Aadit would-" Asif was interrupted by someone in the crowd.

"Let it go Asif." The voice uttered. It was a tall brown man named Aadit. He was tall enough to be mistaken as a Corynis but he was actually a Varian. His hands seem to be covered by a black protective armor that could be mistaken as some kind of gauntlet but it actually naturally grew in him. He is one of those Varians who has some unique characteristics.

Asif shut himself up as his teacher jumped back down together with him. He then moved to sit on the ground beside where Aadit was standing.

"There is no need to be hostile with each other. We are here to just learn. I apologize for my friend's attitude." Aadit shouted, aiming at the students around the ring.

"Heh!" Elvin snorted. He understood these kinds of people who might seem to be kind but are really not. He could feel the arrogant aura of Aadit even as he just spoke.

*Aadit are you not going to try fighting with them?* Asif asked in a muffled voice. He wanted to indirectly suggest to Aadit to fight Elvin.

*That Elvin is strong but he is not the one I came here for. If that rumored guy came then I might actually try to challenge him.* Aadit confidently replied.

-- Cyziel's group location (Indoor Training Area)--

"What do you think about them?" Vera asked.

"Not bad. They are strong enough to fight you." Cyziel nonchalantly answered.

Vera frowned then pointed at Aadit. "How strong do you think is that other guy."

"Oh! Are you talking about that? My bad!" Cyziel chuckled, looking at Aadit.

Rika laughed. "Don't tell me that you actually didn't pay attention to them?"

"I did but the duels in the maxima rings are much more interesting."

"How could you watch that far?" Ru frowned, looking at the ring on the opposite side of the indoor area. "You could move closer if you want to watch them." She then smiled. "I'll come with you!"

"Its fine. I could watch from here." Cyziel smiled back but it caused Ru to pout. He then turned to Vera. "If you are talking about that guy. He also seem quite decent. He might be dangerous in close range but as for magic, I think you and Morgan outclasses him."

"Speaking of Morgan, I think she is staring at us again." Jorak interjected, covertly glancing at Morgan who was standing at the back of the Styrtan freshmen crowd.

"She might want to have her revenge on you Vera." Rika teased.

"Hmph. Just ignore her. I am not afraid of her and if she wants to fight then let her come." Vera scoffed, turning to Cyziel. "So what do you think about the intermidis and maximas?"

"The freshmen and intermidis doesn't seem to be that far from each other. I guess the intermidis have more mastered spells but other than that, only the maximas seem to have a higher affinity." Cyziel answered. "Is that normal?"

"I think so. Most students barely reach level 4 magic during their first year. After the first year, the curriculum becomes focused in combat and magic. As for maximas, most of them just haven't completed their assignments or they just refuse to graduate. Of course, there is a limit to how long can the maximas stay which is 4 years." Ru replied.

"Truthfully, this year was quite abnormal for the freshmen. I am not even counting you and your friends! Morgan, Vera and Elvin are already quite rare." Rika then frowned "What's more, it seems Ru and Jorak are also already on the top students and I am being left behind."

The group suddenly felt down. Everyone knew what might have been the cause of this. They have felt the change after they returned from the trial. Ru, Rika and Jorak was stuck in level 2 magic for a while but in just these few months, Ru and Jorak could already cast multiple level 4 magics while Rika was struggling with a few level 3 spells in a single element. They felt bad for Rika because she was not there during the trial but at the same time, they wouldn't recommend her to take it by herself since it would be too dangerous.

"Do not worry. There are multiple opportunities to get strong as long as you work hard for yourself." Cyziel smiled at her though he thinks that he is not the perfect person to actually say this. It would be better if it came from his other friends.

"Yeah! Yeah! You should join me during my study sessions with my personal tutor!" Ru winked at Cyziel. "He is really good though sometimes his expectations are too high!"

"Come on! I'll treat you with my new recipe! It would help you get stronger!" Jorak laughed. He does not really know how he should act whenever Rika was sad. He would prefer if she was angry at him.

"Do you want to kill her with your cooking?" Vera mockingly said.

Rika chuckled. "Alright. Thanks everyone but you really need to slow down your improvements so I could catch up."

Cyziel nodded. "Well, that's fine. I could suspend my experiments for some time."

The four bitterly looked at Cyziel before laughing altogether. They really can't understand why he sometimes seem stupid and sometimes a genius.

"What are you all laughing at?" Cyziel confusingly asked.

"Hmph! I am not sure if you are mocking me or not but I don't have any plans to catch up to you at this time." Rika then giggled. "But if you are really gonna use that time to teach me then I would not object."

"Well, we could start now. We will start to learn by watching. Though it would really be better to watch the maximas if you want to learn more unless..... I fight myself... I guess I could do that." Cyziel slowly nodded his head.

"No! Absolutely not! You are just going to cause another commotion!" Ru protested.

"I know that you are confident of yourself but it would still be better to hide your skills, specially that the intermidis and maximas are here." Jorak added.

"Hmph! You don't even have any good opponents here. How do you think that would help Rika." Vera commented. "Let's just watch the maximas instead."

"I'm fine with that!" Cyziel stepped down from the bleachers as the rest of the group followed.

-- Morgan's group location (Indoor Training Area)--

"That masked guy....." Morgan uttered. "Its Cyziel isn't it?"

"Ah!" Mara slowly scrutinized Cyziel. "Yes. It is him.

"Why haven't I had seen him these few days?" Morgan started to ponder again. Why is he hiding? What plans is he having now?

"I heard that he is also staying in the school's dorm. Aren't you also staying in the dorm?" Mara perplexingly asked.

"Yes but I still might have always missed him!" Morgan frowned. I heard that he was invited to join a more advanced science and technology class but it might actually be some kind of a group. I would need to join that group in order to learn more!

"You always miss him?" Mara giggled. "Morgan! You really have changed. Are we going to approach him?"

"Not now Mara! It would be better if I talk with him privately." Morgan resolutely answered.

"Okay chill... If you want to talk with him one on one then I'll let you." Mara placed her hand on her mouth as she giggled again.