The time for Combat Session had finally arrived.
Looking at his phone, it was June 17, 2148.
Two weeks had passed since Brandon's arrival in this world.
Looking around, students had already gathered. From what he knew, there were a total of 100 people in his Combat Class section.
Meaning, a total of 50 pairs.
Also...
'There are new faces...'
It seemed like there were new classmates in their class. Most likely because some had already been expelled.
Glancing at his side, Amy stood tense and silent.
The two had not exchanged any words since arriving in the room.
In front of them was Evelyn Cessna, their Professor, standing on the podium.
She seemed to be checking a bunch of documents, before redirecting her gaze to the students in front of her.
"I hope you all have practiced enough. Here are the details for today's session."
She then reached out towards a white device on the table in front of her, clicking the button.
Wooosh—
As soon as she did, a blue holographic frame materialized. On it were what seemed to be the details for whatever was planned for today.
[Combat Session]
[Type: Battle Royale]
[Location: Virtual Simulation Room]
[Objective: The primary objective of the battle royale is to be the last pair standing.]
[Environment: The virtual simulation will feature diverse and dynamic environments, including forests, mountains, ruins, beaches, and tundra.]
[Safe Zone and Convergence: Throughout the match, a safe zone will periodically shrink. Students caught outside the safe zone will immediately be disqualified.]
[Rules:]
Due to it being virtual, killing is allowed.
All sorts of modes for fighting are allowed. But duelists are advised to bring their signature weapon before entering the pods.
Teaming is allowed. But remember, there shall only be one pair left standing.
Torturing is not allowed. We know some of you students here are sadists. Hence, if caught, you will be immediately disqualified.
[Grading System:]
1st–2nd : A
3rd–6th: B
7th–12th: C
13th–22nd: D
23rd–50th: F
While the students continued to read the details of the task, Evelyn sternly stated,
"I know the placements are ridiculous. But don't worry, an F does not mean an expulsion. You'll only be graded 0."
She took a brief pause, walking around, assessing each student—who wore looks of tension in their faces, then continued,
"The only basis for expulsion will be disqualification. So please try to not get yourself disqualified."
She then continued on about how the Virtual Simulation will take place.
In the room they were in, there were a hundred–white circular pods, each in the shape of a full grown adult.
Once the pod was entered, each student will put on a white helmet called 'Augma Nerve'.
After wearing, it was advised to keep their minds clear and ease their tension.
As soon as they were ready, all they had to do was mutter the words, "Activate Link", and the Virtual Simulation pod would start.
It was also advised to have a full belly and hydrated, as the entire session would last for five hours.
But it was already debriefed in their Astrea Academy app, the moment they woke up in the morning.
After it was all settled, each student entered the pod.
Brandon entered a pod that was next to the one Amy entered.
Settling inside, Brandon donned the Augma Nerve, covering his entire head.
Gradually, his mouth parted open to mutter,
"Activate Link."
Voooosh–
***
"Who do you think is going to win?"
Evelyn then pondered at Vanessa's question.
Glancing at the pods around her, one-by-one, each pod started to glow a bright white.
She didn't know how to respond to Vanessa, who was sitting right beside her.
Evelyn was seated as well, turned the chair around, and glanced at the wide screen in front of her.
The screen displayed the entire environment inside the Virtual Simulation.
On it, the students were spawned with their pair, separated from other pairs.
Though, the viewing room was in the same place as the Virtual Simulation area, it was situated at the top, separating the two sections.
Changing the channels to see each students' face, none of them were familiar to her.
She was a newly appointed Professor after all. She didn't know any of the kids in her class.
She then turned to Vanessa, who was shoving her fork with pastry in her mouth, and asked,
"What about you? Any guesses?"
"All the Professors who were tasked with the first years think it's Raven Blackheart."
"..."
Who…?
"Haha, give me the remote, I'll show you what he looks like."
Switch– Switch– Switch—
Until the channel stopped to pause at a boy with jet black hair, and ocean blue eyes.
On both of his hands were daggers, he seemed to already be prepared.
Unlike the students, the Professors harbored no discrimination towards Duelists.
Not just the Professors, but most adults in the working society.
When she first heard of the hierarchy in the Academy, Evelyn thought it was stupid.
She then turned towards Vanessa again. She seemed to have finished her pastry.
But…
She took another one from her bag, opened it, and nibbled.
'What a weirdo.'
But Evelyn smiled, they went way back during their academy days after all.
They were best friends.
But to her initial statement, Evelyn was puzzled.
If that's what the other Professors think, then what did Vanessa think?
Thus, she decided to ask,
"Do you also think it's Raven Blackheart?"
"Nope."
Vanessa stated with no hesitation, as if she was already sure who was going to win.
"Then who?"
"I'm still unsure about him, but I believe his potential is way more than Raven's."
Who was she talking about?
Switch- Switch– Switch—
Until the channel paused once again.
What met Evelyn's line of sight was another boy, with long pale-white hair, and ice-blue eyes.
When Evelyn caught sight of him, her eyes shot wide open.
From her side, Vanessa let out a laugh.
"Hahaha~ Do you see it too?"
"Yes…"
"He thinks he's hiding it well, but most of the Professors had suspected it already."
A possible Deviant.
Unlike the students, Professors who had an expertise in mana could distinguish an individuals' mana signature.
It was possible to hide it, of course. But it seemed like the boy didn't know how.
If a Mage with one affinity had their mana signature in the same color as their elements, then a Deviants' color was pure white.
But of course, not everyone could actually distinguish it. It was only the ones' who had meticulously studied mana to the brim.
"Interesting… What's his name?"
"Brandon Locke."
"Ah, what rank is he?"
"1,890th."
"..."
Was she joking?
She had to be.
How could a possible Deviant ranked so low?
"Hahaha~ Unfortunately, I'm not joking. I was pretty disappointed too. But still, he has potential."
"How did he place so low?"
"He was mostly held back by his test score."
"Ah."
So he was an idiot.
Power means nothing when your brain can't even comprehend with it.
Then what was so special about him, that even someone like Vanessa could be confident in him winning?
She was then snapped out of her thoughts, as Vanessa called out to her, pointing at the screen.
"Look, it's starting."
Before Evelyn looked at the screen, her attention lingered elsewhere.
"Your face."
"Oh... Thanks."
There were traces of whipped cream all over her mouth.
"H-How unlucky…"
"You can s-say that again…"
The two shivered relentlessly.
It was cold.
Too cold.
At the start of the Battle Royale, Brandon and Amy found themselves in a vast expanse of tundra.
Ice sheets were layered on the ground, as the trees around them were draped in a pristine layer of white snow.
"Brr…"
Even the Virtual Simulation accurately captured the sheer coldness of a tundra biome.
Truly, Virtual Simulation was a groundbreaking technology.
"I s-should've worn a thick coat before entering…"
Amy shuddered, rubbing her arms with her hands, trying to warm herself up however she can.
If Brandon could, he would conjure up flames right at the moment.
But he can't.
'Not when Amy is here.'
She'd already seen Felix's ashes. The fact that he wasn't known to have the Fire Affinity was one of his alibis to the crime.
"Can't you change the weather?"
"No, I can only make it slightly rain."
'Useless.'
Amy knitted her brows, still rubbing her arms.
"You just thought I was useless, didn't you?"
"..."
Staring at her, Brandon shrugged it off.
"You're imagining it."
Amy rolled her eyes at Brandon's response.
Scanning the area, for whatever shelter he could find, he could see a cave nearby.
"Let's h-head there."
He pointed towards the cave with trembling hands.
Amy immediately nodded, following him closely.
Scrunch– Scrunch—
Each footstep made a rustling sound as they walked towards the cave, stepping on lumps of foliage.
Scrunch– Scrunch—
Finally they arrived at the entrance of the cave.
But before they entered, Brandon leaned down, grabbing a bunch of flints, sticks, and leaves.
Amy approached him, tilting her head. Her hands clasped behind her back.
"What are you doing?"
"I'll make a fire out of this."
"You know how to do that?"
"I think so."
Brandon was glad to have read a survival book back when he was in the bookstore.
He just grabbed as many books as he could, regardless of the content.
Of course, he had lingering regrets with that decision.
Because…
'Three of the books were smut.'
And he had to pay for all the books before reading.
Of course, when he returned home, he immediately burnt the three books.
'A necessary sacrifice.'
After picking up an appropriate amount, he beckoned inside the cave, signaling for Amy to enter as well.
…
Voosh—
"Woah, you really did it."
Amy clapped her hands in astonishment.
Seated face-to-face with her, Brandon was surprised as well.
He never thought it would actually work.
He'd only read the application of making a fire. But this was the first time he'd actually done it.
Accelerated Cognition working its magic.
Tearing his gaze from the flames, he looked above. Just hovering in the air was a system interface.
It was quite similar to his system, but it was one of the Virtual Simulation's features.
Click-
Clicking on it, a virtual map materialized in his view.
On it displayed the current safe zone, as well as the timer, just below it.
[4:46]
4 hours and 46 minutes.
They were informed that the safe zone would shrink every 30 minutes.
A warning would appear on the map on whatever the amount of space the convergence zone would take.
Glancing at the map, it seemed like they were still within boundaries.
After that, he closed it.
"Brr…"
Too cold.
The two continued to shiver relentlessly, despite the flames keeping them warm to a certain degree.
Staring at the fire, his attention was redirected to Amy who shuddered, as she pursed her lips to say,
"W-What should we do next?"
Brandon pondered for a while, unsure of what to say.
The best choice was to relocate to a different biome.
But in doing so, would expose them to attacks in every angle.
It had to be noted that–every 15 minutes, everyone who's out in the open would be exposed on the map.
A red dot would appear, signaling the location of anyone that was outside.
And to their surprise, there wasn't an indicator of how many students were still alive.
Meaning, they wouldn't know what ranking they'd place if they died.
For all they knew they could be expelled even if the timer was down to the last hour.
So for now…
"Let's wait."
"...Okay."
It was then when the system interface notified him.
[4:45]
Instantly, Brandon opened the map, trying to see if anyone's location was exposed.
And to his surprise…
"Amy, get up."
"I know."
There was someone nearby.
Just outside the cave.
For some reason, Amy was hiding behind Brandon.
But Brandon didn't mind, Amy's water magic would be a good support for his lightning.
Step-
Footsteps became audible, just outside the cave.
Step- Step– Step—
As the footsteps became louder, two silhouettes emerged at the entrance.
***
"What Battle Royale? This is a vacation!"
Splash-!
Claire stood at the sea, splashing water at Raven, as he motioned his hand to block the incoming water.
"Haa… How are you so–"
Splash-!
"Calm in this–"
Splash-!
"Situation."
Splash-!
"Please, stop."
Raven raised his hand to his face, dabbing at the droplets of water.
Claire flashed him a wide grin, placing her hands on her waist.
"It's because I'm strong. And plus, you're here, Mr. Ranked 1 Student."
"Are you that confident in winning?"
"Of course, we're both the top 3 students within the first years. We're practically a cheat. Can anyone even oppose us?"
"I can name two people."
"Ah, right."
But…
Splash-!
"Do you see them around?"
Claire stated, continuing to splash water at Raven.
Drenched in water, Raven responded,
"Nope, but we shouldn't let our–"
Splash–!
"Guard down… Claire, please…"
"Fine, fine. What a killjoy, it's not everyday we get to go to the beach, you know?"
"It's not even real."
Splash-!
"Is this not real enough for you?"
"..."
After that, the system interface notified Raven.
"Claire…"
"Yeah."
Their location was exposed.
And to their surprise, there was a red dot that appeared on the location near them.
Rustle–
The bushes in front of them rustled with movement.
Immediately, Raven retrieved his daggers, holding one in each hand.
SHIIIING–!
From behind him, Claire did the same, unsheathing her rapier from her sword belt, which was placed on her waist.
As two figures emerged from the bushes, Raven immediately used [Shadow Step], teleporting right behind him–or rather, his shadow.
The man's eyes shot wide open.
"How–"
Slash-! Splurt—!
He gave him no time to finish his words, as he opted to slit the man's throat.
Voosh-!
From beside him, a torrent of flames tried to engulf him.
But Raven quickly dodged it, stepping to the side.
What met his line of sight was a woman, a mage. With long brown hair and black eyes.
She wore a look of shock, as she spoke,
"P-Please spare me, I don't want to get expe–"
Swoosh– Tszzzzzz—!
Claire immediately bolted from her position, as sparks of purple lightning left her trail. Giving the woman no time to plead for her life, as she mercilessly stabbed her in the abdomen.
Both the man and the woman dispersed, dematerializing. As particles fluttered in the air and blood splattered from where their body was.
At that, they've successfully killed the pair.
The Battle Royale was still in the early stages after all.
Glancing at Claire–who was still fixed in a crouched position, her rapier facing forward, Raven gave her a nod.
"Good work."
"You too."
"...Still, is it just me? Or do I feel bad."
"It's just you, remember, Astrea Academy is a school for elites. Only the best of the best survive here."
Raven immediately dismissed his thoughts. Erasing any feelings of lingering guilt.
"You're right, sorry."
"It's fine. Just reminding you."
"Thanks."
Raven then glanced up at the sky as he muttered,
"I wonder how Brandon and Amy are doing."
*
*
*
[AN]
A short chapter, just to introduce the start of this arc.
This arc will be quite long.
But I hope each chapter of it is enjoyable.
Thanks for the support on this book, a discord server will go live in a few days.
Do check out the current novel I'm working on.
If you're looking for a story similar to The Villain Wants to Live and Academy's Genius Blinker, then you'll probably enjoy reading this one.
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