Cosmic Awakening: The Path of the Omnigen Sovereign

"Let's go!" the principal yelled as he led all the students to the sky shuttle.

"Mr. Zhang Wei, I didn't expect you to be the one picking us up this year," the principal respectfully said to the man standing beside the sky shuttle.

Zhang Wei was dressed in black, with two short swords hanging at his waist. He also carried small throwing knives strapped to his thighs, easily within reach. He looked very much like an assassin.

"The academies send a sky shuttle to pick up students from each city. Mr. Zhang Wei is the one assigned to pick us up from Cloud City High School. His Path is that of an assassin," the vice principal explained.

Wu Yuan looked at Zhang Wei confirming what had been said 'He really does look like an assassin, but why would someone like that be handling a school escort?' he thought.

"Xu Lei." Zhang Wei nodded. "Let's not waste time, you're already late as it is." He said tapping the projected screen of his Halo band.

The Sky Shuttle's underbelly parted with a soft hiss, and a ramp descended, linking ship with ground.

"You and your students should get in." He pointed to the ramp.

"Yes Mr. Zhang Wei." The principal nodded and directed the students in.

One by one, the students stepped onto the ramp. Wu Yuan followed silently, and soon, they were all lifted into the sky shuttle.

Zhang Wei entered the pilot's chamber. The sky shuttle lifted off smoothly and shot into the sky.

In the sky shuttle, seats were lined side by side. After getting in, Wu Yuan sat cross-legged, and his consciousness sank into the space as he resumed studying the imprint.

"Hmph! Wasteful…" Liu Kai sneered, casting a scornful glance at Wu Yuan's unmoving form. No spiritual energy, no progress, just empty posturing in his eyes.

Wu Yuan didn't respond to the sneer. He didn't need spiritual energy right now. What he was studying was far more valuable to him, even if no one else could see it.

He picked a spot nearby, sat cross-legged, and began to cultivate. Thin streams of spiritual energy immediately gathered around him, flowing steadily into his body.

Seeing this, the other students exchanged glances. Not wanting to be left behind, they quickly followed suit, each one assuming a meditative posture and drawing in spiritual energy to prepare for the competition ahead.

The competition would take place in the Central Capital, renowned as the grandest and most influential city in the land.

The sky shuttle soon landed, and the ramp descended as the students walked down.

Other shuttles were also docking, with students stepping off their ramps one after another

"Thanks for the safe journey Mr. Zhang Wei." The principal cupped his hand in respect.

"No need for pleasantries. I'm just doing my job," Zhang Wei said, waving his hand dismissively.

"You should go. The competition will begin in an hour," he said.

"Okay then, we'll meet again," the principal said. "Let's head to the Competitor Lodging Grounds

The principal led them to a secure compound near the competition arena, divided into sectors for each school or city. It included rest halls, basic cultivation rooms, and briefing areas.

On their way there, they came into contact with students from another school.

Some wore gleaming shoulder plates, others carried crimson-edged swords, while a few walked empty-handed.

At their lead were two middle aged men.

"Hahaha, Xu Lei. I didn't expect to run into you before the competition began. It seems like our schools are fated to encounter each other" One of the middle aged men laughed.

The two schools came to a halt, facing each other head-on.

"Gang Feng, was it really a coincidence?" Xu Lei scoffed.

The name of the other school was Skyveil High School and the man who spoke before was its principal.

The two schools had been fierce rivals for years, with Cloud City High frequently ranking first among the other schools, a reputation that often made them the primary target in competitions.

"Of course it is," the principal from Skyveil said with a faint smile. "Let me introduce you to our top student, Wang Jie"

Wang Jie stepped forward. Towering over most, his massive body rippled with explosive strength, and a greatsword was strapped across his back.

Just as Mei Li's hair changed color after awakening, some Paths also cause physical transformations as well, and Wang Jie is a good example.

"Oh a Berserker?" Wu Yuan looked at the sturdy Wang Jie.

Upon hearing Wu Yuan's words, Wang Jie turned to face him.

His eyes narrowed. Berserkers are sensitive to violence and he couldn't feel anything from Wu Yuan. Not even the tiniest bit.

"Yes, a Berserker," Gang Feng replied with a smug smile spread wide across his face.

Berserkers paths are rare making them a tier 10 path like Earth Knight Bao Lin.

"No wonder you're confident this time around. But do you really think you hold the upper hand? Bao Lin!" Xu Lei said, calling Bao Lin to also step out.

Bao Lin also stepped forward, still barefoot, with a sturdy shield in left hand and a sword in his right hand. As an Earth Knight, he needed direct contact with the ground to share damage with the earth.

Nothing could interrupt that connection, not even something as small as a slipper.

"This must be the Earth Knight I've heard about," Gang Feng said, eyeing Bao Lin with a trace of envy.

Unlike him, he was just a normal knight with no affinity.

"Of course," Xu Lei nodded.

"Hmph! We'll see each other in the competition." Gang Feng snorted, then turned leading his students toward their designated area.

It didn't take long for an hour to pass before an announcement rang out.

"All schools are expected to report to the competition grounds immediately."

An automatic alarm rang out, instructing everyone.

At the competition grounds, the area was filled with students.

A grandstand towered high above, overseeing everything.

The principals and vice principals each had their own designated seats within it

Wu Yuan looked up only to see a beautiful young lady at the forefront of the grandstand, overseeing everything. And right beside her was also a young man with handsome features.

The principals from the other schools stood behind them respectfully.

"Congratulations on making it here safely," her voice rang out, clear and commanding.

"I am Chief Examiner sent by the five great academies to oversee this event." She introduced herself

"I'm sure you've heard this before but I'll still say it again. You are not just here for a competition, but this is also a vetting ground to determine if you're worthy of advancing to the upcoming Trial."

"Some of you have already been selected by us, but this will still serve as a proving ground, a chance to show what you're truly capable of." After saying that, she paused.

"Those with the ability will face off against other top contenders. Those who fall short may still be chosen by lesser academies, based on their performance."

"Now that it's time for the competition, let me explain the rules."

" Everyone would go through three rounds of competition.

The competition will be divided into two categories: Combat and Support. The academies understand that not all Paths are suited for direct battle. Some, like the Priest Path, excel at support rather than frontline fighting.

To ensure fairness, each support-type participant will be paired with a combat-type participant. Their performance will be judged as a team."

"There are also some Paths, like the Culinary Path, who will be given a set amount of time to prepare their dishes or support items before the actual combat begins."

"There shall be no killing allowed. Names will be called at random, and you may be paired with someone from another school. If they are on your team, there shall be no distinction between schools, only cooperation. Treat them as allies unless they stand as your opponents.

"The competition shall now begin." She tapped her Halo Band and a screen was projected showing all the details of the competitors.

It didn't take long for it to select the first four students.

Chen Rui, a fire mage to be paired with Liang Yuchen, a priest.

Vs

Feng Zhenyu, a gale lancer, to be paired with Zhao Meilan, healer.

The students who were called walked toward the combat arena, each team standing opposite the other

"We should stay a distance from Feng Zhenyu. He is a gale lancer and seeks head-on combat." Liang Yuchen proposed on the other end of the arena.

"No, that would be difficult. His mobility far exceeds ours. Even if I manage to land a hit with my fire skills, it would be useless, he has a healer backing him up" Chen Rui shook his head not underestimating the opponents.

"We should first take care of the healer to remove his support."

"That's right."

They both nodded, indicating that they understood.

At the other end of the arena, Feng Zhenyu and Zhao Meilan were also devising their own plans.

"When the competition starts, stay close to me. You'll be their first target of their attack, and if you're beside me, I can protect you." Feng Zhenyu proposed. He could clearly tell what they had in mind.

Zhao Meilan didn't say anything just nodded.

"Start!"

When they heard start, they each summoned their weapons.

Feng Zhenyu dashed out holding a spear and armor appeared over his body. Zhao Meilan followed closely with a staff.

"Buff!" Liang Yuchen shouted as he pointed his staff at Chen Rui.

Buff is an innate Priest skill which can strengthen the body, mind, or spells of allies.

It also helps in enhancing their physical power, magical abilities, resistance, or recovery speed without needing to learn separate skills.

Only Paths above tier seven could have innate skills.

A stream of weak light left the staff and went to Chen Rui, covering him in a light barrier.

Liang Yuchen's face became a little pale.

"Fire ball!" Chen Rui shouted pointing his finger at the charging Feng Zhenyu

Two balls of fire formed, radiating intense heat as they shot straight toward Feng Zhenyu and Zhao Meilan.

Feng Zhenyu waved his wind enhanced spear destroying the fireball heading towards him.

The other fireball still continued unabated at Zhao Meilan.

The spear whizzed in the air also destroying the other fireball and drove into the ground with a heavy thud

"Restorative field!" Zhao Meilan yelled as she activated her innate skill.

Restorative Field is a skill that creates an area of influence like a field around the caster that continuously restores HP, energy, or even stamina of allies within its range.

Feng Zhenyu gripped his spear and charged forward once more with indomitable force.

"I wonder if it would work on me… I should remember this, in case I ever get paired with one," Wu Yuan thought, eyes focused on the soft glow of the Restorative Field enveloping Zhao Meilan and Feng Zhenyu.

The way the energy rippled around them, steadily healing and empowering, left a faint impression in his mind.

"Support Paths aren't as simple as they look. With someone like that behind you... you could keep fighting far beyond your limit."

After thinking for a moment, Wu Yuan withdrew his gaze from the arena. He sat cross-legged once again, not to study the imprint this time, but to quietly cultivate spiritual energy.

His realm was already lower than the others, and falling behind wasn't an option.