Shameless One

As mere blessed ethereal warriors, the education quality and expectations for the pawns were, indeed, significantly lower than for students from the prestigious Celestial Summit.

However, seven determined students from SIGMA Academy refused to succumb to fate; their hearts always shone with confidence and determination. Through relentless hard work and innate intelligence, they earned their position on this glorious stage.

How could their determination falter now?

Ruby Nicolas, the first to unleash her ability among the seven, raised her hand toward the heavens, summoning a blood-red moon on the horizon. Under its effect, all ethereal warriors from the SIGMA Academy team silently roared in bloodthirsty resolution.

Rayden Asher propelled himself across the stage, a blazing wall of fire erupted from the tip of his blade, bifurcating the battleground. On one side, Yurien Vincy's shield, perpetually glowing with unfaltering radiance, unleashed an indestructible barrier, protecting her teammates from the enemies' bombardment.

Behind her, two different-colored tentacles emerged, Oswald White's thorns and Rin Dreamer's hair ensnared the dumbfounded enemies within seconds, before they could unleash their abilities. Albert Eldran, eager to showcase his growth during his absence, launched elemental projectiles at the exact moment. The raging fire tore through Oswald's vines and thorns, the tempestuous wind transformed Rin's hair into an even more deadly lacework. Boulders and lightning rained down, landing fatal blows on the entangled opponents.

King Alfred Eldran, trembling with excitement, watched his son with pride, his gaze unwavering.

Two of the more competent Lordrixis North Academy contestants, who dodged the tentacles, tried to counterattack. One of them summoned a barrier in the sky, reflecting the projectiles back at Albert. Yet, Vito Fool, leaping into the air, slashed everything in two, surrounded by an aura of death.

The other contestant slashed their blade upward, sending a beam of energy curling across the barrier, aiming directly at the vulnerable Vito.

Suddenly, the energy slash ricocheted back. The swordsman found himself ensnared by an invisible golden web, now controlling his arm and sword.

Gideon Wu's Web of Betrayal, aptly named for its abilities, manipulated the sensory system of targets, commanding opponents' ethereal arms to attack their own owners.

Vito Fool descended from the sky, turning around with a slash enveloped in darkness. And so ended the North Lordrixis Academy team on this half of the stage.

On the other side, Silver slowly unsheathed her blade, disdain in her eyes. From the start of the battle, Shun created fifteen micro gadgets to place in everyone's ears. Using these, Leon Ermy could channel his voice directly into their ears, providing analysis and strategies.

Across from them, Rylan Kin's body grew twenty times larger, glowing with radiance, a colossal sword materializing in his hands. "That is just a projection; his real body is hidden within," Leon uttered.

Unperturbed, Shun sought to teach the enemy queen, Jace Boldwall, a lesson for his earlier taunts. With a colossal hammer, he lunged toward Jace, fearless fury in his eyes. Jace's hands, now resembling dragon claws, met Shun's strike with confidence. However, as their forces clashed, Shun pulled out the hammer's handle, revealing a dagger now aimed at the opponent's eye.

Jace was completely capable of dodging that one hit, however, he was suddenly distracted by a celestial music in the background.

Before Shun's dagger could pierce his head, a metallic sting knocked the weapon away. Seizing the opportunity, Jace slashed his claw at Shun's head, only to be met by an identical claw.

In front of him stood a muscular man, mirroring his expressions and movements.

Before Jace could react, a nimble slash severed his arm entirely.

Beside him, Rylan Kin lay helplessly on the ground, unable to match a complete ethereal warrior. Silver, now standing next to Shun, gave him a playful smile. She launched herself at the remaining students, her shadows and negative aura suffocating those below. Behind her, endless missiles emerged, flying toward the despairing opponents.

The Lordrixis North Academy principal, Jozeph Lander, gazed at the arena in disbelief. A complete obliteration, a fight where they had no hope from the beginning. Despite being the weakest of the big five academies in Lordrixis, their team consisted of sixteen competent ascended ethereal warriors. Yet, before they could unleash their full potential, they were already defeated by relentless assaults.

Next to him, Principal Aurora Horace mirrored his expression. Like the North Academy, Lordrixis South Academy was also obliterated, but in an even crueler manner. Their fight ended within two minutes, the contestants from the Belkarn Clan avalanching through everything in their path.

In contrast, Principal Enwyld Lorthus howled in fulfillment, relishing the outcome he had anticipated. The collaboration of his students, perfectly refined by two months of diligent training, proved its worth through a well-deserved victory. The other winner, Glynn Belkarn, simply smiled gently, never considering Lordrixis South Academy a worthwhile enemy.

Of course, the Haven Royal Academy also decimated their opponents without breaking a sweat. In fact, only the two complete ethereal warriors even moved.

a two versus sixteen, yet also a complete domination.

"This generation is full of monsters..." King Eldran murmured, astonished by the speed at which the fights ended.

"Something about that Silver Iricson girl seems off," Ariel Syna observed, his voice serious and concentrated, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

"She doesn't seem 'complete.'"

"What do you mean, her combat strength was extraordinary." Violet Remoria replied, her eyebrows furrowed

"Nonono, not her ethereal arm or combat strength," Ariel continued, "She just...feels incomplete."

Ariel Syna was rarely wrong; her ethereal arm possessed an ability no one else could comprehend.

Before the conversation could continue, all the fights were over. The audience roared in excitement.

Norton Es descended slowly from the stairs, a towering, colorful tree sprouted from the ground, emanating a mysterious and unapproachable aura. Under the influence of this energy, all wounds and injuries began to heal magically. However, in this case, "heal" might be an understatement.

Jace Boldwall's lost arm began to regenerate, his desperate expression shifting to surprise and excitement. 

The Tree of Flowing Era, fifth complete ethereal arm, possessed abilities that were often misunderstood.

While many might perceive its power as a simple, albeit potent, form of healing, its true essence was far more extraordinary.

Its true ability lay in the manipulation of time itself. By rewinding time at a precise location, it restored wounds to their original, unblemished state, as if the injuries had never occurred.

The fifth strongest ability in the kingdom, now blessed the fallen warriors.