A heavy silence descended upon the vast plaza of Astralis Academy’s Upper House.
The summary expulsion of the first aspirant, his record laid bare for all to see, had sent a chilling ssage.
Every kill, every assist, every cowardly retreat, every mont of treachery, it was all logged, all quantified.
The Nexus Interface, once a tool of advancent, now felt like an impartial, unblinking judge.
Director Gareth Sterling, his stern face unreadable, gestured towards the massive holographic screen.
"Let the records continue. The Verge does not suffer fools, nor does Astralis Academy."
"Boom!"
The screen flared, displaying the next na. One by one, aspirants’ battle records flashed across the display.
Most were unremarkable: a handful of kills against Level 1 or 2 beasts, a few assists, a smattering of minor achievents like "Successfully Navigated the Whispering Mire without Crying."
So, however, were less flattering: "Frequently Abandoned Teammates in Peril," "Displayed an Unhealthy Obsession with Looting F-Grade Fungus," "Attempted to Seduce a Stonehide Crusher."
These usually resulted in low scores, disappointed frowns from the Vice-Principals, and occasionally, another swift, unceremonious expulsion if their actions were deed detrintal or malicious.
The wind picked up slightly, carrying the nervous whispers of the crowd.
Daniel stood calmly, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Lia, beside him, maintained her serene composure, though her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on her A-Grade Staff of the World Ash.
Ayra, however, was practically vibrating with anticipation, her S-Grade Crystal Gloves gleaming faintly.
She wasn’t nervous about her own record, she was more interested in seeing how many of these other so-called elites had actually pulled their weight.
Olenna, who had subtly positioned herself near Daniel’s group, watched the proceedings with a carefully neutral expression.
Her own record was about to be displayed.
She had survived the lower levels through cunning, careful alliances, and a talent for... "persuasion."
She hoped it would be enough to impress the Command School.
Then, her na flashed on the screen.
ASPIRANT: OLENNA HOUTEN
LEVEL 1 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 3 (Lesser Grotto Beasts)
Assists: 7 (Coordinated Trap Disablent, Flanking Maneuvers)
Notable Achievents: Successfully Negotiated Passage through Goblin Chieftain’s Territory, Acquired Key Relic Fragnt via Cunning Barter.
LEVEL 2 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 5 (Corrupted Elentals, Security Constructs)
Assists: 12 (Strategic Diversions, Intel Gathering, Sabotage of Rival Team’s Supply Cache)
Notable Achievents: Forged Alliance with rchant Guild Remnant, Led Successful Expedition into Ruined Archives (Acquired Lost Schematics).
LEVEL 3 PERFORMANCE (TAIJI BASIN):
Kills: 2 (Yin Region Scavengers – Self-Defense)
Assists: 18 (Team Logistics, Resource Managent).
Notable Achievents: Successfully Facilitated Mass Card Exchange for Allied Aspirants, Established Secure Supply Line within Hostile Territory, Core of Team Command for Captain Vance (Assisted).
AWAKENED FATALITIES CAUSED (Directly or Indirectly): 0
REPUTATION SCORE: 115,300
EVALUATION: Highly resourceful and intelligent. Demonstrates exceptional aptitude for strategic planning, negotiation, and covert operations.
A natural leader with a keen understanding of resource managent and interpersonal dynamics. Excellent potential for Command School or specialized infiltration units.
STATUS: PASSED. PROVISIONAL PLACENT: COMMAND SCHOOL (PENDING FINAL TEST).
A murmur of appreciation went through the crowd. Olenna’s record wasn’t filled with flashy kills, but it painted a picture of a cunning, capable operator.
Vice-Principal Aslaug Winnick, her silver hair gleaming, gave a rare, almost imperceptible nod of approval.
"A mind that sees the ga beyond the imdiate battlefield," she comnted softly to Director Sterling. "Such talents are rare, and valuable."
Olenna allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Her gamble, aligning herself with Daniel, had already begun to pay dividends.
Her association with him, even as support, had clearly elevated her perceived status.
Next, Lia’s na appeared. A soft, erald light seed to emanate from the screen as her details materialized.
ASPIRANT: ELARA JASMINE
LEVEL 1 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 0
Assists: 15 (Primary Healer for Expeditionary Team, Mass Casualty Triage during Beast Ambush)
Notable Achievents: Mastered Basic Lifeweave Techniques, Purified Contaminated Water Source for Entire Encampnt, Developed New Herbal Poultice for Toxin Neutralization.
LEVEL 2 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 0
Assists: 28 (Sustained Healing during Siege of Sky-Platform, Dispelled Widespread Illusionary Curse, Aided in Evacuation of Non-Combatants)
Notable Achievents: Unlocked Advanced Holy Priest Class Abilities, Resurrected Fallen Teammate (Minor Miracle), Single-Handedly Stabilized Collapsing Energy Conduit.
LEVEL 3 PERFORMANCE (TAIJI BASIN):
Kills: 0
Assists: 42 (Primary Healer for Captain Vance’s Apex Team, Sustained S-Grade Berserker through Multiple Elite Encounters, Dispelled Corrosive Ichor and Shadowblight DoTs, Provided Critical Tactical Support)
Notable Achievents: A-Grade Healing Talent [Lifeweave Affinity] Fully Mastered, Acquired A-Grade Staff of the World Ash, Successfully Countered High-Level Mind-Altering Whispers of the Mire.
AWAKENED FATALITIES CAUSED (Directly or Indirectly): 0
REPUTATION SCORE: 238,750
EVALUATION: Supre healing and support capabilities. Unwavering compassion and resilience under extre pressure. A beacon of life and hope on the battlefield. Possesses the potential to beco a legendary Holy Priest. Indispensable asset to any team.
STATUS: PASSED. PROVISIONAL PLACENT: LOGISTICS AND SUPPORT SCHOOL (PENDING FINAL TEST).
The plaza erupted in astonished whispers.
Zero kills, yet her assist count and achievents were staggering.
Her reputation score dwarfed Olenna’s and many of the combat-focused aspirants who had co before.
Vice-Principal Yara Fairley, her erald eyes sparkling with delight, practically floated forward.
"Magnificent!"
Yara exclaid, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
"Such purity of purpose, such profound healing ability!
Aspirant Elara, you are not just a student, you are a gift!
The Logistics and Support School would be honored, no, blessed, to have you. You are, without a doubt, a future pillar of our institution!"
The other Vice-Principals murmured their agreent, even Robb Naharis, the stoic weaponsmith, gave a curt nod of acknowledgnt.
Lia blushed faintly at the effusive praise but inclined her head gracefully.
Olenna, standing nearby, looked genuinely surprised and impressed by Lia’s quiet, overwhelming score.
The power of a dedicated, high-tier healer was undeniable.
Then, a crimson flare seed to ignite the holographic screen as Ayra’s na appeared, accompanied by the distinct sound of sothing heavy being dropped. That was Ayra cracking her knuckles in anticipation.
ASPIRANT: AYRA SAND
LEVEL 1 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 28 (Gloomfang Pups, Rock Grubs, Lesser Shadow Imps)
Assists: 2 (Reluctantly Held Door While Teammate Fled Screaming)
Notable Achievents: Single-Handedly Cleared Infested Cave System (Aggressively), Accidentally Demolished Abandoned Shrine While Testing Axe Sharpness, Mastered Basic Berserker Roar (Causes Mild Panic in Small Rodents).
LEVEL 2 PERFORMANCE:
Kills: 45 (Armored Sludge Beasts, Sky-Shriekers, Crystal Golems – Minor)
Assists: 1 (Intimidated Rival Team into Sharing Rations)
Notable Achievents: Achieved S-Grade [Primal Fury Berserker] Talent Awakening, Punched Through Reinforced Siege Wall (Unintentionally), Won Platform-Wide Arm-Wrestling Championship (Disqualified for Excessive Force).
LEVEL 3 PERFORMANCE (TAIJI BASIN):
Kills: 67 (Savage Blades Thugs x15, Silverback Blue Apes x3 (Provoked), Gloomfang Devourer (Alpha), Various Lesser Yin/Yang Beasts)
Assists: 0 (Considers "Assisting" a Form of Weakness)
Notable Achievents: Achieved Rock Pugilist Class Transition, Survived Multiple Engagents with S-Grade Threats (Heavily Assisted by Healer), Acquired S-Grade Crystal Gloves, Successfully Tested Structural Integrity of Several Obsidian Trees and One Adamantium Impact Pillar.
AWAKENED FATALITIES CAUSED (Directly or Indirectly): 28 (Primarily Thugs and those who looked at Lia and her inappropriately).
REPUTATION SCORE: 385,920
EVALUATION: Unstoppable force of nature. Embodint of raw, untad power. Possesses overwhelming physical strength and berserker fury. God of War in the making. Tank master.
Combat instincts bordering on the precognitive. Highly destructive, surprisingly resilient. Needs anger managent. And possibly a bigger axe.
STATUS: PASSED. PROVISIONAL PLACENT: COMBAT TECHNIQUES SCHOOL (PENDING FINAL TEST).
"BOOM!"
The crowd actually flinched as Ayra slamd her S-Grade Crystal Gauntleted fist into her palm, a wide, ecstatic grin splitting her face.
Her reputation score was massive, far above almost everyone before her.
Her achievents were a long list of impressive, if slightly frightening, acts of destruction.
The sheer number of Awakened fatalities, though contextually justified against thugs, still sent a shiver down many spines.
Vice-Principal Travis Standen, his scarred face alight with a feral excitent that mirrored Ayra’s, stepped forward, his voice a low, appreciative growl.
"Yes! Now this is what I’m talking about! Pure, unadulterated combat potential!
Aspirant Sand, my Combat Techniques School was forged for warriors like you!
We will temper that fury, hone that strength, and unleash a true God of War upon the Verge!"
He looked at the other Vice-Principals, a challenging glint in his eyes.
"She’s mine. Don’t even think about it." The others, wisely, did not contest. Ayra was a perfect fit for his brutal, effective school.
The freshn stared at Ayra with a mixture of terror and awe.
She wasn’t just strong, she was a force of nature with a tendency to solve problems with her fists and axe!
Daniel just chuckled softly, shaking his head. His team was certainly... colorful. And very, very dangerous.
Ayra, basking in the glory, puffed out her chest, her S-Grade Crystal Gloves gleaming nacingly. She looked over at Daniel with a triumphant smirk.
The cheers for Ayra Sand were still resonating across the vast plaza of Astralis Academy when the giant display screen pulsed with an even brighter light.
Every eye, from the nervous aspirants to the powerful Vice-Principals on the dais, was fixed on the screen.
The na that appeared was simple, yet it carried a weight of expectation that hushed the entire assembly: Daniel Vance.
A collective intake of breath swept through the crowd. This was the one. The leader of the monstrously powerful trio.
The only SSS-Rank talent to erge from the lower Verge trials in recent mory, a fact whispered in awe and disbelief among the aspirants.
What kind of battle record would such an individual possess?
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