The man had the signature white hair of the Ravensteins, and, to Atticus's surprise, he possessed a slender figure. It was the first time he was seeing an individual of such strength being anything other than heavily muscled.
The camp had separate instructors for each year, and with their various activities, it was entirely possible not to encounter some of them.
"Welcome, trainees! For those of you who don't know me, I'm Reed, and I'll be the host for today's combat challenges," he announced, his words reaching the ears of each of the trainees. Turning his gaze toward the booth at the top of the arena. The tinted glass couldn't obscure the view of someone with his level of strength.
In the booth, Rowan was seated on a lavish chair with Finn standing behind him, while the instructors who had chosen to watch were all seated at a lower elevation below him.
After receiving a nod from Rowan, Reed continued, "Since we have new trainees among us, I'll reiterate the rules." He directed his attention to the first years. "The rules are simple. Starting from the lowest rank, each trainee will issue a challenge to anyone of higher rank. The higher-ranked trainee cannot refuse the challenge unless they have already participated in a fight. In that case, they can refuse both a challenge and the choice to challenge someone else. Other than that, issuing a challenge and accepting one is mandatory. You are also not allowed to challenge someone of lower rank."
After a brief pause to let the rules sink in, he went on, "You are permitted to use everything at your disposal in a fight, from real weapons to your arts. The stage is engraved with runes that will block any fatal strikes, so go crazy."
"The winner is only determined in two ways: if the opponent is incapable of continuing the fight or if the rune blocks a potentially lethal strike. If the winner is the lower rank, they will assume the rank of the loser, and the loser will be given the right to challenge once it gets to their former rank."
Reed's words left some of the first-year trainees shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The requirement that the rune must block a strike meant their lives had to be in danger first. Most 1st year trainees hadn't even been in a real life and death battle.
Atticus expression remained unchanged. He had already discussed the details with Ember and had mentally prepared himself.
"Now, let's begin with the first-year trainees! 20th rank, step forward!" Reed's commanding voice echoed, causing a chubby boy with a round face to flinch. He rose hesitantly, his nervous steps taking him to the stage.
Reed inquired, "Who do you challenge?"
The boy hesitated for a fleeting moment before stammering, "I challenge the 18th rank." This choice surprised some of the first-years. He had gained a reputation as the weakest among them, nicknamed "Chubby." Many thought he would challenge the 19th rank at the very least.
The 18th-ranked boy wore a smug expression as he confidently stood up and joined Chubby on the stage.
"Prepare your weapons!" Reed's instruction prompted them to comply. The 18th rank readied a gleaming sword, while Chubby, still trembling, equipped a gauntlet.
"Begin!" With Reed's command, the 18th rank surged toward Chubby, his face oozing with confidence.
However, Chubby's expression suddenly changed. His fear and trembling replaced by a menacing smile.
The boy immediately sensed that something was amiss and decided to end the match quickly. He called upon his art, "Radiant Blade!" His sword bathed in golden light and swelled, nearly doubling in size as it descended menacingly upon Chubby.
But then, something unexpected happened. Chubby's eyes sharpened, and he moved at a speed far beyond what his size suggested.
He deftly sidestepped the attack and countered with an attack of his own, declaring, "Taurus Fist!" His punch bathed in blue light grew and transformed into the likeness of a bull's head, charging toward the boy's head.
The boy's eyes widened in realization that it was too late to dodge, and he instinctively closed his eyes in terror.
However, just as the punch was about to land, the platform suddenly lit up, covering the boy's body immediately, and the attack was dispersed easily.
Reed's voice rang out, declaring, "Winner, 20th rank!"
The first-year trainees fell into a stunned silence. Who would have thought that Chubby had been hiding his true strength all this time?
Atticus watched all of this unfold with a bored expression. 'What's the point of all that?' he thought. It seemed rather foolish to go through the trouble of concealing one's strength, only to reveal it now when there was little to gain.
Whether it was the 20th rank or the 18th rank, they receive next to no benefits. 'He's just a 10-year-old; what were you expecting, Atticus.'
Undeterred Reed continued, "19th rank, step foward!"
The fights proceeded quickly, simple and straightforward, with several rank changes occurring. None of the 1st years apart from Atticus and Aurora had awakened their bloodline, they were only using simple arts.
After a few minutes, Reed called, "6th rank, step forward!"
A girl stood up and moved to the stage. Her expression remained stoic, as if she were thoroughly bored with the entire process. Atticus recognized her as the aloof girl who had wielded the bow during the test.
She reached the stage and, in an uninterested tone, declared, "4th rank."
Lucas, who had anticipated this, smiled and stood up. He knew that he wasn't particularly strong, and he was also aware that people would prefer to challenge him over Nate, who appeared physically stronger and more imposing.
"Don't worry, Lucas. She doesn't seem all that strong," Nate reassured him. Lucas simply smiled in response while standing up, he knew better than to underestimate his opponent.
'Let's see how you handle this,' Atticus thought, observing Lucas closely. He knew Lucas was way intelligent for his age, but intelligence was only valuable if one could apply it effectively in real life situations like this.
Lucas walked confidently to the stage and faced the stoic girl, Aria, on the other side.
"Get ready!" Reed's voice commanded.
The both brought out their weapons: the girl wielded a bow, and Lucas... slates?
The sight of Lucas bringing out slates left some trainees baffled, while others were outright shocked. 'So he joined the Runes Division,' Atticus noted.
Runesmiths were exceedingly rare, and the sight of a first-year holding combat-ready rune-engraved slates was enough to astonish even those in the viewing booth at the top.
Everyone knew that the runes sold in the market were not for combat, so there was only one way he got them, he must have engraved them himself.
Rowan turned to Finn with a look that clearly conveyed his desire to recruit Lucas and Finn nodded in agreement.
In Atticus's eyes, Lucas's standing had just gained another level. He couldn't help but smile. 'I definitely need to have him.'
Aria, upon seeing Lucas's slates, adopted a more serious expression, she knew better that to underestimate a Runesmith.
Being a Runesmith required intelligence and a strong will, something you would rarely see in a 10 year old. Underestimating a runesmith will be the biggest mistake one could make.
After a brief moment of shock, Reed composed himself and initiated the match. "Begin!"
