Morning arrived with a crisp chill, and the academy training field was already crowded when Zayle walked in. Groups of students had gathered around the central stage, murmuring with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.
Today's class wasn't ordinary.
Today was the first combat evaluation.
Instructor Raizen stood atop the stage, hands behind his back, attention-focused eyes scanning the students. His voice carried effortlessly across the field.
"All first-year magisters will demonstrate their current combat level. One clean strike qualifies you. If you fail to land even one? You repeat this assessment next week."
Groans erupted.
Zayle didn't groan.
Because this was exactly what he needed.
A single clean hit.System requirement.Perfect.
Lyla and Linfei joined him.
Linfei whispered, "Zayle, did you hear? They're letting seniors be the exam opponents this year. Apparently too many people passed last batch."
Zayle rolled his shoulders casually. "Good. Saves me time."
Lyla shot him a side-glare. "Don't joke. Seniors don't hold back."
He didn't answer.
Because Instructor Raizen had stepped forward with a list.
"Next—Group C. Zayle, Lyla, Kellan, Taron. Prepare."
Kellan?
Zayle mentally clicked his tongue.That guy was everywhere lately.
Still, he didn't complain.The system task hovered in his mind.
One clean strike on someone stronger.Three hours of training left after school.Stats will increase upon completion.
He needed this.
————————————
The first up was Kellan—they paired him against a Year-2 bruiser known for brute force. The clash was loud, quick, and messy. Kellan barely managed a clean strike by dodging and countering at the last second.
He trotted back to the group proudly. "Easy."
Zayle ignored him.
Next was Lyla. She fought with grace and precision, mana threads slicing through the air. Her clean strike was flawless—a fingertip tap to the opponent's exposed side.
She returned coldly elegant as always.
Then—
"Zayle. Your turn."
He stepped onto the stage.
And the crowd suddenly leaned forward.
Whispers erupted.
"Isn't that the poor guy who messed with the Li family before?""He got thrown by a senior last week.""He'll probably get destroyed."
Zayle didn't react.
Because his opponent stepped forward—
A Year-3 student.Tall. Muscular. Calm eyes.An unmistakable aura of experience.
Instructor Raizen spoke quietly, but seriously.
"This is Cadren. Be prepared."
Zayle bowed slightly. "Understood."
Cadren lifted a hand. "I'll go easy."
Zayle's expression sharpened. "Don't."
"A little confidence is good," Cadren chuckled. "Let's begin."
————————————
The moment Raizen signaled, Cadren rushed forward—fast, direct, overwhelming.
Zayle blocked the first blow, barely.He slid back several steps from the force.
Cadren whistled. "Good reaction."
The second attack came instantly—a sweeping kick that sent dust flying.
Zayle leapt over it, twisted mid-air, landed off-balanced, but didn't fall. His stamina dipped, chest tightening.
Cadren didn't slow down.He pushed harder.
Heavy punches.Fast jabs.Accurate strikes at Zayle's weak spots.
Every exchange tested Zayle to his limit.
And the system chimed faintly.
[Difficulty Detected: Opponent exceeds user's capability]Small combat comprehension increase during fight.
Good.
Zayle gritted his teeth.He wasn't afraid.He wasn't backing down.
He absorbed Cadren's rhythm, watched his footwork, traced his shoulder movement—
Waiting.Calculating.
He needed one clean strike.
Just one.
Cadren lunged again—
This time Zayle didn't dodge.He stepped into the attack, absorbing the force against his forearm, letting pain shoot up to his shoulder.
Cadren's eyes widened slightly.
Zayle used the recoil, spun low, sweeping Cadren's ankle lightly—but cleanly.
A tap.Perfect contact.
Before Cadren could counter.
Raizen raised his hand. "Stop. Clean strike landed. Zayle passes."
The field went silent.
Kellan stared.Linfei's eyes lit up.Lyla exhaled softly, almost like she'd been holding her breath.
Cadren rubbed his chin. "That was clever. Painful, but clever."He grinned. "Good job, first-year."
Zayle nodded politely and stepped down from the stage—
While the system chimed clearly in his mind.
[System Task Completed: Clean Strike Achieved]Rewards Granted:Strength +1Agility +2Stamina +1Perception +1
Updated Stats:Strength: 35Agility: 28Stamina: 21Spirit: 26Perception: 22
Visible to others:Strength: 20Agility: 16Stamina: 11Spirit: 15Perception: 12
Zayle clenched his fists subtly.His body felt lighter.Faster.Sharper.
One requirement down.
Three hours of solo training left.
And he already knew exactly where he'd go after class.