The entire training arena buzzed with excitement.
People whispered loudly among themselves while staring at the silver-haired girl standing calmly in the middle of the sparring field.
Ariana Vale.
Just a few minutes ago, most of them only knew her name through rumors.
An arrogant noble lady.
A spoiled daughter of Duke Vale.
Someone who relied only on family influence.
But now…
They had watched her defeat Marcus Drake.
And not just barely.
She had completely outmaneuvered him in the final exchange.
Marcus himself still looked shocked.
He rubbed the back of his neck while staring at Ariana.
"…you're stronger than I expected."
Ariana placed the practice sword back on the rack calmly.
"It was a good match."
Marcus laughed.
"That's all you have to say after beating me?"
Ariana simply smiled faintly.
In truth, she had gained much more than just victory.
Inside her mind, the system window hovered again.
Quest Progress
Defeat Academy Applicants
Progress: 1 / 5
Only four more remained.
But Ariana wasn't in a hurry.
She understood something important.
Every fight was not just about completing the quest.
It was also about gaining experience.
And more importantly…
Evolution Points.
Just then—
A loud voice echoed across the arena.
"Well well… what an interesting match."
The crowd turned.
Three young men walked toward the sparring field.
Their clothes carried the crest of noble houses.
The one in front had short black hair and sharp gray eyes.
He looked arrogant.
Confident.
The type of person who loved attention.
Marcus groaned quietly.
"Great… it's him."
Ariana glanced at Marcus.
"Someone you know?"
Marcus nodded.
"Victor Hale."
Ariana remembered the name.
Victor Hale.
A noble heir known for his aggressive fighting style.
In the previous timeline, he barely passed the academy exam.
But he was still considered talented among young nobles.
Victor stopped in front of Ariana.
His eyes scanned her slowly.
"So you're Ariana Vale."
His tone carried slight mockery.
"I heard you collapsed during mana training yesterday."
Some people in the crowd chuckled.
Victor smirked.
"I'm surprised you can even hold a sword."
Marcus frowned.
"Victor, don't start trouble."
Victor waved his hand dismissively.
"Relax."
Then he looked directly at Ariana.
"Or maybe you want to prove your strength again."
The crowd became excited.
Another fight?
Already?
Ariana stared at Victor calmly.
Inside her mind—
The system quietly displayed something new.
Opponent Detected
Victor Hale
Estimated Combat Level: Moderate
Victory Probability: 72%
Ariana raised an eyebrow slightly.
The system could even analyze opponents?
Interesting.
Victor crossed his arms.
"Well?"
"You fought Marcus."
"Why not fight me too?"
The crowd murmured with excitement.
Marcus sighed.
"This guy never learns."
Ariana stepped toward the arena again.
"I accept."
Victor grinned widely.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The referee quickly returned to the field.
"Second sparring match!"
The crowd gathered closer.
Everyone wanted to see if Ariana's victory against Marcus was luck…
Or real strength.
Victor grabbed a practice sword and rolled his shoulders.
"You ready?"
Ariana nodded.
"Begin."
Victor attacked instantly.
His fighting style was aggressive.
Much more reckless than Marcus.
CLANG!
Their swords collided.
Victor pushed forward with brute force.
"You're slower than I expected!"
Ariana slid backward but kept her balance.
Victor attacked again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
His strikes were heavy.
Wild.
But predictable.
Ariana's eyes narrowed slightly.
Inside her mind—
The system began analyzing his movements.
Victor swung his sword in a wide arc.
Ariana ducked.
Then she stepped forward.
CLANG!
Her blade struck his side.
Victor jumped back.
"Not bad!"
He grinned.
But his expression had become serious now.
The crowd whispered again.
"She's keeping up easily…"
Victor suddenly rushed forward again.
This time faster.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
But Ariana blocked every strike.
Her movements were calm.
Controlled.
Marcus crossed his arms while watching.
"…she's already stronger than before."
Victor attacked again.
But Ariana suddenly changed rhythm.
She stepped to the side.
His sword missed.
Then—
CLANG!
Her blade struck his wrist.
Victor's sword flew from his hand.
Silence.
The entire arena froze.
Victor stared at his empty hand.
Ariana pointed the wooden sword toward him.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner… Ariana Vale!"
The crowd exploded again.
"She won again!"
"That was even faster!"
Marcus laughed loudly.
"Looks like you picked the wrong opponent, Victor."
Victor rubbed his wrist and sighed.
"…alright."
He looked at Ariana.
"You're good."
Then he walked away.
Inside Ariana's mind—
The system activated again.
DING
Quest Progress Updated
Defeat Academy Applicants
Progress: 2 / 5
Ariana lowered her sword.
Three more.
Just three more opponents remained.
But something else had happened.
The entire arena was now watching her.
Whispers spread rapidly.
"Did you see her movement?"
"She's incredibly talented…"
"Is she really the same Ariana Vale?"
Ariana calmly returned the practice sword.
Her crimson eyes scanned the crowd.
Many fighters were staring at her now.
Some curious.
Some excited.
Some clearly eager to challenge her.
Ariana smiled faintly.
Good.
Very good.
Because the more challengers came…
The faster her evolution would progress.
And today…
The arena had only just begun to heat up.
The training arena had completely changed.
Just a short while ago it had been noisy and chaotic like any other day before the academy entrance exam.
But now…
All attention had shifted toward one person.
Ariana Vale.
The silver-haired noble girl who had defeated Marcus Drake and Victor Hale back-to-back.
People were whispering everywhere.
"Two victories already…"
"Her sword skills are amazing."
"Wasn't she supposed to be weak?"
Several fighters were now watching her with serious expressions.
The arena was no longer treating Ariana as some random noble lady.
She had become a target.
Marcus walked over to her with a small grin.
"You just turned the whole arena against you."
Ariana calmly wiped a small drop of sweat from her forehead.
"That was the plan."
Marcus blinked.
"…seriously?"
Before Ariana could answer—
A new voice spoke from behind them.
"Step aside."
The crowd suddenly parted.
A tall figure walked forward.
Unlike the previous challengers, this man carried himself with quiet confidence.
No arrogance.
No loud attitude.
Just calm strength.
Ariana recognized him instantly.
"…Leon Ward."
Marcus whistled softly.
"Well… things just got interesting."
Leon Ward was not just another academy applicant.
He was one of the top ranked candidates expected to enter the academy this year.
In the previous timeline, Leon became one of the strongest swordsmen in Ariana's class.
But right now…
He was simply another challenger.
Leon stepped into the arena.
His dark hair moved slightly with the wind as he looked directly at Ariana.
"I watched your fights."
His voice was calm.
"You're impressive."
Ariana said nothing.
Leon picked up a training sword.
"I'd like to test something."
The crowd grew quiet again.
Because everyone knew this fight would be different.
Marcus leaned toward Ariana and whispered.
"Be careful."
"He's much stronger than Victor."
Ariana nodded slightly.
Inside her mind—
The system interface appeared.
Opponent Detected
Leon Ward
Estimated Combat Level: High
Victory Probability: 48%
Ariana's eyes narrowed slightly.
So this one was dangerous.
Good.
She preferred difficult fights.
Leon stepped into position.
"Ready?"
Ariana lifted her sword.
"Ready."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Leon moved first.
But unlike Marcus or Victor—
His attack was precise.
CLANG!
The moment their swords collided, Ariana felt the difference.
Leon's strength was balanced.
Controlled.
He didn't waste movements.
Ariana stepped back slightly.
Leon attacked again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Three fast strikes forced Ariana to retreat.
The crowd gasped.
"Leon is pushing her back!"
Marcus crossed his arms.
"…this is going to be tough."
Ariana steadied herself.
Her breathing remained calm.
Leon stopped attacking for a moment.
"You're adapting."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"That's rare."
Ariana answered quietly.
"You're holding back."
Leon smiled faintly.
"You noticed."
Then he moved again.
This time faster.
CLANG!
Their swords collided again.
But Ariana didn't retreat.
She stepped forward instead.
CLANG!
Leon's eyes widened slightly.
She was matching his rhythm.
The fight quickly intensified.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Neither of them gained the advantage.
The entire arena watched in complete silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Marcus whispered under his breath.
"…this is insane."
Because Ariana wasn't just surviving.
She was improving during the fight.
Inside her mind—
The system notification appeared.
DING
Evolution Points +4
Ariana's eyes flickered slightly.
Good.
Leon suddenly attacked with a sharp downward strike.
Ariana blocked.
But the force pushed her back.
Leon followed with a quick second strike.
CLANG!
Ariana barely avoided it.
She jumped back.
Leon didn't chase immediately.
Instead he studied her carefully.
"…you're unusual."
Ariana tilted her head slightly.
"How so?"
Leon lowered his sword slightly.
"Most fighters panic when they face someone stronger."
"But you…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…look excited."
Ariana smiled faintly.
Because he was right.
She was excited.
Every difficult opponent meant faster growth.
Leon raised his sword again.
"Let's finish this."
He dashed forward.
Faster than before.
Ariana's eyes focused.
Inside her mind—
The system window appeared again.
Evolution Points: 16
Enough.
Ariana whispered quietly.
"Evolve."
The energy surged through her body again.
Her senses sharpened.
Her movements became lighter.
Faster.
Leon's eyes widened.
"…what?"
Ariana moved.
CLANG!
Their swords collided.
But this time—
Leon was the one forced back.
The crowd gasped loudly.
"She pushed Leon back?!"
Leon's expression finally changed.
For the first time…
He looked shocked.
Ariana stepped forward again.
CLANG!
Another strike forced him to retreat.
CLANG!
Another.
The momentum had completely shifted.
Leon jumped back several meters.
He stared at Ariana.
"…so that's your real strength."
Ariana raised her sword calmly.
"No."
Her crimson eyes glowed slightly.
"I'm still getting stronger."
The arena had fallen completely silent.
Because everyone could feel it.
Something unbelievable was happening.
Ariana Vale…
Was evolving right in front of them.
And the fight with Leon Ward…
Was about to reach its climax.
The arena had fallen completely silent.
Hundreds of eyes were fixed on the two fighters standing in the center of the field.
Leon Ward.
A top academy candidate.
And Ariana Vale.
The noble girl who had already shocked everyone twice today.
The tension in the air was thick.
Leon slowly adjusted his grip on the sword.
His expression was no longer calm.
For the first time since entering the arena…
He looked serious.
"Interesting," he said quietly.
Ariana stood a few steps away.
Her posture was relaxed.
But her crimson eyes were sharp.
Focused.
Ready.
Leon spoke again.
"You changed."
Ariana didn't answer.
Because she knew exactly what he meant.
Her movement speed.
Her reaction timing.
Her sword control.
All of it had suddenly improved.
That was the effect of the system evolution.
Leon took a deep breath.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Alright."
"If you're going to get stronger…"
"Then I'll stop holding back."
The crowd immediately reacted.
"What?!"
"He wasn't even serious before?"
Marcus groaned.
"…this guy."
Leon lowered his stance.
The air around him felt different now.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
Then—
He moved.
Faster than before.
CLANG!
Ariana barely blocked the first strike.
The force pushed her back two steps.
Leon followed instantly.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Three consecutive attacks forced Ariana to retreat across the arena.
The crowd gasped.
"Leon is overwhelming her!"
Marcus frowned.
"…this is bad."
But Ariana's expression remained calm.
Because inside her mind—
The system had already begun calculating.
Leon attacked again.
But this time—
Ariana stepped sideways.
His sword cut through empty air.
The next moment—
CLANG!
Her blade struck his shoulder guard.
Leon jumped back.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…you're adapting again."
Ariana said nothing.
Because that was exactly what she was doing.
Every strike.
Every movement.
Every rhythm.
She was memorizing it all.
The Infinite Evolution System made learning incredibly fast.
Leon attacked again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The arena filled with the sound of swords colliding.
Neither of them gained a clear advantage.
But slowly…
Very slowly…
The balance began to shift.
Leon noticed it too.
His attacks were no longer pushing Ariana back.
Instead—
She was matching him.
Move for move.
The crowd could barely believe what they were seeing.
"That's impossible…"
"She's keeping up with Leon Ward!"
Marcus crossed his arms and smiled.
"…she's doing it again."
Inside Ariana's mind—
A new system notification appeared.
DING
Evolution Points +5
Her total points increased again.
Ariana's lips curved slightly.
Good.
Leon suddenly stepped forward with a powerful strike.
Ariana blocked.
CLANG!
The impact shook her arms.
Leon followed with another attack.
CLANG!
CLANG!
The pressure was intense.
But Ariana didn't fall behind.
Instead—
She moved closer.
Leon's eyes widened.
"You're attacking now?"
Ariana's blade flashed.
CLANG!
Leon barely blocked.
Another strike came immediately.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Now Leon was the one retreating.
The crowd erupted with shocked voices.
"She's pushing him back!"
Leon suddenly jumped backward to create distance.
He stared at Ariana carefully.
"…you really are unusual."
Ariana raised her sword calmly.
Inside her mind—
The system window appeared again.
Evolution Points: 22
More than enough.
But Ariana decided not to evolve yet.
Not until the perfect moment.
Leon suddenly rushed forward again.
This time with full speed.
Ariana moved too.
CLANG!
Their swords collided violently.
Then—
For a split second—
Leon's balance shifted.
Just slightly.
But Ariana noticed.
Her blade moved instantly.
CLANG!
Leon's sword flew from his hand.
Silence.
Complete silence.
The wooden blade spun through the air and landed several meters away.
Leon stared at his empty hand.
Ariana's sword was already pointing at his chest.
The referee slowly raised his hand.
"…winner."
"Ariana Vale."
For a moment…
No one reacted.
Then the entire arena exploded.
"WHAT?!"
"She defeated Leon Ward!"
"That's insane!"
Marcus burst out laughing.
"Unbelievable!"
Leon looked at Ariana for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
A genuine smile.
"…that was a great fight."
Ariana lowered her sword.
"You're strong."
Leon shrugged.
"Apparently not strong enough."
He walked over and picked up his sword.
Then he said quietly:
"You'll definitely pass the academy exam."
Ariana said nothing.
Because she already knew that.
Inside her mind—
The system notification appeared again.
DING
Quest Progress Updated
Defeat Academy Applicants
Progress: 3 / 5
Only two more remained.
Ariana's crimson eyes slowly scanned the arena.
But something had changed.
The crowd was no longer whispering.
They were staring at her with awe.
Respect.
Even fear.
Because everyone now understood something.
Ariana Vale…
Was not a weak noble girl.
She was a rising storm.
And the academy entrance exam hadn't even begun yet.
For several seconds after the referee announced the result…
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The entire arena looked frozen.
Then suddenly—
The noise exploded.
"THREE WINS?!"
"She defeated Leon Ward!"
"That's impossible!"
Students, fighters, and spectators all began talking at once. Some looked shocked, some excited, and a few looked nervous.
Because what they had just witnessed was something extremely rare.
A newcomer dominating the arena.
And not just any newcomer.
Ariana Vale.
The noble girl who most people believed was weak.
Leon Ward picked up his wooden sword and dusted off his sleeve.
Then he walked toward Ariana.
For a moment it looked like he might say something else.
But instead he simply nodded.
"You earned that victory."
Then he quietly left the arena.
Marcus walked over immediately.
"Well…"
He laughed.
"I definitely underestimated you."
Ariana calmly placed the training sword back on the rack.
"That seems to be a common theme today."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"So what now?"
Before Ariana could answer—
Inside her mind, the system activated again.
DING
Quest Progress
Defeat Academy Applicants
Progress: 3 / 5
Two more opponents.
Just two.
Ariana's eyes slowly scanned the arena again.
But something had changed.
No one stepped forward.
Earlier people were eager to challenge her.
Now…
Most fighters looked hesitant.
One whispered to his friend.
"I'm not fighting her."
Another shook his head.
"Did you see what she did to Leon?"
Marcus smirked.
"Looks like your reputation just exploded."
Ariana sighed quietly.
This was a small problem.
If no one challenged her, finishing the quest would take longer.
But then—
A new voice echoed from the crowd.
"Well, well…"
"Looks like I came at the perfect time."
The crowd suddenly parted.
Several fighters stepped aside quickly.
A tall young man walked into the arena.
His armor was black.
His hair dark brown.
But the most noticeable thing about him…
Was the long spear resting on his shoulder.
Marcus frowned.
"…seriously?"
Ariana noticed the reaction.
"You know him?"
Marcus nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
"That's Ronan Blackwood."
Ariana recognized the name instantly.
In the previous timeline, Ronan became one of the strongest lancers in the academy.
His fighting style was aggressive.
Unpredictable.
And extremely dangerous.
Ronan stopped a few meters away.
He looked at Ariana with clear interest.
"So you're the one causing all this noise."
His eyes gleamed slightly.
"I heard you beat Marcus."
Marcus raised a hand.
"Hey."
Ronan ignored him.
Then he continued.
"And Victor."
"And Leon."
Ariana remained calm.
"Yes."
Ronan smiled.
"Good."
He spun the spear lightly in his hand.
"I was getting bored."
The crowd became excited again.
"A spear user!"
"This will be interesting!"
Marcus stepped closer to Ariana.
"Be careful."
"His reach is annoying."
Ariana nodded slightly.
Inside her mind—
The system activated again.
Opponent Detected
Ronan Blackwood
Estimated Combat Level: High
Victory Probability: 46%
Lower than Leon.
Interesting.
Ronan walked into the arena circle.
He pointed the spear toward Ariana.
"Shall we?"
Ariana picked up another practice weapon.
This time…
A wooden spear.
Marcus blinked.
"…wait."
"You know how to use that?"
Ariana twirled the spear once.
The movement looked surprisingly natural.
"Let's find out."
Ronan grinned widely.
"Now this will be fun."
The referee stepped forward again.
"Next sparring match!"
The crowd gathered even closer.
Everyone could feel it.
The arena was heating up again.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Ronan attacked instantly.
His spear shot forward like lightning.
Ariana moved.
The battle had begun.
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