Omniscient Extra's ViewPoint: Supreme Adaptation-Chapter 29: Completed

The next trial began quickly.

A vast, empty coliseum instantly formed around them, rising up to 45 metres (148 feet).

At the centre stood a single, massive pillar—6 metres (20 feet) tall, carved from white rock.

Moments later, multiple identical pillars rose—twenty-five more of the same height.

"...Got any idea yet?" Cherry asked Vorden reluctantly, still upset over his recent actions.

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The field analyst was the one to explain the trial.

"Your task is simple—keep the pillar standing for ten minutes."

A low rumble echoed as the floor beneath them shifted, revealing mechanical constructs emerging from hidden chambers.

These automatons were built for destruction. Their sole purpose was to topple the pillar by any means necessary.

The test began, and each squad ran to protect their pillars.

Vorden smirked. "We can finish this within a minute."

He turned to the field analyst. "If we destroy all the automatons, do we automatically win the trial?"

The man blinked, staring at him for a moment before replying in a flat tone, "If you could do that, then yes."

Vorden shook his head, then turned to his squad. Without hesitation, the four ran to their pillar, positioning themselves with their backs against it.

"What's your plan?" Cherry asked again, and Luminen seemed just as curious.

Damien? He was behaving as usual.

"We attack the automatons," Vorden said simply. "That's the plan—kill them all. Just assist me in creating a barrier around the pillar."

Cherry hesitated before reluctantly following orders. Multiple iron spikes burst from the ground, forming a barrier around the pillar.

For a moment, the other squads were distracted, watching in confusion.

They only snapped out of it when the automatons launched vicious attacks on their pillars. Shouts of defence filled the air.

"So, apart from this... what do we do next?" Luminen asked, slightly out of breath.

"Nothing—we just stand by, I suppose," Damien replied casually.

Vorden nodded. With his back to them, he stretched out his hands towards the incoming automatons.

Black ice surged across the battlefield, moving like a serpent in the air. It struck each of the twenty-five automatons, ripping them apart.

The shattered pieces merged together.

In an instant, they reformed into a massive war hammer, which Vorden slammed into another machine.

The others stood frozen, witnessing his Special Sense for the first time.

He simply smirked.

This continued until no more automatons emerged. Meanwhile, the other squads struggled.

But after noticing Squad Sixteen's strategy, they copied it.

Soon, every squad successfully completed the trial.

It was clear who had led the way.

The field analyst announced the results. All squads passed. No failures.

Vorden's eyes locked onto someone in the crowd.

Her...

Vorden's eyes landed on Nerivelle.

She stood at 5'11", her long, silvery-white hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. Her skin was pale and flawless, untouched by scars or blemishes.

Her features were delicate yet well-defined—high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips that neither smiled nor frowned.

Her light blue eyes were empty, devoid of warmth or emotion. She carried herself with an air of quiet detachment, as if nothing around her truly mattered.

Without a word, she adjusted the golden gauntlet on her hand before dismissing it into her Augmentations.

Then, there was Frost.

Like her, his face showed no emotion. His expression remained cold, his grey eyes were dull and unreadable.

Both of them walked separate paths, uninterested in the celebration around them.

Their backgrounds set them apart.

Nerivelle's family, a lineage of powerful Seekers, owned an entire First-Rate Residential Zone.

Frost's father, Monmore Bristow, was the Academy's head—and one of only three publicly known Top-Level Seekers in the world.

After a moment of mesmerisation, he looked away to his squad.

Cherry was jumping around Luminen and Damien.

Luminen was too scared to join in and could only smile, while Damien, as always, showed no expression.

The coliseum instantly collapsed, the entire area flattening once again.

The mechanical voice spoke only to announce them as official students of the Academy.

As the trials ended, the squads stood in anticipation, waiting for the final judgment.

Out of two hundred students, ninety-six had been eliminated, leaving only one hundred and four still in the competition.

A group of three Overseers—two men and one woman—clad in dark uniforms appeared before them.

The field analyst stood beside them as they assessed every detail: performance, teamwork, synergy, and mental resilience.

Cherry shifted restlessly. "So what are they doing?"

"Evaluating us, perhaps," Vorden replied.

She smiled oddly and looked away.

A few minutes later, one of the Overseers finally spoke.

"The evaluation is complete."

A digital display appeared above them, revealing the rankings.

The top squads had their names listed in gold, while others were in silver or bronze.

Some names were missing entirely—those who had been expelled.

Vorden's eyes darted to his squad's name. Silver.

He froze.

They had performed better than most students here. How were they not in gold?

The mood within Squad Sixteen sank.

It was clear they had been cheated.

Teams that barely deserved bronze had been placed in gold.

It was unfair, but confronting the Overseers now wouldn't change anything.

Vorden lowered his head slightly, a mischievous grin formed on his lips.

There was always a way to rise to the top.

If this was how things worked, then they would simply have to play the game better and smarter here.

The others couldn't understand why he was smiling like he had just won something.

Their only consolation was that they had made it into the Academy.

"Those who performed exceptionally—both here and in the Academy—will be granted Night Shift Pre-Approval," the female Overseer continued. "You will be eligible for weekly missions within the Academy grounds."

Murmurs spread among the students. It was surprising that they could take on night shifts even as new recruits.

However, it seemed that this privilege wouldn't be granted immediately but as soon as they proved themselves further.

"Those who barely passed—those in bronze—will be reassigned to lower classes or sent for remedial training."

Silence fell over the crowd.

The squads in bronze looked down, knowing their futures in the Academy were uncertain.

One by one, the squads were called forward, officially assigned their ranks and given temporary squad names.

They had the freedom to change their names later if they wished.

Vorden already had a plan involving that.

...

Squad Rankings:

Zenith Rank (Diamond, Reserved for Legends)

No one received this rank, as it was rarely assigned to new students. Their emblem is a sigil on a crescent moon. Members could even be at the Fang-Wrought rank and still qualify for this prestigious squad.

Sovereign Rank (Gold) – Nicknamed "Midnight Executors"

Their emblem is a gold blade placed horizontally on a red flag. These squads are granted Night Shift Pre-Approval. If they rise in rank through missions and other necessary steps, they can earn full approval to operate independently.

Paragon Rank (Silver)

Marked with the Twilight Mantle insignia. Can rise to Sovereign Rank through challenges and demonstrated excellence.

Vanguard Rank (Bronze)

Known as Probationary Squads and marked with the Duskrunner Emblem. Members must prove their worth through continuous trials and endure tougher training routines. If they fail to improve, they may be reassigned to a different part of the Academy. They are placed in lower classes, with fewer theoretical lessons and a brutal training regime designed to push them beyond their limits. The Academy operates on the belief that today's weakest could rise to become the most formidable in the future.

...

Each student received a black translucent card detailing their squad name, rank, individual rank, position, and squad emblem.

A drone swiftly processed the cards and delivered them to the Overseers, who then distributed them.

Squad Sixteen – Paragon Rank

Vorden

Seeker Rank: Fang-Wrought Position: Squad Leader

Damien

Seeker Rank: Wraithbound Position: Follower

Cherry

Seeker Rank: Fang-Wrought Position: Follower

Luminen

Seeker Rank: Veiled Position: Follower

Luminen managed a small smile as he examined his card.

Cherry nudged him playfully. "Come on, don't sulk like a sinking ship, perhaps. You can still get stronger and smarter... maybe even less evil than someone."

She shot a dangerous glance at Vorden, who was too preoccupied staring blankly at his card to react.

'Still stuck on—why the hell were we assigned to Paragon? No matter. That won't be a problem for long. We just need to keep climbing. I have too many questions about this place, and I need my answers fast...'

Vorden's grip tightened around the card.

After a brief interval, one of the male Overseers finally spoke:

"To avoid further delay, the oath will now be recited."

He looked up as another screen appeared, displaying the words.

"Place your hand on your left chest as you say this."

Everyone got into position, focused on the screen with serious expressions, and began:

"I swear upon Glory to walk the Seeker's path, to stand against the oppressing darkness that strikes without warning, to fight and grow without fear, and to uphold the Soul Academy's sacred duty. This is my mark and my chain. I shall serve!"

As their voices rang out, a loud chime echoed through the air. A green light briefly shimmered over their black cards before fading—the final seal of acceptance.

It was done.

"They're going to regret ever letting me into this Academy."

As if their thoughts were linked, Vorden, Cherry, and Damien all had the same idea at the same time.

Luminen, however, had a different thought entirely.

"Is this when my suffering begins? Why did I follow them?"

The first day was about to begin anyway.