Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 389: The Demonstrations Begin

At the southern edge of the stage, the 52 competitors stood in formation, each of them maintaining composed expressions as they prepared to showcase what they’d just spent the last 24 hours understanding and creating. This was their moment to showcase why they were considered the best at comprehension when understanding martial techniques.

This was an important field in the advancement of war and battle, the improvement by talented individuals to look at what existed and help improve them for the future. Also, to be a vital resource as a mentor in the future to improve Nexaria’s chances at defeating the Abyss by training and teaching future generations the advanced and better constructed battle arts and techniques. Eventually they’d move from Personal Disciples to Elders and eventually take on the lecturer roles that many current elders served in at the various training grounds, like the ones Lassim had eavesdropped on back when he first joined as he studied how the Spirit Ascension stage disciples practiced their techniques.

The judging platform had been fully settled, with Elder Maelis, the two Sect Archivists, and the gathered Elders all seated, their attention locked on the disciples below their elevated position and across the arena’s wide stage.

Volten, seated at his higher vantage point on the Sect Master’s platform, had his arms crossed, his golden-orange lightning eyes watching the proceedings. Lassim beside him leaned slightly forward, the storms in his eyes rotating slightly faster alongside his interest and fascination. This was where everything would be decided.

Niko lifted a hand, and the murmurs and excitement of the audience died down. His voice, clear and confident, carried effortlessly through the vast arena. "Disciples of the Lightning Sect! Esteemed Elders and honored judges! The comprehension phase of our trial is over, and now— the time for demonstration begins!"

Niko continued. "One by one, our competitors will step forward and showcase the technique they have comprehended! Each disciple’s display will be judged based on execution, refinement, and application. Those who demonstrate a known technique but have improved upon said existing sect technique will receive high marks based on the improvement made! Full discretion is given to the judges in this regard, as points will be left unawarded if even the alteration is too similar to one seen in previous competitions."

Niko grinned, "Without further delay, let us begin!"

He gestured toward the first disciple.

The unassumingly tall, now that he was standing, sharp-featured disciple with storm-gray eyes and a battle-worn grimoire elemental weapon stepped forward onto the stage.

Niko’s voice carried across the coliseum. "First to step forward—Elias Vael! His comprehension level in strategy and tactics is among the highest in this year’s disciples. His weapon of choice—a Grimoire that allows him to design and attack with lightning battle formations mid-combat, shifting attacks like a general on the battlefield!"

Lassim’s brows raised slightly as he focused on Elias. A Grimoire-based elemental weapon was rare, the first that Lassim had personally seen, but even more so for the lightning element which particularly favored blades, gauntlets, or other aggressive style weapons due to its innate nature.

Elias raised his left hand, his grimoire flipping open mid-air, its pages glowing faintly with crackling arcs of lightning.

He took a deep breath—then thrust his right hand forward above the pages.

Immediately, a series of faintly glowing inscriptions materialized around him, forming the outlines of small lightning arrows arranged in a triangular battle formation. The energy flickered for a moment—then launched.

ZZZZZT! BOOM! BOOM!

The arrows shot forward, following a precise tactical path before exploding in a controlled detonation, scattering electricity across the air in a clean, well-orchestrated pattern.

Niko nodded approvingly. "An excellent and certainly interesting refinement of the [Lightning Arrow] Technique! While this technique exists in our archives, Elias has improved its deployment speed, while also adding the unique formation efficiency and detonation, making it far more adaptable in battle! Additionally, removing the bow requirement opens a lot of possibilities for others to use it…."

Niko paused, turning his body and directing his attention to the judges to ask, "Now, the question is… is it the first time such an alteration or change has been made?"

The judges murmured amongst themselves, some nodding in approval. Elder Maelis leaned forward, making a quick notation on the record slate before her.

Elias held his stance for a moment, then retracted his grimoire, bowing toward the judges before stepping back in line.

Next, Niko turned his attention back to the line-up, calling out, "Varen Istal! Known for his deadly precision and unparalleled mastery of finger-based lightning techniques! Please step forward!"

Varen, a broad-shouldered but slightly hunched disciple, moved onto the field. Unlike many of his peers, his build wasn’t lean or overly muscular—rather, his hands and forearms were what was noticeably well-developed, a testament to the thousands of hours spent refining his craft and focus on finger techniques.

His deep-set violet eyes were somewhat shadowed, framed by short, neatly kept hair that somehow still retained the faint static of his lightning. As he raised his hand, his fingers flicked once—lightning snapping to life between them as his elemental weapon, a ring on his index finger, appeared. With a quick movement, he thrust that single finger forward.

CRACK!

A concentrated beam of lightning erupted from his fingertip, piercing straight through the air like a laser at a designated point on the wall in the distance. It crashed into the barrier that suddenly materialized and protected the audience from the attack.

The audience gasped at the sheer speed and remarkable steadiness of the attack. The beam seemed almost like a solid sword from finger tip to the barrier for several moments while it was activated.

Niko smiled, "A refined version of the [Lightning Arc] technique, condensed into a single piercing beam! Unlike traditional Lightning Arc attacks, this one seems to have its refinement focused on speed and penetration, yes? I believe it should be capable of bypassing thicker defenses! What a remarkable change. If I had to guess, this is probably a unique variation as I personally don’t recall seeing this alteration. I’ve personally learned the base technique myself in my earlier days, so I’m a bit more familiar. Let’s give our early congratulations to Varen for this improvement!"

The Sect Archivists exchanged glances, noting down details and scores while the audience in the coliseum cheered and clapped.

Varen didn’t linger—he simply bowed with a smile and stepped back.

The demonstrations continued, with disciple after disciple stepping forward. There were 52 in total, and several of the unique elemental weapon users from the night before captured Lassim’s attention as they presented their comprehended skills.

Niko glanced at his list before announcing, "Next, we have Kieran Voss! A specialist not only in comprehension, but particularly in multi-point control techniques, wielding his signature Lightning Marble Array! Let’s see what he’s grasped from the Steele!"

Kieran, the wiry, soft-featured disciple with short, windswept violet hair, stepped forward. His focus honed solely on his elemental weapon that transformed from bracelets on his wrists—seven metallic spheres—into the air, hovering effortlessly around him, crackling faintly with arcs of lightning that he controlled with his mana.

Reaching the center of the arena, he urged his mana. The moment he activated his technique, the marbles dispersed outward, forming a rapidly rotating defensive perimeter around him. Their motion appeared chaotic, but wasn’t random; each marble maintained an equidistant formation, orbiting him with meticulous precision. Then, in a seamless transition, he flicked his fingers—mana surging through the spheres at the same moment.

In an instant, they realigned, their trajectories shifting mid-air before launching outward at precise angles, striking the barrier again in the distance with pinpoint accuracy. This caused the strong barrier array to shudder and bend slightly outwards where he struck before the array corrected itself a moment later.

Niko let out a low whistle. "A refined take on the [Lightning Dispersal] defensive technique, but while utilizing multi-charged projectiles rather than a single shield, or rather a buckler, user’s burst counter was initially intended! A fascinating adaptation with immense potential for battlefield control!"

The judges nodded in approval, their hushed discussions indicating a clear acknowledgment of the technique’s applications. It seemed another new variation had been added to the list this year, to which Volten was smiling out of the corner of Lassim’s eye.

Once Kieran stepped back, Niko’s gaze flicked toward the next disciple, "And now, stepping up, we have Saphira Kael—renowned for her finesse and mastery over her flexible lightning elemental weapon! A true rarity among our sect… the Storm Kite!"

Saphira stepped forward with an airy, almost effortless grace, her long, wavy violet hair bouncing lightly with each step. Unlike the sharp intensity of some of the other competitors, there was an undeniable softness to her appearance—her delicate features framed by thick lashes, her full lips naturally curved into a subtle, cute smile as she reached the center of the stage.

With a cute and soft voice, she asked, "Can I please get an actual target instead of the barrier? My technique will work better with that. Preferably several if you could, please."

Niko waved his hand towards an attendant nearby, quickly urging him. After just a few moments the lightning construct dummies, the same used in the training fields, were set up. Saphira gave the attendant a quiet, "Thanks," before focusing again.

With a flick of her wrist, she released her elemental weapon—an intricately designed and crafted by the gods, kite, its frame lined with conductive lightning runes. The moment it was in the air, arcs of electricity ran through its framework, stabilizing it mid-flight with her lightning mana circulation.

She extended her hands, threading her lightning mana through the string. A pulse traveled upward, and in an instant, the kite split into three smaller, independent pieces, forming a tri-linked lightning trap mid-air.

With a sharp tug on the strings, she redirected the sections, weaving them around the designated targets. Arcs of lightning jumped between them, creating an airborne snare of lightning mana that pulsed with controlled discharges. The sound it released with a specific metal gong-like sound that pitched high notes throughout the coliseum.

Niko’s eyebrows lifted. "An adaptation of the [Lightning Chain] technique, if my assumption is correct? But instead of using direct strikes, she’s utilizing conductive airborne nodes and turned it into a snare attack! A fascinating approach to mid-range battlefield control and great against groups of flying opponents!"

The judges exchanged glances, impressed by the unique adaptation for a fairly common battle art that was always present every year since the creation of the Elder Summit competitions. .

Saphira gave a respectful bow like the others before retrieving her weapon and stepping back, her expression calm but clearly satisfied with her demonstration.

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Lassim, observing from above, couldn’t help but nod in appreciation. Each of these disciples wasn’t just regurgitating the basic techniques—they were refining, innovating, pushing the boundaries of what was already known. Not single individual had led the judges or Niko to act disappointed, which was quite remarkable.

As the final few disciples prepared to step forward, the atmosphere grew thicker with anticipation.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"Has anyone created something new?"

"Are they all just refinements?"

Even Volten, who had an air as if he knew something was coming, had a small smirk playing on his lips as he watched the tension among the gathered disciples build.

Then—

Niko’s voice rose, calling forward the final competitor.