The crowd erupted in surprise as the Red-Fur Rat's body disintegrated into glowing fragments of mana before it even hit the ground.
"Instant kill," one of the students whispered.
Max lowered his fist slowly, the faint sheen of steel fading slightly from his arm. His expression remained calm, almost casual, as if swatting down a beast in one strike was nothing worth boasting about.
"Target eliminated. Advancing to Mid Private Stage!" the instructor called out.
Another summoning circle flared to life. This time, two Red-Fur Rats emerged simultaneously, hissing in unison as their fur bristled with sparks. They darted forward from opposite directions—one aiming low, the other high.
Max's stance shifted, his feet sliding smoothly across the arena floor. The metallic shimmer returned—stronger this time, coating his entire body like living armor. His Mystic Bond, the Iron Talon Hawk, gave a sharp cry from above, its wings flashing with silver light as it synchronized perfectly with him.
The moment the beasts entered striking range, Max moved.
A sharp metallic clang echoed as his knee collided with one rat's skull, sending it spiraling into the barrier wall. Before the second could land a hit, Max's elbow came down like a hammer, flattening it into a crater of shattered stone.
The arena went silent for a moment before cheers erupted again.
"Two strikes. Two kills," Kale said with a grin. "That's Ironwood for you—direct, brutal, and clean."
Sykes folded his arms, studying closely. "His synchronization is climbing fast. That metallic resonance in his body—it's already nearing complete fusion. Not many can maintain that without losing stamina rapidly."
"Yeah," another instructor agreed. "The Iron Talon Hawk's bond hardens both mind and body. He's probably one of the few who can wield it efficiently."
By now, the next summon had already begun.
"Opponent—Low Specialist Stage, Silver Fang Boar!"
A massive boar materialized, silver tusks crackling with energy as it snorted and pawed the ground. The air vibrated with raw aggression.
Max exhaled slowly, his breath misting faintly despite the heat. "Alright then… let's see how tough you are."
The boar charged. The ground cracked beneath its hooves.
Max met it head-on.
Their collision thundered through the entire arena. Sparks flew like miniature lightning bolts as steel met fang. The first impact pushed Max back a few steps, but then—he roared, his metallic aura flaring brighter. His arm gleamed as he twisted his body and slammed a hook punch right into the beast's jaw.
The Silver Fang Boar squealed, stumbling. Max didn't give it a chance to recover—he followed with a roundhouse kick that sent the creature skidding backward, its hooves digging furrows into the floor.
"Unbelievable power," one of the students gasped. "He's not even using a weapon!"
"Of course not," Kale said proudly. "When your whole body is a weapon, you don't need one."
The Iron Talon Hawk above screeched, its wings flashing as it released a burst of metallic energy that rained down like silver feathers, slicing across the boar's flank.
Max used that opening. He sprinted forward—his movements blurring as his steel-coated fist drove upward into the creature's chest. The impact shook the air. The boar crashed to the ground, unconscious before it even realized it had lost.
"Target down!" the instructor shouted.
The barrier faded, revealing Max standing tall amid the dust. His steel sheen slowly receded, replaced by his normal skin tone, though sweat glistened across his forehead.
The arena burst into applause.
"Impressive as always, Max Ironwood," Kale said, stepping forward. "But next time, remember—don't overextend your steel form for too long. Your organs aren't fully adapted yet. You could have collapsed mid-fight."
Max rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Got a little carried away."
"Still," Kale added, "you passed with flying colors."
Sykes nodded in agreement. "He's earned his spot among the top."
When the final results appeared on the floating display, the rankings were revealed:
1️⃣ Sophia Jinra – High Specialist Stage Red-Fur Rat defeated
2️⃣ Alex Hardy– Mid Specialist Stage Mist Sparrow defeated
3️⃣ Max Ironwood – Low Specialist Stage Silver Fang Boar defeated
The crowd cheered as all three names shone brightly in golden script. Sophia grinned, pumping her fist into the air. Alex smiled faintly, his usual calm demeanor unshaken. Max just laughed, raising a hand in mock salute toward his friends.
"Not bad, huh?" he said.
Sophia smirked. "You're still third."
"Yeah," Max replied with a grin. "But at least I look good doing it."
Alex chuckled quietly, shaking his head.
As the cheers echoed through the arena, the instructor raised a hand. "That concludes today's evaluation matches! All participants will receive feedback by tomorrow morning. The top three—Sophia Jinra, Alex, and Max Ironwood—please remain behind for the principal's address."
The crowd's excitement didn't die down. The trio exchanged glances, already sensing that the next part of the day was about to get far more interesting.
The crowd began to thin, the roar of applause fading into murmurs of admiration as the top three stood before the instructors. But before anyone could speak further, the great doors at the end of the arena opened with a deep, echoing boom.
The sound alone silenced everyone. The departing students froze mid-step, turning toward the entrance.
A soft gust of wind followed—a whisper of mana—and then she appeared.
A tall woman stepped through the archway, her presence alone enough to make the air itself hum. Her robes were woven in deep sapphire and white, trimmed with faint runes that shimmered with shifting constellations. The very light seemed to bend subtly around her. Her eyes—silver like moonlight over still water—swept across the room, steady and unreadable.
"Principal Eloria," Sykes murmured, bowing his head at once.
Both Kale and the other instructors followed suit. "Ma'am."
Eloria's steps were soundless as she crossed the arena, her gaze resting on the three students who remained—Sophia, Alex, and Max.
"So," she said, her voice calm yet resonant, "these are the ones who ranked first through third in this year's Apprentice Trials?"
"Yes, Principal," Kale said quickly. "Sophia Jinra, Alex Hardy, and Max Ironwood."