Absolute Cheater

The class tensed as Reynold's sharp gaze locked onto the nearest student.

Asher watched the unfolding scene with mild interest, his mind wandering back to Reynold's earlier comment. Buzzing bee, huh? he thought. Mother really left a mark here.

Reynold glanced back toward Asher, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips. "Magnus," he called. "I'll save you for last. Remind them what a top ranker means."

Asher's face remained passive as he shrugged. "Whatever you say, instructor."

Reynold nodded, turning back to the class. "Rank 40, step up to the stage," he commanded.

A young man stood and approached the platform. "My name is Aaron Luis, and my ability is Spirit Bow," he announced confidently as a crimson-colored bow materialized in his hands.

"Spirit Bow, an attack-type weapon manifestation ability," Reynold explained, jotting notes onto a clipboard. "Weapon-type manifestation abilities fall under the common category. In Aaron's case, he can summon a weapon, and that weapon comes with a unique skill. Upon breaking through to the next rank, you gain an additional skill."

Reynold gestured toward Aaron. "Now, Aaron, demonstrate the skill you obtained when you broke into the Foundation Rank."

Aaron nodded, stepping to the center of the stage. "Here?" he asked for confirmation.

Reynold inclined his head. "Yes, here. Don't worry—the classroom is equipped with sensors that will neutralize any attack exceeding 10 meters beyond the attacker. It's all perfectly safe, so don't hold back. ," Reynold Said and then he added with slight chuckle "though aim at the window as we don't know when Goddess of misfortune smile upon us" hearing him other chuckled to as they looked at Aron next.

Aaron nodded again. Taking a steadying breath, he raised his Spirit Bow, aiming at the reinforced window. Crimson flames swirled around the arrow as he pulled the string taut. A glowing, flaming bird took shape and shot forward with a sharp whoosh, its wings spreading wide as it streaked across the stage. The fiery projectile struck the window with a controlled explosion, the impact radiating outward but dissipating before it could extend beyond the protective barrier.

"That was your first skill, Flame Bird Wave, correct?" Reynold said, jotting down more notes. "It's an excellent beginner skill. You're quite fortunate to have awakened such a versatile attack in your Foundation Rank. Skills like this can evolve as you reach higher realms, such as Platinum or Diamond, where you can gain one new skill per rank."

Aaron nodded, though Reynold's tone turned critical. "However, I noticed that your hands were trembling slightly as you aimed, and your breathing was uneven. Your form is weak for someone at your rank, and the power behind the attack should have been stronger. For now, your training should focus on strengthening your core. Building a solid foundation will allow you to maximize your ability's potential. Right now, finesse is more important than power—without it, you'll plateau quickly."

Aaron nodded solemnly and returned to his seat. Reynold scanned the room, his sharp gaze locking onto the next student.

"Rank 39, step up to the stage," he instructed as a girl rose and approached the platform.

The girl stepped onto the stage with an air of confidence. Her posture was straight, her gaze steady as she addressed the class.

"My name is Evelyn Ward," she announced, her voice clear and strong. "My ability is Crystal Barrier."

As she spoke, a faint shimmer surrounded her hands, and with a flick of her wrist, translucent, diamond-like crystals began forming around her, shimmering in the dim light.

Reynold raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A defensive ability, I see. Crystal Barrier is a rare manifestation for someone at your rank. It's classified as a support-defense hybrid. Am I correct in assuming it also has offensive capabilities when enhanced?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, instructor. The barriers can be manipulated into sharp projectiles if needed, but my current focus has been on perfecting its defensive properties."

"Good," Reynold said, motioning toward the stage. "Show us the primary form of your ability. Create a defensive structure, and I'll test its strength."

Evelyn took a deep breath and held her hands out. A low hum resonated through the room as the crystals expanded, forming a thick, dome-like barrier around her. The structure sparkled with refracted light, appearing both elegant and impenetrable.

Reynold nodded, impressed. "Solid construction for your rank. But appearances can be deceiving. Let's see how well it holds."

He snapped his fingers, and a training orb floated into the air beside him. With a flick of his hand, the orb pulsed, sending out a concentrated energy beam directly at Evelyn's barrier. The beam struck with a loud crack, causing the crystals to vibrate, but the structure held firm, absorbing the impact.

"Not bad," Reynold remarked, pacing around the dome. "Your barrier absorbed about 80% of the force, dispersing the rest into the ground. For a Foundation Rank ability, that's commendable. But what happens when you're under sustained pressure?"

Without waiting for her response, Reynold summoned three more orbs. They circled the dome, firing rapid bursts of energy at random intervals. The crystals shimmered with each impact, fine cracks beginning to spread across their surface.

Evelyn's face grew tense, sweat beading on her forehead as she struggled to maintain the barrier. Her hands trembled slightly, but she grit her teeth and poured more energy into the structure. The cracks stopped spreading, and the dome held.

Reynold raised a hand, and the orbs ceased their assault. "Impressive," he said, his tone neutral but with a hint of approval. "Your control is above average, and your energy reserves are decent for your rank. However, I noticed that you overcompensate when under pressure. You poured too much energy into stabilizing the barrier, which would leave you vulnerable in a prolonged fight. Focus on efficiency—learn to patch weak points without wasting energy."

Evelyn exhaled, her shoulders relaxing as the barrier dissolved into shimmering fragments. "Understood, instructor," she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion visible on her face.

Reynold gave a curt nod. "Return to your seat."

As Evelyn walked back to her place, murmurs rippled through the class. It was clear that her performance had set a high standard, and the next student to be called would have big shoes to fill.

Reynold turned his sharp gaze back to the roster. "Rank 38, step forward."