Athena stepped forward, her boots silent against the polished arena stage as thousands of eyes followed her every move. The sun was just rising over the stone battlements of the academy walls, casting long golden beams across the vast seats and illuminating her dark braid like a thread of black steel.
She stopped at the centre of the platform and raised her hand casually. Mana flickered at her fingertips, thin arcs of violet light connecting to the floating broadcast crystal high above the arena. Instantly, the giant projection screen flickered to life.
A hush fell over the crowd.
On the glowing screen, five names appeared in luminous white letters:
Lucian, Evelyn, Silas, Reia, Vyn
Lines began to appear, shifting between the names, splitting and merging again in a slow silent shuffle. It was like watching fate rearrange itself in front of everyone’s eyes, each student’s path forming and breaking apart before settling into place.
Athena lowered her hand, her violet eyes scanning the glowing table for a brief moment before looking back down at Class Zero, who stood waiting at the edge of the stage.
"It’s simple," she said, her voice echoing clear and calm across the arena. "Your duels will follow the order on the board. Whoever your name connects with, that is your opponent. There will be no redraws. No second chances. Treat every match as if your life depends on it—because it will, one day."
The students in the stands leaned forward, whispers rising like a breeze through the rows of uniforms.
"That’s Class Zero for you," one second-year boy whispered, eyes locked on Lucian’s name. "Their duels aren’t just for show... it’s to see who’s worth betting on."
"They’re insane," another girl said quietly, her gaze flicking to Evelyn, whose calm face was projected huge on the screen. "She’s so kind... I hope she doesn’t get hurt."
A third student snorted softly. "Kind? That girl’s ability is terrifying. Infinite Replication... no wonder the families are keeping an eye on her."
Further up in the stands, a fourth-year leaned back against the stone bench, arms crossed as he watched the brackets finalise.
"That Silas guy... enhanced condition, right? He’s basically a walking fortress."
His friend smirked. "Yeah, but Reia’s no joke either. Telepathy plus that calculation ability... she could take him apart before he even lands a punch."
Among the murmurs, a group of first-years gathered near the railings, eyes bright with nervous excitement.
"Who are you cheering for?" one girl asked her friend, clutching the edge of her robe.
"Evelyn," the friend whispered instantly, her cheeks pink. "She helped me find my training room last week when I got lost. She’s... she’s so nice."
The girl smiled softly. "Yeah... she is."
Back on stage, the table flickered once more and locked into place with a gentle chime that echoed through the arena.
The first two names glowed bright:
Silas grinned immediately, cracking his knuckles so loud it echoed into the crowd mics. His broad shoulders rolled back as he stepped forward, boots thudding heavily against the stone stage.
Reia exhaled softly, pushing her long hair behind her ear as she moved to stand opposite him. Her eyes were calm, empty of emotion, but her fingers curled once at her side before relaxing.
Athena scanned them both and stepped aside.
"First match: Silas versus Reia."
Her voice was quiet, almost bored, but every person in the arena felt the subtle shift in air pressure as her mana receded around them.
She folded her arms behind her back and walked to stand beside the remaining three—Lucian, Evelyn, and Vyn—her sharp gaze flicking between them for a moment before settling back on the two who now faced each other in the centre circle.
Dust drifted across the stage as the wind picked up.
Silas grinned, baring his teeth. "Don’t hold back, little sis."
Reia’s eyes narrowed just a fraction. "I won’t."
The air between them grew heavy with quiet tension, mana flickering like heat haze around their feet.
And the first duel of Class Zero began.
"I heard you were helping people and being very kind this past week," Lucian said as he walked beside Evelyn, his hands tucked into his pockets, gaze fixed lazily ahead. "So tell me... how many abilities have you copied?"
They reached the stone benches at the side of the arena, sitting down with the rising hum of students around them. Evelyn turned her head slowly, looking at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"Copied?" she asked softly, blinking. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Lucian let out a short laugh under his breath, shaking his head. "Oh please."
Vyn, who sat beside them with her legs crossed neatly and her long hair falling like ink over her shoulders, tilted her head slightly, eyes unblinking on Evelyn.
"Inasmuch as we know you’re not a bad person," Vyn said, her voice calm and flat, "you’re not a good person either. So... how many abilities did you copy?"
Evelyn looked between them, her lips twitching just faintly. She leaned back against the stone bench, folding her arms under her chest as the distant wind blew a few stray strands of her red hair across her face.
"That’s my trump card against you lots," she said finally, a small smirk curving her lips. "Why would I ruin the surprise?"
Lucian raised an eyebrow, watching her with those half-lidded eyes that always seemed to be looking through people rather than at them. "You’re enjoying this."
She turned her head to him again, her eyes glowing faintly silver in the early morning light. "Shouldn’t I? Everyone here has been underestimating me since day one. Now... I get to show them what I’m really made of."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The crowd roared as Silas and Reia stepped into their starting positions, their mana already flickering across the stage in visible waves. Dust rose around their feet. The energy in the air felt alive, buzzing under their skin.
Vyn spoke again, her voice soft but cutting. "Just make sure you don’t choke when it’s your turn."
Evelyn chuckled softly, turning her gaze back to the stage as the holographic countdown appeared in the air.
"Don’t worry about me, Vyn," she said, her tone dripping with quiet confidence. "Worry about yourself."
The arena lights dimmed slightly as the giant crystal screens focused on Silas, who rolled his shoulders back, every muscle flexing under his uniform, and on Reia, who closed her eyes, her golden telepathy circuits flickering to life across her temples like delicate tattoos.
Lucian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his shadow stretched long behind him under the rising sun.
"Let’s see what these two can really do."
And in that quiet breath before the duel began, Evelyn sat beside him, her heart calm, her mind sharp, her fingers curling around her skirt as mana pulsed faintly through her veins.
Because for the first time since her awakening—
She felt ready to burn her name into their world.