The voice exploded through the coliseum like a cannon blast.Every conversation died instantly, every whisper strangled midair. Heads snapped toward the source — the partitioned balcony above the arena, where a single man stood with his arms crossed over a chest built like a fortress wall.
He was massive — easily seven feet tall — his gray-streaked beard trimmed but wild enough to betray his age and experience. The scars carved across his face glimmered faintly under the daylight pouring through the open roof. He scanned the sea of students below him, his gaze sharp enough to cut through armor.
When he finally spoke, the air itself seemed to obey.
"Hello, children. My name is Grimgar."His voice carried without need for magic, deep and commanding. "I will be overseeing the final section of your examination — the Physical Combat Trials."
The entire coliseum fell utterly still. No one dared move. After everything they’d endured — the survival challenge, the written test, the unspoken terrors of the academy’s instructors — silence had become their safest response.
For a heartbeat, Grimgar simply looked at them, expression unreadable. Then his lip twitched — and with a slow, frustrated exhale, his composure crumbled.
He leaned forward, placing one massive hand on the marble wall before him. His fingers dug into the stone like it was soft clay. A faint crack split across its surface.
"...Are you all dead?" he muttered, voice dropping low.And then he roared.
"MAKE SOME FUCKING NOISE, GODDAMN IT!"
The sound hit like a physical force — a blast that rattled bones and shook the dust off the high rafters. A ripple of panic spread through the crowd; no one knew whether to obey or brace for death. Some hesitated — others screamed just out of fear — until finally the entire arena erupted.
The noise grew and grew, chaotic and alive, voices blending into a single roar that filled every inch of the space.And just like that... Grimgar smiled.
"That’s more like it!" he bellowed, laughter booming over the crowd. "You lot have been through hell, haven’t you? I can smell the fear those uptight bastards drilled into you!"
He leaned forward again, this time not in anger but in pride, his grin wide and feral. "But you made it. You’re still here. So start acting like it!"
For the first time in hours, Avin felt a strange warmth spread through the crowd — a collective pulse of relief. Grimgar’s presence, as terrifying as it was, carried something the others didn’t. Humanity.
Eventually the cheers died down. Everyone caught their breath. Grimgar’s posture relaxed, and his eyes swept over them again, a glimmer of approval in his hardened gaze.
"Alright, listen up!" he barked. "This final section has two parts — team combat and one-on-one duels. Personally, I care more about the first. Teamwork. Comradery. Coordination."He paused, pacing slowly along the edge of the balcony. "You can be the strongest bastard alive, but if you can’t work with your comrades — you’re a walking corpse on the battlefield. And the North doesn’t need corpses."
His voice lowered — serious now, almost somber. "We’re living in dire times. Monsters. Wars. Things far worse than any of you can imagine. So before we polish your egos with solo fights, we’ll see how well you fight for each other."
He gestured broadly to the massive coliseum surrounding them. "Team Combat will take place here. Five members per team. Randomly assigned. No favoritism. No family bias. No control over who you get — just like real life."
He sighed, glancing over the massive crowd. "And considering how many of you somehow survived that damn forest..." His voice softened into a sarcastic drawl, "it seems this’ll take us a few days."
A pause. Then, with a slight grin:"Unfortunately, none of you seem to know when to make noise!"
The veins on his forehead pulsed, his grip on the railing tightening until the stone cracked again. A single student flinched — and the crowd erupted into applause and shouting without needing to be told twice.
Grimgar chuckled. "See? Not that hard."
The applause died down on its own this time. He nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now listen carefully. The exams will be spread across three days.
He raised one finger."Do not sabotage anyone. Intentionally screwing with another student — you’re out."
A second finger."Do not use any kind of energy amplifier. You train and fight with what’s yours — not with borrowed power."
A third."And don’t kill anyone."His tone dropped an octave, carrying quiet steel. "Yes, we’re under Lady Gaia’s protection, and yes, she can resurrect. But life deserves respect, even here. Remember that."
To Avin’s surprise, the crowd clapped — respectfully this time. Grimgar blinked, clearly taken aback."...Why the hell are you clapping? I didn’t tell you to clap!"
Everyone froze mid-applause. The silence was immediate.He groaned, rubbing his temple. "Gods above, this new generation’s gonna give me a headache..."
He pointed down at them, voice rising again. "Alright, you little warriors — here are the rules for the team combat rounds!"
He began pacing once more, his voice echoing across the massive arena.
"One: intentional harm to a teammate will get you disqualified.Two: cheating of any kind — and I mean any kind — will get you caught. And if you get caught..." he grinned darkly, "...you’ll wish you weren’t."
He clapped his massive hands together, the sound booming through the air like a thunderclap."That’s about it for now. More details will be given two days from now — right before the exams begin. Your team numbers and rosters are posted on the gates around the arena."
He straightened his back, hands folding behind him. "Enjoy your stay. Rest well. You’ll need it." Googlᴇ search NoveI(F)ire.net
And before anyone could blink, he was gone — vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of displaced energy.
Avin exhaled slowly, realizing he’d been holding his breath.He looked up toward the walls where the names were posted, already dreading what — and who — awaited him there. The coliseum buzzed with chatter as everyone hurried toward the gates. For the first time in a while, Avin felt the quiet storm of anticipation settle in his chest.
The final challenge was about to begin.