Global Broadcast of the Zenith Enterance Exam.
Across the continents, all eyes were glued to the live stream. In the heart of the magical cities, the common folk clustered around massive holographic displays.
In the modern metropolis of Avaloria, citizens watched via EtherPads and grand Lumisphere projections.
Throughout the elven lands, floating Ether Crystals pulsed with radiant light, projecting the live broadcast into the air. Suspended mid-sky like drifting stars, they channeled pure Ether energy to display every moment of the Zenith entrance exam in vivid, lifelike clarity.
The live broadcast unfolded—every movement rendered in stunning detail, powered by the pulse of Ether itself.
Commentator One : "Ladies and gentlemen, we're witnessing history! The Zenith Academy's simulation exam has pushed candidates to their limits—but right now, in the Northern cliff Cave, things are getting intense!"
Commentator Two : "You said it. Princess Elaria Moonshade Lareth'Thalas and her team are locked in a brutal engagement with the Abysskin Dreadmaw, an Advance (Mid) Rank beast!"
Elaria's hair flowed like moonlight as she darted across the jagged cavern floor, her mana-infused arrows flying with precision. The elven warriors flanked her, blades humming with ancestral energy, but the Dreadmaw was a nightmare given form—flesh like blackened steel, a gaping maw lined with rotating fangs, and six jagged limbs that moved like a spider's.
It roared, sending waves of darkness from its mouth, shattering spells mid-air and distorting mana. Each strike from the team barely left a mark.
Commentator One: "They're being pushed back! That thing isn't just powerful—it's learning their patterns!"
Commentator Two: "A tactical nightmare. The Dreadmaw's abyssal energy is corrupting the terrain, and even Princess Elaria's elite formation is faltering."
Elaria charged a radiant arrow of pure starlight, aimed for the creature's eye—but a jagged limb whipped out.
She didn't see it coming.
Then it struck.
One minion leapt in front of Elaria to intercept the blow—his body torn in two mid-air as he got eliminated.
The last minion, eyes wide with terror, screamed and bolted toward the exit.
Elaria stood her ground alone, her limbs trembling, a flicker of doubt in her eyes.
As the monster raised its claw for the final blow—
As the monster was about to land the final blow.
The screen flickered.
A silver hair figure emerged.
Alex appeared in front of Elaria, sword up, catching the creature's strike just in time.
Blue lightning streaked through the darkness.
Void Step.
A blur of silver and blue intercepted the blow, sword clashing with claw, energy crackling.
Commentator One: "What the—?! Who's that?!"
Commentator Two (Shocked): "I'm running face recognition now… That's… Alex Dragonheart?! "
Elaria, wide-eyed, looked up from the ground. "You…?"
-----
Reactions in the Elven Empire
In the capital of Eldoria, the footage displayed on a colossal crystal screen—the Luminae Arc—held the entire city in breathless silence.
Nobles clutched their arms; warriors frowned.
"He… saved her," someone whispered.
But then… realization.
"A human."
Murmurs filled the city. Gratitude warred with pride. Embarrassment bloomed.
-----
Inside the Elven Palace
King Thalion Moonshade Lareth'Thalas and Queen Aeliana Moonshade Lareth'Thalas watched from their throne room.
King Thalion Moonshade Lareth'Thalas stood tall with the regal bearing of a timeless monarch, his emerald robes flowing like wind-touched leaves, golden blond hair cascading down his back in intricate braids that shimmered with enchantments.
His eyes, ancient and piercing, held the weight of centuries and the authority of a ruler whose will shaped empires. But beside him stood a vision that silenced even the most eloquent poets—Queen Aeliana Moonshade Lareth'Thalas, the Radiant Bloom of Eldoria.
Her beauty was nothing short of ethereal, as if sculpted by moonlight itself. Skin like luminous pearl, eyes of starlit amethyst, and hair that flowed like a silver waterfall kissed by twilight, she moved with a grace that defied mortal comprehension.
Each step she took seemed to ripple the very air, her presence serene yet unearthly, like a living embodiment of the goddess herself.
Even amidst the grandeur of the crystal throne room, it was the queen who drew every gaze—her elegance not just seen, but felt, like a divine melody humming in the soul.
The Queen, ethereal and composed, whispered, "He protected her."
The King's brow twitched. "He carried her like a damsel in distress."
Aeliana chuckled, "Would you prefer she be flattened like a pancake?"
"…He could've set her down differently."
"Jealous?"
"Hmph."
----
Inside the cave.
"Try not to get eaten next time, princess," Alex said with a smirk, gently placing Elaria behind a rocky outcrop.
The Dreadmaw turned.
Its soulless eyes locked on him.
Alex rolled his shoulders. "Alright, ugly. Let's dance."
The Fight Begins
The Abyss Dreadmaw lunged, its maw tearing through rock. Alex blinked out of existence.
Void Step.
He reappeared above the creature's back, blade glowing.
Phantom Rend.
Slashes danced through the air, afterimages cutting deep. Sparks erupted. The beast shrieked, black ichor spilling.
It twisted, a limb swinging. Alex ducked.
Celestial Flow.
He moved like water over rocks—graceful, seamless.
The Dreadmaw opened its mouth.
Abyssal Howl!
A cone of corrupt energy rushed out. Alex's body flickered with white-blue lightning.
Lightning Affinity: Surge Form.
He vanished from the cone's path, reappearing behind.
"Too slow!" he quipped, slashing with full force.
The Dreadmaw roared, its hide toughening, regenerating.
It Adapted.
It spun rapidly, catching Alex mid-air with a claw.
Alex flipped back, landing with a heavy thud.
Using All His Skills
"Let's up the tempo."
He activated Power Focus, boosting strength.
Keen Instinct kicked in, predicting the Dreadmaw's next attack. He weaved past its spikes.
Alex started to use all his skills in full force immediately feeling the effects.
Enhanced Agility, Mana Control, Combat Sense, Momentum Shift, Adaptive Reflex, Lightning Step, Counter, Perception Boost—
A whirlwind of combat.
Force Control (D) – Growth Type.
He redirected the force of the Dreadmaw's strikes into the ground, negating its momentum.
Shadow Step.
He flickered behind a limb that crashed down, stabbing into a joint.
Titan's Resilience.
The Dreadmaw slammed him into a wall—Alex tanked it, cracks spreading but no scream escaping his lips.
He leapt again, activating Heavy Strike.
His blade grew heavier with mana weight, carving into the beast's shoulder with the might of a falling star.
He ducked under a tail.
Dodge (F).
Swift and clean.
The Dreadmaw spewed acidic bile—Alex smirked.
Phantom Shift.
His body became a blur, an afterimage evading the acid. He slipped through reality for ten full minutes, dancing along the edge of possibility.
Claws missed by hairs. Alex was everywhere and nowhere.
Unyielding Will (D).
Pain meant nothing.
He was cut. Bruised. Bleeding.
But he moved.
Faster. Smarter.
Even the Dreadmaw seemed… cautious now.
He exhaled.
Then blinked.
"Not yet," Alex whispered.
He launched into the air again.
Lightning curled around him.
He slashed—Bladestorm Mirage.
A dozen cuts in a second. A flurry of phantom strikes.
The Dreadmaw screeched, roaring back in desperation.
Its tentacles lashed out in every direction, trying to crush him.
He twisted in mid-air, flipped, kicked off a stalactite—
And slammed his blade into its eye.
BOOM!
The cavern shook. A geyser of black ichor exploded.
The Dreadmaw staggered.
But it wasn't dead.
Not yet.
It convulsed, entering berserk mode. Its body pulsed with abyssal energy.
Commentator One: "He's doing it! He's forcing it into berserk!"
Commentator Two: "This is suicide! He needs backup!"
Commentator One: "Wait… he's smiling?!"
Alex was also getting bored from the fights he encountered in the island this was the first real fight that he encountered since coming to the island.
So he was very excited unknowingly a grin like a battle maniac appeared on his face that made even the elven princess flinch.
Alex met the monster's gaze head on.
"I needed a challenge anyway."
He stood atop a rock, bloodied and bruised.
His sword crackled with lightning.
The Dreadmaw charged one final time—
Alex met it head-on.
Their clash exploded with lightning and shadow.
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Author :- Hey guys I've got good news here I've got a contract from webnovel this morning which made me happy that my work atleast got recognised.
And I'm really thankful to you guys for supporting me all this time and I hope it stays that way on the future really guys thank you for your support all this time I'm greatful.
I've got exams so I am not able to update frequently but I will do my best to give you a good story. Thanks for the support all this time.🥰