Grade Competition

Spring passed, autumn came, and winter arrived once more.

Before they knew it, the second semester was coming to an end.

At this time every year, each grade held a competition, and the top three received generous rewards.

First place in the first-year competition won two hundred gold coins. The higher the grade, the greater the prize money.

These competitions usually came with plenty of restrictions. Jonathan had never been interested in such a restrictive contest.

But since there was prize money to be won, he reluctantly signed up.

Abraham no longer had work as an assassin. With his injuries, he was unlikely to find work as a bodyguard, and ordinary jobs paid very little.

He would probably earn only a few dozen gold coins a year.

Their savings would eventually run out.

Jonathan felt he had to support himself and not burden Abraham.

News that Jonathan was entering the grade competition soon spread throughout the entire academy.

Everyone knew Jonathan was talented, but his true ability could only be judged in a real fight. Students from every grade, as well as the assistant instructors and tutors, were curious to see how strong he had become after more than half a year of training.

Jonathan was usually very low-key. Even the assistant instructor who taught him didn't know how strong he was.

Soon, the grade competition officially began.

Each grade held its matches in a different location. The arena was a stone platform fifty meters long and wide, and half a meter high.

A contestant lost if he admitted defeat or fell off the platform.

Additionally, neither contestant was allowed to kill his opponent. Anyone who broke this rule would have his magic crippled and be expelled from the academy.

Everyone in the first year thought Jonathan would take first place, but some people refused to accept it.

Masai was one of them.

Back then, he had wanted to ask his older cousin from the same clan to help deal with Jonathan, but his cousin had been sensible enough to refuse outright.

If he targeted a student the academy valued, even injuring him would bring trouble. And since he was in the third year, bullying someone from a lower grade would only make the punishment worse.

This time, after looking over the match schedule, Masai approached several talented contestants who might face Jonathan and offered them a hefty sum.

Only one accepted: the second most talented student in this year's first-year class.

He believed his strength had already reached the level of a second-tier mage and that he shouldn't be any weaker than Jonathan. With plenty of gold coins on offer, he agreed at once.

However, they didn't meet until the semifinals.

Because so many people entered the grade competition, it lasted nearly a month.

Now it was nearing its end.

This match pitted the first- and second-ranked talents among this year's incoming students against each other, so many upperclassmen came to watch.

In his earlier matches, Jonathan had used only first-tier Dark Magic and first-tier Earth Magic, yet he had won with ease.

"Isn't Sailona the second most talented among this year's incoming students? He has dual affinity for wind and fire, high elemental affinity, and exceptional mental strength. I heard he's already at the level of a second-tier mage. I suppose we'll finally see what Jonathan can really do in this match."

They all believed Sailona wouldn't be a match for Jonathan, even if he had become a second-tier mage.

"Begin!"

At the judge's shout, Sailona immediately cast Extreme Speed Magic on himself and rushed toward Jonathan.

As he closed in, he quickly gathered fire elements, preparing to cast a fire spell.

"Fireball!"

Four or five fireballs formed out of thin air, each about the size of a fist, and shot toward Jonathan.

Sailona's plan was obvious. He wanted to get close to Jonathan before casting his spell, leaving him no room to dodge and throwing him into disarray.

"Shadow Shield!"

Jonathan didn't panic. Just as the fireballs reached him, a shield took shape.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The four or five fireballs slammed into the Shadow Shield. Cracks appeared across it, but it showed no sign of breaking.

"A second-tier Dark Magic spell, Shadow Shield. So he really has reached the level of a second-tier mage. And from the way he cast it, he's already quite proficient."

The people around them began discussing the match.

Sailona narrowed his eyes and quickly retreated.

"Jonathan, we're both mages. Let's see how you can catch me at this speed. Even if you attack, I can dodge with ease. I have the upper hand and can't lose."

Jonathan merely gave him a disdainful smile.

"Shadow Mist!"

A mass of thick black mist spread from around him, quickly covering the entire arena.

"Truly a genius with sixty-four times the mental strength. I doubt anyone but him could cast Shadow Mist on such a scale as a second-tier mage."

Shadow Mist was a simple spell that blocked vision. Its higher-tier version was Shadow Poison Mist, which covered a larger area and concealed toxins within the mist. Without protection over his entire body, anyone caught in it could easily be poisoned.

However, that was a fifth-tier Dark Magic spell.

Once the Shadow Mist spread, Sailona didn't dare move recklessly. If he ran around, he might charge right off the platform.

He figured Jonathan wouldn't be able to find him in the mist, either.

But after Xue Yan's guidance over the past while, Jonathan's Assassination Art had improved considerably.

He had reached the level of a fourth- or fifth-level assassin at concealing his own presence and sensing the presence of others.

So he could easily pinpoint Sailona's location and approach him step by step.

Jonathan grabbed Sailona by the shoulder. Sailona tried to break free, but couldn't manage it.

Then a tremendous force struck him. He was hurled high into the air and landed outside the arena.

Sailona was completely dazed, and so was everyone else.

Jonathan paid them no mind. After winning the match, he dispelled the Shadow Mist and left.

The judge came to his senses a moment later and declared Jonathan the winner.

In everyone's eyes, Jonathan became even more mysterious.

There was no suspense in the championship match the following day. Jonathan won.

That evening, the other residents of Dormitory 2023 celebrated with Jonathan.

Jonathan said, "There's no need for this. It's just first place in my grade."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Collette said, "Listen to him. That's outrageous. You won first place, so of course you're treating us to dinner."

Jonathan looked at the other two. They had the same eager look in their eyes, so he sighed. "All right, you pick the place. I'll pay!"

"But don't go overboard. My measly two hundred gold coins won't survive you two young masters taking me for a ride."

Collette chuckled. "That depends on my mood."

Everyone burst out laughing and headed out at once.

No one gave them trouble at the hotel. Instead, second- and third-year students approached Jonathan to curry favor with him.

They figured Jonathan might already be as strong as they were.

He had gained such strength after just over one semester at the academy. Naturally, they couldn't help but feel in awe of him.

Talent was one thing, but only strength could truly win people over.

"Jonathan, you'll be famous again after this grade competition. How long do you plan to stay in the first year?"

"Another few days, I guess. Then I'll apply to take the third-year assessment."

"The third year?!"

The three of them exclaimed in unison, then sighed helplessly. "If anyone's a freak, it's you!"

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