The Pursuit Of Catalyst: A Dive Into Another Verse

The next morning, Ashia woke up with her heart fluttering in excitement—today was the final exam, but more importantly, she'd get to see her Master again. She took a bath, dressed herself neatly, and stood in front of the mirror for what must've been the twelfth time, adjusting her uniform and brushing her long brown hair just right.

She finally stepped out of her room and locked the door behind her, a spring in her step. Then she walked over and knocked on Serena's door.

Serena emerged, half-buttoning her jacket. "You're all dressed already?"

"Hurry up, let's go!" Ashia said cheerfully, tugging her by the wrist.

As they moved through the corridor, Serena looked at her with a grin. "You sure are eager today."

Ashia, trying not to smile too widely, looked away with a small "Hmph."

Halfway down the hallway, they ran into Prince Elas, who joined them without hesitation. The three walked briskly, and as they moved, Serena and Elas exchanged a chuckle behind Ashia's back.

"She's glowing," Serena whispered.

"She's sparkling," Elas replied, amused.

They reached the wide field outside the Final Exam Arena. The stone walls towered over them, and already a crowd of students had gathered. Standing in front of the entrance were two familiar figures—Sylves and Elza, waiting calmly.

Ashia's breath caught slightly. She let go of Serena and quickly walked forward.

"Master," she greeted, bowing lightly, her eyes shimmering.

Sylves gave her a soft smile. "You look prepared."

"I am, Master," she replied, straightening with pride.

Serena and Elas exchanged casual nods with Sylves and Elza before the heavy arena doors slowly creaked open.

The crowd went quiet as they stepped inside. The vast coliseum-like structure held a circular battle arena at its center, where magical barriers were already in place. In the middle stood Headmaster Gardinant Blackwood, his presence commanding, and beside him, Professor Alya Stephan, firm and poised as ever.

The Headmaster's voice echoed through the hall, clear and resonant.

"Today's exam will be conducted in teams of three. You will be randomly assigned and assessed not only on your individual skill, but also on how well you work together to defeat a magical beast. Teamwork, strategy, and magical coordination will determine your score."

He gestured to Professor Alya, who began calling out names.

One by one, teams were announced, students joining their designated groups with either excitement or hesitation. Then came the combinations that caught the attention of many:

"Mr. Nord Swarn, Miss Betty Pincer, and Miss Elza."

"Mr. Elas, Miss Serena, and Miss Ashia."

"Mr. Sylves, Miss Cloud Lovelace, and Miss Sky Lovelace."

Ashia blinked in surprise, turning toward Serena and Elas, who shared the same stunned expression.

"Looks like we're together," Serena murmured.

"Finally, some familiar faces in a group," Elas added with a grin.

Ashia smiled brightly, her nerves momentarily forgotten. "Then… let's do our best."

From the corner of her eye, she saw Sylves meeting her gaze from across the room. He gave her a slight nod—silent encouragement.

Her heart thumped once more.

Today was the final test… and she would not disappoint.

Many teams went and came back... Many victorious many disappointed.

Examination Arena – Team Ashia, Serena, and Elas

The cheers of the previous match faded as a voice boomed across the arena:

"Next team: Prince Elas, Miss Serena, and Miss Ashia. Please proceed."

Ashia drew a steady breath and gripped her wand. Serena rolled her shoulders, cracking her knuckles in anticipation. Elas stepped forward confidently, his rapier glinting under the enchanted arena lights.

Together, they entered the ring as the gate on the far side creaked open. A chilling roar echoed as their opponent emerged—a Stormscale Drakonette, its hide rippling with residual lightning, eyes glowing electric blue, and scaled wings pulsing with raw energy.

"Is that really a first-year level opponent?" Serena muttered.

"Doesn't matter," Elas said calmly. "We handle it. Just like training."

Ashia nodded silently, eyes locked on the beast.

"Begin!" Professor Alya shouted.

The Drakonette reared its head back and fired a bolt of crackling lightning.

Ashia stepped forward, raising her wand. "Aegis Flow!"

A watery barrier formed around them, absorbing the bolt's impact with a hiss, but thin cracks formed under the pressure.

"Scatter!" Elas commanded.

He dashed right, his blade glowing faintly with Light Magic, while Serena veered left and launched her attack: "Aqua Spear!" A solid spear of water launched toward the creature's flank.

It missed—but just barely. The Drakonette retaliated, flapping its wings with a burst of wind so sharp it sent Serena skidding backward.

Ashia sprang into action. She drew moisture from the air and cast "Mistbind Spiral!"

A thick mist enveloped the arena's center, blinding the beast temporarily and saturating the air to weaken its electric discharge.

"Good thinking," Eles shouted, circling behind the creature. "Let's disorient it further!"

He raised his free hand. "Radiant Gleam!"

A flash of blinding light burst through the mist, striking the Drakonette's eyes. It screamed and staggered, struggling to find its target.

Ashia used the distraction to call out again: "Hydro Grasp!"

From the mist, water tendrils wrapped around its limbs, slowing its movement.

"Serena—now!"

Serena had regained her footing and shot forward, twin orbs of light in her hands. "Lumin Shackles!"

They snapped around the beast's wings and glowed, holding tight.

With a roar, the beast broke free from one limb and lunged at Ashia—only to be intercepted.

"Wind Step!"

Elas surged in with a speed burst and slashed his glowing rapier across the Drakonette's leg. The cut wasn't deep, but it staggered the beast and gave Ashia enough time to retreat.

The Drakonette shrieked again, flailing—then Serena leapt in. "Let's finish this!"

All three moved in unison.

Ashia: "Water Drill!"

Serena: "Light Pulse!"

Elas: "Radiant Drive!"

A spiraling jet of water, a focused beam of light, and a piercing lunge all landed in rapid succession. The beast cried out once more—then collapsed with a heavy thud, unconscious but intact.

The arena exploded into applause.

"Team complete," Professor Alya's voice rang out. "Excellent coordination and effective execution. Impressive use of synergy and adaptive spellwork. Mr. Elas Asphalia, Miss Serena Lawrance and Miss Ashia Wanes— 90 points each!"

Ashia smiled, cheeks flushed. Serena threw her arm around her shoulder.

"You're a monster with that mist spell."

Ashia laughed softly. "I hope Master was watching."

Elas grinned. "With that performance? He definitely was."

"Next up—Mr. Nord Swarn, Miss Betty Pincer, and Miss Elza Glens!"

The crowd stirred as the three stepped forward. Miss Elza's black cloak flowed as she walked, her violet eyes calm but focused. Betty, petite and composed, flexed her arms briefly, warming up. Nord, arms crossed, glanced at the others with indifference.

The gate across the arena opened with a loud clang.

Out came their foe—a Razorhide Lynark, a hulking, four-legged beast armored in jagged stone-like plates and exuding mana through its glowing red eyes. Its elemental aura pulsed with Fire and Earth.

"Let's keep it clean," Betty said, her eyes sharp. "Elza, control the flow. Nord, cover the left. I'll draw aggro."

"Fine," Nord muttered, his stance shifting.

"Start!" Professor Alya shouted.

Betty dashed first—her speed explosive, wind magic enhancing every step. She was already near the Lynark before most spectators could track her. Her fists ignited with Fire Magic, and she struck the Lynark's shoulder, causing sparks and a crack of flame to ripple over its armor.

Elza, standing calmly with wind gathering around her, cast: "Wind Chains."

Bands of slicing air wrapped around the Lynark's limbs, restricting movement just as Nord launched a barrage of Earth Spikes from the side, trying to weaken its footing.

The Lynark roared and stomped, breaking free from one set of chains and causing tremors across the field. Rocks shot up—Nord blocked with an Earthen Wall, but Betty was already flipping over the debris, sending a Fire Cyclone into the beast's flank.

Elza held her position, calculating every step. Her wind magic spiraled around the Lynark again, but the beast surged forward, breaking through Betty's cyclone and heading straight for Elza.

Then she blinked.

Her calm melted into something darker.

Void Magic.

Elza's silver hair lifted with invisible pressure as her aura deepened. Her palm stretched outward.

"Void Collapse."

A vacuum force yanked the Lynark mid-charge. Its body halted mid-motion, suspended and trembling.

Betty's eyes widened. "You were saving that?!"

"Don't waste the opening," Elza said, her voice unshaken.

Betty needed no second telling. Flames ignited around her fists again, and with wind magic speeding her up, she struck the Lynark square in the chest.

Nord added his strength—multiple Earth Shackles pinned the beast.

A final shriek, and the Lynark collapsed, unconscious.

The audience applauded.

Professor Alya stood and announced:

"Battle complete! Outstanding display of restraint and control. Miss Betty Pincer—90 points. Mr. Nord Swarn—85 points. Miss Elza Glens—97 points."

Elza stepped back quietly as the crowd whispered, impressed not just by her magic, but by how she no longer clung to Sylves or shied from the spotlight.

Betty turned to her and grinned. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

Elza smiled faintly. "As long as you don't startle me, you'll be fine."

Professor Alya's voice rang through the arena:

"Next—Mr. Sylves, Miss Cloud Lovelace, and Miss Sky Lovelace."

The crowd stirred again—this time with audible anticipation. Sylves stepped forward calmly, his black cloak billowing slightly, violet eyes sharp and unreadable. On either side of him walked the Lovelace twins—Miss Cloud with her light pink hair tied neatly in twin braids, and Miss Sky with wavy violet-purple locks falling past her back.

Both twins were slender and graceful, walking in perfect rhythm. Whispers ran through the crowd. They had never seen the Lovelace sisters fight together. And no one knew how strong they were... not really.

The heavy gate at the opposite end of the arena creaked open.

THUMP.

The ground quaked. A massive, lion-like beast stepped into the field—a Flamehorn Behemoth, covered in magma-like scales and a spiraling horn of molten stone protruding from its head. Fire and earth aura radiated from its body, scorching the stone beneath its feet.

"Team, prepare," Professor Alya called. "Begin!"

Cloud and Sky moved in sync—no words exchanged. Twin grins. Twin nods.

Cloud cast "Wind Dancer"—a mobility spell—enhancing both their speeds. She circled left, swirling wind around her. Sky followed close, casting fire lances from the right.

The air shimmered with magic. Their synchronized combination painted streaks of pink and purple light.

Sylves watched from the rear—analyzing, arms folded. He had chosen to observe first.

The Behemoth bellowed and charged—flame trailing in its wake. The girls moved like flowing water, slipping around it and blasting coordinated waves of wind and fire.

BOOM—CRACK—CRACK!

They landed a few solid hits, scorching the beast's flank. The crowd murmured—impressed by the seamless coordination.

But then—the Behemoth stopped running.

It dug its claws into the ground—and let out a deafening roar.

A circle of fire erupted outward in a wave.

Cloud screamed, shielding herself with wind. Sky tried to jump back—but too late.

Flame exploded under their feet.

"Get back!" Sylves's voice rang out.

Smoke and flame cloaked the field. The crowd gasped.

The Lovelace twins were thrown back—both girls hit the ground hard, coughing, bruised and momentarily stunned, but Sylves protect ted them from most of the damage with his wind magic. The Behemoth raised its horn—charging again.

But before it could move—

Sylves stepped forward.

His aura changed instantly.

Magic flared. The air thickened. Pressure descended on the entire arena.

The monster paused mid-step.

Sylves walked slowly. Calmly.

Then, in one motion, he vanished from where he stood.

Appeared in front of the Behemoth.

BOOM.

A massive Void Rift exploded beneath the monster's feet, rooting it.

Behind Sylves, the four elemental sigils swirled: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth. His feet glowed with Light Magic, amplifying his speed and precision.

He raised one hand—and the earth responded.

He flicked a finger—and a wave of fire and wind knocked the monster's balance.

He cast with both hands—water blades slicing across the creature's molten plates. The fire within the monster shrieked—its defenses weakening.

Then, he closed his eyes—

—and summoned Void Chains.

The chains of nothingness wrapped around the monster's limbs, locking its motion mid-air.

The Behemoth roared furiously—flailing. Sylves didn't flinch. His eyes glowed faint violet.

Then he whispered—

"Collapse."

The chains pulled inward.

With a final, ground-shaking boom, the Flamehorn Behemoth crashed to the ground—unconscious.

Dust settled.

Silence.

Cloud and Sky sat up slowly, still coughing—startled, breathless.

Sylves walked to them, offering a hand each.

"You both okay?"

Sky blinked. "Y-yeah..."

Cloud looked up at him and gave a sheepish smile. "You didn't even need us…"

Sylves shook his head. "You both fought well. That thing was stronger than expected."

Professor Alya stood and called out:

"Battle complete. Mr. Sylves demonstrated overwhelming control and awareness—90 points to Miss Cloud Lovelace. 90 points to Miss Sky Lovelace. And—100 points to Mr. Sylves."

The arena erupted into applause.

Even senior-year students standing in the upper balconies were left stunned. Not just by Sylves's strength, but the way he had assessed, reacted, and protected his team.

Elza clapped quietly with a smile.

Ashia's eyes sparkled.

Serena whispered, "He's grown… even more."

And Prince Elas nodded slowly, impressed.

As Sylves walked back from the field, Cloud and Sky followed behind him—nursing a few bruises but smiling in awe.

"You're different then what we saw in classes in the first month." Sky said.

Sylves looked ahead, a faint smile on his lips. "We've all changed."

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