With that being said, the examination began.
All one hundred teams were sent into the training grounds and almost immediately, the teams began battling it out for points. Teams were given their numbers based on the order in which they reported in.
Some teams went straight after the shadow like creatures, while others immediately targeted their fellow teams. You see, although defeating the shadows would earn points, defeating an entire team or even a single team member was worth significantly more.
The most active participants were those who were not considered Special Cases, along with a select few who were eager to prove themselves. Meanwhile, most of the Special Cases simply stood back and watched.
They weren't interested in fighting ordinary opponents.
They wanted to fight someone strong.
A rustle in the bushes came from where a few Special Cases were standing.
Suddenly, a student lunged toward one of the Spirit Clan's Special Cases.
And in an instant...
"Team 41 has been eliminated!"
The announcement echoed throughout the battlefield.
The student was immediately rendered unable to continue fighting. The last thing he saw was the cold glare of his opponent, a stare that seemed to pierce straight through his soul.
And then, it began.
Fifty more teams were suddenly eliminated, bringing the total number of teams that had already failed the examination to fifty one.
"This is the first time I've seen this," the Headmaster said. "Just thirty minutes in, and fifty-one teams have already been eliminated. This year's intake is quite strong."
"Wow! Did you hear that? Fifty more teams just got eliminated!" James said. "We have to be careful."
"Yeah, you're right..."
Rustle.
Vanessa froze.
"What was that?"
She looked around.
"Hide!" she whispered.
"James... James! James! Why aren't you respondi---"
Vanessa turned around.
Her heart nearly stopped.
A Spirit Clan member was standing behind her, holding James by the neck.
Vanessa's heart pounded as fear rushed through her body, but she gathered all her courage. She summoned her staff and swung it toward the Spirit Clan member.
Before she could react, however, a powerful blow struck her in the stomach.
She stumbled backward and began coughing, struggling to catch her breath. She knew that another attack like that could render her unable to continue.
The Spirit Clan member looked down at her.
"How pitiful. For you to be this weak when you possess the Clover Eyes... a power so great, yet so unknown."
She shook her head.
"I'm disappointed in how far the Clover Clan has fallen. The power of fortune lies within you and yet you fail to make proper use of it."
Vanessa clenched her fists.
"I'm not... I'm... I..."
She slowly forced herself back onto her feet.
"I'M NOT DONE YET!!!" Vanessa shouted.
"Wheel of Fortune!"
A strange wheel materialized before her.
Wheel of Fortune is a technique that allows the user to enhance one of their abilities depending on the situation and whatever the wheel lands on. The technique itself is basic, but when used efficiently, it can become a deadly weapon.
The wheel began to spin.
Round and round it went before finally stopping.
Increased Agility.
Vanessa suddenly disappeared from where she stood.
She lunged forward and began exchanging blows with the Spirit Clan member. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the two were evenly matched.
But that illusion didn't last long.
The Spirit Clan member quickly demonstrated what it truly meant to be considered a Special Case.
Even with her increased speed, Vanessa was still no match for her.
"You call that increased agility?" the Spirit Clan member said.
She smiled.
"Then let me show you something."
Her energy surged.
She increased her agility even further and reduced her offensive power.
Vanessa was immediately overwhelmed.
She could barely defend herself, let alone fight back.
The Spirit Clan member raised her hand, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
But before she could...
BOOM!
A figure suddenly appeared between them.
The attack was stopped.
Vanessa's eyes widened.
Standing before her was the one person she never expected to see.
The prodigy of the Clover Clan.
The one and only... Zachy.