Weeks had passed since Adam's last day in the forest, where he first felt his inner abilities beginning to take shape.
The mysterious shadow lingered in his mind—silent, enigmatic. It hadn't attacked again, hadn't left any trace except one haunting question:
Why didn't it kill him?
And why hadn't it shown its full power?
Return to the Academy
Upon returning to the academy, Adam felt like a stranger among the noble students and those of pure blood.
The whispers behind his back were clear:
"The orphanage boy… weak… he'll never amount to anything."
But when news spread of the academy's strongest student tournament, it ignited something deeper inside him—a burning desire to test himself.
Headmaster Felix Ronard officially announced the rules of the competition:
Magic is allowed, but not required.
All students fight in a specially prepared arena designed to test every kind of skill: mental strength, physical power, reaction speed, and strategic analysis.
Death inside the arena carries no punishment for the victor, making every match deadly and real.
The winner will earn the right to face Cedric Falcon, the third strongest hunter in the country—one of the most powerful figures in the land.
Adam felt a mixture of fear and excitement.
He made a firm decision: in this first round, he would not use magic.
He wanted to test the training he had endured in the forest. He wanted to know exactly how far his mind and body had come before relying on power he still didn't fully understand.
"This is my chance… I'll find out now whether I've truly grown," he muttered to himself.
Mental and Physical Preparation
In his small room, Adam sat quietly. He opened his notebook and began reviewing every lesson the forest had taught him:
Movements, dodges, distance judgment.
Observing potential opponents and analyzing their weaknesses.
Predicting reactions and adapting instantly.
Every motion he visualized in his mind, every idea he wrote down, became a step toward complete control over his body and thoughts.
"I won't rely on magic yet… I'll surprise everyone with my mind and body alone."
First Surveillance of the Students
In the days leading up to the tournament, Adam began observing his potential opponents:
Kyle: Arrogant noble-born, convinced victory is guaranteed, planning to rely on deceptive magic.
Roland: Physically powerful but slow-thinking—his predictable movements could be exploited.
Evan: Lightning-fast but mentally weak, prone to rash decisions.
Adam noticed something crucial: despite their appearance of strength and reputation, most of them had clear weaknesses—weak points that could be turned against them if the opponent's mind was sharp enough.
Fear and Motivation
Despite his progress, Adam felt real fear for the first time:
"Am I ready? Can an orphanage boy face these powerhouses without magic?"
Yet with that fear came motivation.
Every step of training, every movement, every note in his book was preparation for a merciless arena where death was not punished.
First Trial
One day, the academy allowed students to simulate the first round in a small training arena to evaluate strength and strategy.
Adam began by analyzing his opponent—watching every movement, every shift in stance, every speed of motion, every angle of gaze.
He used all his physical skills to evade attacks. He never raised his hand more than necessary. He never rushed a single step. Everything was calculated with extreme precision.
Result: Astonishing victory—without using magic even once.
The crowd in the training hall erupted in shock:
A boy from the orphanage, seemingly weak on the surface, capable of dominating with such mental and physical precision.
From a distance, Kyle felt genuine shock for the first time.
The arrogant one who believed victory was certain began to feel unease.
End of Chapter 23: Anticipation for the Tournament
As the official tournament day drew near, Adam sat alone in the training arena, watching the light break between the pillars, studying the ground with care.
"I won't need magic to prove myself… this arena, my mind, my body—everything will be my weapon."
Whispers began circulating among the spectators about the mysterious boy who had caused such surprise:
"Who is this kid? Could he actually win?"
Adam closed his notebook with a small smile and clenched his fist, as if preparing himself for the coming battle:
"The time has come… no one will doubt me anymore."
The chapter ends on a note of high tension, leaving the door wide open for Chapter 24—where Adam's first real match in the strongest student tournament begins, and his mental and physical abilities will be tested before the entire academy.