The Lowest Royal Returns
Chapter 64: The Special Seniors

Chapter 64: The Special Seniors

One week later...

Name: Raelis Varekan

Age: 16

Race: Human

—Flame Core: 3 Flame Rings

Flame: ??? Primordial Flame (★★★☆ — Mastery: 0% → 4%)

↳ Dominion Flame [1/6]

—Bloodline: Cinder Phoenix

Purity: 20% → 21% (Kindle)

Next Rank: 30% (Flame)

—Attributes:

Vitality: 139 → 188

Perception: 121 → 152

Willpower: 134 → 144

Magic Control: 137 → 183

—Abilities:

Flame Singularity (★★★★★☆ — Mastery: 0%)

Expert Fireball (★★★☆ — Mastery: 22% → 38%)

Advanced Fire Manipulation (★★★☆ — Mastery: 6% → 12%)

Advanced Heat Control (★★☆ — Mastery: 14% → 20%)

Advanced Heat Resistance Barrier (★★☆ — Mastery: 46% → 72%)

Basic Flame Step (☆ — Mastery: 9% → 41%)

Passive Flame Sense (☆ — Mastery: 7% → 15%)

—Techniques:

Expert Dagger Combat Technique (★★★☆ — Mastery: 2% → 3%)

Advanced Stealth Technique (★★☆ — Mastery: 66% → 69%)

Flame Body Technique (☆ — Mastery: 4% → 40%)

He had gone through significant changes, with his attributes nearly doubling.

I took Julian’s advice about the Basic Flame Step ability, so now I can travel much faster without wasting as much mana. It’s definitely an overpowered ability given my fighting style.

Sadly, his techniques hadn’t improved that much. But that was simply because he lacked his knives. Once he got all 50 knives, he could reach the next stage of the Stealth and Dagger combat techniques.

But the same couldn’t be said for the Flame Body technique. Its mastery had increased by a lot, and he felt like he could reach the next star in the next week.

Nevertheless, he stopped dawdling around and got out of bed.

He took a shower, got dressed, and walked toward classroom number six.

The moment he stepped inside, the bell rang, signifying the start of the lesson.

It seemed like he was the last one to arrive as Julian stood on the elevated platform, holding a single document in his hands.

Raelis nodded at the instructor and walked over to his seat beside Clea, sitting down.

"Good. Now that everyone’s here, I’d like to start with the basic stuff," Julian said nonchalantly.

He turned toward the blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk, slowly writing down a few names.

After 5 names were written, Julian clapped a few times, a faint smile on his face.

"These are the top scorers. Do note that penalties, good behavior, and decision-making were evaluated accordingly. So what I’m trying to say is that these top 5 examinees were rightfully chosen."

With that, Julian stepped aside, revealing the names.

1. Raelis Varekan | Clea Valentine

2. Auren Varekan

3. Zeri Varekan

4. Kevin Siegfried

5. Alan Jory

"Huh? Why is there...?"

"Instructor? Are you sure this was correctly assessed?"

"Yeah! Why are there two people in first place?"

Julian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look... I told you they were rightfully chosen, but if you wish to know more in-depth, I’ll tell you why there are two names in first place."

He raised a single finger. "Raelis Varekan was the first person in history to reach the 100th step and approach the tree. He also did considerably well in the second exam."

Then a second finger. "Now this is where it gets tricky. Clea Valentine did okay in the preliminary exams, barely passed the first exam, and finally stepped up in the second exam."

A faint smile appeared on his face. "However, her performance in the third exam was simply stunning. She stood out amongst all the other candidates, since, while most of you might not have seen her, she was constantly scrambling the battlefield with her strange abilities. Diverting the scouts, finding weak points in the castles. She even figured out who all the jesters were."

Did she do all that? Huh... She didn’t tell me anything. Raelis mused.

"But do note, the reason she’s number 1 alongside Raelis, and not number two, was because Raelis’s performance in the final exam was average at best. So in the end, that’s how the result turned out."

Julian chuckled. "Auren Varekan had done slightly above average on every exam, hence why he is number two. Zeri Varekan would’ve taken his place, but she suffered a serious penalty after the final exam."

He clapped his hands again. "But that’s enough. The sheets will be up near the entrance of the academy. After today’s lessons, you may challenge whoever you wish in order to increase your rank. Oh, and those in the top 10, your rooms have been transferred to the top floor of your respective dormitories. As before, ask the receptionist for your room keys."

"Right... those in the top 5 are allowed to choose an instructor, but we’ll do that after this next part."

And with that, it seemed like his explanation was over.

What came next, however, was the main ordeal.

"I’ve been drilling basic spell structure over the past week. This week, we will put everything you’ve learned and practiced to good use." Julian’s smirk grew. "And what better way to test your abilities than to fight against people leagues above you?"

He walked off the elevated platform and signaled for the students to follow. _{fre.eweb novel\.c om}

They all stood up and followed after Julian. After a few minutes of roaming the halls, they arrived in the inner courtyard where a single stone fighting platform was slightly elevated off the ground.

And on it were 10 people, the elite students of the second year.

Raelis felt a shiver run down his spine just from looking at them. Clearly, they were stronger than him.

They were exactly the reason why he had trained for a week straight.

In fact, because of them, he had postponed the meeting with his mother for the next weekend.

While he did feel bad and wanted to cherish the time he had with her, he knew that she was safe so long as Lizbeth was beside her.

Of course, he was prepared for the scolding that would come his way on the weekend.

Still, he put those thoughts behind him as he stepped onto the large elevated stone platform, then stretched.

"Well then, meet your upperclassmen," Julian said plainly. "They’re pretty strong, so you shouldn’t take them lightly."

"Pfft... why, instructor? Do take us lightly," the black-haired senior spoke. "We’ve come all this way because you promised us a challenge, but so far..."

He scanned the crowd, his grin growing. "I’m not really seeing anyone worthwhile... it’s almost like you’re purposefully wasting our time, instructor."

Julian rolled his eyes and returned his gaze to the students.

"Out of the 170 students, 169 are currently present. Zeri Varekan is still recovering, and she should be back by next week."

"As for the rest of you... Step forward and pick one of the ten special class seniors. You will have a spar against them. It’ll last until one of you is knocked out or thrown out of the fighting arena."

Julian clapped his hands twice and tilted his head with a smile.

"So, who wants to go first?"