The headmaster finishes his speech and then space ripples around him.

  A giant tear in reality opens up a few dozen meters in front of the stage, and out steps a monster. It is gigantic, easily ten meters tall. It looks to be an Orc, one of the most feared monsters that are seen in low-rank battles.

  The reason why it is feared so much is twofold. Firstly, its body is covered in a thick and intricately designed suit of black aetherium armor, it has virtually no weak spots. Secondly, it has a massive black aetherium blade, nearing two meters in length. It has enough force to crush a juvenile dragon in a single blow.

  The Orc roars, issuing a challenge to all present. It gazes at us cadets arranged on the stage, like we are a fucking buffet. Immediately, panic sets in and people scramble. Some scream. Some freeze. But a select few prepare for combat.

  A screen appears in my vision from the system. It reads [Orc Lvl 250]. That is useful, it seems the system can tell us the level of monsters. No more loosely gauging strength based on their size.

  “Cadets, here is your first assignment! Defeat this monster.” The headmaster says, his voice booming over the chaos. Moments later, two daggers – this time made out of silver aetherium and not blue – appear at my feet. Behind cadets without armor, a suit of Dragon Guard armor appears. Other cadets also get weapons that must be suited to them.

  How perfect. Time to slay us an Orc.

  That guy is going down. Lemon says, encouragingly. I shall remain in the orb, I would just be a liability out there. It seems that I can still channel a bit of aether into you while in here, but use Blink sparingly for now.

  Got it, thanks Lemon. I say, focusing back on the Orc.

  Several squadrons grabbed weapons and immediately charged at it. I watch as one squad is crushed beneath its foot. Another is taken out by a single swing of its mighty sword. Seems like the cadet numbers are already dwindling.

  “Alright then everyone. Let's think about this.” Stephen says, motioning for us to huddle up. “The Orc has very few weak spots, but it does have one. Just under its helmet is a gap where a blade could slip in. The only problem is getting someone all the way up there.”

  “If we can somehow anchor it to the ground I could climb up its back.” For some reason, it appears I have a death wish today.

  “Are you sure, Maka?” Liv asks. Moxie gives me a look of worry.

  “Yeah, but I’ll need you guys to hold its attention and trap its blade somehow. Though I don't know if a single attack is going to take it out.”

  “Orcs are actually quite fragile under their armor. It's heavily compensating for their weak life force.” Stephen says.

  “So a hit or two should be able to take it out.” I say. “By the way, how do you know this? Did you memorize a book of monsterology or something?”

  “Nah, my commander path gives me a skill. It lets me sniff out enemy weak spots and other valuable information. Though it has quite a long cooldown.”

  “Woah, that's so awesome, Stephen!” Liv says, “You are like a super awesome commander that always knows where to lead his troops. By the way, I think my Taunt skill would help us grab its attention. But you better kill it quickly, I won't be able to take more than a few hits from that behemoth.”

  Moxie chimes in, “I have heal skill.”

  “That is excellent. Moxie and Liv, you are on distraction duty. Maka, you are going to go in for the kill. Wait, where is Violet?” Stephen says.

  We all frantically look around for Violet. I finally spot her, she is running around behind the Orc and it doesn't seem to notice her. She seems to be waiting for something.

  That something happens when the Orc swings at another Squad, half of which die to the attack. But while the Orc swings, it drops lower to the ground. Violet quickly moves in, she uses some sort of thrusting skill and launches forward into the air and clings to its shoulder. She tries to get her rapier into the small gap, but doesn't manage it and ends up falling off.

  I immediately rush off. I run as fast as I can and manage to make it to her just as the Orc turns around and swings its blade towards her.

  I grab her as she starts to stand up and I leap to the side. Not a moment later, the Orc’s blade passes millimeters above us, cuts off a single strand of Violet’s hair.

  “Idiot, you can't fight an enemy 250x your level alone!” I shout, grabbing her and shaking her a bit.

  “Sorry.” is all she says, then she pushes me away and stands up. She retrieves her rapier and moves behind the Orc again. But she looks at me, “Well then, are you coming?”

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  I stare open mouthed at her for a few seconds, and then the crashing sound of the Orc’s blade biting into another squadron snaps me back to my senses. All around the stadium turned arena, squadrons run around in panic. No one is seriously trying to fight the monster. Many squadrons have fled, running as far away as they can and cowering in a corner. What the heck was all that simulation time for if these losers are going to spook at the first sight of a real monster that actually wants to kill them?

  For fucks sake, some of these cadets mustve seen tons of combat. Yet they are all shying away like a bunch of little kids. Someone needs to tell them to grow up.

  I move over to stand behind Violet and smile. On the other side of the Orc, I see Liv rushing forward and Moxie trailing a bit behind her. Liv activates her Taunt skill and a wave of aether rushes from her. She readies her shield and stands strong – or rather, freezes in place.

  The Orc turns, looks at her and roars. It charges in, already swinging its blade.

  The moment its blade impacts Liv’s shield, Violet and I charge. We soar up its back and we both land a hit right in its weak spot. Massive gouts of black blood spew out and get all over us, but we simply fall back to the ground and back away.

  The Orc roars, but it is locked into attacking Liv by her Taunt. It strikes her again, and behind her Moxie starts using Heal. It's amazing to watch as the aether flows into Liv and her shield starts to mend itself where it was cracking. That is the most significant aspect of silver aetherium. It can absorb damage and healing directly based on the user’s health pool. Without it, we would be doomed as monsters would simply shatter our armor and leave us defenseless.

  I look over at Violet and she smiles at me. A nice, yet vicious and battle hungry smile. It is somehow both terrifying but also motivating, and super hot.

  We rush up the back of the Orc and sink our blades deeply into its weak spot once more. I hit something very hard inside and press as deeply as I can. It finally gives way with a nice cracking sound.

  Instantly, the entire body of the Orc disintegrates and absolutely covers everything in black blood. Violet and I plummet to the ground and I land on my ass, hard. Violet, ever the prodigy actually manages to stick the landing, what a showoff.

  Next, a series of notifications appear from the system.

  [Orc Lvl 250 Has Been Slain | Personal Contribution: 26%]

  [You Defeated A Monster 200 Levels Higher Than you: Experience Gain increased by 400%]

  [Scout has leveled up! Lvl 1 -> Lvl 54]

  [Mage has leveled up! Lvl 1 -> Lvl 12]

  [Average Level is now 32]

  [Gained 64 Unallocated Stat Points]

  [Dagger Wielding Proficiency has leveled up! Lvl 2/5 -> Lvl 5/5]

  [Lemon has leveled up! Lvl 0 -> Lvl 9]

  Woah, that is a lot of level-ups. It seems very little of the experience went into Mage. Which makes sense, I didn't use it all at to defeat the monster. I now have 66 free stat points, I should really figure out what to use those for. Not that it matters much, since I haven't even hit the maximum of my current stats. I will have to do some physical training soon, if I want to reach my new potential.

  The arena goes silent as cadets look around confused. They must be wondering where the monster went.

  The headmaster appears in front of us. “Hmm, good work cadets. Once again, your squadron has surpassed our expectations. Typically, every single squadron dies during this ceremony. To have cadets actually defeat the monster.. Hasn't happened since the 14th class.”

  I turn to Violet and offer her a high-five. To my surprise, she actually high-fives me back this time. A big smile spreads on my face. She immediately starts frowning at me, perhaps she already regrets her actions. Oh well, she cannot take it back.

  I take a look around the stadium. It is a mess. Dozens of squadrons lie dead, crushed, covered in blood. Pieces of armor are scattered everywhere. Broken weapons lay shattered into hundreds of pieces. The other cadets just stare at us, and where the Orc used to be, eyes wide.

  The headmaster turns to the stadium and floats a bit into the air. His voice booms around the stadium. “Cadets, you are all failures. While you were all expected to die, the fact that so few actually tried is a massive shame. If I were not merciful, I should order all of your immediate expulsions.” His works spark a wave of fear to go through the cadets. Expulsion is not just being kicked from the academy. It is always followed by a treason hearing in the high courts. No one expelled from the academy has ever avoided execution.

  “Though you are lucky that I am in fact, merciful. However, all of you – aside from the Asteria Squadron and those who valiantly died fighting – will face punishment of varying degrees. Now, on with the rest of the ceremony.” The headmaster seems to make a few weird gestures in the air, and then speaks. “Liuane, o divine nature of life. I beseech you to lend me a fragment of your power. Restore that which has been lost on this day. Create something from that which is lost. Provide for those without and bring forward plenty.”

  The air fills with an immense amount of energy. It feels like reality itself is shaking and rippling. A massive surge of energy radiates from the Headmaster. I have only read about it in books, legends really. It is said that the key component of the Headmaster’s power is his dragon. It has the concept of Life. It has been rumored that its ultimate ability is the power of Resurrection. To bargain with the very nature of life itself and harness its power.

  This must be that ability. The ability to resurrect fallen warriors. To forcefully tear their souls back from the realm of death and back into living. I can’t imagine it is a very pleasant experience.

  In mere seconds, all of the cadets that have fallen start to repair. Their blood flowing back into their bodies, wounds sealing up. Crushed skulls and broken bodies are put back together, every piece where it needs to be. Their armor is repaired, weapons restored. Everyone looks at the scene with complete and utter awe on their face.

  After about fifteen seconds, the ability ends. The world quiets and the air seems to be depleted of aether. It is as if reality itself is balking away from the event that just transpired.

  Every single cadet that died rises back onto their feet and looks around, utterly confused at how they are alive. Which makes sense, because they should not be. This is the power of the dragons, the system. To bargain with reality itself, even beseeching forces like life itself to bend to one's desire.

  However, power is not without cost. A bargain is that. A trade.

  The headmaster smiles, and then collapses.

  Next Chapter: Gala

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