Lucifer: Godless Reawakening

Once the headmaster finished his speech, the vice-headmaster stepped onto the center stage.

Addressing the crowd in a calm, steady voice, he said, "The physical assessment will be divided into two stages. First, each of you will face an individual battle against a monster, one specifically chosen based on your weaknesses. After that, you will be required to complete a round trip through the forest."

That immediately caught the audience's interest. Usually, the test was either a one-on-one spar or something like a treasure hunt designed to assess the students' instincts, abilities, and battle awareness.

This time, however, both had been combined.

"Yes, the practical examinations will span several days," he continued. "We aim to assess at least twenty students per day, meaning it will take ten days to conclude the third-year first-term examinations."

The announcement thrilled those who enjoyed watching battles, especially when it involved the best students the academy had to offer.

The vice-headmaster went on, "In the second phase, you will need to locate black flags placed throughout the forest. Around those areas, you will find gemstones. Don't worry, they are large enough to be spotted easily. However, be cautious. The academy has not cleared the forest in quite some time."

The message was clear. The surrounding forest was crawling with wild beasts.

Nice.

Well, it wouldn't be much of a test of strength if all they had to do was find something without facing any real danger.

The man allowed his words to settle before continuing, "Each student will have limited time to complete the examination. As long as you return within that time, you will not fail. You will be provided with an hourglass to keep track."

"If you have any doubts, you may ask when your name is called." With that, he concluded.

The students were already buzzing with excitement.

Now it made sense why the wide screen and long-range projection artifacts had been set up to the side.

They would be able to watch each examinee's performance from inside the gym.

"Who do you think they'll call first?" Natalie asked, her voice tinged with nervousness. She didn't doubt her abilities, but this kind of stage could make even the most confident slip.

"I wonder if it'll be his favorite student," William muttered casually.

"Kevin? I doubt it," Natalie said, crossing her arms. "Given how much he favors him, I don't think he'd put Kevin at the disadvantage of going first."

Mia groaned. "I really hope they don't call me."

Just then, the name of the first student to take the practical assessment was announced.

"Delimore William, please come to the center."

The chatter died instantly as his name echoed through the hall.

William's brows lifted slightly as he glanced toward the vice-headmaster.

To the side, even the headmaster frowned. It wasn't William's turn to go first. Still, he chose not to intervene. In the end, it wouldn't change much.

William turned to the silver-haired girl beside him and gently squeezed her hand. "Be right back."

"Take care," she said, pulling him closer and placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

William smiled. "Now that's a lucky charm I'll always appreciate before a fight."

Emma let out a small chuckle before watching him leave.

After taking a few steps, William suddenly felt the urge to look back.

He glanced over his shoulder and found Emma still watching him.

He couldn't explain it, but for some reason, his heart felt a little heavy. It wasn't nerves, not for something like this. Then what was it?

'I'm just overthinking.' 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Shaking his head, he moved past the students and descended the stairs toward the arena.

The students had started cheering again, and this time, most of the banners in the crowd bore a single name.

WILLIAM.

"He's built quite a following for himself," Natalie remarked casually, glancing at Emma.

The silver-haired girl huffed but said nothing. It was only natural. With how strong and courageous her husband was, people were bound to be drawn to him.

Yet what truly mattered was that when William turned toward the crowd, his eyes found hers amid the sea of admirers.

"These are the same people who couldn't care less whether he was alive or dead a few weeks ago," Laila muttered from a different corner of the stands.

It was no secret that the son of someone as powerful as Count Delimore had once been weaker than even the lowest-ranked first-year student.

Everyone believed the only reason William hadn't been expelled from the academy was because of his father's influence.

But things had changed too quickly. The same man, once infamous as a loud-mouthed bottom feeder, was now admired by hundreds. People were eager to see him in action, and many had already begun to idolize him.

Lizel's expression revealed a mix of happiness and something far more complicated.

She had abandoned him at his lowest, and now that he had reclaimed his former height, perhaps even surpassed it, his gaze was no longer meant for her, but for someone else.

She no longer knew how to feel about it.

William exhaled a sigh and finally stopped before the vice-headmaster.

The bespectacled man glanced at him once before saying, "Any questions?"

William shook his head before he was handed a small hourglass which would tell him how much time he could spend searching for the objectives.

Not so long after, silence ensued in the arena as the test was about to begin.

Everyone waited with an impatient look as an instructor stepped forward and planted his hands on the ground.

*Clank*

Suddenly, a tall prison of mirrors appeared before William, reflecting the bright sunlight and faces of the students.

As the teacher removed his hands from the ground, the mirror cage faded, revealing the being it was containing.

William's whole demeanor shifted seeing the creature.

The one who has cornered him back in the dungeon stood before him once again.

A prism ape.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Time for round two. Thanks for reading.