Reincarnated In A World Of Mana As A Mechanic-Chapter 49: Beginning of the Combat Trials

The air thrummed with excitement as multiple students walked into the large amphitheater located east of the institute, covering such a large area that the actual fighting stage itself was easily as large as a football field.

Ezekiel was also excited, sporting a wild and anticipating grin on his face as he stared at the stage below him as though it were thousands of credits to him. Well, it kind of was.

He was dressed rather lightly, merely wearing a training garb that clung onto his body, accentuating the muscles that almost seemed to scream to be free of their prison. He might not have been as burly as the few students around him, but he definitely possessed the right amount of toned muscles a teenager his age should have.

His getup did attract quite a number of stares though, as most students couldn’t understand why he would bother getting on stage with no defensive equipment whatsoever already worn.

The mechanic didn’t care about them. He kept his bright amethyst eyes trained on the stage while running multiple calculations in his head, his expression seeming as though he was already counting the numerous credits he would receive.

"You’re creeping everybody out with your indecent expression?" Vahn whispered with a hint of hesitation on his face as though he didn’t want to be associated with Ezekiel while he sported such an expression on his face.

The mechanic burst into mock anger. "Who’s indecent?! How could you ever consider my love for money indecent?! You... you wanna deny after how much care I’ve given you?"

Vahn rolled his eyes, an exasperated expression evident on his face, before he decided to keep quiet and let his friend fantasize all he wanted.

The students around them didn’t make any comments, merely staring on with perplexed and disdainful looks. The trio had been famous for the first month of the beginning of the term due to the fact that Ezekiel’s creations were much too weird and happened to be quite unique. But he was soon forgotten after he began his researching spree. Not to mention that during the spars he would participate in, he lost 20% of the time, earning the ’weakling’ tag from everyone in the class.

The siblings, though, were a different matter. The two had risen to fame in the institution after it was realized that the two, somehow, managed to awaken two of the rarest magics. Life and Death magic! 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Such affinities were usually only awakened by nobles, Royals even. They couldn’t even begin to understand how commoner siblings like Vahn and Yuri had awakened those affinities.

And to top it off, the siblings were talented. Much more talented than most of the students in the Year One courses. Their Mana perception was strong, they found the manipulation of mana to be as easy as drinking water. And the applications of their affinities during a battle were easily able to turn the tides whenever they were able to accurately find the right timing.

Basically they were considered the godsend duo, brought into the Kingdom by the Heavens itself, to multiple Professors who interacted with them. Anybody could easily tell that if allowed to properly mature, the two would cast away their shells and become famous individuals that matched up to people like the Headmaster.

*

Ezekiel seemed more like a salesman than actual salesmen themselves.

*

"Hmm. It seems they are more brave students this year." A light chuckle reverberated in the air, bringing every individual’s attention—both in the waiting lobby and in the spectator stands—glance up to capture the image of the Headmaster.

Ezekiel craned his neck in annoyance. ’Does this old man really like having us look up at him?’

Of course he didn’t dare to say such out loud, and if the Headmaster possessed the ability to read minds, he didn’t show it. He sported a smile as he glanced down at the students while nodding in approval. "Good. Out of 96 students, 71 decided to join the Combat Ranking trials. Of which 9 are Forgers. Good, very good. Having a courageous heart while young really is the best.

"The trials you have to go through are simple. Everyone will be given a randomly generated ranking. You all will be granted the right to challenge someone 10 ranks ahead of you until you reach your limit. Of course, there shall be a resting period given in between battles. Do note that every participant is only allowed 10 chances to either stay put or challenge others.

"Also, an individual who has fought another participant can’t be challenged within 10 minutes of their fights. The first fight shall begin from the bottom of the ranking list, the trials shall end once the participant with the first rank has challenged others, or passed the chance to challenge, 8 times. The rewards you will receive will, of course, depend on your rank, but this will only be revealed after the end of the trials. I wish you all good luck! May the best Awakened win!"

A large holographic board materialized into existence the moment he was done with his speech, displaying numbers with names next to them.

Ezekiel immediately locked on to his name and ranking, inwardly hoping for a low one.

_

70. Ezekiel Flynn.

_

The mechanic paused, his lips pursed as he stared at the ranking with slight annoyance. "It didn’t have to be that low, did it?"

Although the random ranking had nothing to do with strength, that was still too low a rank to him! It dealt a direct blow to his pride!

By his side, Edward snickered the moment he locked onto Ezekiel’s position. "Who knows? The ranking could be based on how trashy you really are."

The latter didn’t lose his cool, simply giving a sidelong glance while his lips curled up in disdain. "Sure. But then it’d mean you aren’t much better than me, Mr. 66th."

The arrogant noble’s face turned pale as he quickly focused back on the ranking, only to find that his name was indeed in the 66th position, causing him to grit his teeth in embarrassment as his hearing caught onto many contemptuous chuckles among the other students.

Knowing he would lose out no matter how he replied, Edward chose to quietly endure the shame even while he clenched his fist tightly, almost digging his nails into his skin.

Ezekiel, on the other hand, was unbothered by Edward’s taunts. He wasn’t foolish enough to make a scene while they were offstage, even the arrogant noble himself didn’t dare so why should he court death.

’As for on stage? Hehe.’ The mechanic revealed a dazzling smile, having found the scapegoat for his show—er, battle.