The sky over Elaris Academy was darkened not by storm clouds, but by rift energy spiraling from the southern zone. The first stage of the Faction Trials had begun, and tension gripped the campus like a vice. Students rushed through the gates, clad in combat gear, eyes burning with ambition.
The Faction Trials weren't just about prestige. They were the academy's main metric for ranking, territory, and most importantly—resources.
Everything in Elaris was transactional. Access to training chambers, higher-tier meals, weapon licenses, and even room upgrades—all were purchased using academy credits. These credits could only be earned through missions, portal expeditions, or the trials.
For low-tiers like Alexander and his group, this was the only real way to climb.
> "Trial One: Zone Claim."
"Secure and hold a resource node for the duration of the trial. The more enemies you repel, the greater your reward."
The moment the trial zone stabilized, hundreds of students were teleported in. Floating rock fields, crystal valleys, and broken elemental landscapes spread out beneath them. Each zone was seeded with valuable nodes—ether crystals, mana flowers, or beast spawn cores.
Alexander, Jace, Milo, and Zeke landed in a shattered canyon laced with glowing silver veins.
"This is a medium-tier ether vein," Milo said, eyes scanning the fluctuating data. "It'll attract attention fast. But it's also valuable."
"Then we hold it," Alexander replied without hesitation.
They moved like they'd trained for this. Zeke used his earth affinity to form trenches and rock walls around the crystal core. Milo planted makeshift traps using scraps and cheap tech gear, and Jace positioned himself in the shadows with tripwire sensors. Alexander stood in the center, calm, focused.
---
Elsewhere...
Factions clashed violently. The Crimson Howlers overran three zones within minutes using fire-fanged beasts. The Obsidian Spire faction summoned spectral constructs, sweeping through weaker teams like wind through dry leaves. High-tier nobles flaunted their elemental prowess, crushing low-tier challengers without breaking a sweat.
But in the canyon—Alexander's group was different.
When a six-man squad from the Iron Talon faction entered the canyon, expecting a clean takeover, they were met with raw efficiency.
Jace's wire-trap snapped the frontliner's legs out from under him. Zeke's earthen pillar slammed a second into the cliff. Alexander flickered between shadows, striking vital points with pinpoint precision.
Shadow Dance. Corrosive Strike. Seismic Step.
Milo disoriented the rest with a sonic pulse bomb. Five down in seconds. The last ran—straight into a trap.
> Node Status: Stable
Time Remaining: 48 Minutes
Then came the next wave.
And the next.
Some used brute force. Others tried ranged bombardments. But Alexander's group adapted faster than any team had seen.
For every ability used, Alexander's system learned, building predictive patterns, suggesting countermeasures.
> [XP Gained: 720]
[Skill Upgrade Available]
[Corrosive Strike → Venom Edge (Rare): A blade coated in persistent venom. Bypasses natural regeneration.]
He felt his blade hum with power as it shifted in his hand, now glowing faintly with emerald toxins.
"Two more teams approaching," Milo warned. "Bigger numbers. 9 and 7."
Alexander nodded. "Let them come."
---
They fought like they had something to prove.
Because they did.
Because the entire school believed they were nothing.
Because factions had mocked them, ignored them.
But not anymore.
---
By the end, only three zones in the southern quadrant remained held—and only one by a group with no official faction name.
---
The students returned to the campus courtyard as the trial ended. A massive holographic leaderboard shimmered into existence above the main tower:
> ZONE 4 – SECURED BY: UNREGISTERED FACTION (Alexander Grey – Temporary Leader)
Final Evaluation Rank: S
Bonus: 300 Credits | System Recognition Achieved | Faction Slot Reserved
Gasps followed. Students whispered.
Low-tier? S-rank?
Even the elite factions paused. The Obsidian Spire students narrowed their eyes. Crimson Howlers glared. And from a shaded alcove, Crystal watched silently.
She hadn't expected him to climb so far so fast.
But it was Zeke's words that carried weight later that night, as they sat in the dorm common room.
"You know," he said, wiping blood from his jaw. "We might not have a name. But I think we've got their attention."
Alexander said nothing, just stared at the flickering system screen in front of him:
> [Base Link: Active]
[Black Market Access Unlocked]
[Available Funds: 320 Credits]
[Available Upgrades: Weapon Reinforcement | Concealed Storage | Remote Access Node]
Through his system—a relic no one else possessed—Alexander had connected to the black market. He could buy weapons, enhancements, and system modifications most couldn't dream of. Reinforce them. Hide them. Grow silently.
He wouldn't outpace them with noise.
He'd do it in silence.
Let them fight over banners, politics, and families.
He had something more powerful than any of that:
A system built for one man.
And a will that wouldn't break.