The glowing crimson blood droplet resting on the Springfield suddenly trembled.

It responded to the Blood Alchemy Circle like a living creature answering its master’s call.

The tiny droplet slowly stretched.

Its surface rippled before twisting into a sharp crystalline form. Thin crimson veins spread across its body as it hardened, then immediately began eating away at the black steel of the rifle.

Hiss...

A harsh corrosive sound echoed from the weapon.

Smoke rose from the point of contact as the metal rapidly dissolved.

Ezra’s eyes narrowed.

Without hesitating for even a heartbeat, he released the Springfield.

The rifle dropped from his hands just before the spreading corrosion could reach his fingers.

Clang!

The weapon struck the forest floor.

The surrounding grass instantly blackened where the corrosive blood touched the earth.

Desmond didn’t waste the opening.

The instant Ezra abandoned the rifle...

He exploded forward.

Boom!

His foot crushed the ground beneath him as his body shot toward Ezra like a cannonball.

His fist tightened.

The muscles in his arm swelled under the reinforcement of Cognis as he drove a straight punch toward Ezra’s head.

Ezra stepped forward instead of backward.

Rather than drawing another weapon...

He raised both hands.

The two boys abandoned Alchemy and firearm.

For that brief moment...

They chose the simplest way to decide superiority.

Their fists.

Boom!

Ezra raised his forearm just in time.

Desmond’s punch slammed into it with enough force to shake his entire body.

The impact pushed Ezra several steps backward, his boots carving long grooves through the soft earth before he regained his footing.

Before he could fully stabilize himself...

Desmond had already arrived again.

His next punch came from below.

Ezra twisted his waist.

The fist grazed past his ribs before crashing into the trunk of a nearby tree.

Boom!

The thick trunk exploded into countless splinters.

The upper half slowly leaned before collapsing into the already ruined forest.

Ezra stepped inward.

His shoulder drove toward Desmond’s chest.

Desmond blocked with his elbow.

The collision echoed through the battlefield.

Neither yielded.

Their movements flowed one after another without pause.

A punch.

An elbow.

A knee.

A sweeping kick.

Each exchange connected naturally, forcing the other to react without giving either side time to breathe.

Not far away...

Cyrus quietly followed from a safe distance.

His eyes never left the battlefield.

"...Wow."

The word escaped his mouth before he realized it.

His gaze slowly swept across the devastated surroundings.

The peaceful section of the forest he had entered earlier no longer existed.

Towering trees had been sliced apart.

Several enormous boulders were split cleanly into halves.

Deep craters covered the ground while broken branches and shattered rocks were scattered in every direction.

Even the flowing stream nearby had changed course after part of its bank collapsed during the fight.

The destruction continued spreading with every clash between the two boys.

Should I help...?

The thought naturally crossed Cyrus’s mind.

He knew joining forces with Ezra would immediately shift the battle.

Yet...

He couldn’t bring himself to interfere.

For some reason...

He felt Ezra wouldn’t appreciate someone stepping into his fight.

Especially now.

This wasn’t simply a battle anymore.

It had become a contest between two people who wanted to settle something between them.

So, Cyrus remained where he was.

Watching quietly.

Making sure he stayed far enough away not to become collateral damage.

The sounds of the battle spread farther and farther through the examination grounds.

Boom!

Bang!

Crash!

Students several hundred meters away instinctively turned toward the noise.

Some could see trees collapsing one after another.

Others felt faint tremors beneath their feet.

Even those much farther away noticed flocks of birds suddenly taking flight from that section of the forest.

Of course...

They weren’t the only ones fighting.

Everywhere throughout the examination grounds, battles had already begun as students fought over numbered gems.

The sounds mixed together until the forest became filled with explosions, gunfire, collapsing trees, and shouting.

Even among all that chaos...

The clash between Ezra and Desmond stood on an entirely different level.

Far away from that battlefield...

In another section of the forest...

"Lady Willow."

A young Non-Noble student approached respectfully.

Willow stood quietly with both hands resting on her elegant walking stick.

Her posture remained straight.

Her calm crimson eyes rested upon the crimson gem embedded at the top of the cane, watching it reflect the afternoon sunlight filtering through the trees.

The young man stopped before her.

"We’ve finished collecting the numbered gems from them."

He gestured toward a nearby group of unconscious students.

Some leaned against broken trees.

Others were suspended several feet above the ground.

Crimson threads resembling blood-colored spider webs wrapped tightly around their bodies, binding them to thick branches high above the forest floor.

Not one of them could move.

Willow slowly turned her head.

She quietly observed the defeated students for several seconds before speaking.

"Good."

Her voice remained gentle.

Yet it carried unquestionable authority.

"Distribute their numbered gems among the other members."

She paused.

"Then hand the remainder to me."

"Yes, ma’am."

The young Non-Noble immediately lowered his head.

His response resembled that of a soldier receiving orders from his commander.

Without another word, he hurried back toward the resting members of House Derlis.

Many of them sat against fallen trees recovering their stamina after the battle they had just finished.

Willow remained standing alone.

The forest breeze lightly stirred several strands of her silver hair.

She slowly closed her eyes.

Her breathing became steady.

Then...

Her senses expanded.

The surrounding forest gradually unfolded inside her perception.

She sensed countless movements.

Students running.

Footsteps crossing uneven terrain.

Groups clashing over numbered gems.

The repeated echoes of gunfire.

Blades colliding.

Alchemy Circles igniting one after another.

Someone discovering another numbered gem.

Another battle broke out moments later.

Everything entered her senses.

Then...

Among the countless disturbances...

One violent collision stood apart from all the others.

A powerful fluctuation of Cognis spread through the forest.

Its intensity immediately caught her attention.

Desmond.

She recognized it almost instantly.

There was only one person capable of producing that particular fluctuation.

Naturally...

She also understood who he was most likely fighting.

Willow slowly opened her eyes.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

"Well..."

She murmured to herself.

"Whatever happens will happen. As long as he doesn’t let his childish excitement make him kill Ezra..."

She lightly shook her head.

"I have no intention of cleaning up his mess again."

Her expression soon returned to its usual calmness.

She turned toward the members of House Derlis.

"Let’s move."

She spoke firmly.

"We’ll continue collecting numbered gems. Since we don’t know when Professor Kent will end this test."

"Yes, ma’am!"

Every member immediately stood.

No one questioned the order.

As they prepared to leave, one of the students walked over and respectfully handed Willow her own share of the numbered gems.

She accepted them.

One by one...

She counted each crystal resting in her palm.

"...Five."

A faint smile appeared.

"That makes twenty numbered gems overall."

She placed every gem into her space bag before fastening it securely at her waist.

Without wasting another second...

The entire Derlis group disappeared deeper into the forest.

In another region of the Forest training grounds...

The atmosphere had also become tense.

Veda Ashenlocke stood surrounded, in a narrow mountain path which left little room to maneuver.

Students blocked his left.

More students blocked his right.

Directly ahead...

The main force of House Evergrey quietly waited.

Every gaze rested on a single person.

Veda Ashenlocke.

He slowly glanced from one side to the other before letting out a helpless sigh.

"But..." He smiled bitterly. "Is this really necessary?"

"This is a battle against Family’s. Young Lord of the Ashenlocke."

Grace spoke calmly.

She stood at the center of her formation with the confidence of someone who had already planned every step of the battle. Behind her, slightly to one side, stood her older brother, while the remaining members of House Evergrey spread out in a disciplined formation around them.

The students who had allied themselves with Evergrey also remained in position.

Some rested their fingers on the triggers of their firearms.

Others kept both hands firmly around the hilts of their swords.

Every pair of eyes was locked onto Veda.

No one underestimated the young man standing before them.

"Battle between families?"

Veda raised an eyebrow, glancing from one side of the formation to the other.

"You do realize this is an academy test, right?"

His voice remained relaxed.

Rather than sounding offended, he genuinely seemed unable to understand their way of thinking.

"Instead of worrying about the feud between our families..."

He lightly shrugged.

"Shouldn’t all of you be focusing on passing the test?"

"We can do both."

Grant answered without hesitation.

His cold eyes never left Veda.

"We’ll obtain numbered gems..."

He slowly raised the firearm resting in his hands.

"By taking yours."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Considering who you are, I’m certain you’ve already collected quite a few."

He paused before continuing.

"And if we continue hunting members of House Ashenlocke afterward, we’ll collect even more numbered gems."

His smile widened slightly.

"One battle. Two rewards."

He looked directly into Veda’s eyes.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of guilt within his expression.

"Although..."

He admitted honestly.

"I would’ve preferred fighting you one-on-one."

His grip tightened around his weapon.

"But this isn’t about my pride. This is for Evergrey’s growth."

The moment those words left his mouth...

Every member of House Evergrey nodded.

No one questioned him.

No one hesitated.

They all understood exactly why they were standing there.

Everything...

Was for Evergrey.

If that meant facing someone as frightening as Veda Ashenlocke...

Then so be it.

Even though they greatly outnumbered him...

Many of the members still couldn’t completely hide the tension on their faces.

Some quietly swallowed.

Others tightened their grip on their weapons.

Because the person standing before them wasn’t just another member of House Ashenlocke.

He was...

Veda Ashenlocke.

The Young Lord himself.

A title that wasn’t earned through birth alone.

Everyone knew what that title represented.

To become the Young Lord of House Ashenlocke...

Veda had first defeated every other candidate within his generation.

Including...

Vera Ashenlocke.

Just thinking about someone capable of surpassing a talent like Vera made several students instinctively feel pressure weighing upon their shoulders.

"Hmm..."

Veda quietly rubbed his chin.

"All for the growth of Evergrey, huh?"

He looked across every face standing before him.

One after another.

Some looked determined.

Some looked nervous.

Others tried their best to hide the fear in their eyes.

"Alright."

A smile suddenly appeared on his face.

It was bright.

Almost carefree.

Anyone who didn’t know him would think he was preparing for something enjoyable rather than a battle against dozens of opponents.

"I guess today is the day..."

He slowly cracked his knuckles.

Crack.

Crack.

The sound echoed clearly through the quiet mountain pass.

"I defend both my title..."

His smile gradually faded.

"And my conviction as the Young Lord of House Ashenlocke."

Grace calmly watched him finish speaking.

Then...

She slowly raised one hand into the air.

Her expression remained completely serious.

"I’m sorry..."

She said quietly.

"But that won’t be possible."

The instant her hand reached its highest point...

Every member of Evergrey reacted.

Dozens of firearms rose together.

The students carrying swords lowered their bodies into combat stances, waiting only for Grace’s command before rushing forward.

The narrow mountain path suddenly became filled with killing intent.

Veda slowly glanced around once more.

Left.

Right.

Front.

There were indeed a lot of them.

Not only did they possess overwhelming numbers...

They also had powerful Binder Alchemists like Grace and Grant strengthening the group’s overall combat ability.

I can handle them.

The thought came naturally.

If I really wanted to...

I could simply break through and escape.

His eyes quietly swept across the students again.

But...

A group this large...

Means one thing.

Numbered gems.

The temptation was difficult to ignore.

A faint smile almost returned to his face.

That’s a lot of gems gathered in one place.

It would be a shame to walk away.

However...

Another thought immediately followed.

The real problem...

Is how to stop all of them without seriously injuring anyone.

He carefully observed their expressions.

No one looked hesitant anymore.

No one looked like they planned on holding back.

They had already prepared themselves.

Every single one of them intended to throw everything they had at him.

Not because of personal hatred.

But because defeating the Young Lord of House Ashenlocke would deal a massive blow to their rival family.

Veda quietly let out a small sigh.

I can’t kill them. It’s against the rules.

And I don’t want to leave anyone permanently injured either.

That had always been his way.

He wasn’t interested in unnecessary cruelty.

He simply wanted to win.

Nothing more.

After a brief moment...

His breathing steadied.

His relaxed smile completely disappeared.

The playful young man from earlier vanished as calm seriousness settled over his face.

He slowly rolled his shoulders.

Then planted one foot behind the other.

His center of gravity lowered naturally.

Every muscle relaxed while remaining ready to move at any moment.

He raised one hand toward the students before him.

"Come."

His calm voice echoed across the mountain path.

His clear eyes met Grace’s without the slightest trace of fear.

"And show me..."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Your conviction."

The moment Veda settled completely into his stance...

The atmosphere between both sides instantly became heavy.

Grace lowered her raised hand.

The signal had been given.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

A deafening barrage of gunfire erupted across the narrow mountain pass.

Dozens of muzzle flashes lit up the rocky slope as countless bullets surged toward a single target.

Veda Ashenlocke.

The sound of repeated gunshots rolled through the surrounding forest like continuous thunder, startling flocks of birds into the sky.

Most of the students wielded Big Four-Barrel Revolvers, Horned Pistols, Kalthoff Repeaters, and Repeater Sword Rifles. Among them, a handful carried AK-47s, their rapid-fire capability making them especially dangerous in a coordinated assault.

Just by looking at the variety of firearms...

It was obvious they hadn’t gathered by coincidence.

They had prepared for this.

Prepared specifically for someone like Veda.

Bullets of different calibers crossed one another in the air, sealing every possible escape route.

The mountain path instantly became a deadly cage of steel.

But Veda remained calm.

Without a trace of panic, he reached behind him and pulled out his Alchemy Coat from his space bag.

The thick coat unfolded through the air before he wrapped it around his body like a massive shield.

At the same time...

Cognis surged through his arms.

It flowed into the coat like a rushing stream, spreading through the countless Alchemy circuits hidden beneath its fabric.

This wasn’t an ordinary Alchemy coat.

It had been personally crafted by the finest blacksmiths and tailors of House Ashenlocke.

Every layer had been carefully reinforced.

And additional circuits had been woven into the material to greatly increase its defensive capability once supplied with Cognis.

The moment Veda’s energy reached every circuit...

The coat responded.

A metallic sheen spread across its surface.

Its fabric hardened at an astonishing speed until it resembled forged steel rather than cloth.

The afternoon sunlight reflected brightly from its smooth surface.

Then...

Clank!

Clank!

Clank!

Clank!

Bullet after bullet slammed into the reinforced coat.

Bright sparks burst outward with every impact.

The repeated collisions echoed throughout the mountain pass as Veda crouched behind the massive shield-like coat, allowing it to absorb the relentless barrage.

Yet...

He understood he couldn’t remain in that position for long.

Several of the firearms aimed at him had already reached the Binder Rank.

Weapons like the Big Four-Barrel Revolver possessed enough destructive force that even his specially crafted coat couldn’t withstand endless punishment.

The rapid-fire pressure from the AK-47s only made matters worse.

Each continuous burst hammered against the same defensive surface without giving it a chance to recover.

Slowly...

The hardened coating began to show damage.

Small dents appeared where bullets repeatedly struck.

One...

Then another...

Then several more.

Veda quickly noticed something.

Those impacts weren’t random.

His eyes shifted toward Grace.

She hadn’t simply ordered everyone to fire.

She was directing the entire barrage.

"The same spot!"

Grace commanded calmly.

"Keep firing!"

Every member immediately obeyed.

Some students reloaded with practiced efficiency while others continued suppressing Veda’s position.

Without advancing even a single step...

They maintained perfect discipline.

The students carrying AK-47s alternated their bursts to prevent unnecessary pauses, while the others deliberately concentrated their fire on the damaged sections of the coat.

Each shot built upon the previous one.

Each impact deepened the dents already forming.

The teamwork was far more organized than most first-year students could normally achieve.

Seeing the condition of his newly made equipment...

Veda couldn’t help clicking his tongue.

"Tsk..."

His expression turned almost heartbroken.

"I just had this custom-made coat finished, guys!"

He sounded genuinely upset.

Watching expensive craftsmanship suffer this kind of abuse hurt far more than he expected.

Of course...

None of his opponents felt even the slightest sympathy.

Without waiting any longer...

Veda suddenly exploded into motion.

Holding the Alchemy Coat like an enormous tower shield, he charged toward his left.

The bullets continued raining against the reinforced surface.

Clank!

Clank!

Clank!

Sparks constantly erupted as he pushed forward through the storm of gunfire.

His boots struck the rocky slope.

Instead of remaining on level ground...

He stepped onto the side of the small mountain itself.

Using the uneven terrain as footing, he sprinted along the steep rock face.

Loose stones scattered beneath every step.

Then...

He kicked off.

His body soared high into the air.

Grace calmly watched him rise.

Not a trace of panic appeared on her face.

Instead...

She slowly raised her hand again.

The continuous gunfire stopped almost instantly.

The sudden silence felt strangely unsettling.

In that brief opening...

Grant and Arelo stepped forward together.

Each of them carried a massive weapon resting firmly upon one shoulder.

An RPG-2.

The long launchers were already aimed toward the airborne Veda.

Grace lowered her hand.

"Fire."

BANG!

BANG!

Both launchers roared simultaneously.

Twin rockets shot into the sky, leaving thick trails of smoke behind them as they rushed directly toward Veda.

For the first time since the battle began...

A flicker of surprise appeared in Veda’s eyes.

"They actually brought Adept-Rank firearms?"

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

Even he hadn’t expected to see rocket launchers of that level during a first-year examination.

There wasn’t enough time to dodge.

Almost instinctively...

He swung the hardened Alchemy Coat in front of himself.

Every remaining strand of Cognis poured into its circuits, strengthening its defense to the limit.

The rockets arrived.

BOOOOOM!

A tremendous explosion shook the mountain.

Blinding flames erupted across the sky.

A violent shockwave swept through the surrounding forest, snapping branches from nearby trees while countless rocks tumbled down the slope.

Smoke billowed outward in every direction, swallowing the space where Veda had been only a moment earlier.

For several seconds...

Nothing could be seen beyond the thick cloud of dust, fire, and shattered stone.

Grace quietly watched the explosion.

A faint smile slowly appeared on her face.

Everything...

Was unfolding exactly according to the plan she had prepared before this battle even began.