When Fionn heard what the invigilator said, he took his identity token from his pocket and flipped it to the opposite side of the points display, where he noticed the number 347 has appeared.

"So my serial number is 347," Fionn thought, and asked Theodore, "my number is 347; what's yours?"

"4462," Theodore replied with a bitter smile.

"Don't be sad; you can watch other people's matches and better prepare for your turn." With a chuckle, Fionn said.

"I don't need this much time; I've been preparing for this moment since I was a child, and all I want to do now is go fight." With a sigh, Theodore responded.

"Be patient, no one is stealing your spotlight, you'll have plenty of time to shine," Fionn reassured.

Another announcement rang out on the arena as Fionn was comforting Theodore.

"Now I'd like to ask all of the professors in the arena to please come on stage and accept a position on our judging panel." In a respectful tone, announced the invigilator.

"Looks like I'll have to go now," Floyd said as he rose from his seat after hearing the announcement, adding, while looking at Fionn and others, "best of luck to you all, do your best." Then, with a swagger, he began walking towards the stage.

Soon, professors from all sectors gathered on stage, 18 in total, their aura and demeanour befitting their position. The invigilator then led them all to their seats, which were on a high platform beneath the directors' balcony.

With the judging panel in place, the invigilator announced once more, "Let us now welcome some of our academy's rising stars, our first-year students, to the stage."

As the invigilator finished announcing amid thunderous applause, ten teenagers walked onto the arena stage from the arena's main entrance. Every single one of them was clad in gleaming silver armour, most likely a defensive relic. Each of their steps was measured and rhythmic, demonstrating their discipline and confidence. The group consisted of five boys and five girls, each exuding the energy of a rank one practitioner.

Arriving onto the stage the first year students smiled confidently and bowed respectfully towards the director and then towards the professors and invigilator. Nodding with satisfaction, the invigilator motioned the first-year students to stand behind the professor's seats and await the start of the exam.

After the first-year students took their spots, the invigilator announced again in a clear and loud voice, "Without further ado, let us begin the exam by inviting our first examinee to the stage."

As the invigilators' announcement rang out throughout the arena, the number on the screen above the arena increased from 0000 to 0001 with a flash of light.

Upon hearing his number called out loud, a bulky young man walked onto the arena from the Sector 8 stands.

" Which group would you like to be a part of?" enquired the invigilator.

"Combat oriented," the young man said, flexing his muscles.

Then, pointing to the massive screen, she inquired "Which items would you like to trade for your points?" Her motion refreshed the screen, which now showed a list of items.

The items on the list ranged from relics to potions to spell scrolls to herbs. Seeing the exorbitant prices and then his meagre points, the young man stated unequivocally, "I'd like to exchange my points for the spell scroll of super strength and a mana potion."

Hearing his choice, the invigilator waved her hand and took out a bottle of mana potion and the scroll of super strength from her spatial ring, which she handed to him.

"Choose your opponent now," the invigilator said, pointing to the first-year students, her words implying her unwillingness to waste time.

The young man scanned the first-year students, attempting to assess their strengths. After a few seconds, he pointed to a green-haired skinny young man and said, "I choose him."

When they saw his choice, the first-year students were taken aback and began chuckling softly for reasons only they knew.

When he was chosen, the green-haired teen had only a mild surprise. He walked up to the stage and stood opposite the young man, saying nothing as he waited for the invigilator to start the match.

When the invigilator saw that both of them were ready, she said aloud, "fight."