Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

Alex walked out of the gym, lost in thought.

'For such a strong awakened, a B tier at that, she sure seemed shocked at my results…'

His assessor's reaction had been startling—shock, disbelief, awe. This was the best Awakened university in the federation, and the assessor had seen countless prodigies, yet she had been floored by his results. It was a humbling reminder that even among the elite, he was an anomaly.

He replayed the assessment in his mind. The numbers on the screen, the murmurs of the technicians, and the final verdict: his energy level fluctuated between C- and C rank, peaking more often than not at C rank.

***

The next day, Alex was up early, filled with anticipation for the combat assessment. He made his way to the stadium, which looked like a colossal coliseum on the inside. The sheer size of the arena was overwhelming, with tiered seating stretching up to the sky, and a wide, open space in the centre where the battles would take place.

'This place just continues to surprise me!'

As he entered, he joined thousands of other first-year students, each buzzing with excitement and nerves. The air was electric with the collective energy of so many powerful individuals gathered in one place.

Alex took a deep breath, calming himself. He scanned the crowd, noting the variety of auras—some strong, some weak, some wildly fluctuating. He could sense the hidden potential in many of them.

A tall, imposing figure stood on a platform at the centre of the stadium, waiting for the noise to die down. When silence finally fell, he spoke.

"Welcome, first-year students, to your combat assessment," the man said, his voice resonating through the stadium. "I am General Marks, a combat professor here at Capital Prime University and a general in the federal military."

Alex's eyes widened slightly. General Marks was the strongest person he had ever encountered, his energy signature unmistakably A-tier. The sheer force of his presence was palpable, and Alex felt a mixture of awe and respect. Seeing an A-tier in person was rare, people could go their whole lives and never even have the chance of seeing one in person..

General Marks continued, "Today's assessment will test not only your combat abilities but also your resilience and adaptability. Each of you will face ten opponents in individual arenas. The fights will be monitored and judged by sophisticated AI systems, ensuring fair and accurate evaluations."

The general's gaze swept over the crowd, and Alex felt as though he was looking directly at him. "Your results will primarily be based on the number of fights you win, accounting for 80% of your score. The remaining 20% will be determined by other factors such as your individual strength, reaction time, critical thinking, and unique abilities."

There was a murmur of anticipation among the students. Alex clenched his fists, this assessment practically catered to him. He knew this was his chance to secure his spot at the top of the ranking.

General Marks continued with a conniving smile on his face, "Remember, this is a test of your potential and your ability to adapt under pressure. If you get injured, you can only blame yourself.."

With that, the students were directed to their assigned arenas. Alex's heart pounded as he walked to his designated spot. The arena was a circular platform, surrounded by a shimmering energy barrier that would contain the combatants and protect the spectators.

The AI overseeing his arena hummed quietly, a reminder of the meticulous observation they would be under.

'Tsk, boring.'

As he took his place, Alex noticed his first opponent entering the arena. The boy looked confident, but Alex sensed his energy level—a solid E+ rank. He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He had hoped for a more challenging first fight, but he knew the real tests would come later.

The AI's voice echoed through the arena, announcing the start of the match. "Combatants, prepare for battle. The match begins in three, two, one... Begin!"

Alex's opponent charged forward, his fists glowing with energy. Alex stood his ground, his mind calm and focused. He had faced stronger opponents in the Primordial Expanse, and this would be no different.

As the opponent closed the distance, Alex sidestepped with ease, dodging the initial attack.

He countered with a quick, powerful strike to the boy's side, sending him stumbling. The crowd's murmurs were a distant hum to Alex, who was entirely focused on the fight.

His opponent recovered quickly, launching a series of rapid punches and kicks. Alex weaved through the attacks, analysing his opponent's movements.

The boy was fast, but his strikes were predictable. Alex saw an opening and took it, landing a decisive blow that knocked his opponent to the ground.

The AI's voice rang out, "Match over. Winner: Alex."

There was a brief moment of silence, followed by claps from the spectators. Alex helped his opponent up, offering a respectful nod.

As he prepared for his next match, Alex couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. He was ready for whatever came his way, determined to prove that his extraordinary energy levels were backed by equally extraordinary combat skills.

The next few matches followed a similar pattern. Alex faced opponents of varying strengths, but none posed a significant challenge. His training and natural abilities allowed him to dispatch each one quickly and efficiently. With each victory, his confidence grew.

As the fifth match approached, Alex felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. His next opponent stepped into the arena, and Alex immediately sensed something different. This opponent's energy was stronger, more focused, and there was a hint of something else—something dangerous.

The AI announced the start of the match, and Alex's opponent wasted no time, launching a barrage of attacks. Alex was forced to go on the defensive, blocking and dodging with all his skill. The opponent was relentless, each strike more powerful than the last.

For the first time that day, Alex felt truly tested. He could see the determination in his opponent's eyes, and he knew this would be a fight to remember.

The battle raged on. His opponent was a formidable fighter, and for a moment, doubt flickered in his mind. But he quickly banished it, focusing on his training and instincts.

'This energy reminds me of… Shit, stop getting side tracked Alex!'

For a moment Alex's thoughts shifted in the midst of the battle, as he was reminded of Count Desmond's darkness elemental energy.

He waited for the perfect moment, biding his time. When his opponent overextended with a powerful kick, Alex seized the opportunity. He moved with lightning speed, delivering a series of rapid, precise strikes that left his opponent reeling.

With a final, powerful blow, Alex knocked his opponent to the ground. The AI's voice declared the match over, and the crowd erupted in applause.

'You were alright, but it's a shame your energy brought up memories I wish to forget.'

As Alex left the arena, he felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.

'They may not have been much of a challenge, but fighting so many battles in a row is still exhausting!'

On the side, General Marks watched Alex with an intense gaze, his thoughts unknown.