Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 177: Luck Special Evaluation begins

Kaiser was unfazed by her intimidating tone. If anything, he was amused.

Turning around, he walked back to the desk and turned on his laptop.

"Since you’re smart, you must be knowledgeable enough about probability. Am I right?"

Hazel nodded with a disgruntled expression, her arms folded.

Operating on the system, Kaiser displayed five sets of numbers.

"When you have a set of numbers with lesser values, what is the probability that they’ll overcome four other sets with greater value?"

Hazel stared at the numbers displayed on the screen, her gaze focused. After some time, she spoke hesitantly.

"It’s... it’s almost impossible."

Kaiser nodded.

"Good. You recognize that."

Turning off the system, he sank into his chair and crossed his legs.

"You don’t think that your Class-E has any chances, do you?"

Hazel lowered her head, unable to say a word.

Class-E’s chances of emerging victorious were almost zero.

"Then why do you keep stressing yourself over winning? You shouldn’t be obsessed with such triviality."

Kaiser shrugged, his blue eyes locking with hers. She tried to avoid his gaze but struggled to suppress the urge.

Filled with unusual boldness, she spoke.

"Isn’t winning the best? If we take first place, we can surely gain more points and become Class-B. That means we’re closer to our goal. This is a golden opportunity."

"If..." Kaiser stressed. "If and only if you take the first place. Which you won’t."

Hazel’s expression turned ugly from his bluntness, and her shoulders dropped in disappointment.

Kaiser relaxed into the chair and closed his eyes.

"I really do not find any meaning in having conversations like this. But since I’ve promised to evaluate you, let me tell you this."

His index finger tapped the armrest once, then twice.

"In a long game, winning at the start does not guarantee success at the end. The more mistakes you commit, the more experience you gain. Do not see this stage as a means to advance. Take it as an opportunity to learn more about the other classes."

Hazel blinked, his words ringing in her ears.

"Learn about other classes...?"

Thinking about it, it did seem like a wise decision. Using this evaluation, she could gauge the combat strength of each class, recognize their strengths, and understand their weakness too.

Closing her eyes, she facepalmed.

’Why didn’t I think of it that way...?’

Turning around, she sighed and spoke. Her tone was calm and even.

"Thank you for your time."

Right before she opened the door to leave, Kaiser’s voice made her pause.

"You’re obsessed with winning. And obsession is merely a restriction. Do not let it rule you."

Her brows furrowed, but she didn’t say a word. After noddi, she opened the door and stepped outside.

"Eh?"

Ysabella’s surprised voice snapped her out of her daze.

"Hazel? What were you doing in Kaiser’s room...?"

A look of pure surprise appeared on her face, and her tone carried a hint of suspicion.

Unfortunately, Hazel wasn’t the type to be flustered. Her expression remained aloof as she looked at the blonde girl.

"That is nothing you should be concerned about."

She brushed past her and walked away, her steps fast.

’Tch. What the fuck is always wrong with her?!’

Ysabella was displeased with the black-haired girl’s attitude and it made her hate her more.

Suppressing her anger temporarily, she opened Kaiser’s door and entered. She closed the door with a little force, then turned to glare at Kaiser, her mask discarded.

"Oi! What the hell was Hazel doing in your room?"

She sounded really angry, like a wife who had caught her husband cheating.

Kaiser sighed exasperatedly. "I didn’t expect you to come at this time of the day."

Ysabella’s eyes widened, and her tone turned darker. "You... you’re betraying me...? You’re telling her everything?"

Kaiser frowned and gave her a dry stare. "Do you enjoy tormenting yourself with the thought that I might expose your secrets?"

Instantly, confusion slipped into Ysabella’s eyes.

"You... she didn’t come to ask about me?"

Kaiser turned away and replied dryly. "The world doesn’t revolve around you, Ysabella. You do not possess enough value yet."

The girl chocked on her words, her anger intensifying.

"Excuse me for now. I do not have time to listen to you."

Feeling conflicted, Ysabella tried to speak but no words came. In the end, she just turned around and left his room silently.

Hearing the door click behind him, Kaiser let out a soft sigh.

The heated tension still lingered in the air, clinging to his skin warmly.

"That should be enough catalyst. I wonder what her next course of action would be?"

His blue eyes revealed a calculating glint, and he tiredly rested his head on the table.

"Lock."

The door clicked shut.

.........

Days passed by in a blur, and the specific Monday eventually arrived.

"Good morning, students~!"

Instructor Natalie’s excited voice spread through the auditorium, snapping the students’ attention towards her.

"I’m glad to announce to you the commencement of the Luck Special Evaluation starting today!"

Unimpressed perfunctory claps spread among the students, and they all looked on with unexcited expressions.

"I can see you’re all excited about this evaluation!" The woman grinned, her pink eyes carrying a teasing glint. "Your respective class instructors must have informed you of the basic rules already."

"You are to fight a battle and earn scores for your class. Simple, right?"

More expressions darkened, making the beautiful instructor grin wildly.

"In that case, I believe everyone is aready set for this evaluation. Naturally, we’re heading to the Arena. Let’s go!"

Along with the other class instructors, Instructor Natalie led the first-year students to one of the buildings they had never had the chance of entering.

On their way there, they spotted the second-year and third-year students being ushered into a bus.

"Their own Special Evaluation must be off-campus, right?"

Hazel asked herself, curious.

Eventually, they arrived at the so-called Arena.

The building was exquisite and utterly grand. It was constructed just like an ancient Arena.

The interior was empty and hollow, while the rest of the inside was filled with chairs for spectators and audience to watch.

"Now, now... everyone please take your seats. The evaluation will start shortly."

Following Instructor Natalie’s instructions, the students spread out through the seats, sitting as they pleased. Although there were a total of 150 students, they were minuscule compared to the remaining empty seat.

The Arena had a capacity of 10,000 people as spectators.

Sitting beside Kaiser, Hazel crossed her arms.

"So we’re just going to watch?"

The blue-haired boy shrugged. "Obviously. There might be a few interesting developments."

Hazel nodded and fell silent, her gaze focused.

The competition started immediately.

Placing five large boxes on the ground, Instructor Natalie became the host of the evaluation.

"Again, once I call your name, you are to come forward and pick a card from the box tagged with your class. Whoever’s name is written on the card becomes your opponent."

Her smile dimmed slightly. "Let us begin."

Holding a long list, she called out. "Class-B student, Leonidas Covetson."

The boy stood up from among the spectators and headed down to the stage.

"Here." Instructor Natalie gave him a sweet smile, then gestured at the box labeled Class-B.

Leonidas nodded and dipped his hand into the box and brought out a card. On the card was boldly written: Apollo Silverstein.

When Instructor Natalie announced that the opponent would be Apollo, the entire arena fell silent.

"Heh~!"

A faint, prideful chuckle spread through the Arena and Apollo stepped onto the stage too.

Facing him, Leonidas looked unfazed. Their limiters had been deactivated so he easily summoned his weapon and armor.

So did Apollo.

The arena fell quiet the moment the two stepped forward.

Steel rang softly as Leonidas adjusted his grip—shield raised, sword angled low, his stance grounded and immovable. The standard academy armor hugged his frame, polished but unremarkable. Solid. Reliable.

Opposite him, Apollo spun his scythe once, lazily. The curved blade caught the light as it traced a purple arc through the air. His posture was loose—almost careless—but his eyes were sharp, calculating.

Around them, students leaned forward in their seats.

"Begin."

Leonidas moved first, taking a single step—then a burst.

His shield came up as he closed the distance, sword thrusting straight for Apollo’s centerline. Clean, efficient, and no wasted motion.

Clang!

Apollo’s scythe intercepted, the long shaft sliding against Leonidas’ blade as he twisted his body sideways. The curved edge hooked toward the shield, but Leonidas had already seen it.

He pivoted, shield angling just enough to deflect the hook, then slammed forward with his shoulder. A close-range bash meant to break Apollo’s balance.

Apollo slid back instead, boots scraping the arena floor, the impact dispersing through his frame rather than stopping him.

"Direct, aren’t you?" Apollo muttered, almost amused.

Leonidas didn’t respond.

He pressed again—faster this time. Sword strikes came in tight succession: high, mid, low. Each one measured, each one backed by the silent threat of the shield ready to crush or block.

Clang—clang—clang!

Apollo gave ground, but only just.

His scythe danced.

The long reach turned defense into offense. He parried wide, then snapped the blade back in a sudden reversal aimed at Leonidas’ flank.

Leonidas stepped into it.

A sharp turn of his torso—shield caught the incoming arc with a heavy thud. At the same time, his sword lashed out, forcing Apollo to retreat a full step for the first time.

A murmur spread through the watching students.

"He’s closing the gap..."

"That scythe loses advantage up close—"

Apollo exhaled slowly, his purple eyes glinting.