Only eight teams remained.

The arena, once crowded with hopeful participants, now felt noticeably emptier. Those who were still standing carried a different kind of presence — sharper, heavier. They had already proven themselves above the rest.

But the trial was far from over. Positions still needed to be decided. As expected, the announcer's voice echoed once more, calm and authoritative. "The next phase will test your ability to sense temperature," he announced. "Each instructor will hurl fireballs toward the participants. This time, those spells won't make any sound. You must dodge them based solely on the increase in heat as the attack approaches."

A brief pause followed.

"And now — begin."

The next phase started immediately. Blazing fireballs streaked through the air, one after another, scorching the arena floor when they missed their targets. The heat distorted the air, waves of scorching energy rippling outward.

This phase was far more brutal. Many participants failed almost instantly — some reacting too late, while others misjudged the distance and were grazed or struck directly.

In the end…

Only four succeeded.

Derek.

Emma.

Linda.

And one more participant from the team that had been the first to clear the very first trial.

The audience erupted with cheers. Detecting heat signatures within only a few hours of learning Divine Sense was no small feat. For most cultivators, it took years just to reach this level. But there was something amiss.

Emma's passing was expected. Linda's passing was expected.

The fourth participant, a senior with an excellent reputation, was also accepted.

But Derek?

A first-year cultivator?

Shock rippled through the gallery. Whispers turned into murmurs. Murmurs into heated discussions.

Those who had mocked him earlier, who had waited eagerly to see him embarrass himself, were now left disgruntled.

Some legacy-family students clenched their fists in frustration.

Even Cecilia Glaciblade had failed in this phase. As she left the arena, her steps calm but heavy, she couldn't help but glance toward Derek. Her eyes lingered for a moment longer than necessary before she turned away.

High above, Vansel's hands were damp with sweat, not from fear, but excitement.

He exhaled slowly. "…The Headmistress was right," he muttered. Four students!

Four! They actually passed!"

To comprehend temperature perception at this level…

Vansel looked toward the Headmistress. She said nothing. She simply watched the remaining four participants, her gaze steady and unreadable.

Then the announcer spoke again. "The next phase will test your ability to detect changes in air pressure," his voice echoed. "There will be no sound. No heat."

A hush fell over the arena.

"You must avoid the attacks by sensing the shift in air pressure alone."

The pressure in the arena spiked. This was the actual test.

Emma was the first to step forward. She walked toward the center confidently. She stood in the center of the arena, blindfolded, her posture calm and composed.

An instructor raised his hand. An invisible air bomb was released. It glided silently through the air — no sound, no heat, no visible disturbance.

Emma slowed her breathing, her senses stretched outward.

Then...

She felt it. A subtle distortion.

She moved quickly.

But...

Bam!

The air blast struck her squarely, causing her to stumble backward. She grimaced, steadying herself.

She had felt it. But not clearly enough.

Emma clenched her fists in frustration and walked out of the arena.

Next was Linda. She took her place, blindfolded, expression sharp.

The air bomb was released. For a moment, nothing happened. Then her brows twitched.

She reacted at the very last instant...

But too late.

The blast struck her as well. Linda exhaled slowly, her jaw tightening. As she walked out, Derek was already heading toward the center.

She paused. And turned back. Her gaze followed Derek's back. 'Can he pass this time…?' she wondered.

Derek stepped into the center of the arena.

The blindfold was secured tightly over his eyes.

He stood still. Calm. Unmoving.

The instructor raised his hand and released the air bomb.

It traveled silently. Relentlessly.

Derek did not move. Not yet.

Gasps rippled through the gallery.

Was he frozen? Had he failed to sense it? The audience was waiting, the air heavy with anticipation. And then it happened. Something no one had expected.

Just as the invisible attack was about to collide with him...

Derek tilted his body slightly. Barely an inch.

Almost like a casual stretch.

The air bomb passed by him harmlessly. It didn't even touch him.

Silence. Absolute silence.

Every mouth in the gallery hung open.

"He… he actually dodged it?!" someone stammered.

"That's impossible!" A first-year student suddenly jumped to his feet. "I think he cheated. I am sure of it." Skylar, a student from a legacy family, shouted. "There's no way he could've sensed that! His blindfold must not be fixed properly!"

Instantly, others joined in.

"Yes! Check the blindfold!"

"No way a first-year can do this when two fourth-years failed!"

The uproar grew louder. Even Emma stood frozen, staring at Derek.

It wasn't that she didn't believe it. She had seen his talent with her own eyes.

But still…

Her heart struggled to accept it. She was a fourth-year student. One of the academy's top students.

And Derek was a first-year. She knew he was strong. But this? This gap…

It was terrifying.

And deep down...

Everyone watching knew it. This wasn't luck.

This was something else entirely.

Either Derek was cheating… or his very existence was questionable.

As the murmurs grew louder and shouts of denial echoed through the gallery, the announcer raised his hand, silencing the crowd.

He walked toward Derek and carefully checked the blindfold. There was nothing wrong with it.

Turning back to the audience, he spoke clearly, "I can assure you that he did not cheat. However, if anyone is still unwilling to believe my words, you are free to come down to the arena and verify it yourselves."

Silence followed. No one spoke. No one moved.

Challenging the authority of the academy was not something anyone dared to do lightly.

But then...

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