Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 56: Orientation Exchange (1)

Imperial Mystic College did not do things halfway. The Orientation Exchange was not a classroom event or a departmental skirmish.

It was a full-blown spectacle.

As he approached the school gates, people were lined up on the outside, selling tickets to a line that must’ve stretched all the way down to his apartment.

Maybe that was how they justified increasing funding for the winner.

The main entrance was clogged with spectators, so Aren veered off toward a side path. Only participants were allowed beyond this point, and they took security very seriously.

He had to go through at least 3 different scanners to make sure he hadn’t hidden any illegal weapons or brought in any other items.

Aren followed the marked signs toward the Lightning Department’s preparation wing. The corridor eventually opened into a circular staging room lined with a few lockers and benches.

The cocky boy stood near one of the lockers, pulling on a sleek, form-fitted combat suit.

The girl stood opposite him, adjusting the sleeves of her own specialized suit. Hers was lighter, almost glowing under the artificial lighting.

Both looked up when Aren entered.

"You’re late," the boy said casually.

"I walked," Aren replied. "It took a while with this crowd."

He looked inside the locker to see that he had a suit of his own. Though it looked more like standard equipment. Aren quickly put it on and pulled up the zipper.

The girl ignored the exchange.

"We should confirm information," she said calmly. "Names and Bloodlines."

"Why does it matter?" the boy replied smugly, "We’re fighting by ourselves anyway."

"Just do it," the girl said softly, but Aren could tell she was starting to fume.

"John Majors," the boy said finally. "Volt Cheetah Bloodline."

Aren wasn’t really surprised. He had expected such a showy person to have either Feline or Canine types.

The girl nodded once before speaking.

"Yuna Alexandria," she said. "Electric Sprite Bloodline."

The air around her flickered for half a second. Tiny motes of electricity formed near her shoulders before fading.

Not bad, a Fairy-type was definitely rare enough.

"And you?" John asked lightly. "Mr. Rank 1."

Aren adjusted the sleeve of his suit.

"Aren Cross."

John waited calmly, almost curiously as he tried to predict Aren’s Bloodline.

Even Aren himself hesitated. On paper, he was a Snake-type, so he intended to stick with it.

"Storm-Dwelling Winged Serpent," he said at last.

"...A snake?" John blinked once. "Not even surprised to be honest."

"Special Admissions Rank 1 with a Snake-type Bloodline?" John chuckled. "That’s probably daddy’s money in disguise."

Aren closed his locker before starting to stretch his muscles.

"Believe what you’d like."

John rolled his shoulders once, faint arcs of lightning snapping along his forearms.

"Ehh, whatever," he said dismissively. "You two can just sit back and let me carry."

Aren leaned lightly against one of the lockers.

"That so?"

"Watch and learn," John replied with a grin. "I’ll be leaving first."

Aren didn’t respond. A low, resounding horn blasted through the entire arena before he could.

The corridors outside were filled with footsteps as contestants poured out one by one.

Yuna adjusted the cuff of her glove.

"That’s our cue."

They joined the flow of students moving toward the arena tunnel. The sound grew steadily as they walked, and by the time they reached the mouth of the tunnel, Aren could see the sight clearly.

Suspended platforms hovered high above the central floor, six in total, arranged in a perfect circle. A translucent barrier shimmered around each one like a dome.

The crowd filled every tier of seating, upperclassmen leaning over railings, and faculty members gathered in their own lounges. Even high payers occupied the highest levels.

Aren looked around and managed to spot Luna. Her eyes were hardened and ready, with none of the aloofness that he’d remembered from her.

His gaze drifted toward the center platform.

Someone was already standing there. Aren wiped at his eyes, clearly not remembering anyone there in his first glance.

Am I...seeing things?

But upon squinting his eyes, Aren immediately recognized the man standing front and center. Distance dulled things a bit, but everyone within the Eastern Dominion knew who he was.

Ardent Virel, one of only five Master-Grade Mystics in the entire country. Principal of the Imperial City College and Member of the Council alongside the Northern Commander.

He wore a dark coat over a high-collared shirt. His hair was streaked faintly with silver at the temples, though it was combed back neatly with a few loose strands refusing to obey.

But it was his eyes that unsettled Aren.

One carried a faint golden hue under sunlight, while the other was completely blank. It wasn’t blind really, just...simply devoid of color.

"Welcome," he began evenly, "to the Annual Orientation Exchange."

The man’s voice rang out clearly through the speakers surrounding the stadium.

"This event stands as one of Imperial Mystic College’s oldest traditions."

Above him, the projection construct flared to life, twelve emblems igniting one by one in a slow orbit, almost like constellations in the sky.

"Twelve departments."

The symbols rotated.

"Thirty-six freshmen."

Six suspended platforms shimmered brighter.

"For centuries, this Exchange has served a singular purpose." His gaze drifted across the tiers of students.

"To remind us that potential means nothing without performance."

"Format is on a rotational elimination basis," Virel continued calmly. "Six matches will occur simultaneously."

"Matchups will rotate. When one representative falls, the next steps forward. When a department loses all three... it is eliminated."

That was when all the first contenders stepped up. John strode toward the ascending platform with a grin. As the arena lifted him higher, he raised a hand casually toward the audience.

Aren’s gaze shifted across the arena. His eyes widened to see that Luna was the first contender to go out for the Ice Department.She stepped onto the platform, expression unreadable. Gone was the quiet roommate who folded his clothes. She was fully in her ’Ice Queen’ mode now.

Aren exhaled quietly.

She really does intend to keep the streak alive.

Six platforms sealed simultaneously, barrier domes snapping into place with a hum.

Principal Virel’s gaze swept once across the suspended arenas.

"With that," he opened his arms wide—

"Let the event...Begin!"