The instructor Horvey explained the first stage of the competition using 3D projections to illustrate the layers of the labyrinth.
"The rules for this stage are… No rules."
Most students tilted their heads in confusion. However, the few smart ones understood this was only natural given the reconditioning they would be going through.
That also meant students could decide to team up and tackle the maze, something they were glad to deduce.
The only rules around were the ones in the labyrinth itself. Make your way out in the given time, and avoid traps, void creatures and mana-draining sections.
"For this stage, the first person to make it out will be awarded 500 points. This is in addition to the number of points acquired in the labyrinth from killing void creatures."
The void creatures on each floor had been allocated points students could gather when they killed them. Void creatures on the 4th floor gave 5 points each, those on the 3rd floor gave 10 points, those on the second floor gave 20 points and on the 1st floor, each void creature gave 40 points.
Of course, the higher the points, the scarier and stronger the void creatures. That was basic math. However, acquiring 500 points just for coming in first was a dish waiting to be devoured. Sooner or later, someone was going to make it out; either by their strength or purely by luck.
"This is what you need to know to survive The Convergence Maze." Instructor Horvey drew the curtain on the first stage of the competition. Of course, the students understood that there could be more, but that was for them to figure out once inside.
This was why the instructor did not bother with questions. Brawns weren't enough to make a good hunter; a good head was also required.
"Now then, unto the second stage of the competition…" He started and changed the screen to display the overview of the second stage,
"For this stage, there will be no systemic reconditioning as this stage seeks to test your combat prowess and strategic thinking in different environments.
"You will be put in a tournament-style battle where you must fight one-on-one with your given opponent in a void arena. The arena is an unpredictable battlefield, shifting terrain and environmental hazards that challenge you."
At this point, some students began to show smiles of excitement. A tournament-style competition was always a favourite.
"In this stage, the trials to face are self-explanatory. Trial one will require you to adapt to the changing terrain quickly. You could be fighting in a desert and then shift to an ice field mid-fight.
"Trail two will test your strategic mind and adaptability. Special hazards like ghostly remnants of past battles could occasionally sweep across the arena, damaging or disorienting those caught in them."
Things weren't going to be simple in this academy. They couldn't get a normal-style tournament and had to deal with various scenarios mid-fight. While challenging, it was all to raise the best of the best. Mediocrity was not wanted, if they wanted to be one, they could choose to be demoted to a lower class.
'I guess that will be as far as Abigail can get to once we are able to make it out of the labyrinth but it should be enough to shoot her to a higher class.' Alex thought in silence as he pondered on the many strategies he could employ when it got here.
'Additionally…' His mind wandered to a certain someone who challenged him at the beginning of the school year; Zen Henjok.
'It's the perfect stage for fighting him. But then again, it's a tournament. He could be eliminated before we even clashed. He's not the only genius among the first years. He's good, but not by much.'
While that might have been the case, for Alex, it was a little more than an annoyance to him. But to save face, he had to follow through. After all, he accepted it in the presence of the whole class. It was now time to settle that issue.
"There are a few rules to follow in this stage. Rule one; each bout lasts 3 minutes and if there is no clear winner at that time, a vote will decide the winner. This right solely belongs to the instructors.
"Rule two; foul moves and attacks will result in a points deduction with the maximum points being 50."
"What the…" Some of the students began to mutter to themselves. Of course, they knew what foul moves were. This was a competition, not a street fight. Kneeing below the belt, striking the throat, etc, were moves prohibited.
"However, points will be allocated for finesse in technique and power usage. But, the final victor will be awarded the most points.
"A win grants 100 points. So, aside from winning, the little points you amass during the fight can push you higher even If you ultimately fail to win."
"Woah…" A student muttered in surprise. One hundred points might not seem plenty, but one had to know that each point acquired guarantees their stay in Class 1A as they had no idea how many points were in their name. That was entirely in the hands of the academy.
"I'm already getting excited."
"Yeah right, get past the first stage. Only then can you think about this one."
"Alright, settle down." The instructor calmed down the slowly rising commotion. There was still more to talk about.
"The final winner of the Void Gladiators will be given an additional 500 points. Now to you guys already in this class, these rewards may seem lacklustre, but they will be extremely useful to you once you get to your second year."
"More information will be disclosed about that once you get there." He ended and then changed the content of the screen again.
It was now time to talk about the third stage of the competition. "The next stage of the competition is titled Veilstorm Descent. And just like the Convergence Maze, you will be reconditioned before commencing."