Reborn as the bastard son of a Duke

Veyra's POV

I watched them as they stepped into their respective dungeons gates.

The air was shimmering faintly as both of the portals started to pulse as they glowed a faint blue for Team A and a deep crimson for Team B.

They went inside, and I raised my hand, releasing a steady pulse of mana.

The stone walls came alive creating runes and came a circle before me, a wave of light was expanding outward.

A few seconds later, there were two holographic projections that flickered to life in front of me.

The one on the left, was Team A's live projection. They were going through a dense underground marsh, their weapons were already drawn and all of them were alert.

And on the right, was Team B's live projection, they were also moving cautiously in the forest which was filled with burning trees and hot air.

I crossed my arms, as I began studying both sides.

"Okay... let's see what you can show me."

___

Team A was moving cautiously, they were all in rhythm just like I expected.

Adam was very calm and decisive, he was the one leading the team with precision.

Eve was also alert, she was handling defensive spells very smoothly and was covering the others at the perfect time.

Finn was very observant, he was tracking the monsters with keen focus.

While Duke and Drake were acting as their frontline strength. Both of their coordination was pretty impressive, they had clean transitions, good awareness, and they didn't waste their movements.

I smiled faintly, watching them as they encountered their first monsters. The pale whisps who were walking in a tight formation marching towards them.

My eyes narrowed as they engaged them with swift synergy:

Drake was holding the line, Finn was striking them at the flanks, and Eve having good control over wind and ice gave all of them perfect crowd control. I noticed that Adam didn't even interfere much, he was giving them commands perhaps trying to see how they fight.

"Good... they have a good balance of offense and defense. They are also calm under pressure. They aren't even panicking when surrounded. Good Good." I nodded.

But then came their battle with the Phantom Knight, I watched as it exchanged attacks with Adam.

I leaned over just slightly, my eyes narrowing. The aura that the Phantom Knight emitted was that of a Peak D rank perhaps trying to breakthrough to the next stage.

N/A: Yes monsters can also breakthrough and evolve when they manage to breakthrough to the next rank.

It was just within their difficulty range. Adam had sharp reactions, his movements were refinement but they could also use some improvements, it seemed like he practiced his swordsmanship for a long time, as he was able to predict its swings a few times.

The way Adam fought... It was like it was almost instinctive, it was fluid far beyond what a standard D-rank awakened could be capable off.

He had efficient swordplay, it wasn't flashy, and he was adapting mid-battle which made me pause.

"Hmm... that's interesting." I muttered, as I tapped my finger against my arm. "So that's what my Discple is capable off at the moment... I sure didn't make a mistake choosing him for our Guild."

They finally reached the final boss and before them was a Hellfire Cerberus, my lips curved just slightly. "Now let's see how your going to tackle this challenge."

And they did tackle it — just barely through.

Even by seeing it through the projection, I could still feel the intensity of the battle. All the roars, the flames, and their teamwork — each on of them are pushing past their limits.

I saw Adam finally unleash a finally strike a spatial-ice attack, my eyes widened only slightly. The air around me shifted slightly as if it was reacting to the raw space distortion.

"That Spatial affinity of his... And also the Ice infusion. That was a good strike, he has a lot of potential." I whispered to myself softly. "He is growing faster than what I expected."

The Cerberus then finally shattered into many frozen shards, I took a took deep breath, leaned back and exhaled. "Team A, they have outstanding teamwork. They are also resourceful. Their also calm under stress. And also... Adam's potential, it's terrifying. Final Grade: S-."

___

I finally turned towards Team B's holographic screen.

They were struggling a whole lot — it wasn't from lack of effort, but their unity was jumbled at the start. Their coordination was a bit scattered, they made too many conflicting decisions at once.

They faced the Lava Serpants and Blaze Hounds, yet they were wasting mana on unnecessary attacks and they rarely communicated clearly.

Their leader was hesitating, and that showed.

"Hm. Grace was always overconfident, and one of them is hesitating..." I murmured as I watched. "Their synergy is not bad but not good either. Power isn't necessary if your teamwork is shit."

Although they change a bit, when the Chimera appeared — a lion-headed beast that breathed fire, having a goat head that summoned earth spikes, and it had a serpent tail that was dripping with poison.

They rallied despite the chaos they displayed earlier, they instincts were kicking in. Grace was using controlled destinations to redirect its attack, Brad was shielding them perfectly, and the others were adapting to the attacks.

And by the time they brought it down, they barely stood but they didn't face a lot of damage.

"It was flawed, but they were resilient." I muttered, as I was writing notes on a floating mana tablet that was beside me. "They are instinct-driven, poor coordination but strong adaptability. Final Grade: A+"

___

As the projections from both teams started to dim, I folded my hands behind my back, as I stared quietly at the fading lights. The dungeon gates were pulsing as both teams got transported out.

For a brief few seconds, the room stood in silence.

Then—

A faint ripple was brushing against my senses.

The energy was almost unnoticeable — just a flicker of mana, like someone was exhaling from behind a closed curtain. My eyes were narrowing slightly, as I scanned at the corners of the chamber.

"...You have the audacity to be spying on Silford Students."

I was met with silence. There was only the hum of the fading protections.

But I know it wasn't a mistake — someone was watching. Someone had cloaked their presence so we'll that I was only able to barely catch them with my perception.

I was turning my gaze towards the shadow edge of the wall where I felt the energy was coming from, but the presence was already gone and the air was calm once more.

I just let out a slow sigh, and I closed my eyes just for a brief moment. "Tch. Think I won't find you, huh?"

My fingers were glowing faintly with my mana as I was setting more layers of detection barriers around the whole chamber.

Whoever that was — they are skilled. And they were too skilled just for a casual observer.

I just looked back to the now dark holograms, then expression turned serious. "It seems, there's also someone who's interested in you... Adam."

And with that, the runes dimmed, and the room was once again went silent.

Moments later, the portals were flickering once more as both Team A and Team B stepped out.

Their bodies were battered, their armor was cracked, and the eyes were growing from the exhaustion and also the pride of victory.

The whole chamber was silent, there wasn't anyone to applaud them, there was only silence and my piercing gaze which focus on one person.

Adam.

He was the one who stepped through the portal last, he was calm as always, and there was faint traces of frost that still cling to his arm.

"Good work all of you." I said out loud, my voice echoed slightly across the chamber. "You guys passed the test, you adapted and finished your trials. All of you showed remarkable progress, goes to show how experience is a better leaning method."

Team B was smiling tiredly, and Team A was straightening up despite their fatigue.

"Team A," I muttered, as I turned my gaze to Adam and his group, "the coordination you showed and your synergy has exceeded my expectations. And from that you get a S- evaluation."

They all exchanged brief smiles and exhausted nods, but they were still proud.

"Team B," as I shifted my gaze towards them, "at first you were reckless but your instincts and adaptability made up for that. Despite the earlier confusion, but you all manage to pull through and win. A+ evaluation."

They all just looked at each other a flicker of disappointment crossed their faces but they nodded, they understood where they messed up.

I gave them a slight nod, as I saw them reflecting. "Both Teams, class is over you can go to you dorms. You should rest."

I saw them begin to leave, that's when I turned my head slightly, my tone shifted."

"Adam."

He heard my voice and paused mid-step, his eyes flickered towards me.

"Follow me to my office, there's something you need to know privately."

His team was exchanging curios glances but Adam only nodded and he said. "Guys I'll be back, go one without me."

He said as he followed me through the side passage of the hall, as we went towards my office.

We arrived at my office and I gestured him to sit down. I leaned against the desk and my arms were folded.

I snapped my fingers as the mana suppressors came to life which blocked any external interference.

Then, I spoke:

"During the dungeon test, you were being watched."

I saw his brows furrow slightly, but he didn't interrupt me.

"I sensed a presence after you finished the battle with the Hellfire Cerberus. It was fainr—subtle enough to escape my perception... well almost. And whoever it was, they knew how to hide their mana well."

I paused there, watching how he reacted. I saw his eyes sharpen, the air around him shifted slightly.

"Adam, I'm not saying this lightly. Someone was monitoring you, and it wasn't part of some test." I straightened up, my tone low. "And I'm sure it wasn't human."

He was a bit silent just for a moment before he spoke up, his voice was calm but wary.

"Not human?"

I nodded to his question. "The mana i felt... it held a dark resonance. It was old, like the kind that would cling to those who've delt with 'Them'."

I saw as his eyes narrowed, and he gave a low sigh before speaking.

"I assume it's because of the potential I showed." He said.

I nodded. "Smart, and yes it's because of how you were in the entrance exam, and they wanted to take note of your resent progress."

"And whoever was watching, sensed the power you used." I continue speaking. "Adam, you need to be careful. Power tends to attacks the wrong people."

I saw him nod slowly. "Understood."

I allowed myself the faintest of smiles. "Good, I wouldn't want my priced guild member and desciple to be kidnapped."

I turned away, and I added quietly. "And if you feel like you being watched." I passed him a small orb "Contact me and I'll be there immediately."

He rose from his seat and he bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Master."

I smiled when I heard him say that. "Your are dismissed."

When he turned to leave I felt the same mana signature that tried to pass through the barrier again.

Again?

My eyes were flickering towards the far corner of the office.

"... Persistent little shit." I murmured under my breath."

I saw Adam glance back briefly, as if sensing something. But I just wave him off with a reassuring look. "Go on, it's nothing."

He just nodded and left, the heavy door closed behind him.

I was now left alone, as I exhaled and looked at the crystal once again, as I replayed the unseen energy in the corner of the feed.

That's when I saw, a faint, distorted sigil started to appear, a shape that I could never forget was spreading cracks.

My expression instantly darkened.

"Kyrexis..." I whispered. "So they are back again."

"Fuck, I should tell the Headmaster quick."