Finally, the month given to them was over. It had already been announced to them they should head to the large expanse of land after the training building.
The atmosphere was tense as everyone prepared. Some had packed their stuff already accepting their fate.
Will and his group were seated on the statue at the front of the dorm building.
"This is a big step for us," Belle said gazing at the sky. Surprisingly, the mists over the sky wasn't there revealing the beautiful dark sky above.
"Yeah... it was a close call for me," Will said also staring at the sky. That day remained clear in his head, the day he had finally broken through.
~~~
"I won't let you win easily this time around," Will exclaimed as he twisted his body dodging a punch and then slash down at his hand.
Issaiah was quick enough to realize the situation and had drawn out his hand quickly with Will slashing nothing but thin air.
"Huh? He felt a presence behind him and forming a lightning barrier at his back was able to block the sword strike." He then jumped forward with lightning zapping off around him.
Will finally appeared before him and was ready for the next clash. 'I need to think one step ahead,' he thought as he charged forward. Whatever he did, Issaiah was already one step ahead and this had made it hard for Will to get him.
'This time around, he's taking it seriously,' Issaiah said with a smile slowly spreading across his face. "Fine, come out me," he said as the lightning increased slowly gathering before his hands. A spear made entirely of lightning was formed as he charged forward.
They both clashed at the center of the room, each giving it their all in other to best the other.
"First formation of the heaven-defying arts! Flowing force!" He muttered as he struck forward, each clash slowly increasing in strength.
His attack grew stronger, and the battle became fiercer as Issaiah kept upping his game.
Tsk. Will jump backwards with a frown. Trying to control his breathing, he thought of a possible way of gaining the upper hand in the battle.
Issaiah didn't give him time as he was the first to charge this time around.
Several wind blades surrounded Will as he charged forward. 'Make use of both abilities. I need to time my attacks.'
The wind blades moved at astonishing speed just as they were about to clash. And then Will, with flames sprouting from his feet, changed direction as he struck from the sides.
Will had done well to feel the wind blades with enough energy, making it powerful. Issaiah protecting himself from the wind blades was a tad late in blocking the incoming blade.
The blade cut through his robe, slashing his chest. 'Too shallow!' Will thought as he twisted his body dodging the lightning spear and with flames exploding from his elbows he struck his legs earning a low grunt from him.
"Still not deep enough! Leaping high," he spun his body as flames slowly gathered around his sword. It felt like a comet was coming down as Will was also covered in flames.
"Second formation! Raging force!" Will screamed as the flames increased twofold.
'Shit! This guy's crazy,' Issaiah thought with a smile still on his face. 'It's alright if I go a little harder just this time.'
"Lightning arts! Fourth form! Thunderclap Explosion!"
A terrifying amount of lightning gathered around him, enshrouding him in a dazzling glow. He leapt up, charging head-on towards Will. Looking at both energies, one would be able to tell the lightning energy was more controlled.
He then released the lightning in a concentrated area. The wave of lightning consumed everything in its path, the air sizzling as it moved through.
'Shit! Was he holding back all this while,' Will thought, gritting his teeth. Both energies collided fighting fiercely for dominance. Slowly Will's energy was dispersing as the lightning energy consumed him. Simultaneously, a large explosion erupted, and Will's body skyrocketed and crashed onto the ground.
Even the reinforced ground had cracks, and the energy input in the reinforcement was slowly repairing it.
Ugh, Will struggled up as the smoke cleared.
[ -35hp ]
'Shit! If I hadn't covered myself with the wind, I could have suffered more injuries.' He pulled himself up, wiping the blood flowing from his nostrils.
"I'm already out of energy, I think I'm going to lose again. No! Just this last attack," he struggled forward. Activate [ dash ] skill " he muttered as he charged forward.
[ 53/1200 energy points ]
With his sword readied, he wrapped his swords in flames. "This is it, everything I got!" He swung his sword, and just as he was about to hit him, he dropped to the ground.
Tsk. 'I can't move my body,' he thought with a defeated sigh. He could feel the aches around his body and was struggling not to show the pain.
'That was close. How did his speed increase all of a sudden? "Issaiah thought, rubbing his shoulders. Looking at Will on the ground, there was a smile on his face as he could sense it. The energy was building up, and finally, his core cracked, releasing a large amount of energy.
Argghh! Will let out a scream as pains shot up his already weakened body. He could feel his body changing. His core was breaking apart with a new one gradually forming.
Ding!
[ Energy low! ]
[ Host is at a critical stage ]
Will had expended all his energy in the fight and now was having a hard time breaking through. The pain he felt was intense, and he couldn't help but release a sharp scream.
"Something is wrong," Issaiah immediately noticed. 'This isn't supposed to happen,' he thought as he rushed to his side.
'Shit! He's low on energy. Should I try and pass some energy to him.' He thought. 'No! That would be too risky. I have some energy crystals with me, they will do the work.' Bringing out a little oval-shaped crystal, he opened Will's mouth and then proceeded to crush the crystals and then put the particles into his mouth.
Immediately it passed through, it melted, turning into energy.
Ding!
[ Source of energy is entering the host body ]
[ Energy is being restored]
[ 45/1200 energy points ]
[ 65/1200 energy points... ]
He had used five of the little crystals, and slowly, his pale face was gaining colour. The advancement went smoothly after his intervention, and finally, he had broken through to the next realm.
[ Realm: Advanced realm (low stage) ]
[ Energy points: 259/1400 ]
Will opened his eyes and could perceive an offensive smell, looking round he noticed it was from him. His body was covered in a black gooey-like substance.
"That happens when one breaks through to the advanced realm. More like shedding the impurities in our body as it slowly transcends that of a mortal." Issaiah's cool voice was heard as he sat up.
"I'll leave you to clean yourself. Congrats, by the way," he said before finally leaving.
Will was left in his thoughts. He decided to check his stats and was quite surprised. Another upgrade, he thought as he accessed the stats tab.
[ Strength: 19(21) ]
[ Agility: 22(24) ]
[ Endurance: 21(23) ]
~~~~
"C'mon, now, let's head to the training ground," Belle urged them. "Alright, alright," Will said. "Let's head there."
The training ground was already filled with students. Looking at the time, it was just a few minutes left before the evaluation began.
A raised platform had been constructed in the center of the field, with a small stage built atop it. Behind the stage were several seats, currently unoccupied.
A large buzzing sound went off just at the minute had reached and soon coming out from behind the stages where powerful individuals of the military all dressed in their uniform. Henry was among those present on stage, and he had taken a seat on the left side of the stage.
Standing before the crowd of students was a green-haired man, his eyes surveying the mass.
"Congrats to those who had been able to complete the task." He said in a low voice. It seemed the words were being spoken to their minds.
"He paused, surveying the crowd again. "As you're all aware," he began, "we live in a harsh world. A place where strength reigns supreme and the powerless have no say."
"Those that had reached the advanced realm step forward." More than half of the students filed out with proud faces. Leaving very few students behind with faces of remorse.
"It's essential to understand that enlisting in the military is not a trivial matter. You must be prepared to serve and respond to military obligations wherever you are when called upon. Additionally, you should be ready to risk your own life to safeguard not just your family and friends, but all lives on our planet."
"Those of you, who are scared to sacrifice your life for the world... have the opportunity to step down now," he said, pausing for any reaction. A few had decided to make their way back after thinking through the words said.
"Greetings, I commend your courage in moving ahead," he addressed the remaining individuals. After successfully finishing your half-year training, you will be officially a part of our team and will be entitled to special benefits," he asserted, casting his gaze over those who had chosen to remain. With a sweeping gesture of his hand, he exited the stage.