« Huh? What, they already scattered? Damn, they're fast… If they rush at me, I won't even notice I'll get slaughtered. I should keep a low profile and let them fight each other. Their egos will probably lead to someone winning. And they're just kids… I'm the only one thinking like an adult. I'll definitely have the advantage over them. I need to move into an open area… and I also need to grab a wooden sword. »
Sebastian ran quickly in the opposite direction of his three opponents, who were all fighting each other at the same time with impressive focus. While sprinting toward the wooden sword on the ground, Sebastian glanced at their battle from the corner of his eye, terrified by the abilities displayed by his adversaries.
He finally reached a wooden sword, grabbed it, and turned around, wanting to observe the fight between the three boys. But when he faced them, Reijirô Amahara was already standing right in front of him, wearing a wide, mischievous smile while Sebastian's face froze in shock and fear.
Hey you. You really thought you could hide like some kind of vermin? Let the two big guys fight together—we're going to have fun on our own. Try not to disappoint me. I'm at least aiming for second place in this test. And when I look at you, all I see is fear. That means you're weak. So this fight is already won for me.
« Damn it… I really have to fight him. And with the other two busy, no one is going to interfere. Shit, he won't let me go. He looks strange… like he's going to enjoy dominating me in this fight. He's stronger than me and he knows it. I'm dead. »
Reijirô attacked first a sharp, quick vertical strike. But Sebastian managed to parry it without even realizing how, as if it were instinctive. He had forgotten that his physical abilities were enhanced in this world his strength, his speed, his reflexes, everything was superior. He decided to face his opponent even if the fight was already lost; he wanted to see what his body was capable of in real combat.
Sebastian then delivered a horizontal strike aimed at Reijirô's right ribs, but Reijirô dodged easily. Sebastian continued with several more swings launched randomly, hoping to hit Reijirô at least once, but his attacks became less and less effective as Reijirô laughed at every attempt. Sebastian launched a quick strike toward Reijirô's hip with solid footing the strike almost landed, but Reijirô countered instantly, leaving Sebastian's torso completely exposed. Reijirô then kicked him straight in the solar plexus, making him stagger back.
HAHAHA!!! You're really something. You don't even know how to use a sword. Your stance is terrible. If this were real, I'd have sliced your stomach open and you'd already be dead. You're lucky I'm merciful. I chose only to kick you in the chest. If you don't learn to defend yourself better than that, you won't last long. Even if I think you're worthless, it would still be a shame for someone capable of assimilating Qephraï to die like that. You'd dishonor the others who share that gift. Honestly, I'm sure anyone else would've given me more trouble than you. You're truly pathetic…
« The bastard… he's trying to mess with my head. He's a manipulator. Luckily I'm not really a child I won't fall for this trap. But I have to stay cautious. He's unpredictable, and I don't know when or how he'll attack. I need to stay on guard and put distance between us. If I step back three times, I should be out of his reach… hopefully I'll be able to see him move. »
Sebastian stopped listening to Reijirô's words and focused only on staying alert. He slowly stepped back one step, then two, then three. He tightened his grip on the wooden sword. His hands were sweaty. Even though Reijirô was just a child, he instilled fear in Sebastian.
Hey, why are you backing away while I'm talking to you? You really think such a small distance will stop me from hitting you? Seriously, you're really a coward. Come on, fight me. Show me what you've got. I'm bored. The whole point of a fight is to be unpredictable, to push yourself to your limits, to win not because you're the strongest, but because you performed better than your opponent. And you're just
- You talk too much.
Reijirô spun around. Oriane was behind him, striking vertically. Reijirô dodged to the right, took a stance, and said:
Now this… this is finally a real fight.
Oriane charged at Reijirô, but unlike Sebastian, his strikes were precise and calculated. Each of Reijirô's evasions barely avoided Oriane's wooden blade too close to be pure luck, yet still relying on narrow margins. Luck could sometimes lead to victory… but Reijirô's luck left his body and moved to Oriane.
Not that Oriane needed it.
Only Oriane was attacking. Reijirô could only dodge. He knew that attempting a counterattack could lead to instant defeat. Oriane was more precise, faster, fiercer without even fighting at full strength. Reijirô had become the prey he mocked just minutes earlier. Power balance is merely a matter of perspective.
« Damn… those two are really strong. Actually, no this Oriane guy is terrifying. Reijirô is getting buried under his strikes. He can't do anything but endure. Even he knows he already lost, but his pride won't let him surrender. »
Oriane caught Reijirô off guard and delivered the finishing blow. Reijirô lost and finished third. Oriane then turned his gaze toward Sebastian and walked toward him to finish what he had planned.
I… surrender…
Oriane was surprised, but Sebastian knew he had no chance. Better to surrender than be completely crushed by Oriane. With that, the third test was finished. The four boys stood upright before the instructor.
Good. Some of you fought well. Now, you will proceed to the final room the one that will decide your fate. You will be chosen and integrated into a troupe. Please follow me to the next room.
The four young men moved to the next room. They were the first to be chosen before the other candidates. In front of them were all the troupe leaders. The first to step forward was Lysander Vorel. He walked forward and spoke:
Having witnessed all the trials and the power you unleashed during your assimilation, I have decided to choose those who convinced me the most. I could select all four of you, but that is not my choice. I will name the ones who will join my troupe. First: Oriane Vorel. He ranked first in all tests, proving he is capable of joining the troupe of one of the Seven Archons. As promised, he will be granted the rank of Vanguard. Next, I choose Akihiro Zentsu, who finished 2nd, 4th, and 4th. His talent with the sword is exceptional, and I have no regrets choosing him. Thank you.
As Lysander Vorel stepped aside with his brother and Akihiro, another man approached. He was one of the Ten Decarchs the rank just below the Archons. There were only ten per continent, unlike the Archons, who numbered only one per continent and seven in total. He didn't look any different from an ordinary man.
Hello. I am also here to choose one of you. I was quite impressed by some aspects of your performance, despite certain flaws. I choose Reijirô Amahara, who ranked 7th, 3rd, and 3rd. His behavior is problematic, but that will be corrected quickly.
« Damn… I wish he had chosen me. His rank isn't as high as Lysander Vorel's, but he is still important. I'm going to get chosen by some random guild leader… shit… damn it. »
A woman then stepped forward.
Hello, young man. I chose you because, unlike my colleagues, I did not judge you based on your ranking during the first test. You became my favorite candidate after the second trial. My name is Anastasia van Hauben, and I am also one of the Ten Decarchs of this continent. I am happy to welcome you into my troupe. You finished 75th, 2nd, and 2nd in the three tests. From a certain point of view, you have the best results excluding Oriane Vorel.
Sebastian was surprised that one of the Ten Decarchs also chose him. Even if his rank would be the lowest within the troupe, he would do everything to become an important member of Anastasia van Hauben's troupe.
The four boys had been chosen and were moved to the side with their respective leaders. Soon, other candidates began entering the room but strangely, all of them were crying.
Sebastian looked at Oriane, who stood next to him, and asked:
Excuse me, Oriane… why are all the candidates entering crying? Did they fail their tests?
Not exactly. They're crying because they failed their assimilation. And now it's impossible for them to ever succeed. Maybe their tears started once the stress fell away.
« Why cry over something so small? Sure, they can't use the Qephraï powers, but they can still become warriors. Disappointment… »
So? They'll still become good warriors for the most part. Using Qephraï powers is just a bonus.
You really don't know… They're not crying because of that. They're crying because they're looking at us. They're crying because they no longer have access to the greatest privilege granted by assimilation. The moment you, I, and the other two succeeded… we became immortal. We can die, but aging will never affect us again.
« Huh?! What is he saying? I became immortal? The other candidates were actually stressed because they knew what failing the assimilation test meant? »
But… why does assimilating a monster make us immortal?
Because they're not actually monsters. You should know that. Did you really live in a cave before your hibernation? They are beings beyond our logic. For example, my brother can control every molecule around him. Some powers surpass all understanding, and mastering them can take years.
I see… so your brother doesn't fully control his power yet because he couldn't use it?
What are you talking about? It depends on the ability. And of course he controls it. My brother is the one who mastered it the best out of all who ever possessed it.
Wait your brother must be a real genius to master it so well!
Naturally. My brother is one of the Seven Archons. And he has possessed his abilities for over 400 years, so he had plenty of time to perfect them.
- WHAT?! 400 years? But… and yet
- Forget it. You'll understand later.
You're strange… but even the dumbest farmer in the world knows this. Anyway, let's stop talking.
A long wait followed as each candidate was selected or rejected. When everything was finally over, Sebastian left the building for the first time, stepping into the unknown world he had been thrown into. He followed Anastasia, who led him toward the domain where her troupe resided.