Out on the training field of the academy were about 100 students getting ready for the second stage of their exam. They already finished the written portion and are now about to begin the next stage.

"The second stage of the exam will begin shortly. Every student will be given a number. Each number will be randomly paired with another number. When your number is called, you are to report to the stage."

Albus was standing in front of all of the students and telling them about the exam.

It was Julian's turn to take a number. He walked up to the podium that was printing out tickets with numbers on them. Julian scanned his link watch and the podium printed out his number.

"Number 11, huh? Looks like the timeline isn't exactly the same."

Julian was a bit surprised. Last time, he got the number 56. His opponent was number 84, Kaito Hirasawa. His ability was pretty tough for Julian to go against since he hadn't discovered the ins and outs of his own ability yet. Kaito's ability allowed him to produce a small shockwave from his fingertips. He aimed his fingers at Julian in the shape of a gun and fired off a few shockwaves that pushed him out of the ring. Julian ended up getting an F class ranking after the exam was over. That made it hard for him to join any squads or even start his own. No one wanted to team up with someone who was only an F class. They were the lowest of the low. If you were put into F class, then the rest of your life would be spent at the bottom of the barrel. It wasn't until Julian made his discovery that he rose in rank and gained some recognition.

"What number did you get, Ju-ju?"

Luna was standing beside Julian trying to peek at his ticket.

"I got 11. What about you?"

"I'm number 36. Maybe they'll pair us up. That way I can show off my master skills!"

Luna had her arms folded with her head turned up. Her confidence was soaring through the sky at that moment.

"Haha! If you say so…"

Julian wasn't being fooled by her confidence, but he wasn't worried about her either. Luna has a pretty strong ability.

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"Alright everyone, we will now begin the second stage of your exam. Take a look at the screen and watch for your number. Good luck."

Albus pointed to a large holographic screen above the podium. After a brief second, the numbers 23 and 81 popped up. After that, the two students with those numbers walked to the stage and started their exam.

This went on until the number 11 popped up. Julian looked at the other number and saw the number 45. He walked up to the stage and saw that another student was already there waiting.

'You can't be serious! It just had to be her, didn't it?!'

Arielle was standing on the stage with her arms folded. She cast a disgusted look at Julian as he walked onto the stage.

He walked the side of the stage opposite her and stood firm.

'If this is how it's gonna be, then so be it.'

"The match will begin in 3...2...1...Fight!"

As soon as the announcement finished, Arielle launched herself at Julian. Julian dodge-rolled to the right and quickly swept his leg to try and knock her off balance.

She saw it coming and did a back handspring to escape Julian's sweep.

'Still using the same tactics are we?'

Julian knew this all too well from when they used to fight together on the same squad.

'I guess he hasn't changed much…'

Arielle was thinking along the same line as Julian. They each knew the others' tactics and how to counter them. This was looking like it was going to be a tough match.

The crowd was stunned watching the pair go at it. It wasn't normal for first-years to be this skilled in combat. Not to mention that they were already using advanced techniques that aren't taught until your second year at the academy.

Arielle dashed towards Julian and struck her left foot towards his stomach.

"I'll end this quickly!"

'This type of move isn't going to work on me, you bitch.'

Julian leaped forwards and copied her move.

"What the hell!?"

"He's going to meet a kick like that head-on?"

The students were mesmerized by the spectacle they were watching. They weren't sure if they could even compete with these two.

Julian's foot met Arielle's as they clashed in the air. They both jumped back and put their guards up.

Julian was the next to make the first move. He activated windbreak to increase his speed and ran to the right of Arielle.

'He's using a martial skill, but which one? Does it only increase speed? No. That's not like him. The speed is probably just a bonus. I should be ready for a skill move.'

Arielle was watching closely. She didn't want to be caught off guard. She was aware that Julian was very knowledgeable when it came to martial skills, so she was being wary because she wasn't sure which skill he was using.

'I need to make this count. Without heavenly energy, this is all I can do.'

Julian was circling Arielle. Once he got behind her, he jumped above her head and released a windblade towards her.

'Ha! So he's using Windbreak, huh? This will be too easy.'

Arielle smirked and then activated her alpha cells. Her light blue aura covered her body for a brief second and then disappeared. The windblade reached her body and then passed straight through her.

"What just happened?"

"Did he miss?"

The students were confused about what they just saw. Julian's windblade just went right through Arielle but she was still standing there unfazed.

"You must've forgotten what my ability is, Julian?"

Arielle had a devilish look on her face.

'Oh, I remember all too well, you snake.'

Julian was a little agitated. Arielle's ability allowed her body to become ethereal. All physical attacks would go straight through her. No matter how strong you were, against her you would tire out before you even got a hit in. This was her favorite way of fighting. She would rather wait around for her opponent to tire out trying to hit her and then attack once they were exhausted. She was too lazy to actually put any work in.

'Yet she wonders why she never caught up to me. Pathetic.'

Arielle watched Julian as he planned his next move.

'Well then, if that's how you wanna play, I'll happily oblige'

Julian smiled and took out the birch box from his pocket. It was time for him to end this childish game.