The waiting room's atmosphere, already thick with anticipation, grew tenser as the two Agents who had announced the test earlier re-entered. With her gothic appearance and serious demeanor, the woman commanded immediate attention as she spoke.
"The oral portion of your examination is now concluded.” She began, her voice cutting through the last murmurs of conversation. "We will now proceed to the practical test, which will be a series of 1v1 fights between test takers. Remember, all tactics are allowed except for maiming and causing death. Any violation of this rule will have severe consequences." Her tone was ominous, her stern gaze sweeping over the candidates, underscoring the gravity of her warning.
The test takers were then led to an arena, which James recognized as the same one where they had undertaken their G-rank test. The space was vast and imposing, with a padded floor and glowing wards providing isolation from the outside world. It was designed so that fights could happen without needing to hold back.
As they entered, James noticed the bleachers were not as empty as they had been during their G-rank test. Several dozens high-ranking members and Agents were there, adding an extra layer of gravity to the proceedings. Among them, James recognized a few familiar faces, but one stood out - Roman the Deathless, an A-rank Awakener known for his blond hair, arrogant demeanor, and formidable resilience. He was also Miss Walker's rival. That he was present indicated the importance of these tests.
He's probably here to see if there is anyone to keep an eye on. He's known to recruit people when they are young so that he can grow them however he likes, but I thought the cutoff was D-rank. Well, maybe he's just curious and has free time.
The goth woman appeared in the middle of the padded ring, a microphone in her hands. She tapped it with a finger, her purple nail polish glowing softly, and it turned on. "Hello everyone, and thank you for coming! We are pleased to see that we have several bigshots in attendance. I hope you'll like the show." Then she cleared her throat, refocusing on the task at hand. "We'll now proceed with the practical portion of the F-rank exam! The matchups have been decided randomly. The fights are to surrender or submission. No maiming or killing are allowed!" This time, her warning was much less intimidating, as she tried to appear as professional as she could, sneaking glances to the bleachers.
Still, everyone knew not to push the limits too much. They were here to showcase their abilities, in any case, not to participate in a bloodbath.
We get more than enough of those in dungeons. No need to take it out, too.
The first fight was between one of the Crimson Blades' grunts, though not the leader, and another burly man James did not know. Surprisingly, the battle was mostly fought at long range. The first materialized a bow made of crackling electricity, with which he shot dangerous-looking bolts. The second cast several glyphs around himself, which protected him from the lightning and allowed his magic to take hold, inverting the gravity of the field for his opponent and forcing him to fight upside down.
It went on like that for quite a while, the burly man stacking effects on top of effects, until the Crimson Blades grunt could fight no longer and had to bow out.
That was pretty interesting. Initially, he must have been a pure support, but the rank-up must have given him some defensive options. I shouldn't underestimate anyone, since they all received a significant bump in power. Everyone should have some decent options by now.
Shortly after, James's fight against the leader of the Crimson Blades team was announced, the same man who had attempted to intimidate them earlier. The man's initial expression betrayed a hint of regret, but James sensed his resolve hardening as he prepared for the fight.
Centering himself mentally, James stepped into the arena. Despite their earlier encounter, he knew he couldn't afford to underestimate his opponent. The stakes were high, and surprises were always a possibility in such tests, especially when factoring in the new Talents everyone had after the rank-up.
As the beginning of the fight was called, James quickly assessed his opponent's stance and movements. The man opted for an aggressive opening, lunging forward with the intent of not allowing him any breathing room, likely trying to compensate for his earlier embarrassment. However, James's training and enhanced senses gave him an edge. He easily predicted the man's movements and dodged his attack. This was possible since he could read the man's emotions and decisions like an open book.
The balding man, whose name he learned was Max Laurence, took that moment as his cue to call upon his Talent. Dark, ominously glowing spears materialized in his hands, each thrust aimed with precision and speed. However, James's heightened awareness and agility allowed him to effortlessly sidestep or deflect each attack.
James observed his opponent's strategy – the man was adept at creating not only weapons but also shields of the same dark light, which he quickly used to defend against James's occasional counterattacks.
Additionally, he attempted to use sudden bright flashes to blind James momentarily whenever he went on the offensive, trying to catch the younger man by surprise. But James's reliance on his enhanced senses, rather than just his sight, rendered these attempts ineffective.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As the fight progressed, James began to understand the full extent of his new abilities in a way that experimenting in his room or sparring with his friends simply couldn't compare to. He could control the flow of battle, his mind always one step ahead.
Utilizing his psychic skills, he projected his will outward, creating an invisible barrier that deflected the darklight spears at the last moment, making it appear as if the man had slipped. It was a subtle use of his power but incredibly effective, leaving his opponent bewildered and frustrated.
James's confidence grew as he seamlessly adapted to each new tactic Laurence employed. The audience, including the high-ranking members and Agents, watched with increasing interest. Whispers and murmurs spread through the bleachers, many expressing surprise at James's dominance.
Roman the Deathless, watching intently from his seat, showed a flicker of interest. His usual arrogant demeanor was momentarily replaced by a look of contemplation, as if reassessing James's potential.
Realizing that defense alone wouldn't end the fight and not wanting to appear arrogant by prolonging things beyond what was needed, James decided to take the offensive. He closed the distance, moving with a speed that caught his opponent off guard. James then launched a series of rapid punches, each carefully controlled to avoid serious injury but forceful enough to break through the darklight shields.
He didn't bother adding an explosive quality to his punches, since the base enhancement appeared more than enough to deal with his opponent's protections.
Laurence now on the defensive, struggled to keep up. His light constructs flickered under the relentless assault, his energy waning as he tried to fend off James's attacks. James's strikes were precise, targeting the weak points in his opponent's defense and never allowing him the time he'd need to reposition himself.
In a final desperate attempt, Laurence conjured a barrage of darklight arrows, unleashing them in a surprising display of power, showing his desperation. The arrows glowed like an eclipse, so bright as to blind whoever looked at them directly, and were shot towards James in a rapid-fire sequence, intended to overwhelm and incapacitate him.
But James was prepared. Channeling his mental strength, he reinforced his invisible barrier, focusing on deflecting the onslaught. One after another, the arrows harmlessly struck the psychic shield and disintegrated before they could reach him. To the audience, it appeared as if the arrows were simply disintegrating upon nearing James, making it look like Laurence's attacks were fizzling out.
For a moment, James wondered whether he should allow a few to strike him to begin cultivating his new skill, Adaptive Resistance, but shelved the thought. He'd have time to safely build up his resistances, but now was not the right moment. He didn't want to lose because he made an arrogant mistake like that.
The strain of maintaining such a concentrated defense, however, was immense. James could feel his mental energy depleting rapidly, the effort leaving him drained, and even if he still had enough mana to keep up fighting, he knew he wouldn't be able to repeat such a feat. It was a showy defense, but it required an excessive amount of focus and power.
Realizing his attacks were futile and seeing James standing unharmed, Laurence's will faltered. The defeat in his eyes was evident as he finally lowered his weapons, allowing them to disperse harmlessly and conceded, acknowledging James's superiority. The crowd erupted into applause.
Exhausted but triumphant, James exited the arena to be greeted by his teammates, who were full of praises and congratulations. His demonstration of control and power had impressed not just his friends but also the high-ranking audience members. Roman the Deathless, in particular, seemed to regard James with interest, though his expression was still unreadable beneath the layers of arrogance.
As the other members of Team 0 took turns in the arena, James watched with pride and anticipation. Each displayed unique strategies, showcasing the growth and ability he had come to know them for. Lauren's agility and cunning, as well as her new shadow magic, Ezekiel's strategic use of buffs and healing, which were now significantly more powerful, coupled with the protections he could now invoke, Daniel's unyielding defense and intelligent usage of barrier magic to trap his opponent, and Maria's increasingly awe-inspiring fiery constructs - all contributed to their respective victories.
In the end, all members of Team 0 emerged victorious from their duels without much trouble, showing to everyone just how much their training had allowed them to grow.
Finally, Mr. Bethany stood to announce the results. His voice resonated through the arena as he read out the names of those who had passed, among whom was the entirety of Team 0. The majority of the participants had succeeded - even some who had lost, like Maria's opponent, who had managed to shield himself well from most damage and kept fighting beyond what should have been possible - but there were a few who had fallen short of the mark and who were promptly escorted out of the hall by several Agents in black suits.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for a minute?" Mr. Bethany asked rhetorically, earning nods from all around. "Today marks a significant milestone in your journey as Awakeners." He began, his voice resonating with a deep timbre that effortlessly commanded attention. "You have proven yourselves capable, not only in the art of combat but also in understanding the responsibilities that come with your powers."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the room, making eye contact with several of the new F-ranks, including James. "But let this not be the peak of your aspirations. The path of an Awakener is complex, demanding constant improvement, learning, and adaptation. The world we live in is ever-changing, and so must we."
The massive man's expression turned more solemn, reflecting the gravity of his next words. "Our primary goal, the mission that unites us all, is the reclamation of our planet from the clutches of the dungeons and monsters. This is our fight, our struggle, to reclaim what was once ours and protect humanity's future."
He paused, allowing the weight of his statement to sink in, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and a hint of sorrow. "However, as we stand united in this cause, we must not lose sight of the greater picture. Our world is fraught with challenges beyond the dungeons. Internal and external conflicts threaten to divide us, to distract us from our true purpose."
The subtle hint towards the escalating situation in Asia and the operations against the KLF was not lost on most of the audience.
"In these dark times." He continued. "It is more important than ever to remember our core values. We are, first and foremost, guardians of humanity. Our strength and abilities are not just for personal gain but for the greater good of all."
Marcus's voice grew more impassioned, echoing around the arena. "To those who have passed today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. You have shown remarkable prowess and potential. Do not falter in your resolve. Keep fighting, keep getting better, and contribute to our shared mission."
As he concluded his speech, Marcus offered a nod of respect to the new F-ranks. "These are trying times, but they are also times of opportunity. Opportunity to prove our worth, make a difference, and stand as beacons of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Go forth, and may your actions reflect the honor and duty of an Awakener."
The room erupted into applause, the new F-ranks feeling renewed purpose and determination. Mr. Bethany's call to action achieved its goal of enflaming his audience's spirits, and James couldn't help but grin brightly, looking forward to what the future would bring.