The shape slowly emerged from the dust storm I had created.

With a roar that seemed to shake mountains, it appeared from nothing.

Unlike anything I had ever seen in the real world, a creature rushing at them with a speed that seemed impossible for its size.

We would finally be able to gain a little upper hand once it hit into the warrior attacking Adrian.

That was when their captain made his first move of the match.

With a simple raise of his hand, a giant fork of lightning ripped out into existence, striking my summon all across its massive form, sending lances of pain through my body in turn.

It was a short-lived creature, as it collapsed and disappeared with the ether. With it, my consciousness.

I was pulled awake shortly after. The match had finished.

After I was taken out, the battle was over shortly.

There wasn't much to say, all of my team were in various states of injury, the opposing side, only two or three of them had any injury worth noting.

We were in a much worse state. I was actually one who got off the lightest, Iirin was being healed by Urtil of all people whose arm was in a sling. Our other healer was also active going through the rest of the team. His going was slow, his obvious limp and sluggish responses spoke to greater injuries then he was letting on—an admirable trait in a healer.

Both captains were discussing something out of earshot. The other team was laughing and messing around. They had never considered us true enemies, which after fighting them, I could easily understand.

For us to stand a chance in the future. At least four of us would have to advance to Tier 5, Urtil, to the peak of that rank.

A lot could change in a month, but such an absolute growth in power in those later tiers was very difficult.

From the Captains ashen stare towards us, that's all I could see our future being. Our training getting harder would only be a boon, as long as the resources we got grew with that. Somehow I doubted it.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

I would have to rely on the grove-tenders and Unusu to help me gain the edge I would need to keep up with what I could only assume was the hell he was planning for us.

Our team all returned to a state of consciousness a few minutes later.

Iirin wasn't responding to anything I tried to say to him. We were made line up once again. Having to bow to the team that had just beaten you badly was not a good feeling. Urtil and Iirin nearly had to be forced to bow by the glare from the captains, the opposing teams' sneers spoke of no love lost as well.

They filed out of the courtyard. Their leader spoke a few words to Urtil as they left, I couldn't hear what was said, Urtil however made to fight again, only regaining control after a few seconds. The team left laughing once again.

The Captain walked up and down our line, staring each and everyone down, much as he did the first time we had all gathered here.

"That is what the true power of an Heti team looks like. You stand no chance against them as you are now."

We all bowed our heads in agreement, nothing more could be said, we had been taken apart extremely quickly, all semblance of tactics falling apart in the face of overwhelming power.

"We will now be beginning our final phase of training before the Culling. You will not eat, drink or sleep before I say that you are of a high enough standard to do so, that goes for all of you. I expect great gains every day."

His gaze was fixed to the outsiders for a moment.

"Outsiders, you will continue observing the Heri Rankings as well as take on additional training. You will be pushed further than any of your limits, forced to bend into position or die. Those are your only options. There is a recruitment period after the Heri rankings, where we can absorb some team members who might not have made it to Heti. Let that be a warning to you."

That did change things. I never knew that was possible. We now had to compete with a far larger pool than we originally thought. The natives seemed confident even in the face of that statement. I had seen competitors who, given a few weeks, would easily triumph over a few of the Natives in terms of utility, so I was not sure if they would get a rude awakening as well.

"Now back to training, free form today, you are after seeing what true power looks like at your age. You will need some time to come to terms with what you should be. Use it wisely."

With that, he left us to continue our own training, Iirin limped over to me.

"We should go talk to Unusu."

The old man would help us out, that much was for sure.

Helping Iirin through the barracks, now a very familiar path. Watching the people around now react to me in much the same manner as Iirin. Knowing I was a Heti prospect, even being an outsider, put me in a position of power that most of them would only be able to dream of their entire life.

We moved slowly through the camp. Both of us lost in our own thoughts about what had happened and what would happen if we didn't make the cut.

Iirin was still coming to terms with his breakthrough, with the new power and the growth he now had access to, I was confident he would have no issues.

I would need to break through to Tier 4 soon if I were to have any impact in the Culling, even my strongest summon was nothing in front of them.

Hopefully, Unusu would have some answers, that were a little less cryptic than his usual babble.