Dave and Meilin looked up as five figures entered the arena.
Leading the group was a silver grey-haired boy dressed in dark green training robes. His gaze was sharp, and his posture carried a quiet authority. This was Steve—no longer the humble shield-bearer from their previous world. In this one, he'd adapted faster than most, embracing his role with quiet strength. He carried the air of a leader, and among the Monster Division, he was often the one who personally tested promising students.
Behind him followed Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. They moved with silent precision, eyes scanning the arena-like hall with alert curiosity. It didn't take them long to realize that Steve had brought them here on purpose.
Approaching Dave and Meilin, Steve asked casually, "What are you doing here?"
Dave shrugged, a faint smirk on his face and a glint in his eye. "Just killing time. I heard there were four new potential monsters today—figured I'd be the one to test them."
His appearance closely resembled Kamisato Ayato from Genshin Impact, his soft, water-blue hair and dignified aura lending him an air of elegance. The Kamisato crest could be faintly seen on the side of his uniform, adding to his noble, composed look—equal parts grace and quiet danger.
Steve studied him for a moment, then gave a simple nod. "Alright then," he replied, stepping aside and taking a seat beside Meilin, leaving the stage to Dave.
Dave turned his attention to the newcomers. His tone was calm, but beneath the surface, a subtle challenge pulsed in his voice.
"You're here for your Monster Division test. Your objective is simple: last one stick of incense against me. Survive that long—and you pass."
Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly in thought, while Xiao Wu smirked faintly, stretching her limbs. Zhu Zhuqing remained quiet, her gaze fixed and focused, and Ning Rongrong tilted her head with quiet curiosity, analyzing Dave's relaxed posture and aura.
"You can fight all at once, take turns, switch tactics—do it however you like," Dave added, casually resting his arms on the stone railing. "Just make sure you're ready… to fight me."
The four exchanged quick glances, assessing one another silently. They didn't know much about this examiner, but the fact he was overseeing their final test spoke volumes. This wouldn't be easy.
After a brief strategy discussion, they nodded in sync and moved into position.
Tang San stepped forward, meeting Dave's gaze with confidence. "We're ready."
Dave gave a faint smile as he pushed off the railing and stepped down, the sound of his boots echoing across the arena floor.
He spoke calmly, but with a quiet authority that immediately raised the tension in the air.
"Name: Dave."
"Level: 48 — Combat and Control-type Spirit Master."
As the words left his lips, spirit energy surged from him, expanding outward in a wave that swept across the arena.
"Martial Spirit: Oceanheart Azure Blade."
A radiant surge of blue light exploded from his palm, coalescing into a sleek, sea-blue katana. Silver currents shimmered beneath the transparent blade, the weapon pulsing with oceanic energy—both serene and deadly.
Interestingly, no spirit rings materialized. Dave clearly had no intention of using his spirit skills—he didn't need them to test the likes of these four.
He spun the katana once in his hand, then rested it lightly on his shoulder, relaxed and composed.
"Let's begin."
As his words fell, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
All four prodigies responded in unison, releasing their Martial Spirits in a flash of color and power.
Tang San took point.
From behind, deep blue vines burst forth—his Blue Silver Grass. Their blades gleamed sharply under the light, and an eerie softness spread beneath his feet as the vines writhed with potent energy.
Xiao Wu moved next, stepping with elegance.
Her Martial Spirit was her own body. Her eyes glowed red, her stance shifted, and an aura of nimble ferocity enveloped her.
Soft Bone Rabbit—an agility-type beast spirit that sharpened her speed, flexibility, and raw physical potential to frightening levels.
Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the shadows.
Darkness wrapped around her form, and she seemed to vanish into the arena's ambient shade. Her nails extended into deadly claws, and her feline movements made her presence hard to track.
Hell Civet—a stealth-based beast spirit, made for ambush and swift, ruthless takedowns.
Finally, Ning Rongrong stepped forward.
She took a support position, holding aloft a radiant, seven-colored pagoda that shimmered with divine clarity.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—the rarest of support spirits, famous for its unparalleled power to amplify others.
Their formation fell into place: Tang San as the primary controller, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flanking as attackers, and Ning Rongrong supporting from behind with her amplifications.
Dave's smile curved a little deeper. Arms still folded, he watched them charge forward.
"Come then… attack me."
The moment shattered into motion.
Tang San struck first, whipping his Blue Silver Grass forward like chains. His first spirit ring flared with a cool light—Binding—the vines aimed to snare Dave's arms and restrain him before the others closed in.
From either side, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing blurred into motion.
Xiao Wu launched into the air, her body twisting mid-flight. Her legs coiled like springs, the signature move of her Waist Bow forming—aimed to grapple and throw with immense force.
Zhu Zhuqing, swift as a whisper, blinked forward in a silent dash, claws extended and aimed for Dave's flank—her Hell Civet speed nearly rendering her invisible to the untrained eye.
From behind, Ning Rongrong's support kicked in. Two of her spirit rings lit up simultaneously:
—First Skill: Strength Boost!
—Second Skill: Speed Boost!
Golden light swept over her teammates, surging through them, heightening their power and speed in a dazzling display of precise support.
Dave stood calmly, his katana humming softly in his grip. The waters around him swirled tighter, forming a protective aura.
He chuckled, a low, quiet sound.
"Let's see how far you four can go."
'hmm, using Kamisato Art will be enough, but of course at low power or who knows Tang hao in shadows might came and hammer me fro bullying his child' Dave thought as he looked at them.
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