The intimidation radiating from Rei made the children's hair stand on end. The boy who was Rei's opponent was most affected, shrinking back with each slow step Rei took, as if each advance was a countdown to his doom. He eventually stumbled and fell from the stage. Rei stopped his intimidation, and the children, including his opponent, felt a sudden sense of relief.
"That boy can intimidate others at such a small age," Ganes muttered in surprise. "I didn't even know about this."
A man in his twenties, who had arrived at the children's section to speak with Ganes, had stopped. He was unaffected by Rei's pressure but could feel his inherent strength. "Wow," the man muttered, "looks like I got something more interesting." He then leaped onto the wooden stage. Rei watched him with a confused and annoyed expression.
"What are you doing, Hugo, going to the children's stage?" Ganes asked.
"He is not a child; he is a man. Didn't you see his intimidation?" Hugo retorted. "Oh, by the way, my name is Hugo. Nice to meet you."
"I am Rei. Nice to meet you as well," Rei replied, instinctively raising his guard and unknowingly using his intimidation.
"Don't think your intimidation would work on me," Hugo said. He attacked with a punch, and Rei met it with his own fist. As their fists clashed, a huge gust of wind erupted around the stage.
"Your spirit arts are strong, way too strong," Hugo admitted. He attacked with another fist, and Rei countered with his other. Fist after fist, they clashed, creating powerful wind gusts. The wooden stage broke from the tremors of their attacks, but Rei and Hugo jumped clear, landing safely.
"Let's see who is the strongest," Hugo challenged.
"Don't underestimate me," Rei replied, and both charged at each other. Their fists began to collide in a blur of speed.
"It has been long enough," Ganes said. "I should do something."
"No need," Bart said, having woken up. Ganes looked at Bart, surprised. Bart continued, "Rei won't get any training by fighting these children. Let him fight with some worthy opponent."
Rei and Hugo's intense fist exchange made the other children watch in awe. Their blurring fists demonstrated undeniable strength, a level the children could only dream of. Sweat poured from both Hugo and Rei as they continued their furious exchange.
"He really is strong," Ganes commented. "Strong enough to be called a Battle Sage."
"What's a Battle Sage?" Bart asked.
"Battle Sages are people who possess either the potential and talent to become strong or do hard work to get stronger than any normal people," Ganes explained. "However, they are certainly stronger than normal people."
"Then in which category would Rei come in?" Bart inquired.
"His potential is mediocre at best, so he comes under the category who does hard work to get stronger," Ganes stated. "But it is certain that he is a Battle Sage."
Even as Ganes and Bart talked, Rei continued exchanging fists with Hugo. It had been nearly a minute since they started. "Rei is going to lose this battle," Ganes predicted. Rei pushed himself harder and harder, and Hugo did the same. However, Rei didn't have as much stamina as Hugo; he was only a child, while Hugo was an adult. Rei put all his remaining power into a single fist, and Hugo did the same. As their fists collided, a huge gust of wind swept through the area. Their fists remained joined for a moment, but then Rei fell, unconscious.
"For a kid, you did way too well against me," Hugo said, huffing. "Rest now."
Ganes came and carried Rei to the shade. Hugo then asked Ganes, "Who is this kid? Ganes, I would have heard if there was someone this strong in this area."
"He and Bart are the guests who visited us and want to train under us," Ganes replied.
"So they are going to train here?" Hugo asked. "Where are you going to put Rei? Don't tell me you will keep him under the kids' section; that will be a waste of his talent."
"That's true," Ganes conceded. "I guess I would have to move him to the men's section."
"Those cowards who are fine remaining in the last ranks after losing to a kid, they would learn to rank up," Hugo chuckled.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Ganes agreed.
Rei woke up sometime later. "Looks like I got way too into it," he mumbled.
"Your fight was way too intense, even gave me goosebumps," Bart said. "You never mentioned you could intimidate others."
"I just noticed that I had that ability," Rei replied.
"Fine, fine, I believe you," Bart said. "By the way, Rei, they decided to put you in the men's section because this stage can't bring out your true strength."
"Well, I guess I would have to train there only," Rei accepted.
Hugo came over. "Yeah," he said. "With your strength, you can easily defeat some newly entered candidates."
"That's just for saying," Rei dismissed.
"No, it's true," Hugo insisted. "You were able to put me at the edge, and I am way stronger than others in the men's group."
Soon, Eugene arrived, looking utterly exhausted. "This training session... I'm exhausted! However, I can feel my synchronization with holy magic increasing."
"From tomorrow, rest like this won't be possible," Ganes warned him. "You are going to train way too hard to fight."
"Sure," Rei replied. As night fell, Rei, Bart, and Eugene were given a tent to rest. They fell asleep almost immediately; the exhaustion from the training was too strong.
On a desert settlement, dead bodies lay scattered as a group of demons passed through. The Fate Demon spoke, "Rei, where are you? I need to increase my power if I want to fight Rei. Everybody, Get ready! We are going to start the infiltration stage!" The demons laughed, their sinister plans unfolding. While this was happening, Rei was peacefully sleeping in his tent unaware of the demons that were growing stronger each day.