Dein felt exhilarated at the brief used of his newfound power. It was strong, he felt pride from it. However, more than that, the andrenaline coursing through his veins made him forget all the pain coming from his broken right hand.
Well, it's really broken. Just fractured. He could still use it even though it's aching with pain. That said…
Dein grimaced when he looked up at his runes.
Soul Fragments: [8/250] [0/250] [0/250][0/250]
'Dammit, I didn't mean to take that much…'
With that single boost of power, Dein unexpectedly grows even weaker. Not just that… he used four of his hard earned Soul Fragments and yet he only got 28 points of strength.
Well, that's not true. It could also be that the gust of wind that was released were the few soul fragments that Dein were unable to control and assimilate into the punch.
He has no idea how many those were but…
[It's worth it.]
Serious told him and the other three in his head nodded in agreement. Dein agrees as well, no matter unfortunate it was that he got weaker in the process. It was still an experiment after all, and it's good that he has a trump card now.
A trump card!
Just as Dein was feeling a surge of emotion in his heart. Another excited voices erupted from behind him and before he knew it, someone wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer to them. Another one jumped on his back and smacked it.
"Not bad, not bad at all aren't you! Hahaha!"
"Jeez, 28! I told you to avenge me, not to show off!!"
It was Arthe and Nervig, laughing in excitement as they physically congratulated him. Meanwhile, Grob came chuckling as he scratch his head
"Damn, I really don't get it. You people have such small body and yet your hitting better than me!"
Hearing them, Dein couldn't help but smile as well.
"Yeah, I think I overdid it"
*****
Just like that. Dein managed to get the attention of everyone. For better or worse…And then, an hour later. More and more sleepers took their turns on the machine. The athletic ones ranged from 10 to 14 points while those who could enhance their strength go from 15 to 18 points.
The less athletic ones were the unfortunates that are probably going to be separated and given a tutor. They were those who got less than 10 points.
Of course, among them were the anomalies. Dein was one of them, though he did not actually use his strength but instead exploded the air at the moment of impact on the machine, or so Awakened Rock explained. That made people skeptical about putting him there on the "anomalies" because there are sleepers who could make the machine explode as well. Maybe even better than him.
Instead, they all followed the others and simply gave their very best punch. In other words, they deemed him a cheater.
And to be honest, it hurt his pride a bit.
But they're kinda right too so…
'Sigh… forget about it…'
In front of them, I new contender that made everyone held their breath stood in front of the machine. It was Nephis, Changing Star. Her mere presence made everyone excited.
A single thought forming on their minds.
'let's see what a bearer of a true name is capable of…'
They held their breath, and then Changing Star moved. Her body lowered as she took a stance, her muscles tensing and then it snapped…
It was fast and perfect, almost beautiful. A perfect way to throw a punch.
And yet…
"16!?" Almost everyone gasp in shock.
"Hey, only 16? Why?"
They started murmuring and chattering, some even mocking.
"Hey, I'm higher than her aren't I? I probably deserve the true name more!"
It was the beautiful looking guy who's was surrounded by women on the very first day that spoke arrogantly. Alongside him were other sleepers who mocked Changing Star as well.
To be honest, it's not bad. It's definitely higher than what Dein would get if he punched the machine with only his strength. It's just… less than what everyone expected.
Next that came up on the machine were, of course, the prideful Han Li Caster. He stepped up silently and took a stance. Then…
21.
That's it. It was a punch so fast that almost no one managed to see it. Before Dein knew it, a sound rang and the number 21 were already showing on the screen of the machine. Everyone was left speechless.
Then, a roar of cheers came from the sleepers.
"Whoa! As expected of Caster!"
"If we exclude the cheater guy, that one is the highest isn't it?"
"And to think he didn't get a true name. Sounds like the Spell has favorites!"
"As expected of a true Legacy!"
Applauds came one after another. Meanwhile, Caster simply stepped back and bowed slightly.
"Show off…"
Dein couldn't help but mutter under his breath. He hates that he's getting compared to Caster, especially being called a cheater while doing it, but still… he cannot help but be impressed.
With that, the first evaluation test ended.
Awakened Rock stepped forward again. Looking at Caster with impressed expression. In was a very different look than the one he gave Dein after his turn even though Dein actually scored higher. On that note, Instructor Rock probably also thinks he cheated. Anyway, Instructor Rock begun speaking again with a clap.
"Not bad. Now we will move to sparring and evaluate your general level of training. I need two volunteers to begin."
Hearing that. Everyone tense. Sparring huh? It'll be fun testing out Dein's new ability on an actual opponent but considering how he can't control it yet and how much fragment it expend, it'll be a total waste. So he decided not to use it anymore unless he actually, actually have too.
Furthermore, he wasn't even sure if he could actually spar with the state his hand is in.
Dein sighed. Before he knew it though, someone was already standing up and walking to the front. It was Changing Star. Beside Dein, Arthe smiled.
"Ho? Interesting…"
He tried to stand up as well but someone stopped him, it was Grob. The muscular teenager who has now became Dein's friend. He stood up and said to Arthe.
"Hey, come on. I wanna test myself on her first!"
With that, Arthe could only nod while Nervig encourage him.
"Go show her who's the boss!"
With that, Nephis, the Changing Star and Grob, faced each other. None of them spoke. Only Instructor Rock who explained the rules.
"The rules are simple. Make your opponent's back touch the floor or throw them out of the ring. Use whatever abilities or techniques you find appropriate."
Everyone readied themselves for the battle. And then, with a sign from the Instructor, the sparring begun…
And ended…
"W-what?"
Dein couldn't help but exclaim. Beside him, Arthe let out a sigh while Nervig shook in fear.
"W-what a monster!"
Well, no one could blame him for thinking that. After all, everyone here, except for Arthe and Caster probably, we're shocked from what they saw. In an instant, Grob lunged forward with a kick but with a swift movement, Nephis used his own weight against him by kicking his ankle and throwing him to the ground.
Her movements were fluid and deliberate. As if before the fight even begun, she knew already how to defeat him. And, well, she probably does. Dein couldn't help but gulped at the sight of Changing Star showing her strength.
Before he knew it, a nervous yet excited smile crept up his face.
Meanwhile, Instructor Rock gave her a cheerful look and grinned.
"Next."
Then, the massacre begun. One by one, sleepers who thinks highly of themselves stood up one after another. They where all of different builds. Women and men. And yet, all of them came falling to the ground one after another.
Changing Star wasn't the strongest indeed, she wasn't faster than them. Simply… more skilled. That's right… in the face absolute strength and speed–probably even absolute Aspect as the man Nephis is fighting right now is making the floor slippery for his enemy.
And yet… inevitably, Changing Star jump behind him and knocked him out with one hit.
In the face of all of this… Nephis is only using her absolute skill and mastery of combat to defeat every opponent swiftly without using too much stamina.
Everyone was in awed and soon enough. The number of people who were left behind to fight her were this six people.
Dein of Hearth…
Arthe who's sitting beside Dein…
Nervig who's covering is eyes and shaking at the absurdity of what's happening before him…
The flamboyant guy who's the first to insult Changing Star…
The strange woman; Meeka…
And of course, the one who sat there calmly as if studying Changing Star; Han Li Caster
The six of them silently watch the massacre… oddly enough, it feels like there's another one of them watching… maybe from the shadows? But Dein didn't have enough perception to pay attention to actually know that. Instead, he sighed and looked the people beside him.
He glanced at Nervig first… obviously, he won't challenge her. Then to Arthe…
"Nope, I was a bit hopeful earlier but now I know there's no way I could beat her…"
He said, shrugging at Dein. When the fight ended, Changing Star was left standing there like a battle God who just finished her war. Awakened Rock asked Meeka to step up next but she just sighed and shook her head as if it was too much trouble for her.
Now… that only left Dein, Caster, and the flamboyant guy named Shawn.
Before Dein could moved though, Shawn already stood up and walked towards Changing Star.
"Heh, I won't apologize for my mockery earlier if that's why you're beating everyone up. Anyway, the name is Shawn…"
Then he immediately lunge forward with a laugh after saying that.