...

After distancing themselves away from each other, the middle-aged man cleared his throat for a moment before saying "For the sake of those guys that didn't know who I am, let me introduce myself first."

"I'm one of the department heads of this academy, Serio Cervantes. And if things proceed smoothly as we planned, then some of you will be learning under me," he added to introduce himself.

After that, he swept his gaze at everyone once again before continuing. "Alright, for now, I need you to hold these crystals for now."

He then snapped with his fingers to summon a huge floating crystal in front of each group before saying. "Your test is quite simple; you guys only need to protect these crystals from being destroyed by your rivals. It is up to you who will be guarding the crystals and who will be on the offensive."

"This is a team royal rumble, so it means that you can fight each other or form an alliance with the others."

He then paused for a moment to summon a floating crystal of his own before continuing. "You can also try destroying mine and I will give you extra points if you are successful."

Hearing that, the pairs started discussing with each other, forming some plans that they were going to do. And when Serio saw that, he immediately nodded his head before adding. "And one more thing, I must remind you that this test is not all about winning or losing. All we need from you is to show us what you can do so that we can figure out which professor is most suitable to train and teach you."

"I will give you ten minutes at most to discuss your strategies with your partners before we proceed."

He trailed his words for a moment, waiting for the others to fully digest everything that he just said before continuing. "Alright! That should be everything that I need to say, so the rest is all up to you. This whole place is going to be your main battlefield so feel free to go on a rampage."

After that, he suddenly disappeared from his spot and left everyone behind. And when the others saw that, they immediately scattered and distanced themselves away from their rivals along with their crystals while discussing what they were going to do.

Unlike the other groups, David and his partner were the only ones that didn't know each other. The others were from the same county so it was natural for them to be familiar with each other and their strengths.

"Want to be on the offensive? I can guard this thing if you want," asked David while carrying the floating crystal by using Telekinesis.

Hearing that, the young man running alongside him gave David a sidelong glance before nodding his head. "Sounds good to me, I'm not good at defending something anyway."

"Then that settles it," said David before quickly asking. "Well, since we are going to be working together, how about introducing ourselves to each other?"

"Elijah Knight," said the young man in a nonchalant tone alongside a deadpan expression on his face.

"Oh~… I'm David Solomon," said David, introducing himself as simple as Elijah.

Elijah then gave David another sidelong glance before muttering with a soft voice. "Solomon, huh?"

Despite how quiet Elijah said those words, David was still able to hear it pretty clear given his sharp senses. He turned his head towards Elijah with a questioning look before asking. "Seems like you know something about me. Not the common knowledge I mean."

Elijah didn't deny nor admit those words. But he at least shook his head before answering. "Not me, but my Uncle Master."

"Uncle Master?" David felt that this guy might really know a few things about his secret background so he couldn't help but ask. "Will you mind if I ask you who this Uncle Master of yours is?"

"Eugene White," answered Elijah instantly.

"Oh! So, that's why," David immediately came into a realization before nodding his head. "If it is my Master's old friend, then that makes sense!"

After that, he looked at Elijah with a bright smile before extending his hand. "Then I guess that makes us quite related to each other. So, how about we become friends?"

Elijah hesitated for a moment before nodding his head and shaking David's hand.

Then the two of them immediately came into a sudden halt and looked in front of them with squinting eyes.

"It's been a while, David. How cold of you leaving us like that?" said Liebert as he stood on the path in front of David and Elijah. "We haven't greeted each other properly earlier. So, how about we do it now?"

Beside him stood Gendo who was looking warily at Elijah who was staring back at him with narrowed eyes.

On the other hand, David suddenly started chuckling when he saw the two blocking their path before saying. "I see that you two have grown so balls to challenge me now. Have you forgotten the lesson that I gave you already?"

"Lesson your *ss! If not for my master stopping me, then I should have destroyed you during that time," said Lieber while gritting his teeth and clenching his fist.

Hearing that, David chuckled once again before sneering. "Always making excuses. If you want to prove yourself then this is your chance to do so."

"Though, I'm pretty sure that you are just going to embarrass yourself instead," he added while looking at Liebert mockingly.

"Gendo, go deal with that swordsman. I'll handle this b*st*rd myself," said Liebert with a hoarse voice while glaring at David sharply.

"Just remember why we are here. And just the crystal properly," said Gendo before charging forward all of a sudden.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

On the other hand, Elijah also made his move and blocked Gendo's path while raising both of his palms in front of him. And before the latter could even respond, he swiftly thrust his right arm forward, lunging straight to Gendo's chest.

"A swordsman planning to fight barehanded? You are looking down on me way too much!" sneered Gendo as clench his right-hand fist before throwing a powerful punch forward.

In Martial-Arts, it was common knowledge that a thrusting palm blade was at a disadvantage when faced with a strong fist. Gendo was clearly aware of this which was why he threw a punch in response to the incoming attack.

But all of a sudden, the Umbra sensed a threatening feeling coming from the incoming palm blade. And due to that, he immediately retracted his fist and quickly leaned sideways to dodge.

Swoosh!

Despite his quick response, the thrusting palm blade was still able to graze his cheek and made a cut on it.

'A Sword Qi without a sword? This F*cker already achieved the 'Swordless State'?' thought Gendo to himself before immediately enfolding his fist with his Internal Qi before throwing a quick counterattack.

Bang!

Even if that counter was perfectly timed, it was still blocked by Elijah's other hand that was also covered with his Sword Qi. Though, he was still sent sliding backward by that power punch.

Wiping the blood on his left cheek, Gendo looked at Elijah with squinted eyes before saying with a serious tone. "I must admit that I underestimate you, but catching me off-guard once is already enough and it will not happen again."

Bang!

"So, if you don't want to lose so badly, I suggest you draw your sword right now," he added while taking a battle stance and enfolding his whole body with his 'Natural Force'.

Meanwhile, Elijah still refused to draw his sword and took a battle stance of his own before covering his entire body with a 'Sword Force' (higher form of Sword Qi) that was no way weaker than the 'Natural Force' of his opponent.

"I never drew my sword against someone without a weapon. If you want me to unsheathe it, then you should arm yourself too," said Elijah with all seriousness.

"Your choice," responded Gendo before charging forward to resume the fight.

In the meantime, David and Liebert were still not making their moves. Or to be more precise, the latter still couldn't find an opening that he could take advantage of.

Seeing that, David raised his grin even higher before saying mockingly. "Are you going to continue standing there? Where is that arrogance that you are showing earlier?"

Hearing those mocking words, Liebert couldn't help but grit his teeth as he had to admit David's current strength. Both of them were from the Dark Continent, so he was quite familiar with the strength that the latter initially had when he was still making his name in their country.

Liebert had already proven himself during that time and became an Umbra of their country. David, on the other hand, was still a no-named individual who was challenging all the other talents of their country.

But at this point in time, the current David in front of had already made his name all around the world and recognized as the brightest young Mentalist of their generation. And adding all of the experiences that he accumulated along his journey, his current strength was definitely something that couldn't be underestimated.

Hu~!

Taking a deep breath, Liebert calmed himself down before taking a battle stance while releasing his 'Natural Force'.

Seeing that sudden change of atmosphere around his opponent, David was sure that Liebert was finally taking him seriously. So, he also regulated his breathing before summoning his 'Spiritual Force' to protect his body.

After that, he raised his gaze and looked at his opponent with a serious look on his face while muttering to himself. "I heard this guy is placed sixth on the Umbra Rankings, so I should use him to gauge the strengths of those monsters standing above his rank."

...