☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Part Twenty

There was a practice field in each divisions building. It was located where the basement would be, but since they did not have a basement they had this instead.

A practice field is a giant space where students can practice their EXO abilities. It was made with the purpose of having students duel each other on different types of terrains under different settings.

The large space was built with a special type of material. Essence ore. These ores were formed from pure essence, it took roughly a hundred years for one of these ores to form. The purity in each depends on how long it has been around for. With each essence ore having their own rating ranging from D to S rank.

The practice field was built like a gladiator arena. The walls that were made of essence ore were silver in color and twelve feet high. It was built in a circular manner, and the boundary stretched a little over a mile. Inside the practice field were small blue circles placed in various places.

These are the bread and butter of the practice field, as it makes it what it is. They project a visual image across the field to set up different terrains, buildings, animals, etc. The images are not real meaning if you kill an animal you can’t skin it or eat it. If there is a steak in a house, you can’t go inside and eat it.

What you can do is feel the projections. You can touch them and feel the texture; you can destroy the environment surrounding you.

Just being inside the space makes everything seem real, but it is not. Feels real, looks real, does not equal must be real in this situation.

There are seats on the outer edge where spectators can watch a match. This area overlooks the whole field giving the spectators a bird's eye view of what is happening. If a person misses an attack and it just so happens to go to the spectator's area, they will not be harmed. A barrier protects them from any harm being able to withstand almost all S ranked EXO abilities.

Lastly, there was a terminal which activated the field. There you could determine the setting. It made it seem like you were the creator of your own world.

Darius led his students to the stands where they would be seated.

“The matches will be set up in a tournament style single elimination. I have already broken you guys down into a bracket. When your name is called proceed to the field and prepare yourself to duel. I want each of you to take this as a serious match, although it is only to determine which of you will become class president and vice president. This is a learning experience that everyone can benefit from as long as you take advantage of it. Try your best and learn from your mistakes. Cover your weaknesses while making the best use of the environment to help you win. Every one of you can use a weapon. As much as it is tempting to want to try every single weapon, there is, stick with something that would suit you.

First two up Nick and Frank.

If you do not have a weapon, there is a rack down below right after you enter to field. Good luck.”

Nick was followed behind by a bulky man with spiky hair. They both made their way from the stands to the field.

Nick watched as the bulky man walked over to the rack with the weapons.

Not everyone could afford a personalized EXO weapon. It was not rare for a student to have their own, but the ones who did were mostly in their third year or higher.

Reason being was that compared to standard weapons, EXO weapons are made for EXO essence which can be channeled from the body or in the air. Different types used different forms of channeling.

An EXO weapon could penetrate the hardest substance with ease. While a regular weapon would barely make a scratch.

Because the school was funded by the government, they had a lot of money to spend. Most of this money was used to buy materials to forge EXO weapons, which could then be brought on campus.

A sophomore student would need to save up for one, while juniors only needed a month's worth of money to buy one. If you excelled in school, then you had a chance to be chosen to get one for free.

Each EXO weapon had their own grade; the schools offered only the lowest rank. While you could buy a higher grade weapon once you graduate.

The bulky man held up a few two-handed weapons before he finally decided the Warhammer was good enough for him.

They both stood five meters away from each other.

Standing in the stands hovering over the terminal Darius started pressing buttons.

The plain white floor under Nick’s feet changed to a light brown color. Grass emerged in certain parts of the field.

Giant trees grew out of nowhere, and one could hear the chirping of birds. The Bulky man who was in front of Nick disappeared as a large patch of grass-covered him.

Nick could feel the wind push against his skin as he stood still. The sun off in the distance gave this place a realistic feeling. That was not what was noteworthy, what one had to take notice of was the position of the sun as it was going down. Making the environment a bit dark.

Nick activated his EXO; he did not need to have a visual on the big male. In this somewhat dark environment, he was glowing. Light red essence flowed through his channels. As long as Nick could see his channels, there was nowhere for him to hide.

He was moving through the large grass with his body lowered. From his slow movements, you could tell that he was trying not to make any sound.

Placing his hand on the sheath of his sword Nick dashed in his direction. His body was slightly lowered, he moved like was a swallow.

The bulky man ears twitched, he heard Nick approaching. He was not in the same spot; he even changed direction. So how in the world did Nick find him, and so quickly?

He gave up on trying to go stealth. He roared while the muscles in his body grew bigger.

‘You think you can charge at me? Think again!’ He thought to himself as he rushed towards Nick’s direction.

He caught an image of Nick and swung his hammer with all his might. He would send this guy flying!

Bang!

A figure went straight up in the air.

The grassy environment changed back to plain white.

Nick walked out of the field and headed back to the stands.

The bulky young man suddenly jumped up from the ground and shook his head a few times. The Warhammer that was in his hand was some distance away from him now. A ting of red could be seen on his face as he walked to pick up the Warhammer.

He could hear a little laughter coming from the stands which caused his entire face to turn red.