Had thought of putting out two chapters within christmas weekend. I don't think that'll be possible, but hey, I can try. Anyway, here's the next chapter after a long time. Finally coming to the climax.

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Several hours later, Kyte returned to Branch 4’s housing. It was around midnight and Kyte had already finished laying down the formations within his robes. Now all he wanted was some sleep to take away the extreme fatigue that had already spread throughout his body. Getting almost no sleep for the past week has taken quite a large toll on his body.

After arriving in his room, Kyte plopped down on his bed. He felt movement on the other side, and he looked up to see Rose looking at him.

“Welcome home.” Rose sweetly smiled.

“Thanks…” Kyte lightly sighed.

“Did you finish what you were doing in the training hall?”

“Yea. I made sure everything was correct before I left. I only wish I had more time. Oh well.”

Rose crawled next to Kyte and whispered into his ear:

“You need help letting out some stress?”

“....Actually, Rose, this time, I’m too tired. I’m not in the mood. I just want to get some sleep.”

“...Alright. But, if you change your mind, I’m right here~.”

Kyte smiled and lightly kissed Rose before taking off his robes. He climbed underneath the blankets and closed his eyes, hoping to get enough for the matches tomorrow.

The thing that worries Kyte the most is the actual strength of an S ranker. He fears that he may not even have a chance to fight back against them, considering that his actual power was only at the level of a Gold A ranker. The only reason why Kyte completed the rank-up test is because the Guardians within the simulation were quite unintelligent. Their power levels were also perfectly scaled to match the average strength of each rank.

If it wasn’t for the black light, Kyte probably would’ve been defeated by the last A rank Guardian. Even if he did somehow defeat it without the black light, there was no way for him to even scratch an S rank Guardian. That’s how powerful the black light is. Of course, when Kyte has only the most basic understanding of it.

If Kyte had broken through into the seventh stage, there’s no doubt that he would’ve put up a fight against the S rank Guardians. However, Kyte doesn’t know the true extent of his power after breaking through into the seventh stage, so he can’t really judge how well he would’ve done. Besides, it doesn’t change much. Since Kyte had used the black light inside the simulation, it had not depleted the quantity outside the simulation. So, Kyte still basically had all of the black light he originally had. Thanks to that, Kyte can use the black light to defend and attack. Since that’s the only way to even harm the S rankers with Kyte’s current power.

However, there’s nothing Kyte can do about that. He can’t break through no matter what he’s done. So, he thinks that the problem is most likely linked with the black light. His body is at the complete limit in power at the sixth stage. If he gains any more, it would be detrimental to his practice. However, once he reaches the seventh stage...even Kyte doesn’t know what will happen.

Maybe the pent up energy within himself will release in an explosive manner that may injure those around him or even himself. Holding in energy for a month or so after reaching the peak of a stage is already too much, but more than that? Kyte’s body is ready to burst open like a bomb.

Then again, Kyte actually doesn’t know. His universe and Sol’keer’s universe are completely different, from what he can tell. Plus, Kyte has the black light within himself, which can’t be explained at all. The black light itself acts like it has some level of sentience, only allowing a certain amount of its power to be used by Kyte. The more Kyte understands the black light, the more power he can use. That’s what Kyte thinks, anyway. He may be thinking too much into it, or he may not be. Only time will tell.

Kyte only hopes for something to happen during his matches, enlightening him and thus helping him breakthrough. Of course, if Sol’keer’s soul had recovered to the point of speech, Kyte would ask him for some guidance. However, due to Sol’keer’s situation, Kyte is all alone. As far as he knows, he is the only cultivator on his planet. He doesn’t doubt the possibility of others like him being present, though.

Thinking up to the that point, Kyte felt the ever-so increasing feeling of fatigue finally take over as his mind fell into the world of dreams.

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-Next day-

-One PM-

Kyte was currently strolling along the paved path toward the stadium for his first match. He saw many people walking on the same path to the stadium as well. He felt that it was only natural, since everyone would want to see S rankers fighting each other. This is especially true for Special Gifted and Mutated Gifted, because even a small bit of enlightenment could help them increase their power.

Regardless of that, the only participating person in the S rank matches that was walking to the stadium was Kyte. Probably because all the others were already at the stadium, or maybe some had matches at a later time and couldn’t be bothered to watch the earlier matches, much like Kyte.

However, when people saw him leisurely walking by, they could definitely tell that Kyte was an S ranker. If Kyte’s powerful robes weren’t enough already, the mysterious power from his formations within them created a majestic aura surround him that they couldn’t understand. Of course, when they saw the S rank badge on his robes, they were completely convinced to not somehow provoke Kyte. So, everyone along the path would quickly get out of Kyte’s way to not anger him.

Kyte secretly laughed at this. It’s not like he would actually get mad over such small things. Besides, his power wasn’t even legitly at the S rank level. His black light was the only thing that qualified him to be an S rank. His robes provided some defense, but Kyte doesn’t know how well it will fare against legit S rankers. Kyte doesn’t even know if he’ll stand a chance at all.

Regardless of all that, Kyte won’t back down. Just because someone or something is stronger than him doesn’t mean that failure is the only option. If Kyte had backed down in-front of all his enemies that were stronger than him, he wouldn’t be here today.

After reaching the stadium entrance, the two managers at the giant door noticed Kyte’s strong, mysterious aura that surrounded him. They were both shocked for a moment before seeing the S rank badge that was slightly illuminated against Kyte’s robe.

“You’re here to participate in the S ranked matches, sir?” The first manager spoke.

Kyte looked at the man and noticed a silver A rank badge on his chest.

“Yes, I’m participating in the match at two P.M.” Kyte replied respectfully.

“Ok. Please follow the path on the left and the first door on the outside stadium is the one you should enter. Your match begins in just under an hour, sir.”

“Thanks.”

Kyte lightly waved and began to walk down the path.

The man heavily breathed out before going back to his post. The other manager laughed at the man and jokingly said:

“What, he scared you?”

“He didn’t scare you? You couldn’t feel that weird aura around him? These S rankers are all the same. They all have something unique about them that makes them so powerful and suffocating.”

“Hahaha, well...you’re right about that. However, the one just now didn’t seem...comparable to the others.”

“That’s probably what he wants you to think. Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because an S ranker may not seem strong...they all have something that carried them to where they are.”

Kyte walked for about five minutes before finally finding a single door along the path around the stadium. The path split off toward the door, so Kyte leisurely walked up to the door and tried to open it. The badge on his robe lightly shined just before Kyte grabbed the doorknob, and afterward Kyte heard a small clink sound. Kyte turned the doorknob and walked inside.

Kyte saw a large room brightly illuminated by several lamps. There were four corners to the room, and it was as large as a small grocery store. Along the walls were couches, chairs, and tables evenly spread out between each other. Sitting in those furniture were several people ranging from young to old. And actually, the youngest within the room wasn’t Kyte.

“Ah, Kyte!”

Hearing a familiar voice, Kyte turned his head to see Azali walking toward him.

“Oh, you’re participating too?” Kyte asked, revealing a light smile.

“Of course! Father wanted me to completely reveal my strength this year, so I had to come and fight against the other S rankers.”

“Oh, that makes sense. But why this year? What’s so special? Why not next year, or in two years?”

“Hmm...I actually don’t know. My father suddenly came to me a month ago and told me that he wanted me to participate. He looked a little happier than usual, too.”

“I see. Well, it doesn’t really matter anyway. So, when’s your first match?”

“I’ve already fought~!”

“Oh, really?”

Kyte and Azali walked to one of the couches and sat down next to each other, chatting away about the different matches that had already taken place.

When Kyte first walked in, the other S rankers were flabbergasted to see such a weak Gifted. In their eyes, Kyte was like an ant. Which, without the black light, is completely true. Even if the aura around Kyte was mysterious, it wasn’t even slightly powerful in their eyes. They thought that Kyte had somehow cheated or bribed his way into S rank, because without sufficient strength, how the heck would he be able to get S rank?

Then, they saw Azali, David Wux’s youngest daughter, happily walk right up to Kyte after he entered the room. They watched and listened as the two of them suddenly got into an intimate conversation, and then they even moved to their own couch and continued to chat? What in the world? Who the hell is this guy?

Although most of the other S rankers were quite troubled by the sudden turn of events, none of them chose to speak out. Even if Kyte did bribe his way through into S rank, the only way to do that would be if he had a very powerful person supporting him from the shadows. That person would have to be far more powerful than David Wux, the leader of Sector 31. Who knows who that person could be, and more importantly, why would someone who has that sort of backing be here, in an outer Sector?

Of course, that’s not true at all. It was either that, or Kyte has a secret power that allowed him to reach S rank. However, all the S rankers present in that room couldn’t believe that such a thing was possible. How could an ant like Kyte possess a power that allowed him to close the gap between ranks? Such a thing has only been done by the most powerful Mutated Gifted and the most powerful geniuses from the Core families. How could someone like that be here, in Sector 31?

Regardless of that, Kyte even has an apparent close relationship with David Wux’s youngest daughter. Only someone incredible could possibly do something like that, is what they all thought.

Of course, they were wrong again. Azali was the one to come to Kyte, not the other way around. Besides, it’s not like Kyte was looking to befriend her. Azali had only greeted Kyte because he was the only other Gifted that didn’t have a rank at the time. They only naturally connected and continued to chat about different things, thus making them easily become friendly with each other.

“So, Azali, where do we go when the match starts?” Kyte asked.

“There’s elevators within the walls that go vertically and horizontally, so all you have to do is step into them and they bring you to your destination. Cool, right?”

“Yea, that is pretty neat. I’ve never heard of an elevator that does that.”

“Hahaha, of course! Something like this is nothing to my father.”

“I wouldn’t doubt that one moment.”

Kyte and Azali continued to chat and laugh with each other when the door to the room suddenly opened. However, the door was on the opposite side.

“S rank participants Kyte Stone and Terris Jack, please proceed to the transportation elevator.” A butler-type middle-aged man poked his head out of door to give the announcement before swiftly leaving and closing the door.

“Ah, that’s me.” Kyte said to Azali and he stood up.

“I’ll be in the audience with the others, good luck~!” Azali stood up walked with Kyte until the end of the room which had three doors. The middle door was the one Azali walked into as she left for the audience seats.

When Kyte got to the door on the left, he saw a middle-aged man step to the door on the right. When Kyte looked at him, he could tell that this man was definitely an experienced warrior. He was probably at the S rank level for several years, and had most likely fought in many different battles.

The man wore a single, long, black robe that reached down to his ankles. It wasn’t connected in the front, like an unbuttoned coat. There was a long, thin blade hung at his waist. The blade itself was releasing a gentle yet sharp energy that seemed like it could cut through the robes that Kyte was wearing with ease. The blade was pure white in color, and the hilt was a deep black that seemed to absorb any light that touched it. The man wore his hair in a ponytail that reached to the middle of his back. His hair was gray with random streaks of black that seemed to be fighting to not disappear.

When the man looked at Kyte, Kyte could sense a fierce energy that wasn’t previously there before. The look in the man’s eyes made Kyte suddenly tense up, because Kyte felt like he was looking at a pair of blades that was ready to pierce his heart and kill him instantly.

“Good luck.” The man said before opening his door and walking inside.

Kyte subconsciously gulped before opening his own door and walking inside. The inside of the elevator was silver in color, just the subway-type thing that Kyte and the others took to get into the small city. The amount of space in the elevator was quite small, but since only one person uses it at a time, it’s really an issue.

Kyte was actually surprised at how fast time went by when talking with Azali. He had more than forty minutes to wait but it felt like five minutes had gone by when talking with her. Kyte was beginning to feel a bit worried about it, but since his first match was going to start, he decided not to think too much about it.

Kyte felt the elevator begin to move. He felt nervous, anxious, and excited for the match. It was very possible for him to breakthrough. Actually, that’s the only thing he cares about. He could care less about the fame and possible fortune from the matches. The most important thing is his own strength. Without enough strength, it isn’t possible to reach the highest point possible.

When the elevator stopped and the doors, opened, Kyte walked out on the large field inside the arena. The giant holographic screen displayed Kyte’s and Terris’s faces and ranks. The crowd cheered, but mostly for Terris. This was because almost no one knew who Kyte was, even though he was one of the rare people that jumped straight into S rank. So, it was only natural for people to not know of a very recent addition to the S rankers.

The elevators went back underground, leaving the arena behind. Kyte faced Terris, who had already unsheathed his blade from his waist. A gentle yet sharp energy filled the entire area, causing Kyte to feel suffocated because of its power.

The countdown started to the start of the match.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,...fight!”

Terris’s figure instantly flickered before disappearing from Kyte’s vision.