Cross followed Carter around, he then spotted a boulder with some kind of inscriptions into it. It was a tall boulder with 8 crystals embedded in it.

" Hey! what's that?" Asked Cross

" that's a strength measuring pole! a magical artifact! You activate it then strike the space in front of it and depending on how much resistance you break through! It deteremines your strength!"

" what you've never seen it? wanna try?"

"Of course not! We do not have this in our village!" replied Cross

So he's from a village! a good candidate indeed! thought Carter then he said :

" Come let's measure your strength!"

"Sure!" Cross said with an excited tone!

" how many times can I punch?" asked Cross

" 3 times after activation then you have to activate it again" Carter

"Ok!"

Cross waited for Carter to activate it he then stepped forward. Gripped his fist and punched casually , he felt the air in front of him resist his punch! after the punch stopped mid air, 2 crystal lit up!

Carter was surprised! like truly surprised, a casual punch lit up 2 crystals! he asked:

" how much of your strength did you use just now?!"

" about 30%" replied Cross!

Carter was dumstruck! This youth was a freak, he definitely had innate supernatural strength!

" punch with all your strength!"

"Sure!"

Cross tightened his hands , got into a stance, closed his eyes to calm down and focus! Carter nodded appraisingly, he liked this brat more and more!

Cross then striked his feet sank in the earth and used his waist to rotate adding much strength to the punch! 3 crystals lit up full while the fourth only lit up to about 60%! Cross truly exerted 100% this time! He turned around and asked:

" how was that?" he truly did not understand the crystal system!

Carter was finding it hard to swallow! how old was this brat yet he could light up 3 and a half crystals! he was sure Cross didn't grasp what it meant!

" Did you learn precise control? who's your teacher?" asked carter

" what's that?" asked Cross back with a foolish look!

" most people can only exert 80% at most of their strength yet you can use a 100%! that's called precise control!"

"oh that! I realised this issue so I trained it myself! by using the axe to slice trees and stones even at water sometimes leaving a smooth surface was when i fully grasped control over my axe and then it was easier as i had more control of my body , using it on fists was only a matter of time!"

" Truly a talent! indeed!" sighed carted but his eyes still bright

" come let's go!" Carter said

" But I still Have 1 more try !" Cross

" you already used 100% what more can you do?" Carter

" You'll see" Cross turned around and unleashed "Overdrive" to exert 130% now! a 10% improvement with no side effects! He then punched! 4 crystals lit up!

Carter's jaw fell! he stuttered a bit

"Ho-how- how did you do that???"

" Ability I gained in my awakening called Over Drive!"

Carter shut his mouth no longer talking, this was already too much, His strentgh already belongs to the top 5 captains!

Cross would not say he trained this skill as that was truly uncommon! but he could explain it as such! he did not use berserk and kept it for the fight!

When they reached the ring Carter said :

" you already qualify for a captain and I'll tell you where you'll be assigned! now tell me your name and age!" Carter demanded

Cross seeing his mission accomplished and knowing that they won't let him go now even if he stated his age!

"Cross, 14 years old!"

Carter stood there silent! looked at him serenely and then said:

"Don't joke around ! state your real age Cross!"

Cross shut up, put his hands into his pockets and gave him his identification!

Carter panicked when confirming his age this was talent!!! a genius! he sighed and said:

" It seems we'll have a change of plans! Come let's see your battle experience! we'll fight barehanded!"

then both of them got into the ring and started to ready themselves for the fight!

Cross then took the intiative to launch a fist , which Carter blocked effortlessly! Cross punched once again this using barely much strength in the first fist followed by a fist that actually had some strength but all of this was a decoy for the kick that was aimed at the knee of Carter Blocked both fists and retreated dodging the kick !

The fight kept on going as such. more and more people got their attention attracted by the fight! even some higher ups!

"wow! look at that young man going!" someone said

" yeah! he's holding his own against Chief Carter!" another one stated

" He definitely has the strength of the top 10 captains!"

" Top 5 you should say!"

The fight was looking like a stalemate but what was happening in the ring was different until Cross abruptly stopped.

" what , can't beat me?" Carter asked with a smile

" Indeed as such! I can't beat you! From what you said before, you are no captaion, this fight indeed proves so! But i Still have a card in hand If you manage to defend I admit Defeat! Get Ready!"

" OK! show me what You got!"

Cross simultaneously activated "Overdrive" and "Berserk"! His strength shot up to a new realm! He advanced forward punches and kicks much more ferocious with a lot more strength into it, no longer compared to before!

"Sentient warrior!" shouted Carter deeply astonished! This time he no longer dared to keep his hand and fought with Cross on Equal grounds yet The war inside his mind affected him! Cross was only 14 and was a sentient warrior who had the ability to increase his strength by more than doublefold! battle prowess even more! He indeed is wasted as a captain he started having something else in mind!

" Holy shit! a young sentient warrior!"

" what the hell ! his strength now is equal to chiefs!!"

" where the hell did this guy come from and where was hiding all this time!"

They fought as equals for 15 minutes this time it was truly a draw! no one could gain the upperhand!

" hey my ability is about to run out! If You defend this Strike you win! I'll use my axe!" said Cross

" OK!" Carter nodded deeply and worked up his defenses to a maximum not daring to hold back! Getting his axe in hand as well.

Cross nodded and uncovered his axe! The moment Carter saw it his head went blank! All defenses dropped! Cross noticed this and when he was about to ask , he got asked:

" where did you get that axe?"

" it's my family heirloom!"

" who's Rolland to you?"

"you know my father?"

" Ahahhahahahahahaha" Carter burst out laughing, he dropped his axe and laughed like a maniac

" I was wondering why the name Cross rang a bell! Indeed your physique and face are similar to Rolland! Well aren't you all grown up now?!"

" what do you mean?" asked Cross puzzled!

" Rolland is my half brother! I am your uncle! and you're my nephew!" Carter said with a smile

" how come I don't know about this?" Asked Cross still not believing

" How's little Vince and little Eric? well , it's normal you couldn't recognize me, I only saw you before you opened your eyes! the day of your birth and look at this axe" The axe had the same symbol as the one Cross had.

" but how come we never saw you again?!" Cross somewhat believed after he mentioned his brothers! no one knew them in this city!

" well Your dad and I fought for Elena's Love, he won! we were close as kids but after Elena chose him I distanced myself and started focusing on training while he wanted to build a family and continue our bloodline."

" ah ! well this is awkward!" said Cross while scratching his head, this guy , his uncle used to be in love with his mother!

" ahahahha! don't mention the past! It's already gone! I thought you were a genius and who thought we were family! hahahah our family is indeed destined for greatness!"

" who is this talented young man?" Asked a deep voice dragging all attention to it.