Hayato and Asher's gazes crossed, matching with each other for a silent tense moment. It was like the bustling noise of the surrounding crowd didn't even reach their ears.

Though, the more tense feeling came from Hayato. He had an intent gaze while focusing on Asher's indifferent face.

Asher was standing close to his duel than any other students, so it was impossible for him to not feel his overwhelming Spirit Aura.

Hayato finally expected shock, awe, or even fear, grasping Asher's face. But not complete and total indifference. The even gaze Asher had was like he found Hayato's fight was absolutely no threat to him.

And Hayato couldn't understand it, just how he can be so calm!

His sharp eyes spotted the Ranking Genius students and, beside Elsa, they all were surprised and shocked at his prowess.

Does this guy honestly believe his prowess above his?

An annoyed infuriated feeling bubbled in Hayato's mind, disdainfully scoffing at the thought that Asher might really believe he's stronger.

His duel with Zara was nothing like he had with Zeke. Moreover, if Asher really was going to fight, he would need to face someone even far stronger than Zeke.

And those people could be counted on one hand. Plus, those powerhouses all hold terrifying prowess even he would fear.

Suddenly then Hayato was broken off from his superior thoughts about Asher when he felt a presence magically popped up from right behind him.

His head snapped around, only to see Teacher Lucas was back on stage.

A calm smile was on Teacher Lucas's face, and there was a slight appraisingly twinkle swirling within his eyes. With genuine praise slipping in his tone, he began telling Hayato,

"That was a splendid fight. Your battle potential is indeed incredible. You can expect to see some benefits from this duel in the near future."

That was a piece of good news Hayato was looking forward to. He didn't get privately taken away by a Professor like Asher, but he could now count on having more future benefits than he'll ever possibly get.

Although, Hayato didn't let his thoughts show on his face. He simply nodded and jumped off the stage, quickly landing back in the same field as Asher.

Back in the same vicinity as Asher, Hayato didn't bother to spare him another glance.

But even without him looking, Asher could feel the pure superiority complex oozing from his aura. Just from one fight and not even seeing him fight, Hayato already genuinely believes Asher is worse than him.

Still, no matter what Hayato may be thinking, Asher didn't pay much attention to it.

Throughout his entire duel, never once Asher felt a legitimate threat from Hayato's prowess. Even his last attack wasn't much to Asher when he had compared it to his own prowess.

While Asher simply didn't care if Hayato knows this or not, he can tell Hayato would soon experience his prowess.

The person he had in mind to fight would probably shock quite many, even his own girlfriend.

But to even get to that point, Asher had to find that person. Immediately when Hayato defeated Zeke, Asher's eyes were like a hawk, diligently scanning every student he came across in the crowd.

Asher wanted to see if that person is around so he can simply nip this issue in the bud before it blossoms. However, he still couldn't find any trace of this person.

At this point, Asher half guessed he would need to wait for this guy to make some sort of appearance on stage.

Before Asher could formulate more on what he should do, his thoughts and all other student's attention suddenly shifted back on stage.

Everyone there felt a slight aura running through their minds, forcing them to shut up and pay diligent attention.

When the massive field turned surprisingly quiet in just a manner of seconds, Teacher Lucas began to address everyone. "Now then. After that splendid showcase, who wishes to duel next? Remember, showing off a similar outstanding battle potential like Hayato will only benefit you."

Murmurs began to burst about between the Competition year students once again. Despite the previous duel getting all of their blood pumping to fight, most common students truly didn't have a burning Will to go up themselves and show off their Battle Potential.

But, who can blame them?

Zeke was one of the strongest Early Stage Spirit Tier students in the whole Balreth Academy! He may be extremely low on the Ranking List, but he was still a genius they all could only look up to.

Trying to follow up that kind of battle naturally seemed impossible. Moreover, the only proper way to follow up that duel was to face someone even stronger than Zeke and Hayato.

And no common students were foolish enough to believe their own prowess could possibly match up to those geniuses.

As the seconds trickled on and there still wasn't anyone on stage, Asher was about to go up himself.

No matter what happens, Asher knew he had to dominate a top force in the Kane Gang. And whether that guy was here or not, Asher would simply decide to set another example with someone equally as powerful from the Kane Gang.

However, before Asher could execute his course of action, a figure blurred onto the stage.

Eyes immediately latched on who was so daring enough to appear. The students' initial questioning thoughts turned into utter shock once recognizing just who had appeared.

"That's-that's Kane Jayline!!"

Nearly all common students couldn't contain their terror when seeing the tall, black-haired, handsome young man on stage. His intimidating black leather outfit already sent slight chills up common student's spines.

"Wh-what the hell he's doing up there?!"

"He literally has no reason to be here!"

Jayline stood tall, imposingly tall, as his notorious fame spread across the whole field.

Even the Ranking Genius students narrow their eyes on Jayline, taking particular notice of him that wasn't there with Zeke.

The Kane Gang are quite a large bunch of students, and most of them wield great strength even the average folk can't possibly live up to. But, within their gang, there still were notorious figures that were far more terrifying than any one of their average gang members.

Case in point being with Jayline, known as the strongest Early Stage Spirit Tier student in the Academy!

Way before the awakening Ceremony, Jayline challenged numerous bottom Ranking List Genius students. And there hasn't been a single Early Stage Spirit Tier genius that could even come close to beating him.

With Jayline's already extraordinary prowess and notorious status, he honestly had no reason to go up himself. His battle potential is even known to the Professors; nobody could understand the meaning behind his appearance.

Yet, there weren't any rules that expressly prohibited Jayline from not participating. This is why Teacher Lucas only had a thinly veiled smile as he asked in a nearly indifferent tone,

"Since you are expressing an interest to fight, I can only assume it would be intriguing. Who do you wish to duel?"

Jayline didn't immediately respond. His eyes peered over to the crowds of students, doing a swift sweep over them.

Wherever Jayline's eyes would potentially land, a cold shrill washed over a student's entire body. It was tensely silent for only a few seconds.

Because Jayline's eyesight was like a hawk, accurately pinpointing two students from the rest of the crowd within a few seconds.

Jayline's gaze fell directly on Reese and Kylee!

Right then, Reese and Kylee froze in complete terror. Their eyes matched square on with Jayline's indifferent, chilling gaze. Completely out of their control, their bodies started to slightly quiver as a dreadful omen swept through them.

Jayline didn't need to say anything; Reese and Kylee could just tell a disaster may befall them.

Even while Reese and Kylee squirmed under Jayline's haunting gaze, his expression didn't change in the slightest. He started to say then,

"I want to fight-"

Whoever he was about to pick would never be known as another figure had suddenly blurred onto the stage. When students' eyes landed on this person, an equally noisy uproar burst throughout the field.

That person was Asher!

And before anybody could even fully react to his presence, Asher swiftly spoke first, in a firm, powerful tone.

"I will be your opponent."

"Woaa!!"

"This guy seriously wants to fight the strongest?!?" Five simple words nearly made everyone go wide-eyed in utter shock.

Although Asher already showed off a decent battle potential with his duel against Zara. That was absolutely nothing compared to what Jayline could do!

Moreover, it's only been a few days since that duel. There was absolutely no way Asher could increase his power so much to match the strongest!

Reese and Kylee felt a jumbled mix of emotions burst within their minds. They mainly felt so suspicious over this whole ordeal. For common students like them, they absolutely wouldn't have any reason for the Kane Gang to target them.

They were but mere regular people who fell in the crowd of intensely fearing the overwhelming might of the Kane Gang.

Reese and Kylee's minds briefly flashed over several reasons why, but in just a second, the most apparent reason clicked to them.

Their friendship with Asher!

They would actually stoop so low in messing with them just to lure Asher out! Upon coming to this thought, Reese's expression turned severe; his eyes suddenly glared dagger into Jayline's face, completely forgetting about his previous fear.

While Kylee's gaze never left off from Asher, her fist tightly clenching down in immense worry.

Over at the Ranking Genius section, they all became intently focused on seeing what Asher could do.

Chase, Leon, Anton, and Dane had their sights squared on Asher, already expecting something shocking to happen, just like with Hayato's duel.

Daisy, however, was the only one to take a look over to Elsa. She wasn't expecting much, but she did recall how Elsa was there for Asher's first duel.

When Daisy thought she would see the same indifferent face, a mild shock ran through her body as her eyes landed on Elsa.

It wasn't a massive reaction that Elsa was showing, but the girl, who usually would be an ice-cold stature to everyone, was now narrowing her eyes right on to Asher.

Just from her narrowing her eyes, Daisy wouldn't be able to tell much about her reaction. Still, she silently took notice of this, finding it highly curious something could actually make the Ice queen narrow her eyes.

Elsa didn't notice Daisy's prying eyes at all. She simply couldn't care as all of her attention focused squarely on Asher.

'You….haah….you can be quite troublesome.' A small breath leaked from Elsa's nose, feeling wry about Asher's stubborn personality.

Elsa, of course, had the utmost faith in his abilities, yet she couldn't help but worry about her stubborn boyfriend. Even she was aware of Jayline's infamous prowess throughout the entire Academy.

Back on the metallic stage, Asher and Jayline were facing ten feet apart from each other.

And contrary to what was expected from the Kane Gang, Jayline was already acting highly suspicious facing Asher.