“Welcome to the Capital, Young Beasts!” An attendant welcomed the students with a smile. The distance between the Capital and the academy wasn’t that far. And with the plane Milosh gave, it took them only an hour. After they were dropped, the clerk took them to the hotel. Teachers would join them later for the competition.

“Hello, can you show us our rooms please?” Said a muscle-packed young man. He was in charge when there were no teachers around. His name was Eddie Wilkins, he was the strongest student in the second year. Miles had an impression on him, as he too was a Body Branch major. His superpower was, Strong Fist, it was also his moniker in the academy. His punches could penetrate the steel even without any Body Serums. Now, after using serums, his power was much, much more explosive.

He once saw him in Advance Body Branch class and Tutor wanted Eddie to demonstrate. The subject was amplifying the fist with energy to increase its power. With 4 serums, his superpower, and the technique, Eddie punched through an alloy Miles would consider impenetrable. It was safe to say if caught, he would kill his targets with a punch. Sad thing was, he couldn’t use his superpowers with other techniques even if he slapped people, the superpower would not work. Although that was unfortunate, he was still a deadly opponent. Miles was sure that Eddie was stronger than him when it came to the fist powers, but if he could catch him from behind, even Eddie would be punished.

Standing next to him was his girlfriend, Demi Orril, also known as, Demi-Goddess. She was Mihr Orril’s cousin from his father's side. She was a renowned beauty in the capital and her fame wasn’t any less when she went to the academy. Of course, her looks weren’t the source of her title but her powers. She had a unique power of Light Element, Holy Wings. Light elemental, holy wings, and supreme power mixed with her beauty earned her the moniker.

From what Matt told him, Miles learned that this couple brought the cup to the academy last year. Despite Marcela studying at Cross Academy at the time. Although Marcela was in the second year and the couple was in the first, so they haven’t really encountered each other in the competition, it was still a significant event for their records. Since Matt was a big admirer of Eddie and had a little crush on Demi, Miles learned quite a bit about them.

“Certainly!” The attendant smiled brightly as she showed the elevators. “Dean booked the whole top floor, and you all have a room of your own. There is a gym on your floor and you can order anything from the AIs in the rooms. There are also Spa, Sauna, and other facilities on the floor, so enjoy your stay!”

“Thank you.” Eddie too smiled and led the way. Miles and others followed behind and got into the giant elevator that automatically recognized them and took them to the top floor. Miles was standing at an inconspicuous corner when Coin alerted him.

“Trouble.”

Miles held onto the bar at the side just before the elevator started to fall down at a rapid speed. The floor number on the screen was rapidly decreasing. “What is the bottom floor?” He quickly asked in his mind.

“-50.” Coin answered without waiting. Miles looked at the screen and it was already on minus floors.

‘We started to descend when we were on the 80th floor. In total, we will fall 130 floors. The splash power is too much. I may survive and maybe Eddie too but the rest will perish.’

Miles calculated everything in a single second and looked at the floor number.

“Eddie, punch two holes on that side… now,” Miles shouted as he pointed at the side of the elevator. As soon as he gave the command, he changed his arms to daggers and pierce towards the other side while amplifying his arms with energy. He also used the first step of the Exaltedness of the Creator to increase his physical strength.

His arms penetrated the steel elevator and didn’t meet any obstacle on the other side, but in the next second, a wall hit his arm from below. He held onto the wall and willed his energy to stick to the surface. Although Eddie didn’t know what was going on, he too instinctively grabbed the surface. With both of them supporting, the elevator stopped its descent. But it was going at the speed of 300 km/h, and the impact on Miles and Eddie’s arms was gigantic. Miles felt as if his arms were run over by a train. Although he was holding onto it with everything he had, he knew he broke several bones. Eddie wasn’t any better and he too was sweating profusely.

“Open the door and get out,” Miles shouted. One of the second years forced open the door and ushered students to leave the elevator. “Now, hold the elevator steady, we will come out too.”

All the students grabbed the top of the elevator to stop its descent. Miles pulled his arms from the holes. His arms were purple and red, and one of them even had a bone protruding from the flesh. Several students cried in panic when they saw Miles’s arm. Eddie’s arms were intact but he too had several exploded veins and fractured bones. They walked out of the elevator with the help of the students, as staff started to fill the floor.

At the lead was a well-dressed lean man but the look on his face was shock and fear. “Who! Who! Who has done this?” He was crying like a mad man, as he urged people behind him to help the students.

“With all due respect, sir, but it is better if you stay away from us,” Miles said coldly as he looked at the people who were about to help students.

“You are all injured. We need to heal you. This is disastrous for my hotel!” The man cried in desperation.

“Wha—” Eddie was about to interrupt but Miles cut him off.

“We don’t need emergency treatment and we were targeted by the AI in your hotel. I am not saying it was you who planned this, but without confirming, I don’t want anyone from this hotel to approach any of the students.” Miles said without holding anything back. Students were at first surprised, but none of them said anything.

“I heard a lot about you, Miles Cross.” Eddie said with a smile, emphasizing the last name on purpose, “I gotta say, your fame is not empty.”

“Your strength is above mine.” Miles smiled back and nodded.

“Maybe. But your quick wits saved us today. I will not forget this.” Eddie looked seriously. His two arms were ruined and if he couldn’t heal them, he couldn’t perform 90 percent of his power in the competition. But he still chose to stop the elevator. This enough told Miles that he was a good person.