Chapter 7: !

He pinched himself extremely hard, and almost shouted in pain to no avail – what Vincent was seeing was real!

Even if he took rush pills, which would increase the capacity within a short time, serious side effects would ravage the body afterwards. In addition, if Vincent’s family gathered up all their wealth, they would still be drastically short of buying such a miracle drug. So how could a poor nobody like Fang buy one?

What’s more, the jury that presided over the examination were not ordinary; they had immerse amounts of knowledge to get to their positions, and if anyone cheated during the examination, they would instantly disqualify them permanently from every institution.

Slowly, Fang walked out of the testing grounds, while the crowd watched in dead silence.

If you laughed at someone who had reached this level, you’d just be humiliating yourself.

He arrived in front of the small figure. “Mii, I didn’t let you down, right?”

Mii’s mouth was wide open, and couldn’t believe her eyes. But after hearing Fang’s voice, she snapped back, ecstatic. “I’m not dreaming, am I master? Are you really a 9th grade novice?”

Fang laughed. “You really were dreaming, but that was in the past. Now, the nightmare is over!”

The happy mood was a stark contrast to where Vincent was, who was fuming in jealousy. Making such a miraculous breakthrough into that rank infuriated him. And it was even worse that it was during this exam, so he wasn’t sure that he could get the top score.

This entrance examination was perhaps the most important event for small cities like Victoria City. Happening every decade, it took the top scorers from each city and gave a scholarship into an intermediate school, from which the students could make their entry based on their results into the famous colleges in the capital cities.

In other words, as long as you could get the top score in your city, you were guaranteed entrance into a prestigious college.

Although that was valuable itself, the real value was in the intermediate school. An elite training camp where for two months, instructors from all around the country gathered to help young talents grow.

The examination came to a close, and one of the judges came in front of Fang and Vincent. “I’m extremely happy that in today’s entrance examination, two outstanding talents at the same stage were present. However, according to the rules, only one person can be recommended. So, to decide the recipient, we propose an even fight between you two, do both sides agree?”

Vincent immediately said, “I agree!”

Fang also replied, “I agree!”

The judge nodded. “Well, in that case, the battle will take place tomorrow morning – go back, rest and get ready.”

--- --- ---

That night, Victoria City lit up, with loud, boastful voices sharing warm drinks through the streets.

“Damn Fang!” Vincent shouted in rage. In his mind, Fang was another ant waiting to be trampled on, but today, he posed a risk to his future!

A well-dressed girl came in with a tray of tea, speaking coyly, “Master, there’s no need to make such a big fuss, after all, it’s just Fang.”

Vincent frowned, even if his maid looked relatively pretty, she couldn’t compare with Mii. He felt extremely miserable, now that Fang was a 9th grade novice, it’d be difficult to take Mii away from him. And this examination wouldn’t stop Fang from advancing; with his talent, he could get into another excellent college.

His face started souring, and increasing irritated, he swept his hands at the maid – in an instant, the tea fell with a crash to the ground. “Go away, don’t bother me!”

Frightened, the maid clumsily picked up the broken glass on the floor and tried to quickly leave, limping out the door.

Vincent sat in his chair, hands crumpled against his head. A man rudely interrupted his reverie as he strode in. Vincent was about to let fly insults but paled when he saw who it was. “Father?”

“Son, I’ve mentioned many times you should control your anger.”

“Father, I know that,” he muttered. “Today’s events were too much, who does Fang think he is to show off so arrogantly?”

“I understand how you feel, but his strength was the truth. However, you should think about how you can solve this problem.” He paused. “If you think carefully, this is an extremely good opportunity!”

“A good opportunity?” Puzzled, Vincent looked at his father.

“According to my observations, Fang is indeed a 9th grade novice, but he has just recently gotten to this stage. Tomorrow, when you fight, you can continuously attack and exhaust his strength. After his defense has dwindled…” A cold light came into his eyes. “Son, during this fight, even if there are casualties, no one is responsible. Therefore, there’s a chance that we can happily reunite Fang with his parents!”

Vincent’s eyes lit up.

Suddenly, this examination seemed so wonderful!

With a vicious grin on his face, Vincent whispered, “Father, even if I don’t manage to kill Fang, I’ll just accidentally cripple him!”

“Well, that depends on you!” He patted Vincent’s shoulders as a sinister smile rose.

Fang had unexpectedly become a 9th grade novice – he was sure to become a huge threat in the future. Showing this level of improvement was unreal; if he grows up, he could restore his family’s position and oust the Vincent family’s standing.

Just like his parents, Vincent’s father smirked, Fang will “accidentally” meet an unfortunate, untimely death.

--- --- ---

As the sun broke through the horizon, people hurriedly crowded in front of the training grounds. Although the entrance examination was over, the battle that was to happen today had been publicized throughout the city from gossip spread over mugs of hearty beer and bread. Bets were taken; this fight was sure to be quite memorable as it was the clash of the two famous families.

Vincent and Fang were already on the grounds, a tense, hostile air separating the two. No words were needed.

The eleven judges arrived, neither late nor early. Once they were comfortably seated, a judge moved in front of Fang and Vincent, and announced in a loud voice, “This fight will be fairly fought without any weapons or external help. There is no time limit, and the combatants may not leave the battlefield. Both sides forsake any responsibility to the conditions of the competitors after the fight. The fight will be decided when a person loses consciousness or is unable to fight, and the winner will receive a recommendation into the intermediate school. Are there any questions?”

In rare unison, Fang and Vincent declared, “No!”

“Well, then, I pronounce… the fight shall begin!” The judge rushed out of the training grounds.

Energy covered both Fang and Vincent’s bodies as they glared at each other. Warily, they circled the area, until suddenly, Vincent rushed towards Fang.

Fists met fists, and a small shockwave resonated between the figures as they backed off. It looked like the outcome of that exchange was extremely close.

Although Vincent had no disadvantage, he frowned, because his father said that since Fang recently became a 9th grade novice, he should have the advantage.