The three Tiers of practitioners represent three different proficiency. Tier 3 trains for their Esper ability, Tier 2 trains techniques or fighting styles, and Tier 1 trains their body and mind.
For short, Sir Mike a Grade SS- 2 is also a Grade SSS- 3. When one masters one's ability, then one could immediately ascend to Grade B- 2, depending on his proficiency in his techniques. In fact, there is a test for every Tier.
Overall it just judges the proficiency on ability, body and mind, and techniques. The Human Esper Union decided, to make things like that for one simple reason.
One couldn't simultaneously train all of them at once, or more precisely one cannot master Tier 2 without mastering Tier 3, and so on.
...
Sir Mike looked at them, amused. It's only the start of the Entrance Exam but they already want to make a show. Looking at Kazuya's eyes he could see the confidence, it made him somehow respect these two.
It's not rare to see confident young ones, but Kazuya emits something he cannot comprehend. For his age, he can already release an aura that could match those of adults. He just sighed in admiration, before saying something.
"Okay then, young miss state your name and we'll start.".
"Scarlett Haynes.", she said before unsheathing his sword. She then positioned herself and looked at her opponent.
"Very well.", Sir Mike shrug and shuffled his spear, and start his attack. First is a simple thrust. The speed isn't something to look down on, considering he's a tier above everyone, a Grade SS at that.
Scarlett blocked it with a smirk, Sir Mike was unfazed as it was only his first move. But what he didn't expect is that the moment his spear touches the sword, a darker shade of shadow traveled in the shadow of it, entangling his feet and body.
Sir Mike notice it, but unfortunately, he struggled too late. One second, it takes a second before he manages to get out of the shadow entanglement. But it was enough for Scarlett.
The moment the shadow connected she parried the spear and with her fastest speed she slashed it mercilessly on his throat.
Without enough time to dodge, he could only use his ability, [Elemental - Water]. Shielding his throat with a water barrier.
With a sigh, he said, "Never thought a beautiful woman could be as cheeky as that. Anyway, that was a clever move. You pass, Class A.", he then handed a Token which says Class A, Tier 3.
Everyone was dumbfounded, that was it? It was only one move, and it was done? Why is it so easy? Never thought that would be so easy if they knew they would have volunteered first.
But to others who have sharp eyes, they looked at Scarlett with admiration. Not only she made Sir Mike use his ability but that strike could have injured him too. Using the element of surprise, she defeated Sir Mike.
They also knew that the move she did isn't as simple as it looks. To entangle someone at a very fast speed, to withstand his strike head-on, and the speed of her slash, it looks simple but it isn't.
"That was clever, but you're too reckless. Go to the infirmary.", of course, Scarlett didn't leave unscathed. The strike is enough to her bones to shake, it rattled. Some cracks could be found if you look carefully. Her hands are shaking at the moment. But it was nothing serious.
She just nodded and turned around, she went to Kazuya and asked for a hug. Hugging her, Kazuya said, " Next time don't underestimate your opponent. He's stronger than you but you decided to block instead of dodging.".
She nodded and said, "I'll go to the infirmary after your match, so end it fast.".
"Of course.".
Hearing their conversation, Sir Mike's eye twitched. Is he someone who you could underestimate? Not only the girl underestimated his attack but now the boy said he would end their match fast. Heck, that was arrogance.
Kazuya nonchalantly walked in front of Sir Mike with a radiant smile, not minding the gazes of people who are either angry for his arrogance or in-love with his smile.
"Kazuya Red.", he bowed and unsheathed his sword. He then activated the aura coming from his understanding of the Essence of Air.
Sir Mike nodded and turned serious. He may be an easygoing dude but he's not a weakling. His pride as a senior and a teacher will be affected if he got defeated by someone who underestimated him, again.
He shuffled his spear and attacked Kazuya. As usual, Kazuya diverted the force of the spear by blocking in a swift motion. He flicked the spear to an area where he could easily interrupt the momentum and the direction of it.
Unfazed by the block, Sir Mike thrust his spear again. But now with much force and speed. That also goes with the 3rd to 7th strike, with each strike stronger and faster than the former.
But every strike declined to hit, it was blocked in a manner that it would divert the direction of the spear. For short, each flick of Kazuya's sword targeted the weakness of his spear. Even just a little flaw could not escape from his sword.
This is the advantage of mastering the Essence of Air, he could feel the flow of air, as well as the changes. As long as there's air, Kazuya can find an attack's flaw. Well, except if the attack is perfect.
Sir Mike creased his brows, his attack couldn't damage the opponent. If only their speed matches then he would long be defeated. Every flaw of his attack is like an open book for him to read.
He closed his eyes and tried harder to perfect his attack, at his 8th attack the flaw is only the size of a needle but Kazuya still found it.
9th attack, he targeted the throat. In Kazuya's stance, it's the less guarded, considering that he just blocked the spear and his sword is lowered. This attack now is perfect, Sir Mike had a breakthrough.
He's now a Grade SSS- 2, his technique could be considered perfect. Kazuya notices the sudden change, but he just smirked. Two inches before the strike hit him, he flicked his elbow to slightly change the direction of the attack. He then stepped aside ever so slightly that the spear misses him by only the hair's width.
At the same moment, holding the sword with one hand, he thrust it forward to counter-attack. This attack is slow and elegant but it was an inevitable attack. Using a bit of Psychic Energy, like his battle with Butler Rio, he boosted the sword and it targeted the opponent's heart.
Luckily, Sir Mike noticed just in time and used another Water Barrier. Seeing this Kazuya smiled radiantly before bowing.
Sir Mike looked at him in a different light. He first thought this kid is one of those arrogant pricks, but hell he was wrong. The battle may not be as fast as his partner but it was beautiful.
He slowly walked at Kazuya and bowed, he then said, " Thank you for your pointers.".
Before the match started, Kazuya finds the spearmanship of Sir Mike familiar. It was also a technique he tried to master in his second life. It was one of the many.
Kazuya is proficient in using four weapons, sword, spear, bow, and dagger. But out of all his favorite is the sword. Still, his skills on the other 3 are something to be awed, even if it couldn't match his sword.
Seeing the spear he found out that Sir Mike is hitting a bottleneck on his techniques. He was on the stage of finding the weakness or flaw in his attacks, he would need to perfect an attack to breakthrough.
Thus he decided to give Sir Mike a little push. In each attack, he would only point where the flaw by attacking it. Sir Mike, the expert he is, found it out on his 3rd attack. He saw Kazuya smile and nod to him, he also nodded and they understood each other.
Finally, on his 9th attack, he discovered how to perfect it. But unfortunately, without using his ability, added that the limit of 10 attacks, he can't defeat Kazuya who is a master of the Essence of Air, the bane of weapons who uses force and speed.
When the match ended, he thanked Kazuya and exchanged contacts with him. As a little gift, he also put him on Class A, the same with his partner.
Everyone didn't understand what happened they are even ecstatic to see that Sir Mike is that is easy to defeat, humble as well.
Only the other Instructors and the sharp-eyed examinees notice that something change on Sir Mike. Few understand what happened.
The next contestant is excited and happy, unknown to most of them the challenge is much harder than before. They would use us a training dummy for Sir Mike, to be used to practice his perfected strikes.
Thanks to one person they would enter hell from now on. The culprit of that is already heading outside, not caring about the rest of the exam. Sir Mike said to him that he would contact him later to talk about something.
With that, he got one known Teacher as a backer. While walking out of the gate, Scarlett looked at him and asked, "Why did Sir Mike thank you? He looked very grateful, you even exchange your contacts.".
Kazuya looked at her, he smiled and pulled her to his embrace before saying, "How do you think I blocked his attacks?".
"Uh-, from what I know you would find weaknesses or flaws and attacking those to divert the force of the attack.", she explained.
"You're right, then why did I dodge his last attack?".
"Maybe because it doesn't have a flaw, a perfect attack. But that would be impossible. Only Grade SSS is known for perfected techniques, he's only Grade SS.".
Kazuya pinched her cheeks, it made her blush, he then said, "Exactly!".
She ponders for the meaning of his words, then when realized her eyes and mouth opened wide She looked at his ever handsome face in awe. Her look is like those who fall in love, deeper.
"You're awesome.", she turned around, her back is now facing him, before continuing, "Now that all of that is done, do you mind if we go on a date? It would be my treat.".
"Nah, I have a much more important thing to do. Maybe later.", he said, feigning his interest.
She just pouted, but as she is an understanding person, she said, "Okay then.".
"Come let's meet your parents before we go on a date.", he said hugging her from the back. Hearing it, her smile couldn't be brighter, she then said, "It would be your treat, how dare you play with me.".
"Sure.", he had to admit it. This girl just became someone he can't resist. He didn't know why his predecessor didn't fall for her, but he, slowly, he's falling. That day might not be far.