'How can they get you? Aren't you already merged with my soul?' Kai's brows furrowed as he continued to absent-mindedly trek down the road.
[I am indeed merged with your soul, but that doesn't mean I can not be extracted by force.] The System replied ominously. A shiver ran down Kai's spine as he returned his attention back to the road, only it was a second too late. He bumped against someone, only to bounce back and fall down, totally unable to budge this person.
"Watch where you walk if you don't want to lose your legs, boy." A harsh grunt followed the person's voice as he carried on down the street. Kai looked up, obviously irked, and turned to glare at the person's back, only for his face to freeze mid-glare.
A short, plump man with a bushy beard kitted in white and gold armor with the head of a gazelle emblazoned in gold glared right back at him. Kai did not know who this was, but the aura this man emanated made his pupils quiver and several cold shivers travel down his spine. He involuntarily looked back down, withdrawing his glare.
"Humph," with no further words, this brute of a man also turned away and left. What had Kai reeling in shock was this man's information that the Divine Mage System provided.
[Scan complete... Information compiled].
Race: Human
Class: Lord Class (Early) - Martial Artist
Health: Perfect
Stamina: 4,500
Mana: 3,200
Remark: A being far more powerful than you can hope to handle in your current state.
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Kai shivered once again, thinking about the difference in strength between the two of them. He couldn't compare himself, a measly Earth class, being to a mighty Lord class being. The gap was just too wide to cross in a short amount of time. He gradually stood up and dusted his body before continuing on his was home.
Meanwhile...
Rudolf kept his emotions in check while admonishing Kai, despite the surprise that threatened to burst through his emotionless mask.
'That boy... He's not some mortal class pushover like the rest of these villagers. He's actually broken into the Earth class with no guidance.' Rudolf's eyes went round like saucers the moment he turned the corner and was sure no one could see him. Of all places, he never expected to find such a talent in this backwater town.
'Unless...' His thoughts trailed as he cooked up a scheme concerning the real reason behind his personal supervision of this selection. 'If he's the one, and I get him, I can definitely gain a lot of contribution points.' Rudolf revealed a toothy grin, walking merrily down the cobblestone pathway that trailed through the town square.
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Three days later...
Many people had gathered in the town square, eager to begin the Selection. Most of them held the mindset of being selected so they could earn enough to have their families live comfortable lives. Some others mainly just wanted to make a name for themselves so they could live a life of luxury, but there was one person who had a reason very different from all the others.
Kai looked around, monitoring his surroundings while scanning the surrounding people. Almost everyone in the town square was a Mortal class being, with the only ones standing out being the simple guards in leather armor responsible for keeping them in check. They were mostly all Earth class, with the only exceptions being a few Sky class guards, who were obviously their superiors. The Lord class general he ran into three days prior had not yet shown up.
A minor commotion started up at the front before a short figure clad in white and gold armor stepped up onto the stage that was set up in the square the previous night. He clapped loudly to silence the whispering villagers.
"Everyone! We shall carry the Selection out as usual. Please separate yourselves into the following age groups! Ages 14-21, form the first line. Ages 22-30, second line. Ages 30-40, you can go ahead and form the last line." Rudolf grunted out in a deep voice as usual with his arms crossed over his belly..
Not wanting to waste a High General's time, the villagers quietly split up to form three lines. Three guards clad in leather armor walked to the front of each line with a red crystal orb in hand. They carved these red crystal orbs out of a rare ore called the 'Edge of Might'. These crystals were used to measure the magical energy that a being possessed. The brighter the glow, the more magical energy a person possessed.
One by one, villagers stepped up to the guard holding up the crystal and placed their palms over it. Those with magical energy, no matter how little, made the crystal orbs glow, while those without could not provoke a reaction from it.
When it got to Kai's turn, he hesitated for a moment before placing his palm against the smooth surface. A few moments passed with nothing happening. Just as the guard was about to chase Kai away, a dim glow shone from the crystal, confirming the presence of magical energy.