Rukamon stepped forward. His eyes locked on each student. He was uneased by a darkness which lingered around, one he could feel but never track down. A ferocious aura.
Clearing his throat, he spoke up, "Listen all of you! This isn't a Deathmatch. It's a test to see your strength and record your ability and capacity to handle each and every move. Your results would determine the points given to you. 300 being the highest and 100, the least–"
"Mr Rukamon!" An A-ranked mage called.
"Yes?"
"Sorry to interrupt, but why should we face a low graded rank? Why D-rank? What about B-ranks?"
Rukamon smiled, "Do not underestimate your opponent. Not what you hear is true until you see it for sure. These D-rank defeated an upper ranked moon demon!"
Rukamon's words made the others gasp. No one had ever been given a mission so tough like that and survived.
"As we all know, defeating an Upper ranked moon demon is no joke. And these low graders defeated them in just one night!"
The boy who asked the question, snorted. He never imagined they were powerful.
"Okay. That would be the only question I'll answer. Now, Mr Snow will explain the rules."
Snow took his place. Hands behind and with a friendly smile.
"One," he started, "Don't hold back unless you know you cannot continue.
"Two, this test is among your points for climbing up the rank. This being for rank D which needs the total of 2000pts. Current points for each student are nothing but 1550 pts. And Rank A which needs 1.5Mpts to complete their training into being a full mage. Current points for each student, 500,000pts.
"Three, Don't overdo the match.
"Four, This is a strict rule. Do not hurt your opponent beyond the ordinary level which could lead to death. The penalty, Expulsion.
"Five, if the opponents, which are the members of each rank, fail to accomplish the task at hand, there is no crime against one standing as the last man who could help them retain their complete points if he only defeats his opponent. The probability of this happening, 0%.
"Okay now, with all that being said, let the match begin."
ROUND ONE
Ivan Vs Ikasho.
Ivan stepped out, his hands ready to fight a top rank mage.
"Looks like the first test has begun!" Ikasho said, posing in a fighting form.
"What a pain!" Ivan said, ready to fight. "This match is as good as over!."
"I'm glad you know!."
Ikasho rushed towards him with a speed he couldn't counter. Holding out his hand, he blocked the blow with his arms, this attack almost broke his bone.
"Not bad for an A-ranked mage!" Ivan smiled, not accepting defeat as he had a trick to play.
"Multi cannon blow!"
Rukamon's eyes went wide open, "MULTI CANNON BLOW?!"
"What's the problem? Haven't you seen a kid use a special technique?" Akio, who just came in, asked. "Although an A-ranked mage can defeat a D-rank, I won't just go with it happening quickly, would I? There always has to be some action!."
"Ahhh!" Ikasho leaped backwards, he had not a single smile on his face, the expression of pain and anger, because he knew his left arm was broken. More like torn apart.
"What's the problem? Don't know how to block such an attack? Oh wait, your arm's broken. What a shame." Ivan smirked.
"Please!" Ikasho clenched his fist, which glowed red brightly. "I went easy on you at first and that was to know how powerful you are. Now that I have seen your strength, let's finish this with one punch!. DEATH KILL!"
Rushing towards Ivan, Ikasho struck his chest, only to be shocked by him dodging it.
Dusts filled the air as he said, "Ugh! You are a pain in the neck!"
Ivan smoothly jumped out of the way, landing on both feets. He wished the entire kingdoms were around, cheering for his smooth move, "I'm sorry Ikasho, but I can't play along. Even if I don't have the strength and power to defeat you in this battle, I still have some sense in fighting. That being said–"
Suddenly, he felt a powerful strike in his chest. One powerful enough to cause him to fall on his knees.
'What is this? I can't move! My back it hurts'
Ikasho smiled, "Now I am the one who would be apologizing. As you can see, when I saw you dodged the attack, I simply created that dust in the air to serve as a medium of distraction. And my one advantage being super fast, I could easily slip behind you, striking your backbone with a painless hit. Also, combined with some Magic as well. Don't worry, you will get back on your feet in about two weeks time okay?."
"Tch!." Ivan looked at his side, not wanting to make eye contact. However, Akio smiled, he had long seen the potential in him.
ROUND ONE:
Ivan Vs Ikasho.
WINNER: Ikasho.
Special Technique used: DEATH KILL.
DURATION: 10mins 46sec
Ikasho: 300pts
Ivan: 200 pts.
Ivan remained on the ground, lamenting for not being able to beat Ikasho. He lamented until the medics carried him away.
ROUND TWO:
Lucas Vs Nick.
Both stepped out with a friendly look on their faces.
"Oh My goodness, I can't imagine it has come to this" Nick said looking deep into Lucas soul. "I am fighting my junior–"
"Shut up you lanky boy-"
"Lanky?! LANKY?! HOW DARE YOU?!."
Nick did not waste time to land Lucas a blow on his head, sending his body buried deep into the ground.
Rukamon and Snow looked in shock, while Akio remained calm. The battle he truly was waiting for was Vin vs Ita. Both top mages in their ranks, possessing extraordinary powers and reflexes.
He however forgot one thing. Vin isn't human and the one posing as Vin is a demon butler, Sebastian.
Lucas jumped out of the ground, ready to punch, but he paused when Nick moved out of the attack zone and held his leg.
"You are one boring boy! Take this!!!"
He again punched Lucas deep into the ground.
"Are you joking?!" Rukamon who always maintained a composure said. "That boy, Lucas, supposed to be dead by now but he doesn't act like any pain is affecting him!!!"
"Sure yes." Akio replied to Rukamon's shouts. "That's Lucas' one ability, The Counts Of Ninety Whips. An ability to not feel pain and not be able to be hurt deeply, except if the pressure passes Ninety percent the force."
Rukamon pulled himself together. Watching the fight carefully.
'These mages in Rank D are something else. Especially that Vin who hasn't moved a muscle from where he stands!' Rukamon said within. He had watched the boy for quite a while and saw he didn't lift a muscle. His head, always down, allowing the hood to cover his eyes.
'Why does he wear that hood? What does he look like without the hood? Is he hiding something underneath? Who is this Vincent?'