I was having dinner with Esta and Freya and we were having a wonderful time talking about our plans after getting the license. Since Esta and Freya were already becoming good friends, they decided they wanted to form a team together. They asked if I wanted to join, but I told them I had to think about it. I couldn't join the team without Gideon because I also had to protect him.
Gideon walked into the diner and his eyes shined. Red and black aura surrounded his arms. "If I manage to force him to use one of his techniques that drains the energy of his body...I can potentially put him out of commission.."
Fujo grabbed Gideon's shoulder, surprising Gideon. Gideon turned around and noticed Fujo's sharp glare. "Whatever you're planning to do to my brother...Stop that right now. I don't want to get physical alright..?"
Gideon sensed the terrifying aura around Fujo. Fujo was already a higher Tier person ranking at Tier 6-C. He decided to stop and walked away. Gideon decided to find another way to sabotage me. Fujo watched Gideon then glared.
"Man am I stuffed!" Esta giggled as she stood up.
"Yeah, that was a good meal especially when it was a buffet as well!" Freya giggled and pat her stomach with satisfaction.
I got done talking to Alethea then stood up and walked over to Esta and Freya. "Alright, I think I'm gonna head off to bed. My arm is killing me."
"Alright, me and Esta are just gonna hang out at the gym so we'll see you tomorrow!~" Freya waved and smiled.
"Have a good rest~" Esta smiled.
I nodded and walked over to the elevator and got in. I rode the elevator up and stopped at the second floor. I walked down the hall and noticed Gideon leaned against the wall.
"Didn't know your brother was one of your little bodyguards." Gideon said.
I stopped walking and looked back at Gideon.
"You know...I was always wondered what the drawbacks to your powers were. I researched the Crest of Deviation and read all about it. It is a Minor Crest coming from the Crest of Reality. It's only an A to S Rank Trial to get the Crest of Deviation. You're pretty strong aren't you. Why don't you show me?" Gideon asked.
"To fight someone who is at handicap is weak. Fight me tomorrow, I'll finally put you in your place." I said then walked off.
"Tomorrow is the Durability test! I guarantee you won't last very long.." Gideon smirked.
I walked into my room and went towards my bed, laying down on it. I summoned an apple and infused healing magic in it then ate the apple. My arm began to feel a bit better and I relaxed. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
The next day arrived and I got a text from Fujo. I checked my phone and noticed his message telling me to be careful and that Gideon is planning to sabotage me. I remembered yesterday when Gideon wanted to fight me. I decided to take precaution when wandering the city now. I got ready for the day then headed out.
I left the hotel and walked down the street. As I walked down the street a girl bumped into me and she stumbled back. She looked at me nervously and cleared her throat. She was a woman with pale skin, long black hair, gray eyes, and a curvaceous body with a medium bust. She wore a long sleeve black and pink strike shirt, black skirt with black thigh high stockings and boots. I noticed an eyeball made of octopus ink forming behind her and look at me.
I immediately recognized her. She was the Fifth member of Team Divinity who died by my hands because of her lack of control over her power.
"Hey you're Takame Iku from the Adventurer's Academy right?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah.." She said shyly and took a few steps backwards. "S-Sorry for bumping into you..!"
I watched her run off out of pure shyness and she disappeared around the corner. Takame Iku was a girl who ranked around Tier 9-C. She has a battle form that makes her clothing turn into an octopi like dress and gives her a variety of powers pertaining to the cephalopod. She's got a power deriving from a Zodiac Monster. I feel bad for her because no one really understood her because of her origins. She was practically forced onto my team since she didn't have anyone else, and I'll admit at first I was rude to her...we all were rude to her directly or indirectly. This time, I will do all I can to protect her.
I nodded then walked ahead to the academy. Freya and Esta were already there and I noticed Gideon who was also there. I noticed Takame there as well. I walked over to Esta and Freya. They greeted me and I wanted them to walked with me and they agreed. I walked over to Takame and they looked at her.
"Takame." I said.
Takame looked up from her book and slightly covered her face with the book. "I-It's you.."
"Who is she? Do you know her?" Esta asked.
"She's Takame Iku. The one who's ranked Tier 9-C. They even got on her the board as octopus girl." I said.
"Ohhh!!!" Esta said then her eyes sparkled.
"You don't know what I'm talking about do you?" I asked.
"Nope!" Esta giggled.
Freya smiled and held her hand out. "I'm Freya Sweet. It's nice to meet you."
Takame looked at her hand then back at Freya. She shyly shook her hand. "I'm Takame Iku..."
"And I'm Esta Yelbella! The awesomest and hardest worker here!" Esta smiled with her hands on her hips.
"I've...heard of you. You're the lowest Tier here..." Takame said.
"Gah!!" Esta groaned as a magic weight fell on her head with the word Truth written on it.
"And you failed the Reaction Speed segment.." Takame said.
"Ooof!" Esta groaned as another magic weight fell on her head with the word Reality on there.
I chuckled and made the magic weights disappeared with my magic. "Yeah that's true but she's still working as hard as the next person." I smiled.
"You're Shiryo Ragnarok...the highest Tier person in the academy. Why did you approach me..?" Takame asked shyly.
"You were just sitting here alone, and you kinda rushed off earlier. You just said sorry and ran off." I said.
"Sorry about that...I am not really that social and I get really nervous easily and...shy." Takame said then lowered her book from her face. "I wasn't sure if you were going to hurt me or not."
"Oh? Well you can trust me when I say I won't hurt you at all." I smiled and placed my hands in my pockets.
The director got on the intercom and we all got into our groups. "Alright everyone! Today is the Durability test of the Entrance Exams! This is how the Durability test will go. Our combat robots will rapidly strike your body starting at a weak power then gradually grow stronger. You will be recorded based on how long you last before wanting to quit."
The test sat relatively well with everyone then the exams started. Everyone went in one by one and started their durability. Since the combat robots were now on the striking end, this was like a test of both durability and stamina. No one has gotten beyond Tier 9-C this was in fact the hardest part of the exam since durability is an overlooked stat. It's always about the fastest and the strongest hitting person on the battlefield, but durability always takes into account.
Esta walked into the room and she concentrated her aura and formed slight energy armor around her body using her Physical Augmentation to create armor out of her aura. The buzzer sounded off and the combat robot began to rapidly strike Esta's body. Everyone watched in awe as Esta began tanking hits.
'Are you watching everyone? This clumsy girl...has been clumsy all of her life. Tripping and falling down many traps and stairs, getting beaten up by animals and even kicked by a horse..! I won't allow myself to fall anymore!' Esta monologued to herself. Her armor shattered and the robot stopped before striking her face. The bell rang.
We looked at the screen at her results. Tier 8-B levels of Durability.
I looked at the robot and noticed why they stopped. Esta's body was very tense as she had been overusing the technique. The Technique was a wonderful technique but like the Deity of Oblivion said, with great power comes great consequence. Unless your body is able to bite off more than it can chew, you are bound to suffer drawbacks. The drawback of the Physical Augmentation was similar to my drawbacks of using the Motion Paradox. The more you use the Physical Augmentation the more physical damage you do to yourself with the price of increasing your power more and more. The Physical Augmentation is a true double edged sword.
Freya ran into the room and hurried over to Esta. She helped Esta out of the room and Esta was extremely tense to the point where her body forced her to stop using the ability. Everyone could see how hard she was training her body. Her dedication inspired others to train harder.
The tests continued and everyone began to take their Durability tests. Freya got a score of Tier 7-C Durability, Takame got a Tier 7-B Durability, and Gideon got a Tier 7-A Durability.
It was finally my turn and I stood in front of the combat robot. The buzzer sounded off and the combat robot began to strike my body rapidly. The robot began striking harder and I began to use the Physical Augmentation technique. I boosted the effect by another 20%. Gideon watched the screen then glared. I decided to stop using the technique and the robot stopped. I managed a Tier 6-C levels of Durability.
"That concludes the Durability test! Now let us all move outside for our Range segment of the Exams!" The director said.
We all moved outside and I summoned an apple from my personal storage and infused recovery magic into the apple then helped Esta eat the apple. Esta's body quickly recovered and smiled at me. We all noticed a large open range.
We noticed a man walking up who was the director of the Adventurer's Exam. He wore a raven mask and had on a black cloak. I recognized him as the man who tried to kill me and my friends after we completed our first dunegon. He was no good news, but I had to set aside my feelings for him and just focused on getting the Adventurer's License.
"This segment of the test will see how far you can attack. All means of combat and abilities are allowed. This will be graded only up to Tier 9-A since we are limited in space. Now go give it your all!" The director said.
The Range segment started and everyone one by one went to get the best score they could here using any form of attack and ability they could, if they had one. Esta summoned her bow and shot the arrow, hitting a bullseye on the tsrget and scoring a perfect Tier 9-A. Freya stomped her foot down and performed a pressure punch, striking the target as well. She learned the technique from Gideon who did the same thing.
Takame took her turn and felt nervous about using her power. She inhaled then blasted a force of ink from her mouth, striking the target.
"Ew...Octopus Breath is back at it again." A girl said.
"Yeah, I bet she smells underneath too if you know what I mean." Another girl laughed softly.
Takame heard then and quickly hurried off.
I watched Takame then looked at the two girls as they laughed. I looked at the target then decided to try out a technique that my mom taught me. I performed a hand gesture and powerful aura surged around my body. "Ragnarok State...10%." I said to myself.
"Hm..?" Gideon watched me and noticed my aura turning into a darker shade of red. "What is that..?"
I channelled my Ragnarok Energy into my fists and the aura around my fists turned into a dark red color and I punched the air, sending a destructive force of energy at the target and the energy blasted the target, breaking it and the two other targets around it. I exhaled and deactivated my power.
"What was that?" Blake asked.
"It's a technique only those of the Ragnarok family can learn. It's a way stronger version of the Physical Augmentation called Ragnarok State. The Ragnarok State is an amplified double edged sword when used at higher percentages. The ability boosts the users stats greatly and puts them in an empowered state...but there's always a price." Fujo explained.
"Like?" Erin asked.
"Overextension of the power will cause burnouts and extreme fatigue, overusage will cause the body to fail or may even kill the user outright, or worst of all the effect of Ragnarok would destroy the user if it isn't controlled. Mom and Shiryo are two powerful people, but they are really aware of how dangerous their power is since Shiryo's biological father died when he went into Ragnarok State 100% or known as Perfect Ragnarok State. He couldn't control the power and the power destroyed his body." Fujo said. "My grandfather once said..."
"Great power...comes great consequence." The Crest of Absence said as he shined on my hand.
"Ain." I said and looked at my hand.
"Be sure to keep your power under control. All power has a consequence when abused." Ain said then the Crest stopped shining.
"Alright that concludes the Range segment of the Exams! We only have two more, so good work for the day! You all are dismissed! If you wish to see where you stand so far, your results are in the front." The director said then walked off.
We all walked off and I decided to check up on our progress at the front.
Name: Shiryo Ragnarok
Age: 20
Attack Potency: 6,942
Speed: 11,003
Lifting Strength: 3,992
Striking Strength: 8,899
Durability: 11,002
Range: 2,000
Intelligence: Not Recorded
Stamina: Not Recorded
Overall: 7,306
Tier: Tier 7-B
"Wow! I made actual progress!" Esta said happily.
I walked over to Esta and looked at her progress and she looked at me with satisfaction.
Name: Esta Yelbella
Age: 20
Attack Potency: 548
Speed: X
Lifting Strength: 967
Striking Strength: 1,821
Durability: 2,802
Range: 2,000
Intelligence: Not Recorded
Stamina: Not Recorded
Overall: 1,356
Tier: Tier 9-B
"Yeah you did improve! You started off as a Tier 10-B and now you're all the way up to Tier 9-B better than the average." I smiled.
Esta giggled and she looked at Freya's progress.
Name: Freya Sweet
Age: 20
Attack Potency: 1,543
Speed: 903
Lifting Strength: 1,380
Striking Strength: 2,124
Durability: 6,632
Range: 2,000
Intelligence: Not Recorded
Stamina: Not Recorded
Overall: 2,430
Tier: Tier 8-C
"I'm doing pretty good. These ratings are tough though." Freya smiled.
"We'll be at a higher tier in no time!~" Esta smiled.
I walked over to Takame and noticed she was stared at her progress.
Name: Takame Iku
Age: 19
Attack Potency: 999
Speed: 902
Lifting Strength: 1,101
Striking Strength: 1,003
Durability: 8,921
Range: 2,000
Intelligence: Not Recorded
Stamina: Not Recorded
Overall: 2,487
Tier: Tier 8-C
"Not bad." I smiled.
Takame jumped slightly and looked back at me. "Y-You think so?"
"Yeah. These are pretty good stats." I smiled at her.
Takame looked back at her stats then her face got a little red. "I gotta go!" She hurried off.
I smiled and looked at Gideon's stats. He had already left.
Name: Gideon Owen
Age: 21
Attack Potency: 3,957
Speed: 7,002
Lifting Strength: 2,109
Striking Strength: 3,988
Durability: 11,000
Range: 2,000
Intelligence: Not Recorded
Stamina: Not Recorded
Overall: 5,009
Tier: Tier 7-C
"Hm..." I said then looked at my hand then the Crest of Deviation appeared. "He's close to me."
"Yes. Even with your perks, I wanted it to be fair. That's why when I restarted reality, I wanted it to be a bit challenging. Like you said before. Strategy plays a role in winning a battle against those you are weaker against." Alethea said.
"Those weren't my exact words but I'll take it. I know he's gonna want to fight me soon. History is playing out the same in this situation." I said.
"There are fates you can not change. You are fated to fight Gideon. He is your rival and potential enemy. You can change his status as an enemy but you can not change the fact he is your rival." Alethea said.
I smiled. "I suppose you're right."
"Shiryo!" Esta called out to me.
I looked up and noticed Esta and Freya with Fujo, Blake, and Erin. I walked over to them. "What's up?"
"We were gonna hit the mall, wanna come with?" Freya asked.
"Yeah sure why not." I smiled.
We all headed out and headed to the mall. The director looked out the window and looked at me. He walked off and took his mask off then chuckled darkly.