Noah was quick to understand his situation once the gates opened and the groups around his passed by with most revealing expressions of contempt. He and his team had been the last team to arrive at the Maze's center, and they had managed to arrive on time. He knew that without the teleportation that they had been subjected to, the next stage of the exam would start without, meaning they would have failed the exam.
Still, they would have been early had it been for the Dream Druid that they had fought. But the other participants didn't know this, so they believed that he and his team were the weakest around as they had only been able to arrive a few seconds before the end of the exam's first stage.
Noah didn't really give a shit about that. In fact, he was relieved that they had displayed such emotions towards him. At the moment, he had only healed to around 70% of his peak state and he knew that anyone who reached the current stage had a decent amount of pride within them and would not bother themselves from approaching his team.
He gestured at his teammates, signaling them not to make any unnecessary moves. Actually, the gesture was more for Leonel as the youngster's hotheaded nature was spiking while he watched the looks of contempt his friends received. Still, he clicked his tongue and agreed once he saw Noah's gesture.
"Welcome all." A voice resonated from above the participants as they all gathered at the coliseum's stage, they looked up to see another holographic relay of Oliver Wright, smiling as he glanced down at them. "I should congratulate you all as you are one step closer to gaining entry into my academy, all of you are quite hardworking. I shall now explain the rules of the second phase of the Soaring Star Academy's entrance exam.
There are currently 527 participants currently within this Coliseum. Your aim is to reduce that number to 200. No need to hold back, we have our methods to save those in need. Oh and there are fake participants among you all, made artificially by this coliseum. If you manage to find and kill them, you will be granted a special 'Perk'. This perk can be used immediately or kept till later and have varied use to all of you. More importantly, it can also be used in the next phase of the exam.
Hope you're ready! Begin!"
After his speech had ended the children didn't hesitate to launch attacks at each other.
"Fuck." Noah cursed as he dodged a sword strike to his head. With a twist of his body and a Blood Essence coated chop to the nape, his opponent felt the lights go out and fainted. A flash of light erupted soon after, teleporting the poor child away. He had been hoping to take it easy for a while before revealing himself in this phase but the addition of Perks peaked his interest and tempted him to throw away his initial plan. "Fuck it."
In the end, he allowed himself get tempted. His Essence circulated, gathering in his eyes in a very complex manner and activating his Soul skill, Silver Dragon Eyes. He hadn't released his Battlesoul so the skill was quite weak but he didn't need it for something as advanced as reading his opponent's attack and Essence patterns, he only wanted to fish out the fake beings placed into the current exam.
"Let's go." Beckoning unto his team, he moved east while dodging the stray Battle arts that flew his way. Upon reaching his destination, his swords appeared in his hands as he executed Gale Blade and launched multiple Essence projections that cut the person before him in multiple pieces.
Upon his death, a light appeared briefly and shot into Noah's head, burying itself into the middle of his brows. Panic overcame the transmigrator at first before understanding dawned on him. 'So these things are as helpful as they sound huh.'
The perks, created by the Coliseum that he assumed was am artifacts, possessed multiple uses indeed. The one he had obtained apparently possessed the ability to weaken his targets by 30% but, unfortunately, could not be used more than once.
Still Noah knew he had an edge above most of the participants around him, he could locate the fake perk vessels! "Leonel! Three o' clock, green hair!"
Leonel didn't even hesitate, his body twisted as he spun his spear before swiping at his targets, tearing the fake into two and receiving a perk too.
The transmigrator also informed his two other teammates of their targets. Within a short time, the team already amassed 6 perks.
Unfortunately, their performance was soon found out by the other participants. "Hey! These guys can locate the perks!"
It didn't actually surprise Noah, no one who could reach this level was that much of an idiot to not notice anything by watching them. So his expression was exceptionally calm as he stared at the multiple groups on the other side of him looking at him with competitive spirits. "So what?"
"Hehe." A teenager among the other side, chuckled as he flaunted his Level 7 Intermediate Stage aura. "You seem to not understand your place, dumbass. Let me explain, if you don't want us to kick you out, tell us where the perks are."
Noah merely snorted at the pressure the teen was trying to apply on him. "You're wrong on that case, I do know my place." With a roar, his Dual Battlesouls revealed themselves, shining brightly onto the groups to showcase their Emperor Grade strength.
The multiple participants gaped as they witnessed the scene before them. They could not be blamed as people with dual Battlesouls were rarely seen on Mast, not to talk of someone with two Emperor Grade souls. Their shock soon turned to apprehension as they felt a restrictive force act on them. They quickly grasped how, Noah had utilized one of the Perks he had been granted. A mass debuff Perk.
Noah clenched his hands as he stared at the particular teenager. He had not used his dragonification since he believed he wouldn't need it, plus he wished to retain some trump cards. Suddenly his body leaned forward as if falling to the ground before he abruptly accelerated, heading straight towards the teen.
The teenager snorted, believing that he could still handle Noah with the restrictions placed on him. His fingers curved imitating the image of a claw while ice appeared to coat his entire arm. Once his transformation was over, he clawed at the fast approaching Noah, a smile appearing on his face as if he believed he had already won the exchange.
Unfortunately, his hopes were shattered as Noah suddenly disappeared from his sight only to reappear behind and executing a Dragon Fist, laced with Gravity Force, towards the back of his head. The teenager could only feel pain for a bit before his world turned black.
The transmigrator glared at the rest of the mass, who had been stunned as they witnessed the teenager's quick takedown, and assumed a stance, fully prepared for battle. "Who's next?"