--at the main assessable entrance some hours earlier ago—
Arthur's P.O.V
'huh talk about talents, this year's representatives are really something else… from the results from the first assessment, I can see that they're here on some serious business, though, I have to admit, this trinity girl is already scaling passed this whole exam… even without a sacred arm unlike caul and de Montfort, quite impressive though.' I thought while scanning through the results, smiling at the impressive feat of power, displayed on these documentations… until I stumble upon a certain report from a student. "huh"
"what's this, I haven't seen anyone scored a null, that's impossible… of course the student's power can be measured by the dorm… unless." I commented, as I made my way towards the dorm room where the first assessment was carried out, it was a quick detour until I make my way to the observation room to meet general – and have the full report for the combat assessment of all 12 teams… but for now, I need to check out something.
'I will check the system database to check and confirm the boy's mana presence score, I doubt that there was a fluke in the records.'
I thought while making my way to the room, as it was just straight up ahead. But the more I walked through the hall leading to the room… the more I felt the strong aura of something… something that felt far too familiar… from an incident that I hope to never recall back. I started to close in on the entrance of the room, with the walls starting to have some visible cracks on it, along with the aura getting even stronger. I picked up my pace and ran straight into the room, worried that something must have gone terribly wrong in there… but on arrival, I was too shocked to comprehend what was in front of my very eyes… "h-how is this possible… the dorm… crashed… it couldn't have been an attack or any sort."
I brought up the records again and saw the list of the student's presence on it, as they had their corresponding teams written just by the side of their names. I searched through the names looking out only for the 12th reps, and more I looked, I finally found the one who owned the null records… and the moment I saw the name along with the surname, I froze. "b-but father Alfred never had a child… could this be…"
--sudden flashback—
"this child is under my protection… and I know you're well aware of that." Father Alfred told me, prompting me to give way for him to pass, as I stare back at the boy and saw the strange black markings on his right arm leading to his upper chest.
'that child is far too dangerous… I have to report this to the monarch, just the very existence of this child is a potential threat to everyone… even when that titan is sealed in him totally… I can still feel the overwhelming power from here… dammit.' I thought with seeing them off at far distance as they faded into the horizon of the now setting sun.
--end of flashback—
"could this be the boy-." I was caught off by a very strong mana presence building up above the bases… is it an attack or maybe… "damn it! those kids wanna get themselves killed."
I moved so fast out of the room and immediately appeared in the combat ground to stop the lightning on time and course it just had to be a sacred gear… in hands of kids no less, thankfully for that.
--time skip to 2 hours in the observation room—
"thank you for making it on time supreme general Arthur." The general spoke with a high tone of respect, as he gave very short bow along with the greeting. I came in and returned the gesture, looking and observing the screens and recordings of the present and past fights, there also seems to be a screen that show the victors and losers of every battle… and to my surprise the 12th reps really put the 1st reps to shame… "yeah I know, I was shocked too… but I guess Alfred is really motivated to win this year assessment, and even from the first assessment I knew they weren't kidding huh."
"I know, I saw the records… and I'm guessing you're also aware of the vessel's presence too." I called out to him, just fixating my gaze at the boy's own battle status… indicating a draw with caul… though I have to admit his skills are very admirable.
"how could I have forgotten… I did die in the hands of that demon inside that boy… from the very moment I help him out of the dorm, that was when the feeling of that deep power became very clear." The general recalled with a solemn facial expression, but then hardened it once again. "as much as I wanted to do anything to that boy… the one who cares for him gave me life once more… something that I will never forget."
"I understand what you mean… the living saint father Alfred, really does live up to his name… being one of the only few monarchs to ever live after dropping the position long ago, inevitably keeping a significant amount of the originals monarch power… giving that it has not been fully passed down to the present monarch." I mentioned with a smile on my face, unraveling the story behind him. "basically right now… he's the strongest person presently to ever walk the earth… even the feat from during the great disaster of him reviving the damaged parts of the word is just a small testimony to his full control over the world as a living saint."
"of course, he was never one to be taken lightly with In the first place… even his top disciple was truly a protégé amongst protégés… the hero of the world… the strongest soldier… the face of judgment, grand general asura, the 1st executioner of the monarch and the sage dragon of the guild, haha good times." The general spoke with a smile, I just frowned at the sudden flash back of the last order he gave… and that last smile of content.
"he truly was a leader… may his soul find peace."
"amen" we both said at the same time.
--back to the present at the dispatchment area just in front of the starting line gate—
Third person's P.O.V
All the reps were gathered in the dispatchment area, as they all wore their training gear in preparation for the final assessment. Rin, trinity, luca and mark stood with a sad look on most of their faces, due to dante not showing up yet.
"where is he? Were the injuries that serious?" luca asked with a very unsure expression on his face, with him just walking front and back in a continuous matter, still trying to out a very logical explanation for this. "could it be that the amount of energy his expelled was too much… damn it, I knew him going up against that lance guy was bad news."
"he didn't have a choice… it was a pair up; I just hope that he's okay though." Mark said with a heavy sigh afterward, though just before the talk could continue again. The announcement speaker sounded with Arthur's voice booming out.
"it's now time to begin the final assessment, now please note that the suit you all have on, is for us to track you all and monitor your actions. When you're asked to start you, all shall head to your various coordinates to begin your assessment… but please note, that the moment you hear a loud fog horn alarm… then be sure aware that the hamjis are already let lose." The announcement boomed out, as the gate started to open little by little to reveal an open wilderness of trees and thick forests. Everyone started to get ready, with their gaze only on the gate. "points are added for the following action, defeating a high-level hamjis, rescuing more victims, or eliminating another team from the competition. The team with the most points by the time the timer runs time, will be declared the winners of this year's assessment… so on my mark, you will all begin!"
"on your mark!"
'come on dante…' rin prayed, while getting into position, along with everyone else.
"get set!"
'come on bro, don't make us wait so long.' Mark pleaded in his mind, hoping for dante to show up… until.
"dante… please" trinity spoke out, as the announcement speaker boomed.
"BEGIN!"
All the teams started to race towards the exit… as we then saw lance in his gear run passed them… along with dante looking back and shouting.
"come on guys let's go!" dante roared out and tried to run even faster, but instead got tackled by trinity and rin to the ground.
"dante! You're alright." They both called out and started to shed tears of joy while hugging dante to the ground, as he tries to break free from their grasp… but all in all was still enjoying the comfort. Luca came with a frustrated look on his face.
"now is not the time, we need to hurry up." Luca roared out but still gave quick smile of relieve, with both four of them smiling happily until.
"LET'S GOOOO! AURORA TECHNIQUE:
DRIVE"
"BOLT!"
Mark charge and grabbed everyone in one big surprised hug while zooming out of the exit faster than anyone with both luca, dante and rin screaming due to the sudden action from mark, who was just grining while trinity just kept her gentle smile as usual, as they all zoomed towards there location…
.
.
.
.
--far away from the base—
"hmmm let the hunt begin then." A figure in a hooded robe smirked, as he was hidden behind the thick forest surrounding him.