The boy started to walk around the place until he found an empty sofa. He threw himself onto the furniture, still exhausted from using Transcendentia. Grabbing a soda and an energy drink, the boy began sipping while replaying his last fight in his head.
This was the first time he used this spell in a real fight. The result was better than he expected, but it was clear that it was a finishing move, as he practically became useless after using it.
A few minutes later, Kayden was comfortable, lying on the couch and drinking his soda. He had already spent all of his previous fight in his head, but he still had his eyes closed, resting.
'I can get used to this.' The boy laughed to himself.
Unfortunately, his moment of pleasure was interrupted by a voice above his head.
"Mister Kayden?" When the boy opened his eyes, he was faced with a teenager with shaved hair and yellow eyes wearing a tunic. There were several other people around him, but only this one called him.
"Hello? I know you?" Kayden didn't remember seeing this teenager before at school.
"In truth no. But I know your fame and, therefore, I want to ask you to join your team, Mr. Kayden!" Fame? Since when did he have any? Only if it's your lower-class talent. And what was this respectful and formal treatment on the part of the boy?
When Kayden sat down, he noticed that a circle of people had formed around his couch. Irritating. He should put an end to this once and for all, otherwise, he would be harassed whenever he came to this place.
"Hello everyone, I know you want to ask to join my team, but know that I have an innate Class 1 talent." Again, the same reaction emerged from the public: first surprise, then contempt.
"Trash."
"Waste of vacancies."
"How did he do?"
Phrases like this were said from all sides. Kayden didn't care. This time, he was already prepared. Why should he care about sheep that needed to be in a flock for strength?
The boy was about to return to his position on the sofa and take a good nap, but, beyond his expectations, some people remained. Among them was the boy with yellow eyes. Before Kayden could say anything, the bald man spoke up:
"Don't worry about it, Mr. Kayden. I don't mind at all." His eyes conveyed all his sincerity. Some people around nodded their heads.
Kayden wasn't prepared to get to this point. He hadn't even thought about putting together a team, because, firstly, he didn't even know that fights were in teams. Letting out a sigh, he sat up straight and turned to the teen.
"What's your name and…?" Before he could continue, he was interrupted by the bald man.
"Carlos, sir!!" The boy seemed to be... excited, that was the best word to describe his personality.
"Ah, right, Carlos. I hope I can ask you a few questions before choosing to accept you into the team..."
"Of course sir." Again he was interrupted, and a small vein popped out on Kayden's forehead.
"First, stop interrupting me…"
"Sorry sir." Another vein popped out of his head.
"Why are you guys so desperate to join a team?" Kayden was curious about this point, hadn't they gotten in here for their friends?
"I noticed that you don't seem to know anything around here, sir, I'll explain it from the basics then." Carlos tried to appear helpful. "Many people here buy the elite student pass to become a guest, the problem is that it only lasts 6 months and you are unable to enter again for 1 year."
This cleared Kayden's doubts, only those that had at least one elite in their composition were considered official teams, which is why there were so many students desperate to join their team.
"I understand, introduce yourselves briefly, name, specialization, and rank." Kayden didn't want to get too close to people who wouldn't join his team, so he tried to make it as quick as possible.
"Carlos, close-range combat using fists, I'm in the 4th rank." As soon as the first one introduced himself, the others started too.
"Helena, mage specializing in offensive wind spells, I'm in the 5th rank."
"Marcus, mage specializing in support, I'm in the 5th rank."
At least 12 people were around Kayden and spoke out. As soon as they finished, the boy asked for a few minutes to think. He quickly concluded he didn't want those with higher cultivation or who were better.
Strength can be cultivated. The only thing that can't is personality. What was he looking for? Simple, determined, and focused. If he just asked, everyone would respond that they had this quality.
It was time to start testing.
"Those who want to be part of my team must first write 100 pages detailing their way of fighting and all their qualities. It must be at least 100 pages." It took a few seconds for the people around him to understand what he asked, in a matter of the blink of an eye, the 12 people became just 8.
But that was still 4 more than Kayden needed. Well, he already eliminated the lazy ones, now it was time to test the cowards.
"Does anyone have a notebook and pencil?" Again, people were surprised by the boy's actions, but someone quickly gave him what he asked for. "I'm going to do a test, there is no right answer, but bear in mind that I will choose the ones I think are best." The boy gave each person a piece of paper. "Imagine you are on a new continent..."
Finally, there were only 3 people left around Kayden. Surprisingly, one of them was Carlos, with his shiny bald head and golden eyes, his impeccable tunic, and infectious smile.
"What was the right answer?" A tall blue-haired girl asked Kayden. She wore a light dress with the appearance of someone who had never fought in her life. If Kayden wasn't mistaken, she was an offensive water element mage named Maria. Her element took Kayden by surprise. Typically, offensive magicians used elements capable of causing great mass destruction, such as fire. But who was he to criticize others, right?
The other person was a support mage named Jean. He didn't say much other than introducing himself. He wore a strange outfit by modern standards, wearing jeans with a red and black checkered shirt.
"Maria, isn't it?" The girl nodded. "There is no right answer, there are several possible scenarios, but I like one in particular that you three came very close to, burn the boats."
The three's response came close to that. It wasn't the same, but everyone tried to see it through to the end, regardless of the consequences. The other students, for the most part, chose to go back and ask for help from the government or related things.
Was it a wrong answer? No, it was not. But Kayden didn't like it, and well... that's it.
"I see," the girl replied and remained quiet. The three were waiting to see what it would be like from now on with Kayden as leader.
"I've never led any team, I've always been used to fighting alone, so I ask for your help if I make any mistakes," the boy said in a humble tone, which was well accepted by the members of his new team. "We need another mage for our team, but it's not necessary yet."
A team with 5 people would, without a doubt, be stronger than one with just 4 people. Unfortunately, none of them knew anyone capable of filling the vacancies.
"Carlos," Kayden had a question on his mind from the beginning of this interaction. "What fame were you talking about? And stop calling me sir, I'm younger than you."
Kayden was still 8 years old, but he was already an impressive 140 centimeters tall. It seemed small, but at his age, the average height was between 110 and 130 centimeters.