"Now that you've chosen your partners, or shall I say teams," declared the male instructor, a middle-aged man with an elongated chin, addressing the students before him. He was the same instructor from the previous day's class.
"You'll be facing off against monsters with your respective teams. Allow me to show you something." With those words, he produced a cage from his storage ring, equivalent in height to a human. Growls and screeches emanated from within the cage, shrouded in a black cloth, concealing the creature inside.
Though Newt narrowed his eyes, he remained composed, seemingly aware of what lay behind the cloth.
"Now, who among you will take charge of this monster?" The instructor posed the question, prompting only a quarter of the students to raise their hands, while the rest hesitated. Among those who volunteered, Ryan, the fat boy, also raised his hand.
The instructor, casting a deep look at Ryan, smiled and pointed at him, saying, "You, come."
Regret immediately clouded Ryan's thoughts. The realization hit him that he had misinterpreted the instructor's directive the day before. Forming a team of five had been the objective, not necessarily completing it. "What was I thinking? I really messed up," he lamented inwardly.
"I'm such an idiot," Ryan muttered, berating himself. He approached the cage with a heavy heart.
"This child is impressive. He detected me yesterday, and now he's stepping forward without knowing what's inside. The courage is commendable," the instructor thought, reassessing Ryan.
With a flourish, the instructor removed the cloth, unveiling the creature within. A wolf-like beast, standing nearly 6 feet tall, covered entirely in aura. It had two dots in one eye and one in the other, displaying three dots in total—a Rank 7 Beast, comparable to a Rank 7 Martial Artist. However, the beasts proved more perilous than a martial artists of the same rank. Confronting these creatures required at least one Rank 6 Martial Artist in the team due to their formidable threat level.
Ryan calmly regarded the beast before him, displaying an unexpected lack of fear.
"Perhaps his fears are reserved for humans, or maybe he thinks his appearance will deter acceptance," Newt pondered, observing Ryan. Throughout the academic proceedings, Newt maintained an air of disinterest, as if merely passing the time. However, beneath this facade, he held a purpose that would unveil itself at the opportune moment.
Upon seeing the fearsome wolf-like beast, the majority of students took a fearful step back, their faces mirroring terror. Only a handful remained steadfast, including Newt, who exhibited an outward display of doubt and fear as per the instructor's expectations. However, beneath the surface, his eyes remained as calm as water, meticulously observing the unfolding events.
The instructor, as Newt had anticipated, carefully noted the reactions of each student, distinguishing those who stood their ground and the unfamiliar faces among them.
"Now, if you can successfully hold your ground against this beast alone, you'll prove yourself as one of the finest Rank 7 martial artists," announced the instructor, opening the cage to release the growling creature.
The wolf scanned its surroundings and spotted Ryan standing alone, a considerable distance away from the others. The instructor, having seemingly melded with the natural surroundings, disappeared from sight.
Woooooohhhhh!
With a howl, the beast lunged towards Ryan at an alarming speed, its intent clear – to terminate him.
"He's in trouble," remarked a student next to Newt.
"That beast is incredibly fast. Only Rank 6 martial artists can match its speed and strength. If it's a Rank 7 beast, there's a possibility it has a higher bloodline, potentially surpassing the threshold and reaching Rank 5," explained another student. The consensus among them was that defeating such a formidable beast alone was near impossible for a typical Rank 7 martial artist.
However, Newt, observing the situation, knew there was more to the story. Ryan exuded an unusual confidence, believing he could overcome the beast. Newt keenly followed the unfolding match.
The wolf-like creature charged towards Ryan, but suddenly, Ryan vanished from its sight, as if plummeting into an unseen abyss. To the beast's shock, it beheld its headless body while Ryan, now positioned behind it with a sword, signaled the end of the battle.
"What just happened?" gasped the bewildered students, struggling to comprehend the swift and unexpected resolution of the fight. The beast was incapacitated so rapidly that disbelief gripped their minds.
"He's truly exceptional," the instructor marveled, casting a fiery gaze upon Ryan as if laying claim to an invaluable treasure.
Unseen by the others, Newt had swiftly analyzed the situation. The beast, already weakened and slowed by numerous wounds, succumbed to exhaustion and anger. Newt recognized the catalyst for the victory – a Rank 5 artifact wielded by Ryan.
'Using a Rank 5 artifact to defeat a Rank 7 beast is extravagant,' mused Newt. He discerned that it wasn't merely Ryan's innate strength but the formidable power of the artifact that had turned the tide. With this revelation, Newt observed the unfolding drama, contemplating the dynamics of power within the academy.
"He's quite an intimidating fellow, that fat guy." remarked a boy from the cluster of students, his eyes fixed on Ryan, who had effortlessly dispatched the fearsome beast in a single strike.
"Indeed, a tad unsettling," echoed many, their gaze shifting to Ryan's bloodshot eyes, filled with an almost demonic fervor. There was an unsettling aura about him as he savored the taste of the beast's blood on his sword, his intense fixation hinting at an eerie obsession.
Amidst the crowd, Newt observed Ryan, his expression revealing nothing. His eyes, devoid of discernible emotions, concealed his thoughts from prying eyes.
"This fatty is a little scary." the exact speaker remained unknown, yet a unanimous agreement resonated through the murmurs of the onlookers.
In the wake of witnessing the seemingly impossible feat, a subtle shift occurred in the perception of those present. The awe inspired by Ryan's accomplishment blended with an undercurrent of fear, casting a shadow over the unfolding events.