The next day arrived swiftly and it was time for the second stage of the exams to commence. The remaining 15 participants who managed to qualify for the second stage were already present in the debriefing hall. Principal Helen took her position in the middle of the stage and cleared her throat before she spoke.
Amongst the audience were teachers from the Havens academy, Soul academy, captains of several guilds in the kingdom who had only one goal in mind, recruitment. The Soul-Hunter's exam provided each guild the chance to find and recruit capable Soul-Users they deem fit.
"Welcome back, without wasting any more time than we have to, the second stage of the exams commences now!" As she spoke the halls reconfigured leaving the whole participants flustered at the sudden change in environment.
The hall was made into a large rectangular ring with several stairs acting as seats around it. Principal Helen had already activated her ability [Countdown], the entire hall was converted into a domain of her creation till the time limit of 2 hours had elapsed or she deactivated it herself.
"The second stage comprises of a battle between the remaining 15 participants, we already have strength in numbers. What we need is absolute strength." A voice spoke from above the domain, as every eyes turned to it's source, every knees went on the ground and bowed to the princess of the Suzana empire.
Rentaro hesitated a bit as he had no knowledge of who the figure above was, Lucy pulled him quickly by his arm forcing him to get to his knees. The princess had her eyes set on Rentaro after watching his performance in the previous stage.
She was also a participant in the exams. Among the higher ranked spectators were the A-rank Soul-Hunter Shun Li, Hana Tenuari and finally the homeroom teacher of Class B, Shota.
"With all said and done let the battle stage begin." She commanded before taking her seat watching them from above.
"Where is Mizuko, Lucy and Yui?" Rentaro asked as he looked around the hall, the second stage had already begun but none of them could be seen.
"I don't know, but if they doesn't show up before their turn arrives. They might lose by default." Daichi replied.
A large holographic board appeared in the middle of the ring displaying the fighter's who were to battle first.
"For the first Round, we have Daichi Ryuu vs Rick Star!" The principal announced, a smile was drawn on Daichi's face as it was revealed she was to start the battle.
"So I'm already up?" He spoke softly getting to her feet and walking down the stairs towards the ring.
He took his place on the left side of the ring while Rick, his opponent took his place on the left side of the ring. Tension rose as Rick had a mischievous smile as he glanced at Daichi.
"It's that commoner who was unable to awaken a Soul-Type."
"What? How in the world was he allowed to take the Soul-Hunter's exam?"
"No, the question is how did he survive the previous stage?"
The whispers of the spectators consisting majorly of nobles filled the air.
"Before we begin, I believe it is proper to lay out the set rules. No killing is allowed, the moment your opponent is injured to the point he can't move you win. With that cleared out." A barrier appeared at the four sides of the large ring to prevent the spectators from being caught up in the crossfire. "Let the battle begin!" The principal exclaimed permitting the start of the first match.
"What? A mere commoner who doesn't have a Soul-Type is my opponent? How insulting! The Soul-Hunter's exam is supposed to be an exam for the most powerful to attain a Soul-Hunter's license but I was pitched with such a commoner!?" Rick exclaimed, displaying
"Tch.." Daichi made his move as he could feel the intimidation Rick put down on him, he joined his hands together as he ran towards her. A green blinding light emerged from his hands which made it difficult for Daichi and everyone spectating to see.
As the fading light enveloped him, Daichi's vision slowly cleared, just in time to see the swift arc of a wooden staff aimed at his forehead, a strike intended for a decisive victory. Instinct kicked in; he thrust his hands backward and executed a backflip, narrowly evading the staff's point. With a fluid motion, his legs swept the weapon from Rick's grasp.
With a sudden burst of movement, he threw his two legs downwards towards Rick's skull. He groaned before he was propelled backwards away from Daichi. He was taken aback at how swiftly he was put on defense.
"So what if I'm a commoner? What if I don't have a Soul-Type? I won't ever lose to someone like you." He assured him as he stoo straight on his feet, placing his left hand behind his back and stretching his right hand forward.
Out of the fear of failing, Rick's eyes twitched in anger. "Don't look down on me, you damned peasant!" He placed his hands on the ground and the same green light from before emanated from the ground, several large hands created from the ring's floor rose up swiftly and was launched towards Daichi. Each hand swooped down at him but he dodged everything with a series of flips.
"Your attacks lack accuracy and precision ." He commented on his use of the Alchemist Soul-Type.
"Shut up! I'm not done!" He yelled as more hands that were more leaner than the others emerged from the ground and they all swiftly swooped down at Daichi with more velocity.
'His speed increased?!' Daichi thought, noticing the vast difference in speed between the first set of hands and the second. The fast movements of the multiple hands created from the ground backed him into a corner.
"Got you!" Rick shouted triumphantly. Daichi's eyes widened in surprise as he twisted his neck to glance over his shoulder, only to be met with a fist, born of the ring itself. It struck him with force, propelling him to the center of the arena, where he landed with a heavy thud.
All the hands surrounded him instantly, rushing down at him instantly.
BOOM!
With a series of relentless barrage of blows, the fists created from the ground pounded Daichi into the grounds of the arena, leaving nothing but bruises all around his body.
Slowly, he rose to his feet as blood dripped down the side of his face.
"Your efforts are commendable, commoner, but you have lost this battle," Rick proclaimed, his voice steady and mocking. As he spoke, energy coalesced in his hands, swirling in a mesmerizing dance, a display of power both captivating and foreboding. "It's over."
As Daichi rose unsteadily to his feet, his eyes locked onto Shun Li, who wore an unwavering smile despite the circumstances. The faith his teacher had in him ignited a flicker of determination within.
"If I don't win, all my efforts, all my dreams—none of it will mean anything. I can't give up now, not when it matters most." His voice trembled, and for a moment, his hands shook with uncertainty, but the resolve behind his words was unmistakable.
"Dreams?" Rick chuckled loudly, unable to believe what he had just heard. "Look closely at yourself, you're a commoner. Dreams are nothing but that, a reality which you will never achieve!" With a fearsome roar, he slammed his hand into the ground. Instantly, multiple layers rose up from the ground, rushing at Daichi with unmistakable intensity.
THUD!
As soon as it approached him, they all shattered into several pieces by an unknown force, falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
"What!?"
Daichi remained immobile, the words of Rick hitting him like a sharp blade to the chest. A red aura surrounded him as he rose his head slowly and glanced at Rick. The expression on his face displayed one thing only, anger.
"A reality I'll never be able to achieve? Infringing on my status on my commoner, but looking down on my dreams, is the worst mistake you'll ever make." As he spoke, the red aura became more violent, swarming the entire ring like an infestation.
The mouth of the audiences including the queen was left agape, the violent aura was unlike anything they had ever seen.
"W-what is this!?"
"I thought he had no Soul-Type!?"
"What is this Soul-Energy!?"
Proclamations from the audiences filled the air, even Mizuko, Mei and Yui were left astonished by this sight.
A smirk streched across Shun Li's face, he crossed his arms as his eyes shone with certainty. "When a Soul-User or hunter hits their lowest point, that opens them to the greatest change. Go, Daichi!" He proclaimed, raising his right thumb down at him.
The violent red aura disappeared as swiftly as it came, with no one daring to blink, Daichi raised his two hands towards his head as veins popped up simultaneously around his forehead.
'Daichi..." Rentaro thought, staring curiously at what was about to unfold.
With a soft voice, he whispered as he glanced at Rick who also stared in disbelief.
"Inner Soul Formation: The First Core Of Rage, Release!"