Klaus had completed the final test, and he was just waiting for the results. He didn't know what role he would get, but he knew he would pass. Defeating an awakener in a single attack was not something to be underestimated.
"Klaus, you've finished your test, right? Are you coming home with me or are you stopping by somewhere? I have a business, so I can't stay here too long."
"I think I'll stay here until the results of the third test come out, and watch them."
Anna nodded as she pursed her lips. "Alright, then. Take good care."
The blonde woman patted his cheek before leaving with her entourage of bodyguards.
Seeing his mother getting farther away, Klaus could finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally she's left," he muttered.
He was a little uncomfortable if he had to be with Anna, not because he was embarrassed with her, but because he couldn't stand to walk with dozens of bodyguards surrounding him.
However, Klaus was still the center of attention though his mother and her entourage of bodyguards had left.
"Now, let's take a quick look at the match," Klaus thought.
The next match was Justin Law and participant number 69. The pink-haired man appeared to be carrying nothing while his opponent appeared to be wearing a brass knuckle made of rubber.
The fangirls started cheering in support of their idol as the celebrity entered the arena.
"Go go go, Justin! Go go go, Justin!"
The referee stood between them ready to start the match. After the count of three, the referee raised his hand, and the fight began.
Justin gathered his mana into his hands. The temperature suddenly dropped, people around the arena rubbed their arms, warming their bodies from the cold air.
While people were mesmerized by Justin's power, Klaus sighed in disappointment.
"Looks like the outcome of the match has already come out. That pretty boy is going to get beat up."
As Justin tried to create ice crystals, participant number 69 just grinned. The man's figure slowly became invisible, and people began to lose sight of him.
Six ice crystals shaped like tennis balls had been created out of thin air, floating and ready to slide into the target. However, their target was nowhere to be seen in the arena.
Justin frowned as he realized that he couldn't find his opponent's position.
Bang!
Suddenly, a blow landed on his cheek out of nowhere. The ice crystals floating in the air fell as Justin fell to the mat.
"Ouch!"
The spectators pouted in distaste and the fangirls held their breath as their idols fell. However, this was just the beginning.
Justin quickly got up and gathered his mana in his hands again, attempting to create more ice crystals, but before he could do so, punches were flying at him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Argh!"
The celeb was being bullied, he could do nothing but defend and take hits. He tried to guess the opponent's position by shooting ice crystals in random directions, but it only hit empty air.
"Show yourself, you coward! Fight like a man! Come on!" exclaimed Justin, provoking his opponent.
Unfortunately, his provocation didn't work, as invisible punches continued to hit him. The bruises on his face increased with each blow he took.
The fangirls looked horrified as they saw their idol getting beaten up, some of them were seen crying, some of them asked for the match to be stopped. There were even some fans who encouraged Justin despite the tears streaming down their faces.
Of course, there were not only sad people in the arena, but also people who enjoyed it. Some spectators took out their smartphones and recorded this sad match.
"Kill him! Beat him up!"
"Woohoo!"
"Kick his ass!"
The referee did not stop the match as long as one of them was not knocked out or bleeding. And Justin also refused to give up.
After holding out for a while, a crushing blow hit his navel. Justin opened his eyes wide as excruciating pain shot through his abdomen. That celeb collapsed instantly and passed out. Not long after, participant number 69 revealed himself.
The match was over.
The referee quickly checked his condition and told the assessor to call for medics. Not long after, a horde of staff with stretchers arrived and carried the pink-haired man away.
His fans cried as Justin was carried out of the arena, while participant number 69 celebrated his victory.
"Too bad he can't use his powers properly," Klaus muttered.
After the match was over, Klaus continued to watch the other participants undergo the test. There were many awakeners with unique talents and strong elemental affinities, but none of them caught his attention.
The sun began to set towards the west, the awakeners practicing in the gymnasium began to dwindle, and some arenas seemed empty.
Entering the match between Nos. 150 and 154, Klaus got the message via smartlink.
<Incoming Message>
[Congratulations! You have passed the certification test!]
[Based on our assessment, you got the role, Caster!]
[Revisit the Manhattan Awakeners Association Office for a physical certificate.]
A grin bloomed on his face when he finished reading the contents of the message.
"Time to go home."
...
Klaus whistled as he walked down the corridor. On his way back to the locker room, he saw three men with bruised faces. They seemed to be trembling and quickened their footsteps when they passed Klaus.
For some reason, Klaus felt that the three men were scared because of him, though he didn't remember their faces.
"What's wrong with them?"
In the end, he just ignored them.
When Klaus got into the locker room, he found a pink-haired man sitting on a bench. He was crying as if lamenting something very sad.
That person was Justin Law. The celebrity and idol.
"What's wrong with this guy? Why not just cry at home?" Klaus thought.
Inhaling deeply, Klaus walked to the locker where he kept his stuff. He passed Justin as if the man was empty air.
Klaus actually wanted to take a bath, but because there was one person who made him undo his intention. He picked up his stuff and left immediately.
As he walked towards the exit, Justin suddenly spoke up.
"Laugh, if you want to laugh. I know I'm pathetic, Asshole."
Naturally, Klaus stopped. He turned around with a sour face, and his eyes squinted. "What did you say?" His tone sounded fierce.
"Just laugh if you want to laugh, Asshole!" snapped Justin.
Instantly, Klaus' face turned dark.
He shot up and grabbed Justin by the neck in the blink of an eye. He lifted the pink-haired man into the air. Justin writhed like a worm, trying to catch his breath, while Klaus continued to grip his neck and stare at him with a cold gaze.
"Let me go," Justin said with difficulty. Saliva escaped his mouth and tears streamed down his face.
Klaus, however, didn't budge.
Only when Justin began to lose consciousness did Klaus release his grip. The pink-haired man fell and writhed on the floor, his breath coming in gasps as if the air in his lungs had run out.
Klaus crouched down in front of Justin. He could see the fear in that man's eyes.
"You know, I hate people like you the most. People who have gifts but take them for granted. And when you fail, you blame other people."
His words made Justin open his eyes wide.
"What do you know about me?" The words came out of Justin, a bit defiant even though they sounded scared. "I'm not like you, born into a rich family and a silver spoon, buying arcana like candy. I was born into a poor family and--"
Slap!'
Klaus slapped him. The pink-haired man was shocked.
"I don't give a shit with your story."
Klaus grabbed the smartlink in Justin's hand and opened his profile information.
<Profile Information>
[Name: Justin Law]
[Age: 21]
[Role: N/A]
[Talent: Charm]
[Elemental Affinity: Water (Strong) & Air (Strong)]
[Battle Power: 463,333]
[Rank: B-Class]
[Status: Uncertified]
Klaus grinned. "No wonder you're crying. You didn't pass the third test. Look at mine."
<Profile Information>
[Name : Klaus Lee]
[Age: 18]
[Role: Caster]
[Talent: Speed Up]
[Elemental Affinity: Metal (Moderate)]
[Battle Power: 51,367]
[Rank: F-Class]
[Status: Certified]
Instantly, the pink-haired man dropped his jaw, it didn't occur to him that Klaus was an F-Class. Justin wanted to accuse him of cheating, but after tasting how strong Klaus' grip was, that man decided against it.
"See, right? Statistically you're much stronger than me," Klaus continued. "The point of the third test isn't just to find someone who is really strong. It's about finding a person who is a real warrior. Like, it's pointless if you have the physique of a lion but you have the mentality of a sheep, understand?"
Justin was silent and could only bow his head, his hands squeezing.
"The thing is, you didn't win because you're not thinking like a fighter. You're thinking like a celeb. You don't have the skills to size up your opponent, you're not creative, and everyone can predict what you will do next. The Awakener Association is not dumb enough to just let someone like you slide by. And, even if you're super strong, you will only slow the whole team down in the dungeon."
"If you were me, what would you do? When I fought him," asked Justin, trembling.
Klaus was a little surprised that Justin still dared to speak.
"It's simple. Instead of using ice, I'll focus on wind. I'd use it to blow my opponent away, make them fall, or even turn the whole arena into a vacuum, it's too dangerous actually. If that doesn't work, I'll go with [Charm], making my enemy kiss my feet. Then win."
Klaus saw the man before him look down. Suddenly, he felt sorry for Justin.
He patted him on the shoulder. "It's alright, stop crying. You're not a fighter anyway, so it's natural. The first defeat always hurts. I know you want to show people that you're a real man. But in a fight, anything goes."
Justin seemed to be calming down.
Thinking the matter was over, Klaus stood up and walked to the exit. As he was in the doorway, suddenly something unexpected happened.
"Klaus Lee! Please teach me to fight!"
Justin shouted so loudly, even some of people in the corridor heard him.
Klaus was dumbfounded. He didn't know how to react. For some reason, he felt the situation was turning out like a wuxia novel.
Naturally, he said, "Hell no."
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