It was Matthias Van Houten, the instructor that guided Zachariel’s group a few days ago.
“Hey, Zachariel. Isn’t he that instructor we’ve met before?” Amelia turned to Zachariel.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
`So, he’s actually the adviser of the Prospects, huh?`
Matthias looked over the lounge area. He narrowed his eyes when he realized that the rest of the Prospects were not there.
“Good. Since everyone is here, let’s go to the rotating area.” He went to the hallway behind the door. The rest followed suit.
The rotating area was similar to a multi-purpose room. The size of the rotating area room was 75% of the entire first floor. It could be an entire training area, a dining area similar to upstairs, or even a classroom.
It was currently set in the training area setting. There was a platform at the center. Matthias stood atop the platform, looking down over the group.
“Prospect candidates, please stand at the front.” He called out the six of them.
`Jeremias Pickler, Zachariel Strom, Amelia Strom, Victoria Spencer, Helena Summer, Sabrina Rossi.`
Matthias talked to himself as he looked over them. `6 of them are here, 3 left with the Prince, while the other 2 didn’t come here earlier.`
“Welcome, Prospect candidates. I am Matthias Van Houten, the adviser of the Prospects in the Great Human Imperium.”
“I called you out here today to prepare for the upcoming freshmen friendly skirmish event with the Eldens in the next two months. As you can see, we need to choose the top 5 Prospect candidates that will represent the Imperium. Since the rest of the Prospect candidates did not come here, I’m going to revoke their chances to join the said event.”
Everybody was shocked about Sir Matthias’s decision. Revoking a Prospect’s chance was indirectly saying that they were garbage. Prince Kane will surely not like that.
Furthermore, Sir Matthias did not even hesitate about doing it. `What a madman!`
A student called out to Sir Matthias, with a hint of hesitation in their expression.
“Sir, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” They thought that banishing the rest of the other Prospect candidates because they did not attend was something excessive.
“Edgar, what’s inappropriate are students not listening to instructions given to them by their instructor.”
Edgar gasped in shock. Sir Matthias was really going all out this time. `Where does Sir Matthias’s confidence come from?`
“Now, since there are six of you here, one of you will have to be eliminated. Tell me, which one of you doesn’t want to take part in the skirmish event?”
Jeremias slowly raised his hand. Matthias looked over at him. “Jeremias Pickler, are you sure?”
Jeremias stretched back his neck and lowered down his hand. He was afraid of Sir Matthias looking at him with those stern eyes. “..Yes… Sir…”
“Hmm. Is that so? Very well then. Jeremias Pickler, you will be the first Prospect candidate selected to represent us in the skirmish event.” Matthias said in a rather enthusiastic manner.
Jeremias was shocked. “Sir, wait! I said I don’t want to enter the skirmish event!” He was afraid. What if he let the entire Imperium down?
“Exactly. Jeremias Pickler, you should know what a Prospect represents, right?”
Jeremias gulped nervously.
“A Prospect is a figure carrying the symbol of human pride and strength. You know that very well, don’t you?”
“Yes… sir!”
“If you keep on doubting yourself and your abilities, you won’t become a Prospect, and nothing in your life will change. Someone like you who cowers back on everything will never become a figure carrying the symbol pride and strength.”
Matthias emphasized his last statement. Jeremias widened his eyes over what Sir Matthias said right now. `Nothing… will change?`
Something came up in his mind. It was times when he was bullied and ridiculed by others for being such a timid person. He swore to himself that he will prove them wrong.
However, he had let himself down time and time again. He always backed out on fights and provocations. He always kept to himself, hiding from the world. Even his family started mocking him because of that. He lost faith in himself, to the point that he wished he was dead.
He did not expect that he would actually have such an amazing talent on the day of the school selection event. He started to gain confidence. He expected that the senior Prospects would be friendly to him. Unfortunately, they didn’t talk to him that much.
He let himself down again. Even until now.
“Jeremias Pickler!” Matthias snapped Jeremias out of his trance. Jeremias looked up to Sir Matthias.
“Don’t you want to prove yourself to others? Then fight in the skirmish event and win! You have always let yourself down because of your own decisions, not because of others! If you really want to continue going in this path, I will not hesitate to strip you of this chance I gave to you, and also your title of being a Prospect candidate!”
Matthias’ cold voice resounded within the area.
Jeremias widened his eyes and gritted his teeth in indignation. If he really was stripped of the title of a Prospect candidate, everyone will mock him again. Those painful days would come and haunt him again.
Tears started to form in his eyes. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists.
“Sir Matthias, I wish to participate and win at the skirmish event!”
He shouted at the top of his lungs. The tears in his eyes flowed endlessly. It took a lot of courage for him to say that. He felt that a huge burden was lifted off his body. It was so refreshing he wanted to experience it again.
Matthias exposed a smile. “Jeremias Pickler, I appoint you as a Prospect candidate representative of the Great Human Imperium for the upcoming skirmish event. Do you have any objections?”
“No Sir!”
The Prospects behind started clapping and cheered for Jeremias.
“Nice work young brat!”
“That’s it, show off your strength, and don’t act like a wimp!”
Jeremias was dumbfounded about how the seniors were treating him. It was the first time for him to experience being cheered and praised upon. `I can do it! I can really do it!` He clenched his fists again and plastered a determined look at his face. He wiped the tears off his face then faced the seniors.
“Seniors, I will not disappoint you!”
He deeply bowed in front of them. The seniors were moved by his determination and sincerity.
`I will prove to everyone that I am worthy of being a Prospect candidate!`
“Good. Now, who’s next?”
The remaining five were nervous, except for Zachariel. Matthias looked at him.
“Zachariel Strom, I heard that your mana core grade and dantian grade are both undetermined, right?”
“Yes Sir.” He replied monotonously. Matthias narrowed his eyes. `What an indifferent behavior. Let’s test him then.`
“Edward, you wouldn’t mind if I ask you to spar with Zachariel now, would you?”
Edward stood at the front. “It would be my honor, Sir Matthias.”
“Good. Zachariel Strom, spar against your senior Edward. I will then determine whether you are qualified or not based on your performance. Do you understand?”
“Yes Sir.” The same monotonous voice resounded again.
Cody, Edward, and Matthias were evidently disturbed by his tone. The others thought that it was Zachariel being confident in himself.
“Up you go here then.” Matthias walked down the platform. Zachariel and Edward went up.
“Brother Zachariel! You can do it!” Amelia cheered for him. She wanted him to be representative. Everybody else was astonished about Amelia cheering up for him. It looks like these two have a deep relationship with each other.
Jeremias felt envious of Zachariel. He wondered when would Amelia cheer for him too.
Cody was alarmed, `This is-?! Edward, I hope he would act in moderation!`
On the platform, Zachariel faced Edward, having an indifferent look against his senior. Edward was clearly angered about Zachariel expression.
“That indifferent look of yours, I hate it so bad I want to break it out of your face.”
Zachariel did not understand why this senior was angry with him. He waited for his senior to take the first move. Edward was further infuriated. `Fine, you’re so damn annoying!`
`Propulsion`
Edward closed himself into Zachariel, then kicked diagonally downward. Zachariel dodged to his left. After Edward landed his feet on the floor, he pointed his hand to Zachariel and casted a spell.
`Laser Beam`
The laser rushed to Zachariel instantly. Zachariel reacted by using Shadow Step and Windwalk at the same time. The laser beam landed behind, creating a huge explosion and left a crater on the wall.
Matthias was slightly fascinated about Zachariel using two movement spells at the same time. `He clearly does have a huge potential and strength. Unfortunately…` He narrowed his eyes.
“He’s too passive.” Cody softly commented. The nearby Prospects heard it and looked at him, wondering the meaning behind his comment. He answered himself, tightening his facial expression.
“At this point, he will fail.”
“Fail? But senior Cody, not many could simultaneously use two spells at the same time. Especially if they are using two different mana essences. How could he fail with that skill and talent?” A female Prospect was confused about Cody’s judgment.
“You’re not wrong, Cassia. He clearly does have excellent control in his mana essence, but, that’s not the case in this situation. Look carefully.”
They turned back to the platform. Edgar, Rainald, and other veteran Prospects widened their eyes in shock.
Zachariel had never used any offensive spell or skill, nor did he bother to parry or counterattack Edward, even though the latter gave him chances to do so many times. He kept on dodging, shifting left and right alternately.
The Prospect candidates were still confused, however. They could only perceive that Zachariel was the embodiment of a Prospect, far surpassing their skills and strength at the same age. They would not dare imagine dodging senior Edward’s fast and ferocious attacks, add to the fact that he was a very high-level student.
`Brother Zachariel is so strong!` Amelia was amazed by his performance.
`Zachariel, you’re truly my rival!` Sabrina was even more determined now.
`So this is his power? Zachariel, I truly admire you!` Jeremias was astonished about Zachariel’s strength. He wished he could be as cool and strong as him when battling with others.
Helena had beads of sweat trickling over her face. Even she could not compare against Zachariel’s outrageous mana essence control. `How did he do it?!`
Victoria felt happy seeing his performance. `Why am I rooting so hard for him?!`
“Edward.” Matthias gave Edward the signal.
Edward increased the intensity and power of his attacks, forcing Zachariel to dodge even faster. `You brat! Still acting indifferent, huh?!`
`Ground Freeze`
Zachariel felt that his feet were stuck on the ground. It was actually frozen, restricting his movements.
`Concussive Palm Thrust!`
Edward wanted to thrust his palm onto Zachariel’s stomach. However, Cody managed to act on time.
`Damn it, that Egg-head has gone out of control! Metal Golem!`
A golem made out of metal essence emerged between Zachariel and Edward. The golem blocked Edward’s thrust, making the latter question Cody’s intentions.
“Cody, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Don’t try to stop me now!” His expression was terrifying as if he wanted to kill Zachariel so badly. Cody shouted out a topic that many of them did not understand.
“Edward! Stop it! Let go of it already, it wasn’t your fault!”
Edward widened his eyes, before snapping out of his enraged state. He took back his arm and snorted. He dropped his head with a pained expression on his face. He then jumped down the platform and exited the room with a bang.
Everyone was shocked about what just happened. `What did senior Cody mean by it wasn’t senior Edward’s fault?`
Zachariel stood there, stunned to the core. If senior Cody’s golem didn’t block that attack, he may have suffered grave internal injuries. He gulped nervously, thanking senior Cody in his mind. The metal golem slowly disintegrated.
Matthias gave his verdict after the small interruption.
“Zachariel Strom, you’ve failed the test.”
