"Since you are willing to team up with me, I naturally don't mind cozying up to someone powerful," Theon said with a shrug.
"Then it's a deal. I've already found the other two teammates. Starting today, the four of us will train together in the Quantum Room at 2 in the afternoon. We need to ensure that we have the necessary teamwork and coordination during the combat test." Alice looked at her holowatch and turned to say to Theon, "Come on. It's about 2pm now."
When Gared and Heron watched Alice return with Theon, they were quite surprised. They knew that she had gone to find their fourth teammate, but weren't aware of who she had in mind.
Now, upon realizing that it was Theon, they felt puzzled. They all knew about Theon and the rumors of him not having any talents.
Genetic talent was an ever important matter. If one had low talent, no matter the amount of hardworking, their prospects would still be limited.
But from what the Dragan family had spread through the entire nation, Theon had non!
Wouldn't he drag them down during combat assignment?
"Alice, don't tell me the fourth teammate is Theon? Is this a joke!?" Gerad rubbed his nose and said in an exaggerated manner.
"This is not a joke. Theon will be our fourth teammate," Alice said in all seriousness.
Gerad looked at Alice and then at Theon. He habitually cleared his throat and said, "Alice, all of us know of Theon's talent. He might be a genius in combat arts and had fight in the frontlines but combat skills are limited without strength."
"We three have primal talents higher than E rank and have reached the 4th to 7th level of the Genetic Soldier realm with at least five to seven meridians opened.."
"Even if he were to wait one week for him to grow, It will be difficult for him to match up to our pace of battle. Our goal is to be first in the combat assignment. I don't think Theon is the best candidate! Why don't we do this? I have some ties with Dravin. If you feel uncomfortable asking him, I'll do the invitation. How about that?"
Gerad's words were clearly directed at Theon, but Theon was indifferent and wasn't the least bit angered.
The combat assignment would determine Theon ranking placement and would in turn determine their resources. Anyone would hope to do their best and not have others affect their own results.
Furthermore, the strength of a teammate affected one's safety and inside the overlapping dimensional zone, no one wished to use their lives as a joke.
This gave one more opportunities to become stronger and not let his talent go to waste. Therefore, Theon could fully comprehend Gerad's rational reasons for saying such things.
After Gerad said his piece, he stopped looking at Alice and stared at Theon.
Alice looked at Theon and said, "Theon might be outstanding as well, but I think Theon is the best candidate."
By the side, Heron thought and said, "We know you have an eye for talent, Alice. Theon is indeed outstanding being at the army since 12 and defeating a 4th level being, but to be honest we are geniuses afterall. If we went all out, defeating those two levels above us wouldn't prove too difficult for any three of us."
"The combat assignment results are very important to all of us. We have to treat it with utmost seriousness. Let's do this. If Theon doesn't mind, we can do a simple test. Once the results of the test are out, it will be obvious if Theon suits our team."
"Heron's right. I agree," Gerad said immediately.
"What kind of test?" Alice asked.
"Wouldn't that be simple? I'm the weakest among the three of us. Let Theon fight me in combat. As long as he defeats me, he will naturally be qualified to join our team. You wouldn't call that bullying, right?" Gerad hurriedly said.
Alice didn't say a word and looked at Theon.
Theon knew that he needed to voice his opinion at such times; otherwise, it would be difficult for him to join the team.
Although he wasn't too interested in joining this team, he still wished to get good results for the combat assignment.
Alice's team was likely considered a good team, so there was definitely no harm in joining them.
"I'm fine with that. However, actual combat has risks. It would affect our team if anyone gets injured," Theon said with a nod.
Gerad laughed in response. "Theon, I know you've reached a high stage in your body movement your combat skills must be extraordinary."
"However, with your low level of primal energy, your speed and physique must be severely lacking. Don't worry, I won't take advantage of your weakness. Why don't we determine the winner through a simple comprehensive strength competition."
Alice couldn't help but frown when she heard Gerad.
Gerad practiced the Lightning Cell Tempering Art and it was Tier-2 tempering technique that primarily unleashed massive bursts of strength.
Gerad had also coupled the Lightning cell tempering art with a combat technique, Lighting palm.
However, Gerad's Lightning palm had reached the second level but, among the other students, he was one level above them.
Alice knows of Theon's family background, but from what she heard, his techniques weren't all high level combat techniques, not a single one of them were killing moves.
Furthermore, in his battle with Trent , he had only used body technique to defeat him. Otherwise, he would have lost a limb by now.
Alice's lips quivered in worry, but she didn't say a word. She thought inwardly, "Let's see how Theon will handle this."
Theon looked at Gerad and asked, "How do we compete in Strength?"
"Although there's a Strength-measuring device in the training room, those lifeless numbers don't mean much. Let's exchange blows. Whoever retreats loses. How about that?" Gerad said with squinted eyes.
"I think it's better we use the school's Strength-measure device," Theon said after some thought.
"Why? Are you afraid of me injuring you?" Gerad said, curling his lips.
Theon smiled without a word. He was more afraid of killing Gerad with one punch.
Gerad's Lightning cell Tempering art and, Lightning palm art, wasn't a secret. Just relying on strength alone probably couldn't beat him. Therefore Theon planned on going all out but he was afraid that a single punch would obliterate Gerad's arm as well as his body.
"Don't worry about that. Let's go." Gerad chuckled, feeling Theon might be a funny guy.
"Do you need to warm up or something? " Gerad raised an eyebrow and asked.
"It's a simple exchange, no need for the fuss." Theon said indifferently.
Gerad took a deep breath as he stood before Theon.
"Get ready." He snorted coldly and stimulated his cells. Immediately, lightning seem to crackle within him and he gathered his strength in his palm.
The Lightning palm suddenly erupted as thunder seem to roar from his arm. His muscles shook as his veins shook and zapped underneath his skin like thunder.
"CRACKLE!!!"
His palm slithered as he took a step toward Theon and slapped forward.