A week later…
The sound of the alarm clock woke Derivan. The teenager stretched and yawned.
"So this is the day. I wonder who I'll get to fight" — he thought as he walked to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, before leaving, the teenager wanted to eat some breakfast. The only thing he had in the fridge was an open can of beans.
"I don't really like this, but if there's nothing else, so be it."
After finishing his breakfast, Derivan headed to the arena where the second stage of the exam was to take place. This time, it would consist of one-on-one fights. He arrived at the location after about a dozen minutes.
"So this is where the fights will take place. I never would've thought I'd ever fight in this famous arena" Derivan was excited just thinking about battling in such a place.
Derivan noticed all the participants starting to gather, so he joined them as well.
"Welcome. My name is Doremin, and I am both the examiner and the referee of the second stage of the exam. You will fight in front of an audience in which the guild master is present. Those who catch his eye will receive recommendations, making it easier for them to join a guild in the future."
"Wow, awesome."
"I'll definitely give it my all" Derivan thought, clenching his fists.
"The second stage will consist of one-on-one combat. Killing your opponent is strictly forbidden. The fight ends when one of the opponents surrenders or is no longer able to continue fighting" Doremin explained. "If there are no questions, I declare the second stage of the exam officially begun."
The second stage of the exam had started. Opponents were assigned automatically, and names appeared on a screen hanging on the arena wall. After the first few matches, it was Nohara's turn.
"And now, in the next match, the younger daughter of the king, Nohara Hokane, will face Yuki Mayura."
"Ha, I couldn't have gotten a better opponent. I'll gladly defeat you in front of everyone" Yuki announced.
Nohara didn't seem interested in her opponent at all.
"Are you done? Let's just get this over with" she said, irritating Yuki with her behavior.
"You're right."
Yuki began concentrating her choki. Moments later, a pillar of air appeared around her, pulling in leaves from nearby trees. Then Yuki extended her hand toward Nohara, sending the leaves flying at her.
"Do you really think you can hurt me with something like that?" Nohara commented, but she was surprised when one leaf cut her cheek. "I see… she must have sharpened the leaves with choki. In that case, I need to"
"And what do you say to this? Surprised?"
Nohara closed her eyes, dodging the leaves. At some point, ice began spreading across the floor. Yuki lost her balance and fell, losing control of her attack.
"Damn it."
Nohara covered her boots with special magical soles, allowing her to walk across the ice effortlessly. As she approached her opponent, she formed an ice blade in her hand.
"You'd better surrender" Nohara said, pressing the ice blade to her opponent's throat.
"Alright… I surrender."
"The winner is Nohara Hokane. She advances to the next round."
Everyone cheered for Nohara's victory, but she didn't seem to care. Moments later, the next matches began.
"Damn, when will it be my turn? I'm getting really bored" Derivan complained.
"The next fight will be between Ray Lighto and Ume Nosaro."
"So it's my turn now" Ray thought as he stepped into the arena.
"Good luck!" Derivan said.
Ray only glanced at him and sighed. When he stood in the arena, his opponent was already waiting.
"Hahaha, this will be a quick fight" Ume announced.
"Certainly" Ray replied.
"If you have nothing more to say, I declare the fight started."
Ume released a spiral of fire from his hand, sending it toward Ray. The teenager didn't seem concerned and dodged it by jumping to the side.
"Do you really think an attack like that can do anything to me?" Ray commented.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Ume's hands were engulfed in flames, and he charged at his opponent, launching a series of attacks. However, Ray effortlessly avoided every strike.
"Your movements are too slow."
Focusing his choki in his hand, Ray struck Ume in the stomach, sending him flying into the arena wall, which he smashed through.
"Ume Nosaro is no longer able to continue fighting. The winner is Ray Lighto, who advances to the next round."
"Wow, Ray is amazing" one of the girls commented.
"That's so like him. I knew he'd win anyway."
"You were incredible, Ray!"
Ray paid no attention to the girls, who practically had hearts in their eyes at the sight of him.