Alten was utterly shocked to see Kang underneath the robe. The boy took the brown rag off of him before tossing it to the ground, revealing his full body. Not knowing was Alten confused as to how Kang had even gotten here, he was also confused about why the boy was defending him right now.

So much so, that he couldn't help but to ask.

"Why? Why are you helping me?"

Kang spun his rod around him in a display of skill.

"You're teammates with Lyrian, right?"

It was abrupt, but Alten didn't hesitate when he answered.

"Yes..."

With this, Kang said his final words to Alten.

"Then that's all I needed to know. To answer your question... that kid is strong."

He said, turning his gaze back to Ked, who was currently looking like a rabid animal. His body shook uncontrollably, and his eyes became more and more bloodshot as seconds passed by.

'He's referring to Lyrian... I guess, it's true that the weak follow the strong. In fact, everyone follows the strong. I wonder why.'

Alten pondered in his mind, as Kang didn't waste any more time and dashed forward, thrusting his rod forward into Ked's stomach. Ked sidestepped with peculiar ease, his gaze locked onto his opponent.

With a quick step, he appeared to the side of Kang in an instant. Kang's eyes widened as he gasped slightly. This was fast, too fast. It wasn't even close to the level of opponent he had dealt with in the past.

He noticed Ked there, but before his eyes could even turn to the side, a punch rocked his jaw, sending him flying; sliding to a stop a few seconds afterward.

He was taken aback by this power, but he quickly got back up.

'My guard wasn't even lowered... yet he was able to counter me so easily. These Deck group bastards... are no joke. All of them are monsters.'

Kang shrugged off his hesitations and ran towards Ked, who also dashed towards him, his hands danging backward like they were limp. His limbs were scrawny, but were lean and had a tone of muscularity to them.

At this speed, however, they looked like sticks wobbling in the wind. The two opponents met with each other, as they both launched direct strikes at each other.

Kang pushed his rod forward, while Kedward threw out a punch.

'What the hell is he thinking!? Attacking my rod with nothing more than just a punch? He may be stronger than me, but brute strength won't defeat this weapon.'

Kang thought to himself in bewilderment, feeling as though he was fighting a wild animal, as Ked's hand slammed into the butt of the rod. Instantly, his elbow dislocated as it flung backward, causing his shoulder to come out of its socket as well.

A loud crunch could be heard as Kang's rod continued. All of the bones in Ked's fist were instantly obliterated. A smirk appeared on Kang's face, as he slammed his rod into Ked's chest, pushing him back slightly.

'He's a fool! I can win!'

Ked paused, raising his mangled hand and looking at it like some sort of clueless beast. Without a second thought, he moved his joints in a certain way to lodge all of his bones and tendons back in place. It was gruesome and disgusting to watch, sounding grotesque.

In the end, he cracked his knuckles, miraculously molding all of his broken bones back into place. The sight freaked Alten out and threw off Kang's pride and newfound confidence.

Ked lunged forward with a punch, as Kang followed up by unleashing a barrage of rod strikes--all of which were easily evaded by Ked. They were aimed at his torso, but Ked moved in an unpredictable way, dislodging, and reloading his ribcage, allowing him to dodge the incoming attacks.

Kang began to grow frustrated. The thought of defeating the crazy boy in front of him seemed fraught.

Ked dashed away on his back foot, before propelling himself forward once again and attacking Kang, who tried to defend the fury of quick punches that were hurled towards him.

As a few began to land here and there, he was beginning to lose his ground and get pushed back. He was struggling, but he wasn't going to give up yet.

'Damn it... If he lands a serious punch, I'm done for. How do I defeat such an opponent!? If I attack him with the rod, he dodges, and even if I land a strike, he somehow comes out unscathed. He's faster than me... stronger, and more skilled. He is better than me in all aspects!'

The prospect of winning began to seem impossible. Kang got punched in the face while trying to defend the seemingly infinite number of blows, a spurt of blood gushing out of his bruised nose that was crushed slightly.

A solid punch landed on his chest, then his ribcage, and then his shoulder, each of which were left with dark bruises. The more he fought, the weaker and slower he became.

Alten looked on with concern shadowed over his face. Right now, he couldn't do anything to help Kang in this situation.

"Oi... what's happening?"

Rylan suddenly got up, his voice quiet and raspy as he pushed himself to sit up.

"Rylan! You're awake."

Alten quickly rushed over to him. historical

"Are you alright? You used too much mana."

Rylan ignored the question, asking once more, "What's happening...?"

Alten paused for a split second before answering.

"It's complicated. But, let's just say a former... ally, is currently trying to help us. He's fighting Kedward, but he's losing. Badly."

Hearing these words, Rylan grabbed onto Alten's shoulder and tried to push himself up.

"Wh--What are you doing? You are still in a critical state! You shouldn't be moving your body too much."

Alten exclaimed, only for Rylan to ignore him once again and get up onto his feet, leaning on Alten's shoulder. He lifted the cube in his hand, finally looking at Alten as he said.

"I don't have any mana left... but you do."

***

As soon as Linc fell to his knees and surrendered, looking away with his eyes squeezed together, and his hands blocking his face, Leon sheathed his blade and dropped right in front of him.

After a few seconds, Linc lowered his hands and opened his eyes, facing the looming figure above him, who stared at him with a look of disappointment and disdain. Leon's eyes showed a fierce expression.

'He... he sheathed his blade! He actually forgave me!'

Linc rejoiced inwardly. In a battle, one stopping the blade, and one sheathing the blade were two completely different aspects of a duel. Stopping a blade's attack was to say that the wielder of that blade was giving the opponent a chance. Hearing him out, per se.

However, sheathing a blade meant that the wielder had forgiven his opponent. Leon knew about this common rule in swordsmanship... however, he also knew something that Linc didn't know.

That something was that Leon needed to sheath his blade to talk...

'Naive... he must be a naive boy. A straight forward warrior with virtue. Yes... ahaha!! I've hit the jackpot!'

Linc stood up, filled with confidence. However, he purposely lowered his gaze, acting more scared than he with, especially now with his newfound charisma.

"I'm sorry... I was just following orders, you know. Look, I'm very happy that you decided to have some merc--"

Linc was suddenly cut off.

"Pathetic..."

Leon said, a look of disgust in his glaring eyes, as Linc suddenly looked at him with confusion.

'Why... all of a sudden.'

He thought to himself, getting nervous.

"And here I thought there was something to consider."

'What is he talking about..."

"But no, it was nothing but a plea. How dare you declare yourself a fighter, one who cannot even lose justly. But... to be honest, even if you had reasoning, I would have eliminated you anyway."

'Huh?'

Linc was shocked at the words he was suddenly hearing, not being able to process them so quickly. He tried to back up but was stopped by the pillar behind him.

"Woah woah! Wait!"

He yelled as Leon gripped the hilt of his blade.

"I...I--"

"You what?"

"I beg you!"

Linc suddenly dropped to Leon's feet.

"Please! This exam means everything to me! You aren't even a very high-status noble, just like me! I'm sure you can understa--"

"I'm not a noble at all. Don't taint me with those words."

And with this, Linc finally ceased talking altogether, as both of them paused for a momentary silence.

'I did everything... I even pleaded to him on his feet. But... I got it wrong. I didn't know he wasn't a noble. It won't work now... he won't forgive me. If that's the case, then... I'll--'

Linc stopped his train of thought as he grabbed a few needles from his hair and abruptly rose up, aiming directly for Leon's neck. Before he could reach it, however, bright white eyes stared down at him, as he suddenly felt a painful stinging sensation run across his neck.

Leon's sword nearly sliced his head off but he was eliminated just beforehand.