The Vice Headmaster sat motionless in his seat. He didn't know what to do with Lucius. He turned to the other four observers. "What are we supposed to do now? This is... quite unprecedented."
The first observer leaned forward in his chair and shook his head. "We're not sure. This is the first time we've encountered a situation like this."
He looked back at Lucius. "None-talent individuals aren't supposed to reach this level, let alone take the Platinum Class test."
The second observer crossed her arms. "If he doesn't have a beast, putting him against the Flame Bear is... problematic. Without a companion, it would be a one-sided slaughter."
The third observer was a bit nervous. "But his Evolist technique was remarkable. I've never seen such precise energy control before. The way he does it is one of the best in his generation."
The fourth observer sighed heavily, running down his hand across his face. "None of that matters if he can't fight. If we let him proceed without a solution, it will destroy everything we've built here."
The Vice Headmaster's finger tapped against his folded arms as he thought about the situation. He looked back at Lucius, who waited for them.
He then pressed the other observers. "What do we do, then? Disqualify him? That seems premature, considering his ability. But letting him fight the Flame Bear without a beast... that's a bit..."
Lucius smirked after hearing them. He stepped closer to the vice headmaster and opened his hands. "Let's not make this complicated, Vice Headmaster. I understand the debate you're having."
He then pointed at himself. "You're wondering how someone like me—a person without the ability to tame beasts—can possibly complete this phase of the test."
The Vice Headmaster narrowed his eyes but said nothing, letting Lucius continue.
Lucius turned and gestured toward Liora, who stood beside her. "I propose a solution. Why don't I let my maid, Liora, who is also my bodyguard, fight in my stead here?"
The first observer leaned forward in his seat and shook his head. "That's unacceptable. She is not you. This test is to evaluate your abilities, not hers."
Lucius tilted his head slightly and smirked. "And yet, didn't the Vice Headmaster explicitly state that I could use everything at my disposal?"
Lucius gestured toward Liora. "She is my slave and maid. A slave is basically an asset of his master, making her something that I can use in my disposal. Are you now taking back those words?"
The Vice Headmaster's lips twitched, his frown melting into a chuckle that quickly turned into full laughter.
He folded his arms and leaned back slightly. "You've got a sharp tongue, Lucius. Clever. Very clever."
Lucius smirked and nodded. "I simply follow the rules as they're presented, Vice Headmaster. If those rules happen to favor me, I can't be blamed for using them to their fullest."
The first obsercer shook his head. He was clearly unhappy. "This bends the spirit of the test."
The second observer crossed her arms and interjected. "Bends, perhaps, but does not break. And if Lucius has reached this point despite his... unique circumstances, perhaps some flexibility is warranted."
The third observer hesitated before nodding slowly. "If this is allowed, it should remain a one-time exception. There's precedent to consider."
The Vice Headmaster raised a hand to silence him. "Principles exist to guide us, not to limit us. Lucius is a rare case—someone with no talent standing where no one else has before. For once, I'm inclined to make an exception."
He turned to address the observers as a whole. "Consider this: for hundreds of years, no one with his so-called talentless status has taken this test. Even more, his Evolist techniques are flawless. Disqualifying him now would be a waste of potential."
The second observer sighed but eventually nodded. "Very well. But this exception must remain just that—an exception."
The third observer hesitated but followed suit. "Agreed. It would be a shame to stop him here."
The fourth observer grumbled under his breath but leaned back in his chair and reluctantly nodded. "Fine. Let's see where this goes."
The Vice Headmaster smirked, turning his attention back to Lucius. "It's settled, then. Liora will fight in your place. You've convinced us, Lucius—though I suspect you enjoy bending the rules in your favor."
Lucius chuckled softly, nodding his head slightly. "I only follow the rules as they're given, Vice Headmaster. If they happen to work in my favor, so be it."
The Vice Headmaster laughed again and clapped his hands. "Very well! The second phase begins now."
Lucius turned to Liora and smirked. "Liora, go on. Show them what you're capable of."
Liora smirked and stepped to the arena. She looked at the 4-Star Flame Bear. "It's about time. I've been waiting for this."
Suddenly, Luna's voice appeared in her mind. Luna was reminding her something. "Liora, remember—don't use full-body Beast Fusion. If you're pressured, use only one limb for Beast Fusion. We can't afford to let them see our secret, not even now."
Liora smirked. She responded to her telepathically. "Relax, Luna. I won't let them figure it out. Honestly, I don't think I'll even need to use it."
Luna sighed. "I'm just reminding you. Even if you're winning, we have to play this carefully. Master doesn't want unnecessary attention."
Liora glanced back at the observers for a fraction of a second and smirked. "Don't worry, Luna. They'll see what I want them to see—and nothing more."
With that, she refocused her attention on the Flame Bear, which roared again, flames erupting from its claws as it slammed its massive paws against the ground.
Liora only smirked and mocked it. "Big, loud, and on fire. Typical for a stupid beast."
The Vice Headmaster looked at the scene. "Liora, the Flame Bear won't hold back. Let's see if you can match its strength."
Lucius, who heard what the vice head said, only smirked. He was quite amused. "Strength isn't the question, Vice Headmaster. The real question is whether the Flame Bear can keep up with her."
Liora smirked. She began to crouch down in preparation to fight the 4-Star Flame Bear.