{Rewards granted: +5 free stat points; +300XP; instant level up}
Max didn’t have the time to check out his rewards properly, and that was because a loud clap interrupted him before he could.
This came from Ben, who stood in front of him after tanking a strong, solid punch without even flinching one bit.
"Impressive," Ben said as he pointed toward the timer. Everybody’s gaze, including Max’s, trailed toward the huge timer clock hung high on the wall in the room.
"Twenty-eight seconds."
That was the amount of time Max used to land a solid hit on Ben, almost breaking Jake’s record.
"I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, I know you two are absolute monsters in your own rights." Ben chuckled, pointing at both Max and Jake at the same time.
"I told you... actually, the master told us." Elijah chuckled as he strode over and patted Max on the shoulder before leaning in closer.
"I told Ben who you really are because I trust him, and I know he would support the master’s decision to keep you alive. But be warned, the other hunters aren’t so nice.
There are people that want you dead because it was your aura that drew the demons back into this world. So be careful, and find a way to cover up your spectacle." Elijah whispered into his ear before pulling back and turning around.
’My spectacle? Bro was the one who set me up, and now he’s blaming it on me?! I swear, if I ever get strong enough, I will put him in his damn place.’ Max declared inwardly, staring daggers at Elijah’s back.
"That was fun to watch. I’m leaving now." Elijah said as he tilted his head back to stare at Jake. "When you join, we have something to talk about." He said, then swiftly turned to exit the room with something heavy on his mind.
’I really need to know what his dad is thinking sending him here. Sure, his father likes media attention, hence the reason most of the others have never seen Jake before.
But as time goes on, more and more people will recognize who he is, and that will become a hassle. His dad better have a good reason for sending his kid down here.’ Elijah thought as he fully exited the room.
"So!" Ben clapped loudly, drawing everyone’s attention back. His legs had reverted to normal, but his trousers were still ripped, and he seemed not to care at all.
"Max has passed this assessment. So kindly move to the side." He pointed toward where Zach and Jake stood. "In the meantime, I’ll call on some people to come fix this place up before we continue. The rest of you better steel your minds and prepare for what’s to come."
Max, as instructed, walked toward where Jake and Zach stood. Although the rich kid was staring at him warily, Jake was smiling from ear to ear.
"After all this, I have no doubt we’ll be accepted." Jake leaned in, smiling at a stunned and confused Max. "I know you said you don’t want to be friends, but I want to. Anyway, after this is over, let’s spar one of these days. It’s clear you’re stronger and more resilient than normal humans are."
"Tch! Not interested." Max scoffed, waving his hand dismissively, not forgetting what Jake had said earlier about putting him six feet under if he ever turned out to be evil.
"Huh?" Jake blinked rapidly, confused at how cold and dismissive Max was being. "Tch! You’re such a spoilsport, but still, I want to be your friend. And soon, we will be friends."
’It’s like they don’t even realize I’m here.’ Zach thought as he stared at the duo in front of him. ’Am I that invisible? Why doesn’t Jake want to befriend me instead? I would gladly accept a request like that from the strongest person among us. Instead, he went to this pauper, this low-life, this peasant, this slum rat...’
"Are you thinking bad about me?" Max asked as he tilted his head towards Zach’s direction, his brows furrowing in irritation.
"Me? No! Why the hell would I think bad about a pauper like you?!" Zach scoffed, his lips curling in mockery as he deliberately threw his head to the side.
’Pheww! What a relief. For a moment there, I thought he had actually read my mind. How the hell did he realize I was swearing at him inwardly?’
Unknown to Zach, while his thoughts had remained in his head, his face had betrayed him. The corners of his lips twisted in disgust, his eyes narrowed in disdain, and his glare lingered on Max like venom. It was no surprise that Max caught on so quickly.
"Okay!" Ben suddenly clapped, his voice cutting through the tension and drawing everyone’s attention. "The floor has been fixed. So let’s continue as normal."
’Huh? That was quick. When did those that were meant to fix it even come into the room? And how in the world did they take care of everything so fast?’ Max questioned inwardly.
He stared at the ground that had earlier been nothing more than a cracked crater. Now, it was smooth, seamless, and spotless, as though nothing had ever happened. Not even a single hint of damage remained.
"You know..." Jake began, leaning in once more, his tone low and filled with curiosity. His sharp eyes flickered with confusion. "I’m still trying to wrap my head around how you knew Ben was going to sidestep exactly into the spot where your foot was waiting.
That precision is insane. Unless you’ve gone through countless battles, or unless you’re ridiculously fast, there’s no way you could have predicted the movement of a B-ranked hunter so perfectly. So tell me, how did you?"
’Of course, it was because of my dragon eyes!’ Max thought, keeping his expression carefully blank while Jake probed. ’Not only do they allow me to see people’s aura, but they also let me pierce through barriers and even walls like I’m staring with X-ray vision.
More importantly, they let me detect a person’s intent before they even act. During the fight, I concentrated deeply and saw it. Before Ben even moved, before his body reacted, his aura shifted first.
Two seconds later, his body followed. That tiny window was all I needed. I knew he would sidestep, so I was already there waiting with my kick. These Draconic powers and abilities are proving to be priceless. They really are something else. It feels incredible.’
Max smirked faintly to himself, ignoring Jake’s question entirely.
"Let the assessment continue as usual," Ben’s deep voice rang out once more. He clapped his hands loudly, the sound echoing through the hall, before he began calling the applicants one after another.