"Hello, you two." Max greeted them, noticing their astonished expressions. "Are you two surprised? But why? If I dare to participate in the test on behalf of the general’s quarters, then I obviously have some tricks up my sleeve to win against you guys."
Eric Volfire stared deeply at Max, his eyes trying to see through him. "I don’t know what method you used to win against Tim, but these tricks won’t work on me," he said with a faint sneer.
Max smiled at him. "We’ll see about that."
"Looks like our names are being randomized," Lyra said, her eyes on the screen.
Max turned to see two columns of names. One had "Bye" and the other "Versus," meaning one of them would get a bye and directly advance to the final, while the others in the "Versus" column had to fight for that position.
Soon, the randomizer stopped, and the names on each column became clear.
Max Morgan VS Eren Volfire, Bye - Lyra Dusckshade.
"Hehe, it’s me and you," Eren chuckled as he entered through the shiny door, above which their names were written.
Max shrugged and followed behind him.
Soon, both of them appeared again in a grassy plain, but with no trees in sight.
"I will show you that in front of true strength, all tricks are useless," Eren said, taking out a sword and round shield. A moment later, both the sword and shield blazed with flames.
"Inferno Slash!" Eren swung his blazing sword toward Max, sending a fiery arc of flames toward him.
Seeing that, Max used the Infernal Coating skill, and his hands transformed into flames, so compressed that it appeared as though he wore skin gloves of flame atop both hands.
He then moved one of his hands forward and—Bang!
The fiery arc collided with his hand, creating a small explosion, but it failed to harm Max at all.
"Tch," Eren muttered, frustrated, and dashed toward Max, flames propelling him forward.
Arriving close to Max, he swung his sword several times, sending four fiery arcs toward him.
This time, Max took action. He dashed forward and punched one of the fiery arcs, causing it to explode into oblivion. Dashing around, he punched the other three fiery arcs, which also exploded into nothingness.
"Sword of Annihilation!" At that moment, Eren closed the distance between them and attacked with his blazing sword. He swung it down, unleashing bursting flames.
Max glanced at the fiery sword coming down from above and sidestepped just at the right moment to dodge it.
Bang!
The attack hit the ground, creating a small crater.
Using this opportunity, Max used the power of 5 Draconic Essences and punched forward at Eren with his flaming hand.
Bang!
Eren, at the last possible moment, used his shield to block Max’s attack. But the shield shattered into pieces, sending Eren flying back like a broken kite.
But Eren used his sword as an anchor, quickly stabilizing himself and attacking once again from a distance. This time, he held his sword in a straight, high position above his head, causing it to blaze forth with more and more flames.
Once it blazed with flames, he swung it down in one final arc.
Eight fiery arcs crisscrossed as they were released from his sword, making their way toward Max. The flames burned so hot that the grass along the way turned black.
Seeing the attack, Max used the same technique, punching forward with his blazing fist.
Bang!
The collision engulfed Max in flames, but as the smoke and dust cleared, Max stood in the same place as if nothing had happened.
"Are you done?" Max asked Eren, who was breathing heavily.
Eren stared deeply at Max and said, "Your tricks are too strong." He hated to admit it, but it was the truth.
Max smiled and walked toward him. Upon reaching him, he punched him again, causing his body to explode into red particles. A moment later, his entire body disintegrated into red particles.
’Those at level 10 have become easy to kill,’ Max mused. He hadn’t even used the full extent of his Infernal Coating skill, and yet it could block all attacks from level 10, making Max wonder where his limits lay.
’Only those at the Apprentice Rank could bring out my full strength,’ he thought, walking into the shiny blue light door and arriving at the hall.
Noticing only Lyra, Max waved at her. "It seems we’ll fight to see who will win the top spot," he said, grinning.
Lyra shook her head. "Our battle is pointless. I only want to enter the Phoenix Order, and since my spot is almost guaranteed with second rank in the test, there’s no need for us to fight."
Max shrugged. "Have it your way, then." It didn’t matter to him whether he fought someone or not since he would win either way.
Just then, a red shiny door materialized in the hall with "Exit" written above it.
"Let’s leave," Max said to her as he walked toward the shiny red door and disappeared from the hall once he entered through it.
Lyra stared at Max and then followed behind him, entering the red door.
---
Outside the Battle Realm, Max and Lyra both came out of the Battle Cube at the same time.
"They didn’t fight for the top spot. I was waiting for it."
"I bet Max would win against Lyra. He’s just too strong."
"But Lyra’s strength is also deep. Who knows what she would pull against Max in their battle?"
"Then Max, Lyra, and Eren will be going for the recruitment test of the Phoenix Order."
The crowd murmured once Max and Lyra came out of the Battle Realm. They were a bit disappointed that they couldn’t see the battle between them.
"Max, Lyra, and Eren. You three will be given spots for the Phoenix Order guild," General Foster said, tossing each of them a token.
Max caught the token and noticed that it was round, with a blazing phoenix on one side and the word "Trial" on the other.
’It seems this is the recommendation token,’ Max thought, putting it away.
General Foster spoke to the three of them. "These are called Trial Passes. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to enter the recruitment test for the Phoenix Order guild."
He added, "There is a branch of the Phoenix Order guild in Old Lake City, in our Dustfall District. You three have to report there by tomorrow if you want to participate in the recruitment test. But sadly, I can’t take you there, as generals are forbidden to enter Old Lake City during the recruitment test."
’They are forbidden to enter?’ Max thought, finding this interesting.
"I recommend you leave for Old Lake City right away," General Foster said solemnly. "Also, don’t push yourself too hard if you feel the test is too difficult, as many geniuses die in the recruitment test each year."
Max, Lyra, and Eren nodded in understanding.
"Then today’s test has come to an end," General Foster announced to the crowd. "Max, Lyra, and Eren are the three who will go to the Phoenix Order guild for the recruitment test. You are all dismissed."
People began to leave after the announcement. They had come to see the top three geniuses of Crestford City, and they were satisfied with the result.
"Old Lake City…" Max muttered as he planned to leave soon.
"Max, are you leaving?" Zixi asked, arriving before him. William also came with her.
"I am, and thanks for the recommendation," Max said, thanking her.
"Good luck," Zixi said, smiling at Max.
"Yeah, good luck, Max," William said, patting Max on the back.
Max smiled at them and hugged both of them tightly. "I’ll see you guys soon."
With those words, he left the general’s quarters.