Chapter 105: The S Rank Teachers
(Julius Argenti POV)
Days passed since the news was announced. Things became a bit calmer since then, though there were still riots.
Many arrests of B rank mages and below occurred, though A ranks and above were spared. But people had calmed down mainly because the prime minister stepped down and a new leader was chosen.
The majority of the top ministers and bureaucrats were replaced as well. Supposedly these people supported different policies and were from a different party, though that was doubtful.
The government must've expected these developments so they probably expected all this beforehand.
But I had better things to worry about currently. Today was the day that people could be chosen to become a disciple of an S rank.
Everyone was talking about it. The news was suddenly sprung on us yesterday.
This was the first time this had happened since the war started. Occasionally some S ranks would teach at the school, take interest in a student and let them become their disciple.
However now, a decent amount of current S and SS ranks were coming to the school to train students. They all would pick students they had an interest in and could test us.
Every year level was allowed to participate. But only Sectors A would be tested. There were too many students to be tested at once.
Though the S ranks would also visit other sectors. To get chosen by an S rank in another sector, you had to impress them when they would visit your class.
***
(Umbra Moria POV)
I stood upright on the oval surrounded by my peers. Over 2000 students were approaching us. From their mana fluctuations, most of them appeared to be extremely nervous.
I quickly picked up Amina and Jules' mana signatures. They were far stronger than everyone else's.
For most people, this was the largest gathering of S ranks they had ever seen. From this group of people, I could train my successor.
Well, I already had two, but having more students doesn't hurt. Rebecca stood at the front, representing all of us.
After giving her opening speech, I was chosen to give the first test. This test showed how much malice a person could withstand.
The closer one gets, the exponentially more malice a person could withstand. As an assassin, I honed my killing intent to the max, making me the perfect person to give this test.
"Okay brats, let's test strong is your mental fortitude."
After giving my warning, I unleashed my {Haki}. All the students started sweating as experienced my {Haki}.
Though the pressure behind it was extremely weak, the malice and killing intent behind it were overwhelming.
This test determined one's mental resilience and resolve. It didn't matter how strong one was. All that mattered was your will. Even a civilian could pass this test.
It couldn't kill a person, but it could drive them insane.
Some of the students started retreating backwards as they tried to escape the wave of killing intent. When the killing intent weakened they sighed in relief.
Though my peers around me were unhappy. If this was a real battle, these people would've already died because they gave up.
The students here weren't idiots and soon realised the purpose of the test. Some of the students attempted sprinting forward, but they were instantly halted by the more powerful malice.
As the students struggled to gain ground, the S ranks around me started to take notice of some potential candidates.
The one who was leading the pack was a girl who appeared to be in her 3rd year and followed by another girl in her second year.
An S rank behind me informed me that both girls came from civilian families and were in 1A of their respective years.
Notably, the girl in her second year, Lisa Rosario, already had a teacher - the Sword Saint.
I recalled the S rank behind me specialised in analysis and exploiting his enemies' weaknesses. When he had prep time, he become extremely dangerous.
'I should reference his data if I potentially want to choose the best student.'
I'm pretty sure my fellow S ranks thought the same.
***
Five minutes had passed and most of the students couldn't move any longer. Some were struggling to take another step, hoping to garner attention from the S ranks.
I noticed that mages who experienced the Ausburn attack on average could withstand my malice better than everyone else. Being in a life-and-death situation must have strengthened their resolve.
The person leading the pack was my grandaughter who only stood a couple of metres away from me, with Lisa, James, Violet and the third-year girl not far behind.
"Though she is family, you shouldn't be giving your granddaughter an unfair advantage. She doesn't have to be the best Umbra."
I heard my fellow S ranks joking about me going easy on Amina.
I ignored them and searched for Julius. But I noticed he hadn't moved from the spot he was standing from. He was definitely planning something.
Anyway, after seeing most of the students barely move from their positions, I announced that everyone had 3 minutes till the test would be over.
I looked over at Julius to see what was doing, but he didn't move at all.
It was only until he had 30 seconds remaining was when he started walking. He seemed completely unaffected by my malice.
He continued walking till passed Violet then James and finally Amina before arriving in front of me with a smug smile on his face.
I realised why had done this. All eyes were on him. Every S rank was focusing on him. The more options he had, the better it was for him.
Every student also stared at him with a suprised look on their faces. The way he calmly walked towards me seemed as if he had no fear of death.
Though that was completely untrue. Julius had the greatest fear of death. Probably more than anyone here.
But because of that fear, he would desperately cling to life. He would try to survive, no matter what. Overwhelming malice won't affect him. Even if god told him to end his life, he would refuse.
'Though this brat is getting too arrogant. Also, he is being too smug.'
I instantly increased the pressure about my {Haki} on him for a split second. My {Haki} forced him onto his knees and caused him to cough out blood.
"Fuck you."
He flipped me off while cursing me. He was only able to act like this because we knew each for years. Anyone else would immediately cripple him.
Though I might've been a bit petty. I heard from Veronica that Amina had a crush on him, so I want to punish him for trying to steal my granddaughter.
Yeah, it's a flimsy excuse but I can't help but be upset. The test ended soon after with Julius taking the first place.
There were a few tests more tests that occurred afterwards. The test varied from basic strength to intelligence tests.
From the results, the S ranks had to choose which students could move on to the next round. If you caught the interest of them, you'd be chosen.
The ones that weren't chosen were eliminated. This resulted in most students being removed.
Next were the duels among the ones chosen. First up was Julius Argenti who was unanimously chosen by everyone vs Selina Graves, the strongest third year.
Julius had scored extremely high on most of the tests and even scored top marks in two categories, the fear test and mana capacity.
Selina was a light attribute user, being extremely fast and extremely precise, a powerful and dangerous combination. Who would win if they fought face-to-face?
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