Demon Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 35: Trials 1

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[Appraisal Skill Activated!]

└ No specifically assigned rank, gifted upon the completion of an A-Rank dungeon.

[Description]

└ Above absolutely any person, beast, or demon, the user can precisely view another’s individual rank, beast rank, or demon rank.

└ Can be used at any moment User wishes.

[Limitations]

└ For those of higher rank, those who embody more power as of the current user’s status, cannot be correctly perceived.

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Alex looked around as he continued walking side by side with Cassie. The gentle wind brushed through his hair, almost too perfectly, as if it had been staged.

This one skill, [Appraisal], was easily his favorite. To Alex, it truly was la crème de la crème. It allowed him to perceive everything he wanted to know within every individual.

For instance, the joyous-looking nobleman to his right.

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[Name: Bell Cornwall]

[Mana Core Rank]

└ Master / B-Rank

[Beast-Rank]

└ King Beast / A-Rank

[Beast]

└ Brambletusk

[Deity]

└ The Boar Deity

[Family]

└ 3rd Degree

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But it wasn’t limited to just that. Even to his far left, a kind-looking, shorter male laughed as he caught up with a friend. That, too, was easily perceived by Alex’s new skill, [Appraisal].

He was able to perceive almost everything, as long as it matched the limitations given by the skill initially.

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[Name: Ray Cortez]

[Mana Core Rank]

└ C-Rank / Elite

[Beast-Rank]

└ War Beast / B-Rank

[Beast]

└ Swift-Talon

[Deity]

└ The Sky Predator Deity

[Family]

└ 4th Degree

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It intrigued Alex, seeing just how far others were from his current status. And now, it had become far more apparent just how much weaker everyone else was in comparison to him.

Tamed beasts couldn’t rank up their cores. That was their fixed limit.

However, their masters could continuously rank up their own mana cores until they matched the rank of their beast.

So no matter how skilled or talented someone was, their potential would always be capped at the level of the beast they formed a contract with.

While observing others was interesting, Alex soon shifted his focus.

Someone else had caught his attention.

Someone far more important.

"Appraise," he whispered, "let’s see how powerful you really are."

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[Name: Leonar Nova]

[Mana Core Rank]

└ ?????? / ????????

[Beast-Rank]

└ ??????????? / ??????????

[Beast]

└ ??????? / ???????

[Deity]

└ ??????? / ????????

[Family]

└ 5th Degree

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"Thought so," Alex sighed, unsurprised. "But I’ve never seen question marks before."

Yet something else caught his attention.

"So mysterious... yet you come from a 5th Degree bloodline household? Interesting..."

The thought lingered in his mind, but he didn’t dwell on it for long.

In just a few minutes, the trials would begin.

Alex didn’t know what they had prepared, but he hoped it would be something action-based or intelligence-oriented.

That was his specialty, after all.

The gates surrounding the area slowly opened. Both guards stood firm.

"Those of you here for the trials, step forward!"

The guard on the left moved ahead, his posture radiating cold confidence and authority.

"For those here to watch live within the arena, form a single-file line. I will not repeat myself. A single file line!"

The Nosguard Beast-Taming Academy was massive, especially within the Royal District.

Held once every year, the event drew crowds who treated it like a grand spectacle.

Alex and Cassie followed instructions and walked through the gate without issue.

Upon entering the academy grounds, they were directed along a specific path that led straight toward the Nosguard Arena, where the trials would take place.

A massive crowd filled the circular arena, eagerly waiting to see which students would pass and which would fall short.

But one thing was certain.

Alex looked ahead, his gaze rising toward the clouds, where a lavishly dressed woman stood.

"Appraisal."

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[Name: Vanesca Vor Artorious]

[Mana Core Rank]

└ ?????? / ????????

[Beast-Rank]

└ ??????????? / ??????????

[Beast]

└ ??????? / ???????

[Deity]

└ ??????? / ????????

[Family]

└ 1th Degree

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She was the principal of the entire institute.

Alex had heard her name countless times. Her achievements, her influence, the legacy she carried. Everything about her screamed main character.

But this was his first time seeing her in person.

Her skin was flawlessly pale, her silver hair perfectly flowing alongside her light silver eyes. Even the way she dressed radiated status and control.

She sat casually, holding a delicate alcoholic drink in her right hand, while two guards and what seemed to be close relatives remained seated beside her.

All of this took place within a completely transparent glass chamber positioned at the very top of the colosseum, offering the perfect view.

...

12:30 PM.

The arena was full. Not a single seat remained.

Alex and Cassie stood patiently, waiting for the last of the participants to arrive.

Then, suddenly—

Bam!

The gates slammed shut behind the final entrant.

Two guards stepped forward from the arena platform.

"Listen up! The principal is about to arrive! We will not tolerate unnecessary chatter!"

Everyone nodded, immediately quieting down.

The crowd fell silent.

The eager awakeners stood still.

They all knew who Vanesca Vor Artorious was.

To them, she was a godlike figure.

And the way she descended only reinforced that belief.

No platform supported her feet.

Only air... and the wand resting at her side.

She hovered ten feet above the students, scanning the arena with calm precision.

No one bowed, but the silence alone spoke volumes.

"Well then," her voice rang out, both soft and commanding, like that of an angel.

Her gaze swept across the entire arena before settling forward.

"Let the annual Nosguard Academy Trials commence!"

A faint, captivating smirk formed on her lips, drawing in every student’s attention.

Then she continued, her tone shifting slightly.

"To begin, we’ll start with what all of you enjoy the most..."

Murmurs rose... then quickly faded.

"Dungeon raids."

Alex smiled slightly. "Depends on the criteria. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Alex Thorn."

Cassie remained completely unfazed. "Well, this is quite boring."

Vanesca lowered her right hand.

Everyone tried remaining calm, but some couldn’t.

Their nerves were increasing, their heart pulsing at Vanesca’s every movement.

This is what they would hope to be their moment.

Vanesca now lowered her left hand.

And she didn’t even give a chance for an introduction, because their bodies were already fleeing from their consciousness.

"..."