As Andrew was placed down, He looked at the man who stopped him so casually.

’It seems I still have a long way to go, but I knew that already.’

As he walked back, Damian wrapped his arm around his head. "quite impressive, now watch me do better."

Andrew sent a blast of water to his face That made him let go as he rearranged his long and luscious hair. "Just go already."

As Damian walked up to the stage, he saw his opponent. It was a bigger guy, only slightly as Andrew was big himself. He had a mustache and seemed to prefer not wearing a shirt.

His muscles were detailed. He probably was bullet proof without boosting his stats with mana.

He surprisingly didn’t have a weapon. A brawler type. As Andrew got closer, the man extended his hand. It would’ve been rude to not extend his own.

Shortly, he regretted that decision.

A massive crushing force was upon his hand.

This was a test that Damian would not fail.

Looking upwards, Damian could see a surprised look on the man’s face.

"You’re strong boy. What’s you name?"

"Damian. Remember the name of the adventurer that’ll beat you. I’ll be a knight soon enough."

"Interesting."

after surviving and pulling his hand back, the round begun.Damian took the

initiative, charging forward with his axes .

As he swung his axes, the man smirked and blocked with his forearm. The axe connected,

Not doing much damage, if any at all.

What surprised Damian was seeing fire covering his forearm. A punch was delivered to his face for losing focus.

Stepping back a bit, Damian smirked much to the man’s confusion. "You got a thing for getting hit or you gonna step it up?"

As Damian’s axes caught fire, he stared at the man with a glint in his eyes. "You knew the answer to that."

"I was hopeful. And now I’m glad I’m at least somewhat correct. Show me what you got."

He walked closer.

Damian went forward again, this time his axes leaving behind a small trail of fire. As her charged towards the brawny man, he swung for his head.

For a big man, he was fast when he wanted to be. He dodged, but it made Damian smile.

A strong opponent acknowledged how powerful his attacks were.

A flaming fist crashed into his chest, knocking him back a few steps. His opponent quickly advanced, sending another punch that he barely blocked.

This one however, sent him flying.

As he neared the edge, The giant punched the air, sending a fireball in his direction.

’I DONT HAVE MUCH TIME!!’

His thoughts rang out.

Quickly steadying himself, he put everything into his next swing. Swinging downwards,

The fireball split in half in a blast that stunned a few people in the crowd.

Chase looked towards Andrew. "Whaddaya think? He doing better than you?" Andrew shook his head. "He’s on the back foot."

Chase raised his eyebrows. "You truly think that mage gave it her all?"

Andrew squinted his eyes, not that it could be seen. "You can’t blame me for that. My round was ended before things got serious."

He was right. A mages body is a lot more vulnerable than someone like a brawlers.

Andrew was breathing heavily. He had done it.

He looked towards the giant man, who was impressed. "You better have more for me."

A smile creeping up his face.

He took back the initiative, His slashes Carving great arcs of flame through the air.

The giant blocked them, but cut marks were starting to appear now.

What sped up his heart rate was when he replied. "Indeed I do."

In an instant, a pillar of flame encased the man, and when it subsided, he was covered in it like a blanket of flame was wrapped around him.

Before Damian could fully take in what he was seeing, the man charged. A punch was delivered to Damian that knocked the wind out of him.

If he wasn’t positive then He was sure of it now. The only reason he was in this fight was because of his healing factor.

He tried to swing his axes but those eventually get knocked away as well.

He was slowly being pushed back to the edge once more.

Channeling mana into his fists, they caught fire as he threw them at this brick wall of flam again and again and again.

Eventually, the man sat down. His flame burned out for the moment. Damian’s heart was racing. He couldn’t believe it.

He’d Won. "Yes! In y–"

The speaker with the beard put a hand on his shoulder. "You did pretty good. So close but so far."

Huh?

Looking down, Damian saw his feet outside the stage. He wanted to fall unconscious for this embarrassment.

Damn it.

once he gets back, Andrew stares. "I would dig into you, but my match got cut. Good on you. These guys are strong."

Chase walked up to him. "You did great."

Though he was truly thinking about Donny.

They were getting into increasingly dangerous situations now. Wouldn’t it be right to corrupt him as well?

He left and walked up the stage. Suddenly, the man who had been speaking, Had dropped down beside him. "I am Alexander Cullen And I shall be your opponent."

Chase could tell, he was different from the others. He wanted to use his system but.

That would ruin the surprise. His life is in no danger. "I am Chase Withers. Hope we have a good fight."

The man stroked his beard. "As do I."

Chase stayed where he was while Alexander

Walked down to the other side of the stage.

"Do I give the go?"

Chase shrugged.

Alexander then smirked a bit before clearing his throat. "Begin."

The moment he said that Chase rushed forward, sword in hand. Alexander kept his hand behind his back, yet tens of balls of water formed behind him before being sent in Chases direction.

Chase used all of his available speed to dodge. With his already enhanced body, and his new access to more potent mana, he was able to dodge most of them and close in.

"Impressive, but what will you do now?"

As he got close, Alexander lifted his fingers and a gust of wind sent Chase flying twenty feet into the air. "Duels elements?"

Chase had no idea people like this existed.

As he was trying to adjust, Alexander floated just above him before opening his palm.

A ball lf compressed water and air began swirling, creating something new. Chase was literally being pulled into the attack from the wind.

As Alexander slammed the attack into his chest, Chase came flying down in a massive explosion of air and water.

Donny Put a hand over his forehead.

"He’s not dead right?"

Even Andrew and Damian were in shock.

"Should we throw in the towel?"

Chase was in a cratered part of the stage when Alexander flew down to the floor.

"Are you gonna stop acting? I hit you hard,

But you should be capable of withstanding this much."

Chase got up a bit angry, sword drawn. He didn’t know what he was gonna do, but he had to do anything except be a punching bag.

Seeing him somehow stand up in mint condition, Alexander was smiling with his eyes closed. "You pass."

Chase was wide eyed. "So the fights over?"

"Great speed and endurance. You’re certainly on this level without doubts."

"Thanks I guess?" Chase didn’t know how to respond after getting absolutely embarrassed.

"You and your team look so young. Lead them well. Expect you to rise higher in the future young lad."

Chase just nodded and left the stage.

He may have gotten beaten but now their ranks were changed. They were all rank C.