"In this test, all of you have to form a team of 5, with one among you acting as a leader," Drake continued his explanation.

    "The test''s motive is to assess your leadership capabilities, and one more thing: you can only make someone a leader if their ranking is above yours," Drake added, emphasizing the importance of ranking.

    As Drake spoke about ranking, the big screen lit up, displaying a list that showed the participants'' rankings. Jake observed that he held the first rank, Jimmy was third, Emily was seventh, and Mark was twelfth. ''Hmm, there are some good candidates here,'' Jake thought, realizing that the rankings indicated the presence of other talented individuals.

    "Well, you ranked first. Can''t say I''m surprised," Mark commented as he joined Jake, glancing at the screen.

    "Who eliminated you?" Jake inquired.

    "Hmm, it was that girl," Mark pointed at the girl, catching Jake''s attention. When Jake saw her, he raised an eyebrow because the girl turned out to be Melina.

    "You... didn''t get distracted seeing those melons, did you?" Jake teased Mark.

    "What do you take me for?" Mark snorted in response.

    Jake shook his head, choosing not to dwell on the topic. Instead, he decided to use Akashic Eyes on Melina, keen on gaining insights into her abilities

    [Name : Melina Dia

    Race : Dragonoid

    Core : Radiance (Pseudo white)

    Corel Energy : Light Mana

    Rank : D-

    Description : A dragonoid from Light dragon clan, with their inherent special core Radiance, that can harness Mana of Light Essence.]

    "Her speed is something else; it''s like you when you use Light speed," Mark explained to Jake.

    Jake nodded, acknowledging the observation about Melina''s exceptional speed. As Emily and Jimmy joined the discussion, they realized they needed one more person to complete their team of five.

    "How about that guy?" Jimmy suggested, pointing at the black-haired, green-eyed individual – Dio.

    "Hmm, I think we can call him," Mark agreed, making his way towards Dio.

    Curious about Dio''s ranking, Jake glanced at the screen once more and saw Dio holding the 2nd position. ''That''s pretty good,'' Jake noted.

    As Dio approached Jake, he recognized him. "You are the First rank, that means you are the one with the chained dagger!" Dio exclaimed.

    "Ahh, yes, that was me," Jake confirmed.

    "Hahhh, I thought I would get the First rank, but you beat me so easily," Dio sighed, expressing a touch of disappointment.

    Jake chuckled, appreciating Dio''s competitive spirit

    [Name : Dio Granvis@@@@

    Race : Human/Fey

    Core : Umbra(Pseudo white)/ Emerald (Peak Violet)

    Core Energy : Shadow Abyssal / Life or Emerald Mana

    Rank : E+

    Description : A half human and half Fey hybrid, with best of both world.]

    [Who would have thought that you would find a Dual core like you so soon,] Nexus commented.

    ''Hmm, is he a protagonist?'' Jake asked, considering Dio''s characteristics – a Dual core user with a unique background.

    [No, if a protagonist came near you, you would definitely get a mission. Since there is no mission, it means he is not,] Nexus clarified.

    Then jumping from the tree, he started searching for prey.

    And then he came across a stream and started walking by it, hoping to find any prey that may come to drink water.

    And after some time of walking he came across a bear shaped animal.

    "Inspect" Jake mumbled and then Bear looking animal info. appeared before him.

    {Name : Dread Bear

    Rank : D+

    Core : Abyssal }

    ''So a Abyssal beast huh?'' Jake mumbled and then brought out his Sword.

    The Abyssal bear is now drinking water from stream, Jake jumped high in air and appeared above the bear and then coating his Sword in Sword Aura , he descended to Bear and then sliced bear neck in one sweep.

    {Congratulations on obtaining :

    1. Bear Fur(1)

    2. Bear Claws (4)

    3. Bear Meat (50 kg)

    4. Dread Sword ( Rare) : Crafted from Dread Bear bones and core, comes with skill Fear. }

    "This is good, I can farm food and equipment" Jake mumbled and then resumed his hunting.

    //////////////////////

    On Dio side

    After running some km, Dio came across a village like settlement.

    "So this is where we are supposed to recruit inhabitants" Dio mumbled and then went near the guards stationed outside the Village entrance.

    "Hello" Dio nearing them waved his hand but the Guards pointed their spear at him.

    "I come in peace" Dio raised is hands in surrender.

    "Who are you?" One of the guards asked.

    "My name is Dio, I came to help you all" Dio smiled and said.

    "Help us? How?" The Guards looked at him suspiciously and asked.

    "I came to invite you all to my territory, its surrounded by Stone walls and have many vacant houses too" Dio replied.

    "You really come to invite us to your territory" Suddenly the guards demeanor changed and then they came to Dio and asked with sparkling eyes.

    "Ah, yes'' Dio nodded awkwardly, having two grown men looking at you with sparkling eyes is surely weird,

    "hoooorayyyy" Both of them shouted attracting the other villagers.

    "Come with us" They said and started dragging Dio inside even before he could answer.

    ''They are not going to eat me right?'' Dio worriedly thought, thinking he is entering den of barbarians who eat humans.

    But fortunately that didn''t happen as they took him to their village chief.

    " Hello esteemed one" The Village head which was middle aged , muscular man, bowed to Dio.

    ''Damm, he is A rank, just what kind of territory defense is this?'' Dio gulped seeing his rank and thought.