CHAPTER 1030: NEXT CANDIDATE

The chamber echoed faintly with the murmurs of the gathered candidates seeing the fight.

Their voices were low but the tension in the air made every whisper sound sharp.

Many of them had come here with confidence. Some were even eager to challenge Erend because they were convinced that their newfound Magic gave them the power to at least hold their ground against him.

First, to test their own abilities. Second, to see whether the stories about Sergeant Erend were nothing more than inflated tales meant to intimidate new recruits.

But now, watching with their own eyes, they felt the truth settle heavily in their chests.

The legend was no exaggeration.

The two men who had spoken boldly in the smoking area last night exchanged nervous glances.

Their faces were pale, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads despite the cool air.

Their hands trembled slightly, though they tried to hide it.

That was happening before their turn even arrived.

"Maybe... maybe we don’t need to topple him after all, heheh..." one of them muttered with a nervous laugh and his voice cracked halfway.

The woman with them scoffed and sighed, her lips curving into a grin.

"You give up already?" she asked, her tone teasing.

The man didn’t answer. He only looked away with his jaw tight. His eyes refused to meet her.

On the side of the chamber, Adrien stood with his arms folded, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group.

Beside him, Billy smirked and chuckled while leaning slightly forward with his usual casualness.

"They must’ve thought all those stories about Erend were exaggerated, Captain," Billy said with a crooked grin.

Adrien didn’t bother returning the smile. He only gave a curt nod. "Yeah."

Neither of them added more. But both men knew the truth that these candidates hadn’t even glimpsed a fraction of what Erend was capable of. And also what the two of them had been through with him.

What they had seen so far from Erend was restraint.

Back in the center, Candidate Number One was still pressing on.

His movements had become sharper, faster, his aura brighter as he threw himself into the fight.

His once clumsy attacks with brute force now carried speed and precision after what Erend had told him. And for the first time, some of them even touched Erend.

But touching him and hurting him were two different things.

The candidate’s strongest blows landed on Erend’s torso and shoulders, the sound sharp and heavy like iron colliding with iron. Yet Erend didn’t so much as flinch.

His stance never shifted. His calm face remained untouched as if he were enduring a summer breeze rather than a barrage of Magic enhanced attacks.

Then, without warning, Erend raised his hand and spoke, his tone even and final.

"That’s enough for you."

The words cut clean through the air.

Candidate Number One froze in the middle of his swing. His chest heaving, sweat running down his face.

His arms dropped heavily to his sides. His body trembled with exhaustion.

His breaths came ragged and uneven, he inhaled sharp and his exhaled sounded long and desperate.

"You did great," Erend said, his expression softening slightly. "Go to the corner and recover."

"Yes, sir."

The young man nodded weakly and staggered back, dragging his steps toward the wall where the others stood.

His pride was wounded but he had endured far more than most expected. And of course, nobody would tease him because he lost that badly against Erend.

Erend turned, his voice carrying across the chamber once again.

"Candidate Number Two," he called, his tone calm but commanding. "Step forward."

Candidate Number Two stepped forward immediately. Her boots echoing faintly on the stone floor as she moved into the center.

Her long hair was pulled back into a tight bun. Her face set in determination, even though the faint twitch at the corner of her lips showed her nervousness.

She was tall and broad-shouldered, her frame carrying the strength of someone used to long hours of physical training.

Erend studied her quietly for a moment, then gave a small nod.

"Your ability is fire Magic, right?" he asked in a calm tone.

"Yes, sir," she answered, her voice steady despite the weight pressing on her chest.

"Then show them."

The woman inhaled deeply and raised her hand.

Her fingers stretched open and with a flicker of will, flames began to gather in her palm.

At first, a faint ember glowed, then it grew into a ball of fire swirling with red and orange light.

Erend’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Now you need to throw it at me with the intention to attack me. Or even kill me," Erend said. His voice was clear and firm.

Her body stiffened at his words. For a moment she hesitated. The thought of hurling her flames at him—at Sergeant Erend himself—made her jaw clench.

But then she remembered the sight of Candidate Number One’s best attack that she knew was strong, crashing harmlessly against Erend’s body.

"He’s strong. Stronger than any of us. It won’t even scratch him even if I use all my power." The woman thought.

She exhaled through her nose, then steeled herself. With a sudden thrust of her arm she launched the fireball straight toward him.

The flame shot across the training arena, its heat can even be felt brushing against the skin of those standing nearby.

It roared as it closed the distance only to be caught effortlessly in Erend’s hand.

He closed his fist and in an instant, the fire disappeared as though it had never existed.

The woman’s brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line.

She released a quiet sigh, her annoyance slipping through despite herself.

Erend, unbothered, looked at her evenly.

"Make it stronger," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

The woman nodded, fire already sparking once more between her fingers.

This time, she poured more of her energy into it and then created a soccer ball sized fireball that looks denser than before. She shoot it at Erend.

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