Inside the Clone Space.
Thud!
A monkey with a horn collapsed, its body turning to dust the moment it hit the ground.
This was Law's tenth Monster since he had teleported here.
He had lost track of time, an hour? Maybe more.
Although he didn't know the strength of the other freshmen, Law guessed it wouldn't be far from his own. Some might have already reached the Second-Circle.
Just then, a voice echoed from above:
"Test… one… two… three. Announcement! I forgot to mention, this test will only last two hours and one hour has already passed! Sorry for the inconvenience!"
A massive glowing number materialized above the treetops: 1:00:00.
What? Only one hour left?
Law's pace quickened. He still hadn't found Lily yet. 'I hope she's not eliminated yet.'
Currently, his Core is still at the Peak First-Circle. After the fight with the bandits yesterday, he could feel his Aurion approaching its limit.
But he had been trying something different, instead of gathering Aurion into his core, he focused on channeling it directly into his body.
He managed to do it; he could feel his body strengthening in a way that was different from breaking through a small stage.
If the breakthrough gave him strength through multiplication, then this method grants strength through addition.
By a long run, his body could become invincible, right?
As he ran deeper towards the forest, his ears catches a sound coming from his left.
Law's eyes narrowed. He moved toward it cautiously maybe he could reap some benefits?
Meanwhile, somewhere else...
Lily faced off against a Tyrant Monster, the same kind Law had fought before, a tiger-like creature with three tails.
"Lightning Spear!" she shouted, and a spear materialized behind her, crackling with thunder.
This was the spell she learned from Aunt Maria, she managed to change the fire to lightning, suiting her Affinity.
It shot toward the tiger with a whistling sound but the tiger, as if playing with her, it snorted and leaped aside to dodge.
"You! Why don't you stay still!" she shouted, pointing at the tiger,
"Ugh! I'm not staying with you anymore!"
She unleashed Lightning Spear one after another, chaining them together.
Stopping only after feeling a little thirsty, but even then, the result was astonishing, around her, about twenty Lightning Spears hovered in the air.
The tiger's playful eyes turned to despair, as if it had suddenly gained intelligence.
Stab, Stab, Stab.
One by one, the tiger was impaled until it finally turned to dust,
'Hmph', she snorted coldly and turned away, "Where is Brother Law right now?"
Currently, Lily is still at Mid First-Circle level.
What she didn't know was that summoning that many Lightning Spears was impossible at her level.
The consumption of Mana itself is huge, and now she still standing perfectly fine with no sign of exhaustion.
Back to Law...
When he arrived at the source of the sound, what he saw made his heart beat faster. Aria was holding a long wand, covered in blood.
Her flawless white hair was now tainted, and her clothes were in rags.
Opposite her stood a tall monster.
It was a wolf with two heads, each with a horn, its body covered in silver fur and radiating pressure.
An Overlord Monster.
As Law looked at them, they also looked at him. The monster growled louder when it saw another human.
Aria was surprised to see Law here, but she didn't asked for help instead she shouted at Law. "Go away!"
This couldn't be help, since she could only see that he was just a First-Circle, and this monster was on par with the Second-Circle.
The wolf didn't stay idle, it attacked Aria, who was closer to it. With a wave of its paw, a slash of wind shot towards her.
Aria was just a Sorcerer. There was no way she could dodge this attack quickly, and as for creating a shield? That was impossible, her Mana was drained.
Aria closed her eyes, accepting her fate. 'Maybe this is as far as my luck goes…'
But the impact she expected didn't come. She opened her eyes slowly, and what she saw make her heart race. Law stood in front of her, arms crossed protecting his body.
In this test, the less your opponent is the more easier you can get a high rank. And Law, by doing this is just making it hard for himself.
Did Law care about this? The answer is a no!
There are a reason for why he did this.
First, by doing this he can know his body hardness! Not breaking into Second-Circle is a right choice.
Second, Aria already helped him once and her earlier remark show she don't care about others.
Third, Aria is a rich young lady! No way he is going to miss a favor from her.
After blocking the attack law immediately carry Aria on his shoulder. and then run far away.
Though he managed to block the attack, it was just not its full power. So if Law really going to fight it, he must not have a burden.
Aria thought is in turmoil, she didn't expect Law to save her and manage to block the attack.
Not to mention he did it with only his bare body!
'Who is this guy actually?' Originally, she helped Law from Zene was because she didn't like Zene's gut.
And maybe because Law is bit too handsome.
Now she realized that Law is not an ordinary person. After all, an attack from an Overlord Monster is no joke for First-Circle.
One casual attack can fatally injured them, possibly even instant kill!
But Law was unharmed and he even can still carried her.
From behind, the wolf chased after them, putting the distance closer and with furious roar it pounced on them.
Law make a quick decision, he throw Aria to the forest and jump to dodge its attack.
The attention change from Aria to Law, just as he expect. He run away while shouting, "Miss Aria, don't forget you owe me for this!"
Aria who is lying inside the bushes was stunned, she didn't expect Law to go this far for someone he just met.
Her heart warmed, there is other person who cared about her...
Although she is from the The Great Noble House, only her father has ever treat her as human.
And if she got eliminate this early, it would make him disappoint in her. Thinking about this Aria get up and started to replenish her Mana.
Law who was being chased didn't know, about Aria thought. He just want to shake off this wolf for now.
Since his raw speed can't do this, he decide to use his Rune to enhance it.
Law's feet crackle with lightning as his speed soar faster that the wolf.
'See how you can catch me now!' Law thought he was saved now, but the wolf was still catching up to him.
The wolf's whole body was now surrounded by a green aura, making its body lighter and increasing its speed.
'How is this possible!' Law just realized that an Overlord Beast also can use Aura!
Law put more Mana on his Rune, just manage to put the same distances between him and the wolf.
At this rate he is going to be exhausted in just a minute! As Law was thinking about this, he saw a purple figure ahead...
Lily also saw a person but quickly figured it was Law, "Brother Law!..." Then she saw it, he wasn't alone; he was being chased by a wolf.
Law muttered, "Great, another problem," before hurrying to Lily and picking her up.
Lily was surprised, but she didn't resist. In fact, she seemed to enjoy it, oblivious to the danger.
"Lily, are you okay?" Law inquired. He didn't see her flushed cheeks.
"Mm-hm," she replied softly, her face red. Sensing Law's concentration on the wolf, she understood its ruining the mood.
"Let me help!" At first, Law thought it was just one or two attacks, but after looking around, he realized there were about twenty Lightning Spears!
At his arm, Lily was casting the spell nonstop.
Law was surprised, now there might be a chance for them to kill this monster. With that he stop and put Lily down.
"Lily, you focused on attacking it, left the defense to me!" Law taunt the wolf toward him.
The Lightning Spears now numbered around forty, and Lily, nearing the limit of her control, told Law she was going to attack.
He stepped aside and leaving an opening for her to attack. And then the barrage of Lightning Spear rained down toward the wolf.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
The explosion sent shockwaves through the trees, and a thick cloud of dust billowed out, obscuring the scene.
Lily, panting slightly, watched as Law stood before her, "Did we do it?"
Law remained silent, unable to see anything through the dust. As he prepared to check, a wind swept through from inside.
At the middle of the scene, the wolf stood weakly with its body burnt by lightning. Even so, the aura it gave now was more terrifying than before.
There is nothing more to do now, Lily was exhausted and his strength can't really do much to this Monster.
Law decided to gamble, dividing his attention; one part focused on his consciousness, while the other remained vigilant towards the monster.
Inside his consciousness, Law poured all his absorbed Aurion into the Core. Then it shattered, scattering into lights, half creating a circle, while others forming into another smaller Core.
In this decisive moment, he broke through to the Second-Circle, giving off a pressure similar to the wolf, albeit weaker.
Now Law can use Aura, even though he never experienced it; he knew how to use it out of instinct.
Runes with golden color appear around his body, giving off majestic and ancient vibes.
Law could feel it; after breaking through the Second-Circle, his strength doubled, and in this state, it doubled again.
A total of four times enhancement!
But the rate at which his stamina is being consumed is too much.
Law moved. With a powerful kick from his right foot, he left a massive crater in the ground and arrived before the wolf in the blink of an eye.
He followed with an uppercut to the wolf's jaw sending it airborne, he continue by putting more Aura into his feet and kick toward it's head.
The wolf didn't get blasted away; instead, its head was sliced off.
Law's eyes widened; he himself didn't expect it to cut through the flesh.
Lily who was watching at the back was also stunned, not because of the gruesome scene, but by the cool aura Law was giving off now.
'So cool!'
Thud!
The head fall down as it turned into dust and Law exited his current state, panting slightly.
He turned his head and looked at Lily, not giving her any chance to speak. "How many monsters did you kill already?"
00:10:29
After running around and finally killed this wolf, about 50 minutes had already passed.
"I think.. Only 2? That's pretty good right!" Lily said while fidgeting around.
Monsters at the Tyrant level are inherently weaker than humans at the First-Circle. This is because monsters can only use their abilities once they become Overlords.
So, the Academy make this test must to check their endurance, just killing two monsters is an under feat achievement.
"Not good." Law said bluntly, he don't want Lily to fall behind.
Lily expression fell, Law immediately tell her "Its okay there is still plenty of time here. Let's move quickly."
"Wait! Brother Law, my speed is not as fast as you... so... can you carry me like before..." Her voice become more and more quiet.
Luckily, Law hearing was also enhanced after breaking through so he doesn't miss it.
This is actually a great idea, it can be said to be killing two birds with one stone. Monster that get close, will be kill by him and those far away can be bombard by Lily.
With that he kneel down, his back facing Lily.
Although, she want the princess carry, a beggar can't be a chooser right?
Soon enough, the timer above reached zero and everyone returned to the plaza.