"Goddammit, what is this system into now?" Ethan was sweating. For the fact that the system called a Supreme an inferior being was already a joke. But the system was unwilling to make him bend.
It was as if a Divine Emperor was the one giving the system its commands. Obviously, it wouldn't bow to anyone.
"Ethan, what are you doing?" Gloria asked, thinking he wanted to cause trouble again.
"I swear it isn't me! I don't know what's going on," Ethan said honestly.
"Gosh," Freddy sighed, already shaking his head.
God saved him—everywhere was crowded, and Ethan wasn't that tall.
"What's wrong with your friend?" someone asked.
"Ugh, I think he's got leg issues," Lynx lied. Luckily, they all bought it. Nobody even batted an eye at Ethan. Obviously, they thought he was just another weakling who would soon die anyway.
"Rise," Supreme Diana commanded, her voice filled with authority.
"Phew," everyone sighed in relief. The pressure was too much—it couldn't be helped. A Supreme was too powerful; each one possessed the strength to wipe out half a planet.
"Welcome, cadets. Welcome to the last great trial," a male voice echoed. Floating mid-air above the 1,250 cadets was a man radiating power. He was clearly at the Transcendence level.
"This is a trial that determines your future outcome," he said. "If you read the paper you signed outside the main gate, you should know you've signed a life and death contract."
"What?! Life and death? What does that mean?" someone panicked.
"I didn't even read the paper I signed!" another nearly broke down.
"So you mean my life is in my hands now?"
"Silence!" the Transcendence-level man thundered, his voice shaking the eardrums of everyone present.
"A shame," he said. "The journey of the awakened is always filled with life and death. You're only a coward if you shy away from it."
"We at the Helios War Academy don't harbor weaklings. You're just unlucky and greedy for going after what your might can't handle."
Ethan silently observed him. Although the man didn't look like much, Ethan could sense a formidable spirit within.
"We are live now on Eternal Dawn as we witness the last great trial of our young awakened!" a reporter shouted. Drones zipped across the sky, filming the war-torn zone—streets and cars lay in ruins.
"As we can see now, General McGuire is addressing the young awakened," the reporter continued.
Ethan's ears picked up the name, and his eyes widened. Anthony McGuire, also known as General X, was a Transcendence warrior who took part in the first war against the Xeridians. At that time, he had just awakened, and though the casualty rate was over 70%, General X survived the War of Black Death.
Though he lost many comrades, he came out on top—a legend, an international hero. His story inspired many awakened to keep fighting, no matter what.
"Such spirit," Ethan muttered. He was truly pleased to finally see the man who had inspired him to become an awakened.
"Listen up," General X's deep voice boomed. "In the next trial, you'll be battling beasts and humanoid beasts. Their levels won't be revealed—you'll have to gauge that yourselves."
"To pass, you must obtain a score of 100 or above. Failure to pass means death."
This statement sent shivers through the crowd.
"And also—"
A massive golden and silver billboard floated mid-air, displaying a list numbered from 1 to 100.
"The top 100 on this ranking will earn a reward, which will not be disclosed yet," General X said as he combed his moustache and disappeared from the sky.
Only after he left could they breathe again.
Numerous cadets started whispering in panic. Freddy, Gloria, Lynx, and Ethan, however, looked at the delirium-fortified gates with firm determination.
To be at the top wouldn't be easy. In fact, it never was. Only the brave-minded could rule—the rest were destined to spectate.
If they wanted to become Supremes, they would have to climb over blood and corpses to reach it.
Braccckkk!
The delirium gate slowly opened, revealing a vast expanse of ruins stretching before their eyes. For a moment, no one dared to move. Then, a thin youth stepped forward into the area.
Seeing that nothing happened, others followed.
Smiling confidently, Ethan said, "Well, here goes nothing."
"Yeah, man, that's the spirit!" Freddy replied, marching beside him.
Gloria remained silent, while Lynx simply followed.
Once everyone entered, the gates snapped shut behind them.
Immediately, Ethan sensed something. Of course, he could feel the auras of countless beasts and humanoid monsters—but there was one sinister, formidable presence that stood out.
"Well, I guess it's time to rack up some experience points," he thought.
Thirty minutes later, the groups were already scattered deep into the ruins. The awakened were fast.
"As expected from the cream of the crop," Ethan said, walking with his team. They were at the western side of the ruined city, roughly ten square miles wide.
"Ethan, how big do you think this place is?" Gloria asked.
"Roughly the size of a mid-class city," he replied.
"Man, I wonder how many points we'll get for defeating a single beast," Freddy said.
"Oh, that's easy," Lynx chimed in. "There's a button on the suit they gave us. Just press it, and you'll see your points as a hologram."
"Oh, that's cool," Ethan said. Checking his left arm, he pressed the button and a holographic display appeared.
Name: Ethan Sylvester
Aspect Rank: B-Rank
Trial One: D
Trial Two: S
Trial Three: ????
Rank: ???
Points: 0
"Okay, with that solved, I just hope nobody gets killed," Ethan said.
BANG!
Before his words even faded, a shadow burst out of a ruined building. A long, sharp arm grabbed a nearby awakened and crushed his skull.
Boom!
Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.
Everyone immediately backed away. Ethan had already drawn his Death Blade.
"Watch out!" someone screamed—but it was too late. The shadow had already moved toward its next prey.
Everybody held their breaths praying for the awakened.