Preparing

The first round had finally took a turn over as the last match had come to a conclusion. With several students showing various skills of their expertise, this test was also a learning point. Not just for the losers of the matches but actually for all of them as they all learned something new, either if it was a new ability or tactic.

Now that half of the unit was eliminated, there was roughly around 14 students left continuing on out of the 28.

Don't forget that even though half had lost, they all were able to show skills surpassing normal people. Despite a low grade, they all should be given a round of a applause for their effort.

Moving on to the second round, the ballot sphere had once again appeared in front of the students as it started shaking rapidly until suddenly calming down after a few minutes. The moment it stood still, the contestants went up to grab a ballot one by one as to figure out who their next opponent was.

Halfway through the pickings, the Sergeant closed in besides the ballot sphere giving it a touch while saying, "All of you will soon be progressing later on to the battlefield, so I hope this round you can show me something even more daring.."

Sergeant Zhu had tried bringing up a speech that would bring up their motivation to the upcoming round, but that was all a facade as he was trying to configure with the ballot to set up a match between two students straight away without suspicion.

'With how he performed in the first round, there's no way he'll be able to get rid of his next opponent before he goes against Ern with the same tactic. He has no skill, no experience, or any advantages besides his body in this test.'

The Sergeant had earlier prepared for the moment to grief the system, but he would have never expected that Sam wouldn't be able to fight in advantage against one of the weakest figures amongst the whole unit. In skill, he was below the worst even. Only being able to bring a fight that could determine the two as par with cheap skills.

If Luther that time would be more wary, he instead would come out as the winner due to him not taking into consideration of Sams physical prowess.

So now that things have moved in a different direction to what they have scripted, the Sergeant was forced to bring it about earlier than expected. Which would allow Ern the opportunity to be able to fight against Sam in this round.

Not thinking too deeply about what the Sergeant had said, instead all of them began having more fierce expressions so that they would be able to impress either the higher ups or fellow students.

As the ballot sphere continued distributing the papers, Sam was finally able to receive his ballot which then started reacting that pointed in a direction of his opponent. Turning around to where the paper indicated, Sam could see Ern sitting down on the ground staring at him vividly. This time it wasn't of eagerness that Ern portrayed, but now it had turned into boredom.

The reason he had finished his match impressively in a fast pace and showing some of his skill, was because he was very eager to have a bout with the number one placer of the Endurance test that had showed remarkable physical strength. But as he watched Sam fight against Luther. The eagerness he felt had vanished in the first few seconds as he found out that all Sam had was a body and no talent.

It was no longer surprising to the both of them that there was no longer the spark that gave Ern the willingness to fight.

Understanding too well of his ability, Sam could only grimace as he thought of going against probably the number one fighter in the unit. He could also understand the frustration that was on his opponents face, seeing how weak he was back there.

Sighing, he looked around the field until he spotted Walter talking to another student, while also seeing Soraya practicing her moves for her next battle.

Seeing that they were too busy for the disturbance, Sam found a quiet place in the field to sit down on as he planned his actions for next fight.

...

Back in a room beside the Primary Field, Lieutenant General Lao had a deep frown on his face. Same as what the rest were thinking, he no longer believed that Sam would have the ability to fight Ern to a stand still, even more to even be able to help him.

Usually when he came across other people who had these types of energy, they would show an ability or an abnormal fluctuation of strength in a part of their body as it increased their lethality by several levels. But all it seemed for the energy that appeared on Sam, was that it gave his body sturdier cells that rapidly replicated around his body giving him the muscle mass or strength three times of an average man.

It may sound impressive, but that was concluded on average for "normal" people. If you were to take into perspective of individuals who have trained their skills and body for countless years, Sam wouldn't be anything special at all. Even with his glowing energy.

Now deep in contemplation, he disregarded the idea of putting extra resources into Sams training as it would be more beneficial to find someone with an area of expertise or enhanced aspect rather than a man with a stronger body.

...

Back towards the field, Walter was now in the middle of his match.

The woman that was trading blows with him, was average in skill and physical prowess which wouldn't give a struggle for Walter if he just kept pressuring her. But if you were to be looking at the match, you could see well on his face that he was struggling to deeply, and that was because the same as him, the woman was adept in evasion and stealth. It was both of there specialty.

Walter started pouncing on the girl as he then suddenly turned around in a 180 degree angle, throwing sand right in front of him.

"Cough, cough." Getting hit by sand on her face, she started convulsing as she rushed backwards with her eyes closed, still wary of what may come at her.

As she made her way back, Walter had appeared right behind her as he silently put on a kick towards the lower back to deal a finishing blow.

"Argh" Getting hit in that spot had put too much pressure her spine making her faint the moment it landed. Falling to the ground, the fight had come to a conclusion.

"Walter Stone Wins!"

Bowing to the woman who was on the ground out of respect for the match, he left the center of the field and met up with Soraya as he was also able to learn something from his opponent regarding evasion and stealth..

"How did I do?"

"Not bad, you two were in the same field but you had more experience in my eyes." She had stated.

"I only need a yes or no." Walter complained.

"Didn't look like it. Your eyes was looking for recognition." She rebutted while smiling widely..

Tsk.

Ever since Soraya had asked to become friends, he had accepted it half heatedly because he still didn't know her too well. But as they continued talking to one another, he couldn't help but think that both she and Sam were trying to make fun of him.

He was never the social type, he would talk to others every now and then. But he had never had proper friends as he was never inclined to care about others problems.

The moment he came across Sam though, it felt like he had no where to go but stick to him. Walter didn't know if it was a good or bad thing for him personally, then again he would be with them for the next few years. So he would see where it would lead to. Same goes for Soraya.

"Then what about Sam?"

"You remember the goth freak from the first round?"

"Yeah he was called Ern right?"

"Yeah that's him, and apparently that's who Sam will be facing in the next round."

"..."

"You think he has a chance?"

"20% chance in my eyes." Soraya had concluded after watching both of their matches.

"Well sh*t."

Now that Walter thought about it, Sam really wasn't anything remarkable aside from his strength. If he were to go up against Ern. He might be humiliated and become the next laughing stock of the unit. From Number 1 to rubbish.

Looking over to Sams direction, the two of them could only hope for the best as soon Sam will be facing the man who still hasn't showed what he truly was made out of.

----

The Timeline is beckoning for Power Stones!