Chapter 23 Combat exam (Part 3) “The Quarter-finals and a scheme behind the scenes "

The next morning, the stands in the arena were already 50% full. The entrance test generally does not garner much attention unlike the yearly Academy exchange which takes place between the students of various Academies within the kingdom. A 50% attendance in the arena is already more considering the fact that this was only the entrance exam for freshmen. This was due to the fact that many students did not have any active mission to complete with their mercenary squads. Soon the eight students who were participating in the knock out stage assembled near the smaller stage on the right and the VIP stands also had the same people who were seated yesterday evening.

The announcer once again took the place in the main stage and announced using his mic asking the students to come before him to take a card which was placed on a bowl. Sean went up last as he picked the only remaining card before him and turned the card to see the name 'Ken' written in the card. The announcer soon announced the match up between the students in the mic

"Match 1- Roman pierce vs Jodie Crowley

Match 2- Melinda Merlin vs Caroline

Match 3- Sirius Blackwood vs Michelle Severus

Match 4- Ken vs Sean Walker"

After the match up was decided the announcer called for the Roman Pierce and Jodie Crowley to come up on stage to fight. The match started with Jodie taking the initiative to attack by using her bloodline power which increased her already fast movement technique to even greater speed. The bloodline power of Jodie was blue panther, an lower grade speed type extraordinary beast. Jodie avoided direct confrontation against Roman who had a high tier bloodline and was a level 5 warrior and circled around him using her supreme speed and struck at Roman continuously. Roman however remained unmoving after activating his bloodline which covered his body in a black shell which is a defence type bloodline called Phalanx a bloodline of black tortoise. He remained unmoving while guarding his upper body using his arms as his eye kept track of Jodie's movements and just as she was about to strike at him once again towards his temple on the right side Roman suddenly dodged towards the left which caused Jodie to loose her balance as her right hand missed Roman's face. Roman punched at the ribs of Jodie which caused her to be thrown back as she tumbled a few meters. Jodie groaned in pain while holding her ribs and blood leaked from the side of her lips and tried to get up. However before she could even move she felt a chop on her neck making her loose consciousness. The judge announced the winner as Roman as the second match between Melinda and Caroline started.

As soon as the match started Melinda did not give any chance to Caroline to attack as she activated her bloodline which is one of the rare enhancement type bloodline which once activated will increase one's attack power, speed and defense. Melinda immediately sent a powerful Qi attack using her martial skill and Caroline who saw this barely dodged by using her movement skill. A big slash appeared on the place Caroline was standing and before Caroline could attack, another slash had already appeared before her. Caroline did not have enough time to dodge this attack, so giving up on dodging Caroline activated her bloodline and threw a punch at the incoming attack using her full power. Her bloodline was named white tiger, a lower grade danger beast bloodline which increases her power and explosiveness, increased the power behind the Martial skill Stone fist along with the illusive roar of the white tiger as she clashed against the slash of Melinda. The power behind the slash dissipated after meeting the attack of Caroline, however Caroline's fist had various slashes as blood spilled on the stage. Before Caroline could even get ready the third attack was already before Caroline and she received a slash on her chest which tore the leather armour and slashed her skin spilling more blood on the stage. Melinda did not stop as she slashed two more times which hit Caroline in the chest deepening her wound in her arms as she guarded against the attack and finally another slash came which hit Caroline's leg effectively making her drop the guard from pain and the final attack struck her chest once again as she fell on her back and became unconscious because of blood loss. The stage was covered in blood of Caroline as Melinda towards the exit of the stage after the judge announced her as the winner.

The third match started once Caroline was taken in a stretcher towards the Academy's medic office. The match started with both Sirius and Michelle attacking at the same time. Siriuss who was from blackwood clan which specialises in weapons making was a sword art specialist and not having to use a sword reduced his attack power and brought the fight a bit more equal between him and Michelle. After a few exchanges of Punches and kicks using their Martial techniques Michelle made her move by activating her bloodline which increased her speed as she behind Sirius and slashed using her Qi along with her bloodline power which had the power of wind. The Gale bloodline helps the bloodline user to mix the power of wind in the Qi which will help them increase their speed and also increase the sharpness of the attack. Michelle who slashed at Sirius from behind did not hit the back of Sirius as expected as Sirius used his movement technique which he utilises in his sword art and arrived to the left side of her and struck at her left side abdomen using his fingers and pierced her abdomen. Then without any stop Sirius proceeded to slash the left shoulder of Michelle who tried to punch Sirius in the face using her right hand. The slash left her unable to lift her left hand as she covered her shoulder which was bleeding using her right hand. Sirius did not stop and continued attacking using his palm technique which utilises sharpening of Qi in his palm to be used in case of not having a sword.

Michelle who was already bleeding did not have a chance to defend as she soon fell from the stage which indicated her loss. The judge soon announced the fourth match as Sean and Ken soon made to the stage. Meanwhile within the VIP stands Rutherford was sipping his tea as he watched the match with interest.

Flashback- Yesterday night

Ken who had already qualified for Quarter-finals was eating at an inn in order to rest early to restore his peak condition for tomorrow. At that time a person walked before his table and said "Ken right, well my name is Bernard and I am from student council of Four leaves Academy". Ken who heard the name student council was shocked and got up hurriedly while welcoming Bernard to take a seat. Bernard sat down while saying " I represent Young master Rutherford. Young Master Rutherford saw your matches and felt that you are talented and Young master loves encouraging talented students. You are from a normal family, however Young Master does not discriminate people based on their status. You must know that background is important, if one does not have a backing within the Academy then one cannot improve themselves further as only with a powerful backing can one obtain resources as well as expand one's views".

Ken who heard this offer was elated as not only could he become one of top eight, even a powerful Young Master has noticed him. He still remembered the day when he left for the academy. His father had asked him to be careful and not offend any person from great background and if possible obtain a backing from any Young Master. Ken while smiling said to Bernard "I'll be happy to serve the Young Master". Bernard who heard it smiled while thinking that the fish had fallen into the hook while extending his hand with a smile "That's excellent. Young Master would be very happy to hear your decision". Both Bernard and Ken shook their hands. Just as Ken felt that Bernard would leave, Bernard gave a box while saying "This is a gift from me. It will help you have the strength of level 5 warrior for a short period of time. Your opponent for tomorrow will be the kid named Sean Walker. Though Young Master did not say anything, I have served Young Master for long and I know that he expects you to enter top four. Tomorrow you would have to win against Sean Walker. You must have seen how he defeated a level 4 warrior with ease. However Young Master has said that it was because of his experience in combat and not because of talent. Though you are talented, you could still loose to that kid and if it happens Young Master would be truly disappointed and so will I. Remember you have to win tomorrow's match no matter what and for that you can use this pill".

"Is it alright for you to give such a precious pill to me? " asked Ken while holding the box. "It's alright, afterall from today you are going to be my brother" said Bernard. "Don't worry brother Bernard I assure you I'll win in tomorrow's match".

" Oh and if possible break a few bones of your opponent Sean. Though he does not have talent, Young Master wanted to give him a chance to work for him but that kid did not know what was good for him. He not only rejected Young Master's good intentions, he also cursed both Young Master and me. Though it's alright to curse me but he dared to curse at Young Master. Tomorrow, brother Ken must take revenge for young Master" said Bernard while looking aggrieved.

"Donot worry brother Bernard I'll cripple him for life in tomorrow's match" said Ken while having a righteous look.

"Then I'll leave this matter to you brother Ken" said Bernard with a smile as he walked away from the table.