Selection Exam 4

"The next ones to spar are Saber and Branmoor! I look forward to your fight. Both of you, come inside!" the referee called out.

Branmoor was a Druid awakener, and Saber was a Lycan awakener. Both hailed from the Shapeshifter Clans.

Their comrades clapped as the two entered the barrier. They bumped fists and punched each other's shoulders in playful greeting, laughing together.

"I'll fight you fair and square," Branmoor said.

"Nah, no need to hold back. I'm planning to give it my all," Saber replied with a thumbs-down gesture. Branmoor could only smirk in response.

"Alright, you two....make sure to fight fair. I don't want to see either of you impaling the other. Now get ready... and fight!" The Referee shouted, signaling the start of the match.

The two them attacked and both did some hand to hand combat. They immediately exchanged blows that made hits on their faces. Saber punched him on the stomach and Branmoor did a punch in his face.

The two exchanged blows from their Martial arts and then it became heated. The two were not giving out from their exchange of blows.

They immediately switched to their job Class after seeing that they were obviously equal in martial arts.

The two sized each other up, cautious not to rush in recklessly. Saber's aura suddenly flared, gushing out from his body as he activated [Beast Aura].

[Beast Aura] – A Lycan skill that heightens instinct, senses, and reaction speed. Currently at White Stage, with increasing power from white, green, yellow, blue, to red.

He crouched like a beast and dashed toward Branmoor. He was in his fours while dashing towards him. Ready to pounce the enemy of his.

Branmoor, unfazed, activated [Spirit Armor].

[Spirit Armor] – A protective armor infused with mana. Strengthens as the user grows and regenerates when mana is infused. Usable in both human and transformed forms.

Saber slashed at him with clawed hands, but Branmoor calmly caught his wrist with ease. Saber spun and kicked him in the face, forcing Branmoor to release his grip, though the blow didn't leave a mark.

"Hey Saber, is that all you've got?" Branmoor called out from a few meters away.

"Shut up! I'm not even going full force yet!" Saber snapped back.

Saber then summoned his companions using [Summon Wolves] and [Summon Crowd]

[Summon Wolves] – Summons normal wolves

[Summon Crows] – Summons normal Crows

Both were maintained through the caster's mana. They also regenerate by consuming mana.

Seven wolves and seven crows materialized around him.

"Attack!" Saber commanded, pointing toward Branmoor.

Branmoor raised his arms and cast his own summoning spells—[Summon Bear] and [Summon Vines].

[Summon Bear] – A powerful, intelligent bear capable of wearing spirit armor.

[Summon Vines] – Sentient vines capable of elemental attacks: poison, fire, and ice. Can also bite enemies.

Chaos erupted as the summons collided. Crows pecked at the vines while the vines retaliated with poisonous spray. The wolves circled the bear, biting at its flanks, but were swatted away by its massive paws. The spirit wolves regenerated quickly and lunged again. The bear, sensing the tide turning, donned Spirit Armor, increasing its durability significantly.

Suddenly, Branmoor transformed. [Shapeshift Werebear] activated.

[Shapeshift Werebear] – Transforms the user into a powerful werebear. Spirit Armor reshapes to fit the new form.

"Saber!" Branmoor roared.

"Branmoor!" Saber shouted in return as he activated [Shapeshift Werewolf].

[Shapeshift Werewolf] – Transforms the user into a swift and ferocious werewolf.

The two beastmen clashed in the center of the arena, slashing each other across the face. Branmoor's armor absorbed most of the damage. Saber, though lacking armor, was faster, darting around and striking at weak points with precision.

"Is that all you've got!?" Branmoor growled.

"Rargh! Shut your mouth already!" Saber snarled, slapping him hard across the snout.

They exchanged blows like wild beasts. A heavy paw from Branmoor knocked Saber several meters away, rolling him across the dirt.

Branmoor charged again, but Saber stood and retaliated with [Fury].

[Fury] – Slashes the target five times in rapid succession with claws.

The five rapid hits left Branmoor dazed. He retaliated with [Hand Slam].

[Hand Slam] – A powerful area-of-effect shockwave caused by slamming both hands into the ground. Damage scales with strength.

The ground exploded as the shockwave launched Saber into the air. He tumbled across the arena but quickly rolled back onto his feet. Branmoor advanced again.

Saber slashed at him, and Branmoor blocked with his bear's paw. Saber's wolves joined the attack, but Branmoor's vines responded with fire damage, burning the wolves as they fought. The crows dove in to support, pecking at the bear. Saber turned his claws on the vines, tearing them apart.

Branmoor, enraged, swatted down all the crows, eliminating them in one clean sweep. Only the bear and the wolves remained, still locked in combat. The two summoners, now focused solely on each other, called their beasts back into formation.

Saber and his wolves lined up. Branmoor stood beside his bear. The battlefield calmed—but only for a moment.

"I'll defeat you!" Saber shouted.

"Not even in your dreams!" Branmoor roared back.

They clashed once more, fists and claws flying, teeth bared. Their summons vanished as their time expired, leaving only the two fighters to duke it out.

Both were running low on mana. Their transformations faded. Still, they kept going, throwing tired punches at each other's faces.

Mike finally stood up and waved his hands. "Alright, alright that's enough! This is a sparring match, not a deathmatch! You're taking this way too seriously."

He walked over and began healing the bruises and swelling on their faces. The two rested for a bit and then drank water. They must have exhausted and were energetic enough to be in their high energies.

"Winner: Branmoor! He had the most remaining health points!"

"Don't worry Saber, you are selected too!" Shouted the referee.

Both Saber and Branmoor grumbled under their breath, annoyed at the result. Neither of them truly knew who was stronger and that fact frustrated them more than anything. But still, they were both selected. Both were happy for now.