Selection Exam 5

The next ones prepared for their match.

Baggus and Deathbane. Both were friends but rivals right now. Baggus was a mage while Deathbane was a Necromancer.

"Time to let loose," Baggus said as he stretched his arms.

"It's time they learn how much experience I really have," Deathbane replied, his tone laced with confidence.

The two walked to the center of the barrier arena, smiling and readying themselves.

Both were not fans were martial combat but still, they attacked with their fists first.

The two then punched and kicked each other for several exchange of blows. Baggus punched and punched until he was tired enough. Then Deathbane blocked and blocked until the the two tired themselves off.

Renji was face palming. He needed to train this two with how bad their Martial arts were. But then, suddenly, there's a shift of battle.

As they squared off, Baggus summoned fire into his hands, casting [Fireball] and [Mage Armor], while Deathbane conjured his [Death Scythe] and donned his [Necromancer Robes].

[Fireball] – A basic fire-element spell that launches a ball of flame toward the target.

[Mage Armor] – Magical armor used to mitigate both physical and magical damage.

[Necromancer Robes] – Garments that increase mana regeneration and boost necromantic skills.

[Death Scythe] – A necromancer's signature weapon, used to reap souls and defend against attacks.

The referee stood between them.

"Okay, here are the rules. No causing permanent injuries, and no large-scale spells inside the barrier. Got it?" He raised his hand, then dropped it. "Begin!"

"Ha!" Baggus shouted as he hurled five small fireballs and sprinted forward.

Deathbane quickly summoned [Bone Wall] to block the oncoming attacks.

[Bone Wall] – A defensive structure made of bones, used to block enemy attacks.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each fireball hit the wall, sending echoes through the arena. Smoke burst from the bone wall's remains. Deathbane slipped out of the smoke, still gripping his scythe—but Baggus was already waiting. More fireballs flew toward him, and Deathbane deflected them with swift swings of his weapon.

Clang! Clang! Ping!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Sparks and smoke filled the arena as Baggus dashed in close, switching tactics. He activated [Burning Hands] and began striking with fiery fists.

[Burning Hands] – A close-combat spell where a Mage's hands are wreathed in flames, used for fast melee attacks.

Deathbane was momentarily surprised. Baggus attacked with the rhythm of a dancer, fast, aggressive, and stylish. But Deathbane met him in kind, spinning and slashing with his scythe like a seasoned war priest. The battle was fierce, close-range combat unusual for their classes, but honed by experience.

"Heh! Don't tell me your child-sized body's affecting your instincts, Deathbane!" Baggus mocked while striking.

"Who's the one with the handicap here?" Deathbane shot back. "I'm a summoner, not a brawler!"

He summoned a [Skeleton] and followed it up with [Grappling Hands] to restrain Baggus.

[Skeleton] – A basic summon with no weapons, often used as a decoy or distraction.

[Grappling Hands] – Spectral hands that erupt from the ground to hold enemies in place.

Baggus was caught and immobilized. Deathbane ordered the skeleton to punch Baggus in the face.

"Did you forget I'm a Mage?" Baggus grinned. With a laugh, he bombarded the skeleton with rapid [Fireball]s.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Amid the chaos and smoke, Deathbane dashed through, using his summon as a distraction. Baggus was shocked when Deathbane emerged from the smoke, scythe at the ready.

Meanwhile, Renji watched in awe, his hands clenched in determination. If only he had a class then things might be different...

"They're monsters..." he muttered.

He knew he was far from catching up—but he would. If he wanted to stand alongside these heroes, he needed to harden his heart and push forward.

Back in the battle, Baggus was still restrained by the spectral hands. He would've used [Teleport] in the past, but with his current mana at Earth Realm First Stage, he had to conserve his energy. He attacked the hands binding him, burning them away.

[Teleport] – A spatial magic that relocates the caster. Can be cast with runes or direct intent.

Just as he freed himself, Deathbane appeared in front of him with a lethal swing. Baggus instinctively created a [Force Field].

[Force Field] – A protective barrier that blocks external damage while allowing attacks from within.

The scythe clashed against the shield's surface. Baggus immediately fired more fireballs, but Deathbane anticipated this and deflected them. Then, he cast [Black Fog].

[Black Fog] – A shroud of dark mist that blinds enemies. Only the caster and their minions can see within.

The arena was engulfed in darkness. From outside, spectators could only hear the impacts echoing from within.

Bing! Bang! Bing! Clang!

Inside, Baggus struggled. His fireballs were useless when he couldn't see. Thinking fast, he summoned a massive fireball to light the fog around him. The glow gave him visibility within five meters.

Even so, Deathbane was unfazed.

"If he fires again," Deathbane thought, "he'll lose his light."

He summoned more [Grappling Hands] at Baggus' feet to distract him. Baggus destroyed them with quick fireballs—but Deathbane kept summoning, one after another, draining his mana.

Finally, both combatants reached their limits.

"I surrender!" they both shouted in perfect unison.

"Huh?" Stephen and the others blinked. "What just happened?"

"I can't break your barrier—I surrender," Deathbane said, slumping to the ground.

"No, I surrender. Those hands were like perverted ghosts grabbing my legs! I'm done!" Baggus joked, laughing aloud.

Deathbane burst into laughter. "Hahaha! I didn't know skeletons freaked you out! And thanks for the new skill name—'Perverted Hands.' Not bad!"

"I'm serious. Once I regain [Teleport], you're toast!" Baggus smirked.

"And when my minions get stronger? You're the one who's doomed," Deathbane retorted.

They both laughed, then bumped fists.

"Alright, match concluded!" Frank shouted. "Both of you, bow!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, impressed by the display. Sieg clapped from the sidelines.

"I didn't know you improved your [Burning Hands]. Combine that with [Teleport], and next time you'll crush him."

"Both passed!"

"YES! WOOHOO!" the two cheered.

But before they could rest, the next announcement boomed through the arena.

"The next match is..."