The Strength Test

*[Current Myth Level: One (45/100)]* 

*[Mythical Ability: Intriguing and Delightful]* 

*[Current Combat Level: Warrior 1 (1042/3000)]* 

*[Specialties: [Robust][Powerful Strike][Momentum Slash][Battle Reflexes]]*

Levin stood on the training ground, holding his sword and shield, facing Arios, who wielded his sword with one hand.

The test was straightforward: simulate a battle with an extraordinary opponent. Inspector Arios would suppress his realm to that of a newly ascended extraordinary being. Levin's task was not to defeat him but to restrain the inspector within the suppressed realm.

After all, for an acting deputy sheriff, being able to contain an extraordinary being suffices to prove one's capability.

Extraordinary beings are a scarce combat resource, particularly for the rapidly expanding guard, which would gladly split each extraordinary being into two if possible.

The concept of acting deputy sheriff had recently emerged. This rank was assigned to ordinary guards who had not yet reached extraordinary status but possessed the ability to restrain extraordinary beings, thereby promoting the original extraordinary deputy sheriffs to lead new teams.

Undoubtedly, this approach would lower the overall quality of the guard. However, due to recent crimes, particularly rampant organized transnational criminal groups, the expansion of the guard had become imperative.

To preserve the combat effectiveness of basic operational units, it was only natural to test each acting deputy sheriff.

Acting deputy sheriff was a temporary measure in the face of insufficient extraordinary beings, yet not just anyone could hold this position. One must at least be competent enough to not hinder combat at the extraordinary level.

"Ready, Levin?" Arios, holding his sword with one hand, let his aura diminish from mid-tier extraordinary to the newly ascended level and stabilized it.

"I'm ready, Inspector Arios. Let's begin." Levin tightened his grip on the shield in his left hand and made a preparatory gesture towards Arios.

This was Levin's first battle against a mid-tier extraordinary being. Although Arios had suppressed his strength, his combat experience and skill far surpassed that of a typical low-tier extraordinary being.

Crucially, Levin needed to retain his own strength in this fight. The delightful abilities of the Trickster were off-limits, and he had to maintain his extraordinary prowess at the limit of an ordinary person.

This presented a significant challenge for Levin, who had just entered the extraordinary realm.

"Then I won't hold back. Here it comes!" Arios gripped the sword with both hands and charged forward, delivering a powerful downward strike towards Levin.

Powerful Strike! Levin's pupils contracted, immediately recognizing this as a classic technique of the warrior class extraordinary beings, nearly a mandatory skill.

If he were to use his true strength, blocking with the shield and counterattacking would be the best choice. However, as he was currently disguising himself as an ordinary person, a head-on strategy was unsuitable.

Levin's thoughts completed in an instant, but the Powerful Strike was already approaching. He had to sidestep to the right, using his shield at a forty-five-degree angle to block Arios's descending blow.

An exquisite choice! Ellie, watching from the sidelines, brightened with excitement. This maneuver not only avoided the attack with minimal cost but also created a fleeting opening.

Indeed, the Powerful Strike was deflected leftward by Levin's shield, causing Arios to momentarily lose balance and leave an opening on his right.

*[Battle Reflexes Activated!]*

A system prompt echoed in Levin's mind. Everything in his vision seemed to slow down, with only a red spot on Arios's right side, a vulnerability exposed by the deflection of the Powerful Strike!

A sword thrust!

Arios's eyes flickered with surprise as he used the force from the shield strike to perform an ungraceful tumble, leaving his uniform covered in dust.

"Impressive, no wonder you can contend with an agile extraordinary being. Frankly, your grasp of battle opportunities and strategic choices resembles that of a seasoned warrior, adept and decisive."

Even the usually strict Arios was astonished by Levin's ability to exploit his fleeting weakness, and he did not hesitate to offer praise.

"Inspector, you flatter me. I merely observed more carefully." Levin blushed. Without the Battle Reflexes, he might not have managed that thrust so swiftly.

Arios interpreted Levin's blush as modesty and, with a slight smile, resumed his attack.

The two exchanged blows and defenses in a series of rounds. Arios showcased formidable power and the Powerful Strike technique, while Levin employed footwork and shield defense, seizing moments when Arios's old strength waned and new strength had yet to arise.

The scene, while not dazzling, was nonetheless captivating, drawing applause from the watching guards.

"Let's call it a day!"

After five minutes, Arios ceased his assault.

Levin, panting, dropped his shield and sword, and saluted Arios. "Thank you for the challenge."

Arios smiled faintly. "I didn't let you win intentionally. I was eager to win, but when you forced me to tumble with that sword thrust, I knew you were competent."

"The remaining time was just for me to see if I could defeat you within the realm of a newly ascended extraordinary being. You held me off for a full five minutes; if we continued, I believe our Captain Ellie might have to step in and demonstrate her skills."

Ellie's eyes crinkled with delight, clearly thrilled by Levin's performance. "Wherever the case, it's an honor for him to be guided by the inspector, isn't it?"

Levin nodded vigorously like a chick pecking at feed. "Yes, yes, indeed. The sparring with the inspector has been immensely beneficial."

Arios patted Levin's shoulder approvingly and said, "Keep up your training. I can see you're not far from becoming an extraordinary being, and in some aspects, you've already reached the standard."

Levin felt a bit awkward, as he had inadvertently revealed his true strength. Fortunately, Arios seemed not to have noticed this.

"I'll now read out the appointment letter for the acting deputy sheriff on behalf of headquarters. All stand at attention!"

With a swish, the entire guard on the training ground stood upright, forming a line around Arios.

"Inspector Arios Blazer of the Weimar City City Guard Headquarters will read out the personnel appointment for Levin Yassin!"

"Levin Yassin, a patrol member of the Fourth Division, East City District, of the Weimar City City Guard, has demonstrated outstanding strength, meticulous work, and significant achievements. He is hereby appointed as the Acting Deputy Sheriff of the Fourth Division."

After finishing the announcement, Arios handed the appointment letter to Levin. "Congratulations, Deputy Sheriff Yassin."

Levin accepted the letter, tucking it into his jacket. "Thank you once again for your guidance, Inspector Arios."

Arios patted Levin's shoulder once more and whispered in his ear, "I won't disclose that you're already an extraordinary being. Be sure to keep it confidential."

Levin: "!"

Weimar City City Guard Headquarters.

"Arios, you're back. How did the test go?" A young man with golden hair, buried in a mountain of case files on his desk, looked up upon hearing the door open.

"Well, it turns out that lad is already an extraordinary being," Arios replied, hanging his inspector's uniform on a rack, the white shirt inside now dusted from the fight.

"An extraordinary being already? No wonder you look a bit disheveled. It seems Miss Ellie's recommendation has some merit. So why didn't she recommend him for the official deputy sheriff position?" The golden-haired man raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

"Apparently, the Fourth East Division wasn't aware. From his aura and combat experience, he must have just recently ascended, perhaps this was even his first battle with me. Moreover, he concealed his true strength during our fight, not wanting others to know."

Arios undid the top button of his shirt, stretched his neck, and propped a leg up on the chair.

"I didn't expose him in public; I understand his reasons for wanting to keep it hidden."

"So shall we consider him as still an acting deputy sheriff? Given the current shortage of combat power, if he is indeed an extraordinary being, it's better to make full use of him in a leadership role," the golden-haired man frowned.

"You seem quite pleased with him. Have you completed your review?" Arios swiveled his chair.

"Yes. He's an orphan from a city-funded orphanage, who joined the reserve team as a trainee. During training, he excelled in multiple areas, receiving high praise from his instructors. His first field assignment involved getting injured while covering his comrades' retreat—truly a commendable background."

Arios interjected, "So, which faction did he offend? Was he targeted for assassination? Or was it an indiscriminate attack aimed at our guard that happened to hit him?"

The golden-haired man pondered for a moment. "I don't have a clear lead. Judging by the style, it could be any of the major criminal organizations currently active. But we can't rule out the possibility of a new player trying to make their presence felt with a demonstration."

Arios reclined his chair and said, "I can empathize with someone like him, who lacks powerful backing, facing unknown threats. His hidden strength is actually advantageous for us, providing a surprise for the criminal organizations in the East City District."

The golden-haired man replied, "Understood. I'll continue assigning tasks based on his current non-extraordinary strength. Let him hide for a while; it's preferable if we can use him to unmask the mastermind behind this."

"Exactly. If he has offended someone, his extraordinary abilities will give them quite a shock when they try again," Arios said, snapping his fingers.

"So, you're free from fieldwork now. Can you handle some paperwork? Do you really expect me to manage all these files and their numerous errors by myself?" The golden-haired man rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I didn't say I wouldn't do it. I'll get on it right away. I'm just going to the restroom first," Arios darted out of the office, leaving the golden-haired man glaring at his retreating back.