After collecting the heart from the half-burned corps and resting for some time both Simon and Ivan parts away going their own way for the hunt.
Back at the audience.
Representatives of multiple companies saw Simon and Ivan fight the Wooder Bear. Everyone was surprised seeing two 1-Star Astral Lords fight and win against level-3 Dreadbeast without being critically injured.
"Rewind that fight again, from that boy entering the fight" one of the representatives said.
The feed rolled back to where Simon entered the fight, his speed nearly impossible to followed by the drone, and him launching himself above the bear, conjuring the flaming spear mid-air.
"Slow down!"
The video slowed down: as Simon airborne, flaming spear showing his sharp focus.
"Those movements? It's not that of 1-Star Astral Lord" One of the representative muttered, leaning forward.
Another person zoomed in on the Simon. "That speed and movement… it's like he has a body enhancement-type Astral skill too."
A beat of silence.
"Damn, a tri-abilities Astral lord!" someone exclaimed, unable to hold back.
Hearing this everyone was exclaiming and amazed.
"A Tri-Ability Astral Lord?"
Because everyone knew the hierarchy: Single-ability Astral Lords were the norm, strong but clearly limited. Double-ability Astral Lords were rare and immediately given priority in company recruitments -having two abilities meant more versatile and more powerful in the field. But A Tri-Ability Astral Lord?
That was another level entirely.
"They're not just strong -they dominate in their level." One of the senior muttered.
"They have no natural rivals at the same level. It's like comparing pistol to a damn submachine gun."
In the corner of the room, Ethan Valor who was watching all this dialed a number, his eyes still on the screen.
"Eira Sylvana, you've need to hear this." Ethan explains Simon situation to her.
"Okay I will contact you before the trial finishes" her voice cold as ever.
The next day.
As the trial was reaching its end participants began returning to the camp, their bodies bruised and tired but alive. They lined up to submit their space belts, each containing the Dreadbeast hearts they'd collected.
"Participant No.28 -22 level-1 hearts, Total points -44"
"Participant No.22 -19 level-1 hearts, Total points-38"
"Participant No.12 -28 level-1 hearts, 2 level-2 hearts,
Total points-64"
"Participant No.309…
…
…
…"
When everything thought that all the participants have returned.
"Where is Simon and Ivan?" Tyler asked suddenly.
10 minutes before the trial ends a lone figure emerged from the forest.
Ivan.
His entire body bathed in blood- whether his own or that of Dreadbeasts, no one could tell. His breathing was ragged, eye hallow, skin pale as a white sheet of paper. Every step he took seemed like battle against collapse.
Yet, there was strength in this resolve.
Ivan not minding the stare, he walked to examiner and passed his space belt.
When the examiner opened the space belt and pour out the context of inside, everyone present in the whole area gasped as a mini mountain of Dreadbeast hearts came out of the space belt.
"Participant No.45- 75 level-1 hearts and 25 level-1 hearts,
Total point-250."
"F##k see that score I think he beat the previse year record."
Everyone including the Representatives was shocked because the previse record was 189 points. Whereas Ivan beat this score with an overwhelming score. Receiving the top position of this year's trail.
Ethan and participants from the God beetle company was surprised by this change of events. But the surprised did not end there as other silhouette walked out from the forest.
Simon.
Unlike Ivan who was bathed in blood and his body barely holding on. He walked out of the forest with air of calmness and confidence, his step steady, his eye burning with determination, his skin shine as jade.
Just dominance.
"What score will that participant will get?"
Representatives and participants alike watched as Simon approached the examiner, casually handing over his space belt.
When examiner open the space belt a mountain bigger than Ivan's Mountain was formed. Which made the crowd loss their mind. The examiner cleared his throat.
"Participant No.46 -100 level-1 heart, 46 level-2 hearts, 1 level-3 heart."
He paused.
"Total Points- 414"
The camp exploded in chaos.
Even the company representative was left speechless.
Ethan Valor, On the call with Eira Sylvana muttered, "Miss… We should better make room for him. He's not just a simple tri-Astral lord, he is the tri-ability Astral Lord.
Every major company representative had the same thought –
They needed Simon on their side.
But no one dared to even think about poaching Simon -not with Ethan Valor from the God Beetle company standing right there. His reputation alone was enough to keep even the boldest representative in check.
Ethan approached Simon and Ivan; his heavy aura made the crowd part for him.
"Well done, both of you." He clapped Simon on the shoulder, then Ivan. "First and Second place -outstanding work. You've set new record today."
The crowd erupted in applause, thought many companies' representative wore tight-lipped smiles, frustrated at the golden opportunity slipping through their fingers.
The official announcement came:
"The top participants of this year's Trail- "
"First Place: Simon Reid, with 414 Points."
"Second Place: Ivan Tarnell, with 250 Points."
"… "
…
…"
The camp buzzed with energy. Participants muttered to one another, already speculating about the futures of these two-rising star.
As Simon and Ivan exchanged quick words of celebration, Simon gaze swept across the crows -and then stopped.
His lips curled into grin, one that carried both amusement and something darker.
Ivan caught the shift immediately. "What with that smile?"
Simon didn't answer, but his eyes flicked toward someone in the crowd.
Ivan followed his gaze.
And there he was.
Mark Wilson.