07

The start of the second round was finally beginning. Their were only 32 remaining students.

Luckily, I wasn't the first match. Instead it was a pair of decent rank students.

Rank 82 and Rank 62, they were basically equally matched.

Both swordsmen, with no aura. It was just a clash of steel and skills. It was a good match, but nothing compared with the top ranking ones.

Once the winner was determined, I was up again.

This time I was actually up against a named opponent from the novel, Jackson Jade.

He is a prodigy who is ranked at 7, which is amazing, but he is also very unique as he is from a martial art background.

He doesn't use proper weapons, but instead uses his body and gear that covers his body.

'He also had a pretty strong manuals in his arsenal, nothing compared to me tho. This might actually be fun.'

Once I was in the arena, I saw my opponent Jackson Jade, standing there. He was wearing a pair of gauntlets and seem to get into a stance.

Immediately, for some reason I could instinctively tell how his mana was moving around in his body, his muscles movements, where his weak points are, and much more.

'This didn't happen before with my other opponent? Is it because he can use his mana properly with his manual? He actually has some skills that I am able to see.'

My skill [Martial Soul] had many more effects than anticipated. I wasn't complaining about it tho.

Currently, I was reading him like a book before we even started out match.

'Jackson is also at level 3 in his trade Martial Arts, which means he can use Dantain. This would be the equivalent of aura.

He also has a harder body for an E ranker, as that's part of his trade as well. He's also a quick thinker because of that meditation trait he has.'

As I was remembering all the details about Jackson, he also seems to be trying to get a grasp of my abilities.

********

(Jackson Jade)

'Erik Darksoul, I had never heard of him until the last match. His movements that instantly made his opponent lose composure, which is strange for someone who uses a great sword.'

Currently he had a greatsword in one of his hands. Which shows the amount of strength he possesses, as magic items, especially weapons, are not light, especially greatswords.

Currently, I was thinking of a strategy to counter his movements.

My plan was to you my dantain to boost my body, and concentrate to an extreme level to make sure I don't fall for the illusion of his step.

After all, he doesn't teleport but he does go at an extremely speed and trick perception.

Well that's what I was able to tell from a third person view on his last match.

*******

[Start!]

Once the announcement for the match to begin had been announced. Immediately Jackson had used his Dantain.

Jackson was now surrounded in a golden hue, with a few golden sparkling particles floating around Jackson.

As a martial artist, Jackson mainly relied on his body, given that his trade was [Martial Arts] his traits were based of his body.

Jackson was lvl 3 in his trade martial arts, meaning that he unlocked 3 of the traits of a martial artist.

Which were hardening, giving him a harder body for his rank, meditation, helping him develop his Dantain and concentration to help him in his own body and mana usage.

And the skill for level 3 was Dantain, which gave him a golden aura boosting his body physically, his vitality, and mental endurance.

With Jackson power being at its peak, besides of doing anything reckless like charging in.

He decided to wait and see what his opponent Erik was going to do.

"A martial artist, huh? I wonder, what should I do? Actually, maybe I'll do a Jackie Chan."

Immediately, he stab the ground with his sword, were it held up, and Erik put his fist up.

Soon aura had envelope on his body. Even though Erik was a swordsman, it didn't mean that he always needed a sword.

Aura, just had a greater effect on weapons, such as swords, it also greatly affects the body.

Erik body was especially strong in the usage of his own aura because of his skill Martial Soul.

But unlike Dantain, it doesn't effect the mind or have such a powerful effect of defense.

Aura is focused on enhancing and damage output, while Dantain is focused on defense and resistance.

It was a great surprise to the crowd when it was revealed that both Erik and Jackson both had achieved level 3 in their trades.

Jackson was suprised as Erik had not used or shown signs of aura in the previous match.

"Suprise? Well don't let this display of aura hold you back, even if I'm not using my weapon. Here I come."

As Erik stated, he decided that he wasn't going to be using his sword. He immediately charged in.

Jackson thought that it was foolish for a swordsman to fight with his fist, especially when your opponent was a martial artist.

But Jackson had quickly learned that everything was not as simple as he thought.

When Jackson and Erik had clashed fist, Jackson had learned that Erik was more than capable of matching his strength, if not further passing it.

Jackson had throw many punches, most were countered by Erik's own punches. Some of the punches Erik had invaded, and eventually landed a blow on Jackson.

It was devastating to Jackson. Even though Jackson was using his Dantain and was currently at his peak of power, he could barely endure Erik's attacks.

Erik had the advantage in almost all the categories expect for endurance.

Jackson had basically become a living punching bag.

Erik body may not have been as hard or durable as Jackson body, but it didn't matter as Jackson speed and damage output were lower than Erik's.

Erik had the advantage, even without his primary weapon.

Jackson body was soon covered in blood, it seemed that all the damage Erik was doing was making itself present.

"Buddha Martial Art: Palm of Flowers!!!"

Jackson had decided to use one of his own technique to hopefully get the chance to recover.

Creating a golden hand with a flower in the middle, he send it towards Erik directly.

But to Jackson suprise, Erik's aura had suddenly become black and concentrated it on his fist.

Erik had punched the golden hand, and at first it seemed to be a clash with Erik being pushed back.

But over a few seconds, the hand greatly diminished and was being absorbed by Erik's black aura while he was pushing back the hand.

Eventually it had disappeared in the depths of Erik's aura. Erik, seemed completely un phased and looked at Jackson.

Jackson nearing his limits, he had decided that it was enough for the match.

"I forfeit!"

[Match Over!]

********

(Zara Rosewood)

'Incredible!!! Both of them are incredible! They are both part of that 1% of genius that can actually reach S rank with effort alone!"

During Jackson and Erik's match, Zara had been closing observing each detail of the match.

She was watch Jackson because of his unique trade and her interest in what a martial artist can do.

But she was more interested in Erik, afterall, he had done something she even couldn't understand.

What she also learned was that they were both level 3 in their respective trades, meaning that they had unlocked 3 of their trades.

This was a huge achievement, especially at the age of 16.

Actually, Echos who education and curriculum, was based on getting to level 3 in the students trade.

Meaning that Echos 4 year education course, wasn't needed for a handful of my students.

'So far from what I have seen, Drake Sunclaw, Thorne Ironclad, Jackson Jade, and Erik Darksoul have met those conditions.

I also know that Aria Dawn and Luna Stromheart have met those criteria, even if they haven't shown it yet.

Now, the only one that I'm not sure is that girl Emma Realm. She is at level 2 in her trade, but... beyond that it's a fifty-fifty chance.'

Even though, some of the students meet the requirements to graduate from Echo, this doesn't mean they can.

Even though Echos gives you 4 years to level up your trade to level 3, if you get to that level before the 4 years is up, you can graduate.

As long as your 18 years or older, as that is what the law requires people's ages to be before they start their career in hunting threats or clearing dungeons.

Therefore, even if you meet the conditions, you must stay at Echo for around 2 years before you can actually start working.

But of course, those who fail from Echo, either by not meeting the requirements in 4 years or simply can't continue, can go to a different school.

Echo, will force you into a different school, if you don't meet the requirements, but as the best school for awakening, you are basically able to get anywhere.

So the graduation rate for Echos is technically 100%, but the graduation class is usually of 12 or lower students.

12 of the 2000 admission each year, is very low percentage of .6%, barely over half a percentage.

These numbers also include the student that graduated early, mean that those that barely scraped the deadline are much lower.

But yet, here in this class alone are at least 6 students have met Echos standards.

'This might be the golden generation, I mean we got more students that met the conditions in the first year, then what we got last year's graduates.'

*********

(Drake Sunclaw)

"Amazing, wasn't that match amazing!"

Finn was currently ranting about how Erik Darksoul and Jackson Jade match, and how it was an amazing spectacle to watch.

I couldn't agree more, but I couldn't help how one sided the match was.

Erik had dominated Jackson, it wasn't even Erik field of study or true ability.

I also was shocked by his aura, it was black and able to devour other people mana.

Now having traits in your aura isn't that uncommon, especially in Rank 3 manuals and above.

But the traits of aura are minor compared to any type of magic that uses that traits.

Such an example is fire, my Sun Knight manual produces high temperature and flame as an aura, but compared to my Eternal Flame magic, it pales in comparison of flame and heat.

Even though magic doesn't boost you physically and have to use a separate spell for those effects, the trade off in my opinion is worth it.

Yet, when I saw Erik's black aura devouring Jackson martial art abilities, I couldn't help but think.

'Will that aura eat my flames? Flames that are set to never stop burning unless I demand it?'

But the a more pressing question arise.

'Is this 16 year old kid, stronger than me?'

Even though, I am also 16 years of age. I had the experience of a dragon, I had lived for centuries as a powerful red dragon.

My skills and abilities are based off of my powers of when I was a dragon. Yet, here I was at the peak of E rank, even though I had the headstarts of both knowledge and skills.

".... Anyways, when Erik landed that blow…. Hey are you listening?!"

Eventually Finn had knocked me out of my mind.

"Hmm? What were you saying?

"Haaa, never mind, I was just ranting…. But hey, what do you think of this next match up?"

"Hmm? Who's next?"

"Well see for yourself."

I looked up and saw to names.

[Aria Dawn Vs. Luna Stromheart]