Persuasion

The town outside was bursting with activities and life. There will be no problems with him leaving. In fact, others have left in the depth of night.

But his mother taught him humility and respect and never to be impulsive. Well, he was impulsive but also disrespectful if he didn't like you. This can be seen in his attitude toward the Potable Tower and that was because he learned it came from his Grandfather who he hated with a passion.

So, due to the way the Guard pleaded with him to wait till tomorrow, Noah decided to wait. But in his mind, he already knew that the school would try to give him some incentive in the night to keep him there.

For the whole night, Noah expected to be called but no one did, so he woke up, cleaned himself and then went out. But he met with the congregation around a new 4m board.

"From today onward you will see your ranking. The first three will have authority and can command those at the rank 20 below."

The very first person was Noah Ark. His name, willpower and his training rank which was Elite.

There were five other elites, they were the ones that lasted till the end of the first day.

"Who is Noah?"

"I don't know."

"It's that guy, the one that we fought yesterday?"

"You mean, Tender!"

The murmur around increased as they try to know who were the top three. The rankings were.

1~Noah Ark

2~Nile Xender

3~Jame Stander

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Nile Xender was the oldest and had pronounced physique than the rest of the kids. Jame also has a good physique but he was leaner, he was fast with great stamina.

Noah looked around the now 205 list and found the name of the kid that aid him yesterday. He ranked 45.

"Wow. It seems you are great. 5 in willpower. That's insane!"

Noah wasn't impressed, he knew this ranking was here for him. They wanted to tell him he was at the top of the school. But to him, So what? There was no competition for him to be excited.

There was a little ceremony where some snacks were distributed and some made friends with those at the top. While many looked at Noah as a competitor but he was just standing there looking at their stupidity. 

In the end, he shook his head and turned to leave. He headed for the gate directly…

[There are three people with a good physique that can support the Shifting Steel Body Technique]

Noah stopped and frowned. The damn item was silent for a week until now. 

[Shon June, the boy that fought by your side, Nile Xender and also that boy, Mansa Musa, crying for being the last 205]

Noah looked at the boy, he had black afro hair, slightly darker skin and was big for a 13 yr boy.

[He has the most potential among them. Even without treatment and the equipment, he can be a Master]

Noah just stood there thinking. They can become masters with only guidance but with no resources required. They were truly a talent. But why does he care?

[Make them your companions and start building your squire from now. You are bound to be at the top, and you already have a mission that needs subordinates... Get to know them, Please]

Noah shook his head and was about to move.

"I challenge you to a duel!" Nile Xender, the second rank said. "I will give you this item if you succeed. What do you offer?"

Noah sighed and was about to turn around when…

[Those who shy away from chaos, will never wield power]

This was another code of Shifting Steel. However, this one promotes violence. It encourages knights to face danger and war. Due to this code, Shifting Steel can't reject duels.

Noah sighed. 

"How will you like it?"

"Hand to hand!" Nile said. Noah nodded and then just stood there. The other kids all moved away and gave space for them to fight.  Nile was dead serious as he held his hand in a boxing stance and then came at Noah.

Noah's first thought was to slap the boy and teach him a lesson but then he has to be lenient and respect his duel opponent. As duelling was sacred practice. So he just raised his hand and the fight began.

It was easy for Noah. In base form, he might not have super strength but his trained brain was able to perceive things and digest them faster than the measly boy. Noah was able to move faster than a normal Rank 9 Master, which meant he could see and comprehend things at that speed.

Seeing the movement of the kid was just so damn easy and not exciting. Noah ducked and punched the kid in the chin, this time with all the strength he can muster. And he knocked him off cold.

The Rank 10 Instructor records everything. Noah was an anomaly to him, the nonchalant boy, the willpower of the boy and also the way he reacts to reflexes were all abnormal. Hopefully, the kid will not leave them.

After that other kids challenged him and they all ended up going out cold. Then the kids began entertaining the idea of ganging on him and that made the Rank 10 Master intervene.

Noah turned to leave when Shon June came running, "You are amazing. Looks like rich people did teach their kids how to fight!"

"Hmm!" They walked to the gate while Shon June was chatty.

[He will be a great Squire. His loyalty is off the chat]

Noah stepped out of the gate but Shone stayed behind asking, "I didn't have my ID now, did you have yours!"

All this time Noah didn't say a thing to the poor boy. 

[I choose Floating Feather because it counters Shifting Steel in a way. Becoming a master in here will mask you as a Shifting Steel and...]

Noah just listened.