15 The Assessment Array [1 of 2]

The assessment array was encompassed by a single stone wall that spanned many miles. The two stone statues represented the arrays single entrance. The entryway wasn't blocked by anything and disciples could freely enter. Enzo and Gris walked right in unobstructed and were met with around 10 others inside. Enzo noticed that there were 4 huge rock platforms spanning hundreds of feet long with a single disciple standing at the forefront of each one. There were six other disciples standing amongst the outside of the four platforms watching and waiting their turn.

"I come here every few months to see if I've progressed." Gris said, staring at one of the disciples on the rock platform.

"How does this array work?" Enzo questioned.

Gris looked around him.

"This long stone wall that surrounds this place has many engravings within it which can absorb the Elemental energy from the surroundings. It powers those four rock platforms down there that assess your training level."

"I see."

"Look, that man on the third platform is about to finish his assessment." Gris pointed down below where the platforms stood.

The man was heavily breathing; the light in his eyes slowly diminishing. His body looked like it could no longer withstand the pressure before he finally collapsed, losing his footing and falling firmly off the platform onto the hard stone floor. The man's brows were furrowed and his teeth were clenched. Despite having no strength left, he smashed the ground in disappointment, droplets of sweat falling onto the stone beneath.

Suddenly a sharp voice sounded out.

"Haha, Reese, you only lasted three minutes on the platform! Weren't you bragging earlier that you could easily last four minutes? What happened?" A slim figure began walking over.

Hearing that mocking voice, Reese knew exactly what was coming. Cursing to himself, he looked over in indignation.

"I...I wasn't fully rested. If I was at my full condition I would have lasted four minutes!" Reese spoke, his voice filled with injustice.

"Is that so, why don't I believe it? Hahaha"

...

Gris and Enzo were watching on near the array's entrance.

"What did the man mean when he said four minutes?" Enzo looked at Gris curiously.

"You use time to measure your standing, let's head down, there's a slate you can read that will tell you."

They both walked down a small flight of stairs before they stood in the same area as the other disciples.

"Right here." Gris pointed behind him. There were a few slates with writing on it explaining how the array worked.

Enzo got a closer look and began reading.

One minute on the rock platform meant you were comparable to a normal human. Two minutes meant you are a successful Core Consciousness practitioner. Three minutes meant Core Consciousness Pinnacle and so on.

Enzo put his thumb and forefinger to his chin as he nodded in understanding.

Suddenly a thud was heard along with a sharp cracking sound.

"Aghh!"

"How about you stop the lying alright, Reese?"

Looking over, Enzo saw the man who finished earlier curled on the floor hugging his chest. There was a slim man beside him with his hands on his hips. He had a big smirk on his face and continued to laugh and berate the man lying on the ground. Suddenly another disciple dropped down from the second rock platform nearby and came to stand beside the slim man. Her short hair and tall stature could make people mistake her for a young man. Although finishing her assessment, the few drops of sweat and minimum look of fatigue on her face was contrary to the hardship Reese experienced. .

"Karn let's leave, I've finished my assessment, playing with this weakling is boring." The female disciple tugged at Karn's sleeve, looking at Reese with disdain. However if one looked closely, they could see a small hint of worry in her eyes.

"We will soon," Karn chuckled "You can head back Thenne, I'll meet you there when I'm done." Looking down at Reese, a ruthless glint could be seen in Karn's eyes. Smiling, Karn knelt down and looked Reese in the eyes.

"This has been long overdue," Standing back up, Karn positioned his foot right in front of Reese's face, before raising it high up behind him as though charging up for more power.

"I'm sure you recognize this move, don't you? This is the same move your old man used to disable my father! Just wait till I finish charging, it'll be your turn to taste my[Vacuum Kick]!

Thenne had a conflicted look on her face and was about to intervene when a sudden voice sounded out from behind them.

"I don't know the happenings between the both of you, but I can't stand idly by and watch you attack a helpless person. "

Hearing the voice, Karn looked over and narrowed his eyes.

"You, I recognize you, aren't you that disciple under Elder Gulab? What do you want?"

Seeing as it was someone who had the privilege to learn directly from one of the top five school elders, it would be best to not clash against him.

Looking up at Gris, Enzo was slightly astonished. Who would have thought this skinny guy was actually a little famous!

"Let the man go." Although Gris didn't seem to be one to show emotion, he seemed to be someone who couldn't stand seeing injustice. It was probably this trait that caught the eye of Elder Gulab.

"Let him go..?" Karn frowned and looked to be in deep conflict. 'But my kick is almost fully charged!'

If he was to forcefully retract his kick, it would cause deep internal injuries to his body and especially his leg. This specific technique wasn't feasible in actual combat. It required a strict positioning of one's leg and could only be used once fully charged. The move demanded a decent amount of concentration and the position of the kick couldn't be changed once the move was utilized.

In this situation, it was either Reese or himself.

'Why did this guy have to show up!?'

"Well, what's it going to be?" Gris glared at Karn with minimum expression.

"..." Karn felt the elemental energy in his leg getting more and more powerful.

He was currently at Core Guiding Primary stage. Once one reached this stage of training, they were allowed to enter the second level of the Schools' library and could learn it's basic Guiding Arts.[Vacuum Kick]was one such art, which required guiding all of one's energy to the foot and releasing it in one grand kick.

'If I can just buy myself 15 more seconds, I'll be able to finish my Art's activation and end this 5 year long grudge once and for all.'

Looking over at Gris, his brows furrowed slightly.

'Then I'll make an escape back to my dorm within the 2-star quarters, I'll be safe there.'

He then looked over at Thenne and his eyes shone with a bright light.

'I'll use her as a shield to guarantee my escape!'

With this plan in mind, he quickly began to buy all the time he could muster.

"Alright you win, you win...I'll let him go," Karn slowly put his hands up in the air, letting Gris know he surrenders.

Seeing Karn's response and how he positioned his hands, the tension Gris felt disappeared.

"That's good." Seeing that the conflict was settled, Gris turned back to Enzo.

"Let's enter the array and get our level assessed." Walking back, he was just about to head up the stairs when Enzo put his arm out to stop him.

"Wait." Enzo abruptly called out.

"What is it?"

Pointing out with his finger, Enzo spoke out.

"Look, he's still in that weird position. He may have said he surrendered, but with just a glance I can tell he's a shady guy!"

"Oh?" Gris looked back and glared at Karn.

Karn frowned at how sharp and accurate this boy's accusation was, so he quickly defended himself.

"Haha, kid who are you to accuse me! I said I surrender so I surrendered! Can't you see he's free to go whenever he wishes!"

Gesturing below, it was obvious to everyone Reese had fallen unconscious awhile ago. Even if he was free to leave, how would he in such a state?

"Quit messing around, why are you still in that position if you already surrendered?" Seeing that everything still wasn't resolved, Gris began walking back towards Karn.

"Hey relax! I promise i'm not going to do anything to Reese! I'm simply stretching my right leg to help reduce the terrible stiffness I've been getting lately."

"..."

Hearing these words Thenne sighed in disappointment.

Gris looked back towards Enzo for assurance, only to see him shaking his lowered head.

"Since you want to keep playing games, I'll just have to subdue you myself." Raising a single finger, Gris began walking over.

Seeing him inching closer and closer, a hint of worry flashed through Karn's eyes.

"No, stop...Don't get any closer!" Waving his arms, he grasped at any chance to keep Gris back.

'Only 5 more seconds!'

However Gris didn't give him a second chance. He dashed forward and before Karn could bargain for more time, Gris had already arrived before him.

"[Electric Touch]!"

"AGHHH!"

Karn flopped to the floor beside Reese, unconscious from the forceful interruption of his art. His face had a look of disbelief as he lied there.

Thenne walked over and knelt beside Reese before looking up at Gris.

"Thank you."

"..."

"I'm grateful for both of your help. Karn is my cousin, I know he's not a good person and I'm in the wrong for staying by his side, but I'm all he has. I can't bring myself to leave him alone. I hope you can understand my situation…"

"It wasn't my place to intervene anyways. You can do what you want." Gris turned back towards Enzo and motioned to him.

"Come on, let's go."

As Thenne looked at both their departing figures, her expression dulled.