59 Join Me

The teachers and the staff hurriedly changed the stages and set up for the next competitions. They didn't expect the first four competitions to end so quickly. No one did. Except Arata. He was currently cultivating like the rest of Class 7. They emitted an intimidating aura as they simply sat there on the ground. The power that was coming from them scared the other classes. Who would want to go up against a class that gave off such a suffocating pressure?

The competitions that followed went by smoothly. Besides the battle segment of the tournament, Class 7 swept through the other categories and finished it all in one day. For the Sorcery competition, although the opposing classes had 5-7 students, Class 7 only sent out Yuki, Jada and Jaden. The Sorcery competition involved capturing the opposing team's leader while defeating the rest of the team. Yuki rushed forward as their opponents tried to attack her. All of their attacks ended up passing right through her as she moved forward, completely unhindered.

The opposing team members tried to grab her as she walked through them to the captain. Yuki placed a hand on the terrified team leader and the two of them sank into the ground. At that moment, a powerful gust of wind slashed at and attacked the remaining members. In an instant, the students had been thrown viciously off the stage and into the stadium walls. Once the stage was clear, Yuki rose up with the team leader holding a knife to his neck. The two battles that followed ended the same way before the remaining classes just gave up.

The Medicine Enhancement section was a breeze for Akari and Aisha. They were were given a list of symptoms of someone that was poisoned and they were to make a Medicine to combat it. Akari and Aisha went above and beyond as they figured out what the poison was, the poisonous dew from a Blue Frost Leaf, before creating a suitable Medicine, a Soothing Waves Pill. The teachers were surprised that they were able to create such a difficult pill so quickly. Not only did the Soothing Waves get rid of the poison from the Blue Frost Leaf, but if the person that was poisoned had either Ice, Water or Fire related Energy within their circulation, the Soothing Waves pill would convert the poison into a cultivation boost, strengthening one's Elemental Reservoir.

Not only did they cure the poison, but they were able to convert it into a positive. The marks of a true Medicine Enhancement specialist. They easily won with such a powerful pill. Tallis, Arata, Antioch and Loki entered the stadium after their Trap Specialist's competition, which took place in the woods. Judging from the other students that followed them, limping in pain or being carried by teachers, it was clear what the results were for the competition.

Even though they had clearly won, Arata seemed to be criticizing Antioch on his performance. Antioch nodded solemnly. Antioch and Loki then went over to join the rest of Class 7. Tallis and Arata moved directly onto another stage after walking in, where Yuki and Teva were waiting.

The teacher who was in charge of the Team Empowerment and Support competition looked at the two boys as they came on to the stage.

"Do you two need to rest after competing?"

Arata bowed.

"No need. We didn't use any strength in the competition."

Tallis also bowed.

"Thank you for your concern, but as Arata has said, we didn't use any strength. And we most likely won't need much for this competition either."

No one saw this statement as arrogant anymore. It was spoken and received like it was a fact. And the fact was quickly shown as Arata was strengthened by Teva, transported underground by Yuki, guided by Tallis, and appearing behind the opponents. A single hit and the team was quickly disposed of. Arata called out for all the teams to join him on stage to quickly get this over with. They fearfully joined him, but hoped that with their numbers, they could stand a chance.

That hope was diminished as the students all lay on the ground while Arata, Yuki, Tallis and Teva stood tall. The teacher stood their in silence before Tallis reminded him to announce the winners. Tallis walked off stage to then compete with the Tech Enhancement team led by Biron. They built a metallic gauntlet. At first, having watched Class 7's previous performances, the teacher in charge of judging was slightly disappointed as the gauntlet wasn't flashy or incredible looking.

It seemed like a standard gauntlet. His eyes lit up, however, as Biron explained what it could do.

"This is a prototype of something we are still working on. The gauntlet has two functions. First, is the attack function. By inputting your Energy into the gauntlet, the gauntlet will take on the characteristics of your Energy. Ryouma, if you would."

Ryouma nodded as he stepped forward and put the gauntlet on. The gauntlet began to react as it began making it's way up Ryouma's arm. The gauntlet also began to turn red and a strong heat was coming from it. The gauntlet had transformed to cover Ryouma's entire right arm, his shoulder, and then went up his neck to his ear and finally his eye. His right eye had a scanner of some kind on it. Biron continued to explain.

"Now the Tech has enough armor to cover the arm once activated, which is why the gauntlet itself is so big and clunky looking. We are currently trying to first get the armor to cover the whole body before trying to reduce the size of the gauntlet. The second function is what is on Ryouma's face."

Biron looked at Tallis who nodded and began explaining.

"The scanner is able to see the main Element within someone's Elemental Reservoir, along with the size of their Reservoir. So far that is all we are able to scan, but we have ideas for ways to see the Level of Refinement."

The teacher stared at these young students and realized that they weren't satisfied with what they had built and wanted to do more. They even talked about what they hadn't done and the flaws of what they had built. The teacher was excited at what they made. Tech Enhanced Armor was extremely expensive and were usually made and designed for one specific type of fighter and Element. But what they had built, from what he could gather, would be able to adjust to any Element, allowing multiple people to use it.

There was also the scanner that the teacher was amazed by. Although there were scanners out there that could show a person's strength, they were either extremely expensive, or incredibly large machines. But they had managed to build a miniature scanner that you could use in battle. And, based on the materials they used, it would be quite inexpensive to make. The Royal Institute of Axist weren't known for their Tech Enhancement program, but these kids could be the future of Tech Enhancements in the Institute.

Ryouma disengaged the gauntlet as it returned to normal. The boys then walked offstage, leaving the teacher frozen in wonder. And just like that, the competition was complete. Arata dismissed Class 7 as everyone went back to their rooms to cultivate. As Arata left the stadium with Ryouma, heading for the South Dorm, a group of students walked over to Arata. He inwardly sighed. He turned to Ryouma and placed a hand on Sunrise.

"How much trouble do you think I'd get in if I just killed them all?"

Ryouma chuckled.

"Too much trouble for it to be worth it."

Arata let go of Sunrise and turned to the oncoming group. They were clearly trying to get in front of each other and reach Arata first. One by one, the seniors began to shout and try to speak to Arata.

"Join my team! I have powerful cultivation methods that I can supply you with!"

"No, join me! My family is rich and I can supply you with all the resources you could possibly need."

"No, Little Junior. What you need is a Senior that can push you to new heights!"

"And you can do that? Get lost!"

The seniors continued to argue and bicker while Arata stared at them with a look of slight annoyance. Arata then sensed a strong aura behind him. The others seemed to sense it as well as they stopped talking and looked over Arata's shoulder. Arata turned to see a smiling young man with a beautiful girl standing behind him. The young man seemed familiar to Arata. As did the young girl. The young man smiled at Arata.

"Arata Sato. I was extremely impressed by your performance. I would like you to become my Junior in my team. I would also like Ryouma beside you to join me as well."

The other seniors voiced their protest to this.

"Get lost! We got here first!"

"Back off newbie!"

"You think you can just leave your closed door cultivation and have things handed to you? Not happening!"

"Just because the Institute invested in you doesn't make you special!"

"Yeah, if you want to take him, you have to go through us."

The young man grinned at this.

"Go through you? I think I can arrange that."

He pointed his hand at the group of seniors, who all took up defensive stances. The young man closed his fist and all the seniors seemed to freeze. None of them could move. The young man then opened his hand and made a flicking motion. The group of seniors were suddenly pushed back by some unseen force. Arata was stunned to find that he couldn't see this person's Energy or Elemental Reservoir with his Shadow Awareness. He couldn't see a thing coming from this senior.

The young man turned back to Arata with a smile.

"I never got the chance to introduce myself properly. My name is Eamon and this is my sister Eva. And I would like you to join my team."

As Eamon stepped towards Arata, Ryouma came between them defensively. Before Ryouma could say anything, he felt Arata's hand on his shoulder. Ryouma turned and was shocked to see Arata's eyes had lit up as he looked at Eamon.

"Eamon. Eva. As in Eamon and Eva from the..."

Eamon raised his hand to stop Arata.

"You seem to know who we are. As expected of the son of Lord Azrail Sato. How is your Father, by the way?"

Arata had an excited look on his face. He was completely caught off guard. He quickly gathered his thoughts as he bowed politely.

"Junior apologizes to Senior Brother Eamon. I must ask that you excuse the behaviour of my Shadowguard and I."

Ryouma was still confused as Arata tugged on his sleeve. Ryouma didn't understand but he bowed as well. Eamon waved his hands in front of him.

"No, no, no, no. Stop that. You are the Heir to the Sato Clan. We can't have you be seen bowing to people in public."

Arata was about to retort when Eamon had already appeared before him and forced him to stand straight before leaning in and whispering.

"Besides, no one here knows who I am. I'd like to keep it that way."

Eamon then moved back with a smile.

"You still haven't answered my question, how is your Father?"

Arata smiled courteously.

"He is doing well. Thank you for your concern. He shall be happy to hear that I have run into you, Senior Brother."

Ryouma was stunned. He had never seen his Captain speak so politely to anyone before. He didn't know how to respond to seeing Arata like this. Eamon nodded.

"I'm glad to hear he is well. Now, back to business. As I said, I..."

Before Eamon could finish, Arata was already bowing again.

"It would be an honor to join your team. Both, Ryouma and myself, accept your gracious offer."

Those that were watching were in shock. Everyone had heard the stories of Arata. His arrogance and strength. His refusal of countless Seniors trying to recruit him. Most of the members from Class 7 were watching as they had stayed back after seeing the large group approach Arata, and they were all amazed at the scene before them. The class had a deep fear and awe towards Arata, even Akari and Tallis, and yet, he was now talking to a Senior like a nervous child. Arata had actually cast aside his arrogance and was bowing to another student.

Eamon smiled.

"Great. If you don't mind, would you follow me to my room. I would like to discuss something with you both."

Arata nodded as he followed Eamon. Ryouma followed along like a lost puppy. Ryouma glanced over to Arata and saw a look of joy and anticipation in his eyes. All eyes fell on Arata and Eamon as they walked away. Just who was this Senior to make the Heir to the Sato Clan bow down?