The Test within the test.

Samael couldn't help but laugh when he saw the other participants who were flailing their hands as they fell. He looked around and saw nothing but trees, the testing ground this time was a forest and from a far, he could see a mountain range where they should go.

Many of them continued falling, some of them had the courage to jump down themselves others were so scared that they had to be pushed over the edge by the academy officials.

As Samael observed the other participants, he was impressed by the tools and other items that the sons and daughters of noble family used to safely land. Many of them he recognized to be low-grade talisman and ferry boats that were one time use only. These items were defensive items that can defend the user against a attack from a existence with a cultivation of one rank higher than themselves

It seems that their family really has spent a fortune for their safety.

He saw Sabrina, riding a magical leaf, how expensive that must be. Dominic didn't have any protective items on him, it seems that he has his ways of landing, just like Samael. The two beauties from the Ignis and Frost family also had their own protective items.

Observing these people that were falling down, Samael saw numerous participants being enveloped by a light and disappearing one by one.

"Hmm, at least these talismans are working." Samael held the talisman the Academy officials distributed earlier.

Huh?

Suddenly, Samael saw a familiar figure streaking down the sky at a fast rate. It was Stella! she is covered in a vortex of wind. It seems that her protective talisman had gone out of control and now she is spiraling in the air. If she goes on like this, she will fall to her death. Why hasn't she used the Academy's talisman?

Without hesitating, Samael hurried towards her estimated landing point to try and save her. He was saving her because she was one of the few person that he thought who would be nice to have as a friend and not because he has fallen for her.

Black Lightning bolt crackled and coiled around his feet as he ran, Stella was getting nearer to the ground. When suddenly another falling figure intercepting Stella mid-air. Their course changed and they landed deep in the forest.

Samael quickly followed and when he caught up, he heard two voices that were arguing. One of them was clearly Stella, he breathe a sigh of relief. Looks like she was fine. The other one was a young man.

"Why does this voice seem familiar?" Samael thought to himself.

He silently walked towards them, concealing his presence as he hid and listened.

"You stupid woman! Why didn't you use the talisman?! Do you want to die?!" the man said.

My thoughts exactly. Samael thought then he peeked over and saw who the man was.

"Julius?"

"Don't call me stupid, stupid! I wanted to pass. I need to pass and why do you care?! I am well capable of keeping myself safe." Stella suddenly responded.

She just had a brush with death and was clearly shaken by it now being scolded by a man who's not even close to her. She was clearly mad.

"I am a knight! I was raised to protect the people, how can I just stand and do nothing as you fall to your death?" If this were to be in another time and in a different situation, those words might come off as sweet.

But now, however, it seemed that Julius was simply complaining. Samael listened on as the two continued to argue but then he felt something.

He was unable to explain it but when he saw them arguing he thought that "maybe these would do well if they somehow get together." like he could feel the gears of fate turning. Samael smiled thinking about this then he walked out from where he was hiding and spoke.

"Can you two stop with the married couple routine? Sheesh."

"Samael!" Stella's face beamed to a smile when she saw who was it that spoke.

"You!" Julius on the other hand, drew his sword pointing it at Samael.

Samael saw this and smiled, his gaze turning sharp and dangerous, he said "On the account of your older brother, I will forgive your actions just now. But next time you do so, I will rip your skull from your body with my bare hands..."

As soon as his words left his mouth, the air turned cold and it seemed that the world froze. Stella clearly felt these changes and shivered, fear is clearly seen on her face.

These blatant threats quickly changed the atmosphere. Who wouldn't be scared?

Beside her, however, was Julius, who was trying his best to keep his body from trembling. He was the one who bore the full force of Samael's killing intent and he felt fear.

He has been trained as a knight and has killed bandits and other evil-doers, he has seen people with killing intent. Even he himself has quite the killing intent but never has he felt a killing intent as viscous and focused as Samael. Who knows how many had this guy killed?

But what he doesn't know is that Samael actually hasn't killed anyone yet to develop such scary killing intent. What he felt was Samael's extreme desire for revenge and Samael focused on this obsessive desire and pointed it at him.

To Samael, Julius threatening to kill him was the same as blocking his path of revenge. This was unacceptable and he would kill anyone that would do so.

"On your guard!" Suddenly Samael shouted then took out his spear and rushed towards Julius and Stella.

Julius thought that Samael was going to attack him but then he felt a dangerous presence approaching them at great speed. He quickly got close to Stella to defend her, Samael did the same and they covered the two sides as they circled to make sure that they are safe from all directions.

Rustle...rustle...

The dangerous presence kept getting closer and closer but it was as if it was circling them.

"Julius, get ready!" Samael shouted, clearly he too felt that whatever these things were, they were too dangerous that any mistake could lead to death.

Woosh...

"There!" Julius shouted, as something came out from his left, which was Samael's right.

"Ha!" Samael swung his spear towards the creature but the moment he did so, the creature quickly passed by him, breaking his spear.

The creature quickly entered the woods again.

"Shit, that thing's too fast! Do you have a spare sword?" Samael cursed.

"Here." Julius passed him a spare sword.

Samael caught the sword when suddenly the enemy creature attacked again. The creature rammed Samael and he landed 10 meters away from Stella and Julius. It didn't take the other creature to rush over and attack him.

"Samael!" Stella cried out in fear. Then the enemy creature changed course and was now headed towards her.

When Samael saw this, his whole energy essence coursed all over his body like a raging river. Black lightning rolled around his body, crackling, his crimson eyes had an icy feeling to them. He moved faster than the enemy and had already arrived between them and Stella.

The enemy creature attacked from his left and Samael defended with his sword but the moment his sword clashed with the enemy's attack, the sword shattered like glass.

Seeing this, Samael was pressured and suddenly an insight came to him and he faced the enemy's next attack with his bare hands.

"What are you doing you'll die!" Julius shouted the instant he saw what Samael was planning. next to him, Stella had her hands on her mouth, scared.

Ding!

There was a crisp sound, similar to when two Sword clashes. Then suddenly there was a...

Boom!

A small explosion echoed and then they saw that the enemy creature that Samael was fighting was blown away a few meters from them, lying on the ground dead.

Samael stood there, still in a striking position, his left fist out and his right hand guarding his head. On his right hand, you could see a clear crystal-like armor, made of Ice, and on his left hand was black lightning still crackling.

"Dual...element..." Stella and Julius both said at the same time.

"Look out!" When Samael turned to them, an enemy creature was already approaching them from behind. Even with his speed, he wouldn't be able to save them in time.

Just as Samael was poised to run over and save them a white figure then suddenly dropped down the sky like a star and delivered the death blow to the enemy creature on the head.

She stood there on top of the defeated foe like a Battle maiden of legends. Beautiful and strong, her demeanor was breathtaking. Just who was she?