Allaina's Request

Allaina gathered all the participants in the middle of the room. In her hand was a single piece of Mana Stone.

Mana Stones were crystals naturally infused with Mana. The Grade depends on its color, texture, and storage capacity. The bigger and polished the stone, the more it stores Mana.

One of the reasons why the Griffith Kingdom became powerful, was because of the discovery of the Mana Stone. The Griffith Kingdom became an independent country and later on gained control over the entire Cassan Continent. 

These stones were naturally mine in selected parts of the Kingdom, then brought to process. And the final product was a seamless crystal which can be used as a credit or resources for Mages.

The one Allaina holding was a low-tier Mana stone, the size of a thumb. It gives off a small amount of Mana which mages can absorb to increase their proficiency when casting spells. 

"You must be wondering why I gathered you all here," Allaina said. "In my hand was a Mana Stone." Lifting the stone midair, high enough for the others to see.

Since O'rriadt was located deeply south of Cassan. Aside from pirates - whose plundering was their specialty. Almost, no one had seen a Mana stone. A small piece of Mana Stone, the one Allaina was holding, amounts to almost hundreds of thousands of Picas. For people who became a permanent Hollow, Mana stone is worth a fortune. But for the participants, they knew, that owning a Mana stone would help them break their limit. If absorb, and if lucky enough, it could trigger an Awakening. 

Twenty or so participants were gathered in the middle of the circular room. Ned and Toni were near the exit door, while Naa'ri went outside to look for Coco. But one thing is for sure, they don't care as to what the other is gathering about. 

"This could be yours, for free, if..." She said dryly, playing with the stone at hand. Allaina throws a gaze as to where Ned was. "If you could bring me that kids Selection Token." 

All the participants turned to gaze near the exit door. 

"But miss..." One of the Handler whispered. 

Raising half of her arm, she halted the Handler. "Just keep on the watch, make sure no one gets hurt, badly." She gave a dismissive wave of her hand.

So this was your plan. Ned thought, holding the butterfly on his waist. "I don't intend to fight, but if that's what you want, then, you're giving me no choice." 

Toni stepped forward, making herself as a barrier between Ned and the rest of the Participants. Kiki'Dorra dagger sheened, reflecting a light that blinded some of the Participants. 

"What do we have here, a Knight in shining armor," One of the participants gazed a look at Toni. Licking a part of his lips.

"How should we approach them, miss?" Greg who was silent for a long time joined in. More ecstatic than before. "Please tell me to tear him apart." His eyes gleamed of killing intent. 

"I just need his Token, no killing, the rest you can do whatever you want," Allaina told the participants. 

"Wait, miss," Jason stepped in between Ned and the Participants. "What's with the kid that you wanted his token so badly?" 

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you all," Waving her hand, the stone disappeared. She then clasped her hands behind her back. "He's a Hollow."

"What?!" Jason and the rest gaped with astonishment. Astonished, for a Hollow passed the Selection. 

It could be said that for a Hollow to pass a Selection conducted by the Academy, one must be strong and smart. Strong, since Hollows doesn't have a single ounce of Mana in them. Smart, for Hollows needed to use tactics to outsmart hundreds of other participants. 

The room fell silent, it was now clear to them that instead of twenty. Twenty-two participants were in the room.

Looking at Ned, Allaina throws in a smile. "Hey, kid, 

"You might think it's unfair, so how about this, you're group against their group, any group who gathered each opposing Token will have this Mana Stones.

She waved her hand, now instead of one, three Mana Stones appeared.

The Participants showed an overwhelming desire. 

"Well, does it matter now?" One of the participants said.

"Let's see if he's worth the spot," Greg smirked. 

With a breath, Greg vanished. His feet, with claws now exposed and blurred midair. 

ICE, activate Predictive Combat Emulator. Ned anticipated his enemies.

[Predictive Combat Emulator activated.]

Digits appeared on the incoming Participants. Six Participants, with digits, precisely appearing on their bodies.

"Toni, I'll take them, don't worry," Ned brandished his sword, with a scabbard on. 

With a blink, Ned disappeared. Others thought he disappeared. But for some, like Allaina, the Handlers, and a number of Participants, Ned was just fast. Way to fast for others to see.

Ned used the Butterfly's scabbard to attack the incoming Participants. With the tip, he stabs the first, with the edge he slashed the second, and kick the third. Ned jumped backward, evading Greg's claws. Without a full stop, Ned charged forward, he ducks, evading the spear of the fourth, and hitting him with a punch that jagged his guts. The fifth stopped, seeing that his group was totally overwhelmed. But it was too late for him to back down. Seeing that the fifth wore a set of armor, Ned sweep his feet. He crashed on the floor headfirst. Ned followed him up with a kick to the face. He was battered to the unconscious.

A kid in the corner raised his brow.

While a lady not far from the long table displayed a delighted smile. 

Jason thought with his Terra Magic he was strong, but even thoughts have limits, seeing Ned. He stood in his place, unmoving. Trying to describe what had just happened. 

Handlers nodded with satisfaction. 

Allaina was gauging Ned. Her face shows, satisfaction with a mix of disapproval. "Not bad, to think that a Hollow shows nothing but raw strength." She raised a part of her lip. She tsked. 

Greg was surprised at the display of strength by a Hollow. Five Participants, less than five seconds. The rest who was about to attack Ned halted on their spot. Swallowing saliva. They remained stood but their sweat trickled down like a river. 

With only half of the strength, Greg pumped more of his Mana, enhancing further his body. This time, hair was longer than before. Claws were much stronger. He dashed with four and leaped toward Ned. 

Seeing Greg was almost near, Ned pursed a smile. He dashed into Greg, fighting head-on. With almost an inch away, Ned spun around, dodging the claws intended to his stomach. He raised his sword and blunted Greg's nape. The marble floor Thudded with Greg's body. 

Greg was fast, but nothing could be faster than Ned coupled with hundreds of experience fighting on the battlefield. "Child's play," Ned shrugged his shoulder. Looking at Greg who was half-conscious on the floor. It must be cold, feeling the marble floor right on Greg's face. 

[Predictive Combat Emulator deactivated.]

Ned hanged his sword on his waist, walking towards Allaina, he lifted his hand. Balling something inside. Ned stopped and showed what's inside his hand. A silver metal, engrossed with designs. The Griffith Kingdom and Academy insignias, Six Token on Ned's hand. 

Allaina's high-arched brows met in the middle. Without other options, she received the Tokens. She never thought that Ned would finish the attackers within seconds, she clearly underestimated him.

The Handlers behind him stayed quiet, they could have ended the fight, but the fight was intriguing enough to stop it. A Hollow, against aspiring Mages. This encounter was indeed rare. Since tomorrow will be the departure, why not enjoy the show a bit longer. The Handlers nodded in unison. 

Ned, turned around,  opening his hands, provoking anyone whose up for a challenge. To others, Ned seemed to be over his head. But for Ned, he knew, he just wanted to end this, go with the people he cared, have some laugh before he leaves the island. 

Along the corner, a kid grabbed a piece of china. Drank what's inside, and with raw force, he threw the porcelain directed towards Ned. 

The china entered the border of Ned's perceptions. He tilted his head. Evading the object that went past his head. Ned looked to where the throw was. He recognized the kid, he was the one who topped the Selection. 

Not far from Ned, to where the path of the china flew. Jason was holding the object. It seems that it wasn't just Ned, the aim was also intended towards Jason. 

Jason walked, passing a number of participants he doesn't care about. He stopped beside Ned, patting his shoulder but his gaze was on the kid who threw the object. "My friend, this one is mine," He said. Knuckling his fist. 

Jason released his Mana,  and seconds passed, Terra Magic started to envelop his fist. He stared towards the kid deeper. "Xin Wuyeng!"