General Weig and Old man

Two figures stepped forward. One was a middle-aged man in a formal black uniform, complete with a matching hat atop his head. The other, an elderly man, possessed a head full of white hair and a perpetually smiling countenance. He was dressed in plain, unassuming attire.

The middle-aged man represented the Government, while the older gentleman hailed from the Holder's Association.

This location, where the test for obtaining a Holder's Medal was administered, was jointly managed by both the Government and the Holder's Association. They had come here for a significant meeting, as this spot had been designated for their rendezvous. On their way back to their respective organizations, they chanced upon the unfolding scene.

"I didn't expect we would see some fun." the old man remarked cheerfully. The middle-aged man offered no response, his attention solely fixed on what lay before him.

George's companions abruptly halted, all of them turning to regard the newcomers. Recognizing the uniform worn by the middle-aged man, they slowly lowered their weapons.

"Young man, release him," General Weig ordered Dante, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

George, witnessing the intervention and the cessation of the fight, couldn't help but crack a sly grin.

"Hehe! I'll make sure to make you pay when we—" George's sentence was abruptly cut short as excruciating pain surged from his hand.

"ARGH!" George's agonized shout sent shivers through those who heard it, particularly those who recognized the uniform worn by the middle-aged man. All eyes turned to General Weig. The visible tension in his jaw and the slowly emerging blood vessels on his face made it clear that the white-masked man had provoked the General.

"I warned you to st—"

Bang!

With a powerful punch from Dante, George was sent hurtling backward. He somersaulted a couple of times before coming to a stop. His companions rushed to his side, audibly exhaling in relief upon finding him conscious. However, his face bore a distinct imprint from the punch, along with bloodied lips.

Dante had exercised restraint with that strike, sparing George from potentially severe internal injuries.

'It's not the right moment,' Dante concluded. He couldn't afford to jeopardize his Medal application by ending another applicant's chances, could he? Besides, carrying out such an act during broad daylight posed too great a risk.

The elderly man gently laid his hand on General Weig's shoulder, offering a few reassuring taps, a clear signal for him to regain composure.

Taking a deep breath, General Weig exhaled heavily.

"Calm down, my friend, Haha!" the old man chuckled. He turned his gaze towards Dante and George, recognizing the latter as a scion of one of those influential families. Though their interactions had been limited, he was well-acquainted with their behaviour.

"You, come here, and explain what happened," the old man commanded, singling out one of the applicants. The applicant turned in the direction of George, who was shooting them a hostile glare that could almost be mistaken for a threat, causing the individual to hesitate.

"Don't be afraid," General Weig assured, giving the applicant a reassuring nod.

After a moment of uncertainty, the applicant mustered the courage to recount what they had witnessed. They spoke, and upon hearing their account, along with gathering input from other witnesses, they collectively concluded that George had been the instigator.

"I'm innocent! Didn't you all see this guy just punch me?!" George protested, his enraged gaze sweeping over the applicants who had corroborated the story, ultimately settling on Dante.

Battling the pain radiating from his face, George's anger got the better of him, propelling him toward Dante. However, his companions swiftly intervened, restraining him.

"Young Master, please, stop!" One of his companions, the eldest and notably the only one who hadn't hurled insults at Dante, implored George.

George shot the man an angry glare, but the gravity in the man's expression began to subdue George's ire.

"We can't just let this slide, Jacob," George bit out through clenched teeth.

"I know," Jacob replied, casting a glance at General Weig and the old man. They had accompanied George for a specific reason: he was set to undergo an exam to attain 2-star Holder status. Moreover, he had been assigned to keep a close watch on George, knowing all too well about his troublesome tendencies. Unfortunately, it seemed those concerns had been warranted, given the scene unfolding before them.

"We should punish them," General Weig proposed, only to be intercepted by the old man.

"Let's leave it be," the old man suggested, his smile never wavering. His gaze remained fixed on Dante.

'What an intriguing young man—he held back in that punch.' The old man could discern that Dante hadn't unleashed his full strength.

"He's no pushover, yet he knows when to hold back," the old man commended Dante silently.

"What's your name?" the old man inquired.

"Eka," Dante responded in a detached tone.

"Eka, I see." With that, the old man promptly departed.

'Eka? An unusual name,' General Weig mused as he trailed behind the old man. Although he was perplexed by the old man's intervention, he didn't see fit to challenge it.

***

The other Holders exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether to form a line or not. Sensing their hesitation, Dante took the initiative and headed towards the front.

As soon as they grasped that their initial positions were up for grabs, they swiftly relocated.

Though George and his companions felt a pang of shame, they obediently shifted towards the center of the line. George's gaze remained fixed on Dante, his fury palpable. His companions, sensing his rage, deterred anyone attempting to encroach upon their space.

"I will never forget this humiliation!" George seethed, teeth clenched, as he consumed a health potion.

***

Once they fulfilled the prerequisites, they were directed to another area designated for the written exam, which, in reality, proved quite manageable with adequate preparation. The exam primarily comprised dungeon-related inquiries.

The candidates were divided into groups and dispatched to separate rooms, allotted only a mere two hours to tackle all the questions.

Dante swiftly completed his portion, the questions posing no significant challenge, thanks to his diligent use of Concentration, which had enhanced his cognitive abilities. As his body undergoes transformation, his brain also experiences enhancement, rendering studying and learning significantly more effortless for Dante.

Following the two-hour duration, the candidates regrouped, awaiting further instructions from an instructor.

"Everyone, listen up! Some of you may already be aware, but I'll still explain the details of your next exam. It will be a practical assessment consisting of three parts: Skill Potential Assessment, Skill Utilization Assessment, and Combat Assessment," the instructor announced. The Holders who have an inkling of their Skill Potential feel a mixture of nervousness and hope, wishing they can successfully passed through the final two assessments.

Dante shared their nervousness. Initially, he had a strong suspicion that his skill might be rated as an F, given its straightforward nature. Moreover, when the system materialized, Dante noticed that the mana within his body vanished, and every attempt to replenish it was consistently rejected.

This explained why Dante abstained from purchasing Health potions; their production required a substantial amount of mana alongside other ingredients.

Having to take breaks to replenish his health is a source of frustration for him.

"System, is there a way to pass the first exam?" Dante inquired. Although the system typically remains reticent, it generally responds when Dante poses a question. Some inquiries, however, are met with a curt "Access denied."

"I am able to replicate the energy patterns produced by Skills, akin to mana," the system replied.

"You can? That's useful. Why didn't you mention this function before?" Dante asked, a sense of relief washing over him as curiosity took hold.

"The host hasn't been exploring me much." the system explained.

"Why do you phrase it like that? It sounds..." Dante paused, a shiver running down his spine at the thought.