Darius almost vomited blood, your head is broken!
Krune came out stressed. It's a fact that he destroyed the training room, but it's also true that Darius said that they could go all out. This is also the reason that although fuming, Darius can't do anything to Krune. He was the one who told not to hold anything back after all.
When Krune left the room, everyone opened space for him, and those who had criticized him before pretended that they couldn't even see him at all. As for Durin Vola, he had long disappeared, who knows where he went.
One of the contestants came forward to talk with Krune. He had quite high-level cultivation, at the 6th stage of the Foundation Establishment, and he was extremely curious.
"Brother, you are amazing! I'm called Reiner. Please tell me, is that what you used a skill merge?"
As soon as he asked that, everyone's eyes almost popped out of their eyes. Skill Merge? That was supposed to only be possible at the late stages of the Foundation Establishment. Not to mention that very few could do that, but Krune was obviously at the 1st stage, really far from that.
Krune felt puzzled with that question, he had seen even Qi Condensation cultivators using it before, why does he look so impressed by that? He thought that he didn't do anything amazing, so he just nodded his head. Now everyone felt like they are seeing a ghost, the guy who asked him that question couldn't help but exclaim.
"Unbelievable! Brother, how did you do that? Only those who reach the late stages of the Foundation Establishment would be able to use Skill Merge. However, you are obviously at the 1st stage still. If it's not a secret, can you tell how did you do that?"
Everyone's eyes lit up, and even Darius couldn't help but pay attention. Darius is also at the 6th stage of the Foundation Establishment. Still, he is far from being able to use Skill Merge.
Krune now felt even more puzzled. If they are this surprised, then what was that when he saw two Qi Condensation Cultivators merging their skills? Krune looked back at him and asked.
"Isn't it a little exaggerated? I remember when I was back at Katiu Forest that a few Qi Condensation Cultivators also used Skill Merge. It's just that they needed two people to work together to achieve the merged effect. I'm already at the Foundation Establishment, shouldn't it be obvious that I can use it?"
After hearing that, everyone looked at him strangely, Reiner could only explain the situation to him.
"Well, brother, you see, when two people use skill merge, they need to only concentrate on their own part of the skill. This means that even Qi Concentration cultivators can do so as long as they are in sync. The thing is, those at Qi condensation and above only have to control a single element. The ones that you saw before, one was focusing at the wind element, while the other at the fire element, correct?"
Krune nodded, that was indeed the case. Reiner then continued.
"That is the key to the issue! Before our control over the elements gets high enough, we can't merge two skills together. At most, we can cast two skills of different elements, one after another. Let me show you what happens when I try to use two different elements at the same time."
Reiner then used one hand to converge some wind element while he started to focus on the other hand. He was trying to converge the fire element while keeping the wind element going out. Soon, his face started to sweat, and then one could hear a small 'boom' coming from the hand with the wind element. The wind element on his hand dissipated right after. Reiner looked very tired after that, he then looked back at Krune.
"You see it, brother? When we try to use both fire and wind elements at the same time, our spiritual energy goes berserk, and we lose control over both elements. Still, you can obviously use them, and not only can you use it, but you can also use several at the same time! Before, you used ten wind blades of fire, and you didn't even sweat to do that."
Krune was surprised with this finding, that's because back then, although he couldn't use skill merge straight away, he could still use two elements at the same time. Now only he could do that, he didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. Only when he tried to merge the skills that he had a hard time practicing. Krune pondered a bit, and he thought that it could only be because of his Myriad Energies Technique. He couldn't think about anything else. But the problem now was how to explain this fact to everyone.
"Even if you tell me that, I can't explain myself. Today was the very first time that I heard about the fact that only the late stages Foundation Establishment should be able to do that. As far as I remember, I was already able to do so when I broke through and got my human form back then."
He couldn't mention that he was able to do that even before being at the Foundation Establishment. Let alone tell everyone about his Myriad Energies Technique true form.
Reiner shook his head. He didn't believe that Krune was telling the truth, nor did anyone else. They have never heard about someone able to use two elements at the same time at Krune's level. At most, some race with a high level of soul power like the spiritas, should be able to do it a little bit earlier. Still, even so, it would be at the 6th or 5th stages of the Foundation Establishment, and those are even rarer.
Of course, this is also because they don't know much about the geniuses of the universe. Otherwise, they would think like that.
Suddenly, another cultivator pointed at Krune and exclaimed.
"Ah! I know who you are, you are the guy who built a universe as the foundation!"
Immediately, all eyes gathered around Krune again. A universe as the foundation? Is that even possible? The cultivator then explained what happened two days ago at the hotel.
Reiner showed a look of understanding.
"I see, if you really built a universe foundation, then it's a no wonder that you can do what you do. Brother, I admire you!"
Krune's eyes suddenly lit up, he couldn't help but think.
'That's right! I have my universe foundation! I can just use it as an excuse again. Why did I even forget about at that?'
He then looked at the people.
"Indeed, I have built a universe as a foundation. Now that I think about it, it was after I completed the foundation that I found out that I could use two elements at the same time without problems. I always thought that using two elements was something that any Foundation Establishment could do. However, now it seems that the reason has something to do with the level of my foundation."
He then opened his foundation for view again. Even if he has to attract more attention, he has to bring their attention away from his Myriad Energies Technique. At the moment, this is the best choice.
When the people used their Divine Sense to see his foundation, they were amazed. It was true! Someone really built a little universe as the foundation!
Everyone started to get close to Krune to befriend him. Since his ability to control more than one element at the same time came from his foundation, then there is no way they will be able to steal it from him. It's better to form some ties instead! As long as he doesn't die in the middle of the way, Krune is bound to become famous in the future.
Seeing that things were getting out of control already, Darius stepped forward and said.
"Alright, leave the rookie alone, he is not an attraction. You guys can look for him another time, and we have procedures to go through now."
Darius' anger had dissipated like smoke after finding out that Krune can, in fact, use two or maybe even more elements at the same time. Let alone his universe foundation and ability to Skill Merge. He already considers Krune as a treasure of the mercenary guild. When the headquarters receive their call about what happened here today, he might even get a promotion.
"From now on, you are a Three Stars mercenary, go to guild office to take your badge and make your ID."
Krune was relived.
'Fortunately, I won't need to pay for the formation and the training room.'
On the side, Yusa's eyes were shining! It seemed like she was thinking about something.
Darius came forward to continue with the mercenary exam.
"Alright, for those who still have to go through the examination, follow me. We are going to the other training room to continue the test."
Krune decided that there would be no reason to stick around. Not only his 'low profile' plan failed miserably, but every single person or demon beast inside the mercenary guild was also now looking at him. Not to mention that he didn't notice that his hood feel down, so everyone could see his rainbow hair. Krune went inside the office to register as mercenary, and only when the door closed behind him did he feel better. At least everyone can't see him inside the office.
He wasn't the first inside though, Durin Vola there as well. When he looked back at Krune, the disdain in his eyes had totally disappeared. But because his pride was too high, he simply snorted and looked away. Yusa was there too, she looked at him as if he was some jewel, and it made him feel uncomfortable. Cultivators and demon beasts looked at him like that while he was back at the Katiu Forest as a wisp. Still, it felt somewhat different. Yusa then came forward to compliment him.
"Hello, friend. I'm called Yusa Shen, nice to meet you."
She then shacked hands with him. Since she was being polite, Krune would also be the same.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Krune."
She smiled back.
"Very well, Krune. I have witnessed your prowess in the testing room, to think that you can Skill Merge and even have a universe as a foundation, that's impressive!"
Krune just pretended that it wasn't anything to pay attention to, but Yusa then continued.
"Krune, I have something to ask you. Can you keep me company for a bit after the registering process is over?"
Krune felt a little puzzled but agreed anyway, it won't hurt just to hear what she has to say.
Durin went forward to do the procedures. He was the first to arrive at the office, so it was only right that he went to register ahead. After that, it was Yusa's time. The process was quite fast, though. Before she left, Yusa told him that she would wait at the hotel restaurant where Krune is staying.
After Krune entered the next room, he was greeted by the attendant. It was a middle-aged woman with a Two Stars Mercenary Badge pinned on her clothes.
"Hello there, so you the famous elements user everyone outside is commenting, right?"
Krune just scratched the back of his head while looking away. He didn't want to comment about it anymore. Noticing that Krune didn't want to talk, the attendant continued.
"Alright, let's get done with it. Your registration process will take some time. It has been a long time since someone passed the test with the highest level of accomplishment. To give you your Three Stars badge and ID, we will first have to call the Head Quarters of our Yule Continent and apply for it. Those who get a Three Stars badge have much more advantages, after all. So we can't simply give those that easily. We already sent the information over, so it shouldn't take too long, though. I reckon that the process will take at most an hour."
She caught Krune's attention.
"What other benefits are there?"
She then explained the extra benefits that only come to mercenaries who are at least Three Stars.
"To start, you can get a 20% discount on all techniques, arts, and items provided by the mercenary guild. When you go outside, just pass at the counter, and they will show you everything that can be bought."
"Another thing is that you can apply for higher-level missions. Although they are more dangerous, the rewards are also much better."
"There is also the fact that people can come and look for you directly. In that case, the payment offered to you will be higher than those with lower-level badges."
"To enter new countries or continents, you will probably have to use teleportation formations. Mercenaries with Three Stars badges and above get priority to use them. Not to mention that they only have to pay the number of spirit stones necessary to activate the formation."
She kept explaining all the benefits. Krune was very happy, it looked like that failing in his low profile plan wasn't a complete disaster, after all.
At the same time, in the Headquarters of the Mercenary Guild at the applications review office. The employee received the request for a Three Stars Mercenary Badge and ID, which made him a little surprised. Even considering the entire Yule Continent, they only receive the Three Star badges application for first-time testers a few times every week. Because of that, they had to verify the information first. Together with the request, there was also the recording of the examination process that Krune went through. At first, he was expecting that Krune would just barely be able to pass the exam and be injured all over. However, when he saw Krune destroying the three puppets in a single attack, he was taken aback.
'Isn't that a skill merge? How is that possible? They said that the contestant was only at the 1st stage of Foundation Establishment!"
But strangely enough, as soon he saw Krune cut the puppets to pieces, the video was cut too. He felt puzzled and then immediately called that branch.
Back at the Mercenary Guild branch, Marcin, the supervisor of this branch, was pacing back and forward. He knows that they found a treasure, and the Headquarters will definitely contact them back. Sure enough, he received the call.
"Hello. Can I talk with Marcin, the supervisor?"
Marcin took a deep breath, he can't even remember the last time they received a call from the Headquarters. They usually received orders from the Main Branch at Kaley City.
"It's him, and I suppose you are calling regarding the new Three Stars Mercenary that we found."
The person on the other side of the line, then spoke.
"Oh, it's good that you know. My name is Fulie, and I'm part of the review office in the Headquarters. While looking at the video of the contestant Krune, right after he destroyed the three puppets, the video was cut. We can't give the permission for a Three Stars badge and ID before confirming why was that."
Marcin knew that it was coming. He then started explaining what happened after Krune cut down the puppets.
"You are telling me that not only was he able to use two elements at the same time while still in the 1st stage of the Foundation Establishment. His Skill Merge destroyed the puppets, and it even had the power to cut down the protection formation of the room? That formation was supposed to be able to hold back attacks with power two stages higher than the contestant, you know?"
Marcin then explained that it was really what happened. Because the entire training room was reduced to rubble, the video recording was cut middle way too. He also revealed that they found out that Krune had built a little universe as a foundation. That is probably the reason why he can use two elements at the same time so early.
"I understand, I will have to report it to the higher-ups first. I call you back in a few minutes."
Back at the Headquarters, Fulie rushed into his supervisor's office. The man behind the desk looked around his forties, short black hair, and no beard. He was Kassius Ruli, the supervisor of the applications review office. Of course, he only 'looked' to be that age. Kassius then looked at the Fulie with a cold face, this guy dared to enter his office without even knocking. Still, before he could even complain, Fulie was already telling him about his findings at the outer branch beside Katiu Forest. After hearing the whole story, Kassius immediately got up!
"Are you 100% sure about that? Is there really someone who built a universe as a foundation? And it can even allow him to already control more than one element at once?"
Fulie nodded. He also finds it unbelievable! Kassius took a deep breath and immediately made his decision.
"Pass ahead my order, Krune is now a Four Stars Mercenary. Register him as a special member of the Yule Continent Headquarters and allow the ID to be processed immediately. Also, spread the news. Otherwise, the Headquarters of the other continents might try to steal him from us. I will definitely not allow that to happen, we have to proclaim that he is our member as soon as possible!"
Fulie was astonished, this is because to apply for a Four Stars ID and Badge, one has to at least be at the Core Formation Realm!
Back at the office that Krune was staying at, he was thinking to himself.
'If I keep going on like this, someone might find out about my real identity. I will try to keep myself out of sight for a while. Low key, low key...'
Poor Krune, little did he know about the consequences of his actions.