"Sturm the Lion King!" the crowd of teenagers instantly drew back in fear.
He was The undefeated. He placed second on the rankings list. It was rumoured that if it wasn't for the fact that the current number one on the rankings list remained unknown, it was certain he would have grabbed the first place from that person.
"I heard that his blood cycle had reached a terrfying 1 cycle per second." a teen whispered.
"Really? Then doesnt that mean he could advance to the next stage anytime soon?"
"Rumour has it that he killed the previous guy who was placed second on the rankings list." someone suddenly said.
Immediately, the person's surroundings cleared as if no one had been there. The person was obviously not stupid, he left the specific area with them too.
Sturm's eyes flashed with a cold light as he looked towards that direction. But the area was already empty and even if it weren't, there were a lot of student there since he couldn't find the specific person that said those words, he obviously couldn't beat everyone there. It was the same as courting death.
Upon hearing the whispers, David glanced at Sturm's direction. He immediately recognised the fella. It was the guy who had almost crushed him a few weeks ago.
His eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light. Then he smirked. '1 cycle per second uhn'
As if feeling something, Sturm turned around and face toward David's location.
Suddenly, as though he recalled something funny, Sturm chuckled. Then he brought his hands to his stretched neck. He forcefully swiped his thumbs across his neck - Cutthroat.
David indifferently glanced at him from the distance before retracting his gaze. But deep inside, he had marked Sturm down on his kill list. That person obviously wanted to kill him so he deserves to die for that thought.
As he was about to rest his back towards the branch. The corner of his eyes caught onto a figure and before he could truly see who it was, the figure was submerged into the seas of crowds.
David unconsciously squinted his eyes, searching, wanting to see that figure again, but it was all in vain.
Suddenly, an indifferent voice spoke out "What is wrong with you?" Nihyuh had a slight surprised expression as he asked
"What do you mean?" puzzled, David reluctantly turned away as he gazed at Nihyuh.
With furrowed brows, he replied "Your breathing got rougher for just a moment."
Taken aback, David checked to confirm, and indeed his breathing got rougher. Even his heartbeat was stronger than previously. But the most important aspect was that he didn't even notice.
He waved his hands dismissively "I was just slightly circulating my blood, don't mind me." after saying that, he sat down to rest on a branch.
Nihyuh had an expression which practically said 'Do you take me for a fool?'
David didn't reply though as he already knew the reason his body reacted in such a way.
'it is that girl again'
There are also some pretty important figures that were supposed to seen and discussed about, but from the looks of things, it was obvious they had hidden carefully amongst the crowds not wishing for attention.
* * *
Inside the old hall, several figures sat in a high platform at a far distance from the dilapidated door and they kept staring at several spots on the metal door as if there was something special on there. It appears bas if they had the ability to see through the doors. Which shows how powerful they are.
They sat in the shape of a V as a white-haired middle-aged man could be seen seated at the forefront. While there were two people seated directly at his left and right hand side. Other people were also seated besides them
"There seems to be a few talents amongst this group of students." someone spoke up.
"That's right. But the trick we pulled regarding the early posting of the rankings list, caused quite the commotion amongst the new student the rankings list was a mess for a few weeks." another elder spoke up.
"Hehe, of course it would. But it has already been corrected. The owners of the rankings had taken back what was originally theirs." another middle-aged woman spoke up.
Then she pointed towards a direction. If one could see through the door, one would notice that he was pointing directly at a female student. "That girl is called Janeane Foxx and although she is currenly ranked 10th on the list she had almost mastered her Shockwave Palm to perfection. She only needs a few pointers and she would perfect the combat technique."
The other elders nodded their heads. "She does indeed have potential."
"She is only ranked 10th in the rankings, what potential does she have?" someone suddenly snorted.
The previous elders face turned red from embarrassment and as she was about to defend her, the person spoke up once more.
"You obviously can't compare her with Phyllida. She has a three star talent and had practiced her Brown Grade combat technique to the second level which shows highly on her perception!" the elder spoke proudly with excitement in his eyes and he pointed towards a figure clearly hidden amongst the crowds and at the same time, he glanced towards the middle-aged white haired man who was seated at the forefront to see if he was listening. But was disappointed as the Senior professor face was expressionless. There was no sign that he was listening.
They were trying to promote their family's kids in front of the Senior Professor just in case he was looking to chose a disciple.
"Professor, the higher ups demands that you chose a disciple this time. Or they might be forced to randomly select one for you." an old man professor who was seated at the right seat of the white haired man spoke.
The white haired man rose his head and he responded "Let it be, when its time to choose a disciple, i will naturally select one for myself." he said indifferently.
Another middle-aged lady elder seated directly on his left side swiftly spoke up "They seem pretty serious about it this time."
The white haired man frowned a bit as he pondered. "Hmm, then i will just select the student that places first in the events."
The group of elders were obviously stunned and they instantly shouted. "Senior!"
"You can't do that!"
"My descision is final, don't try to persuade me."
After a while,
"The death count is only 24 in the past three weeks. This batch of students are obviously seeker than than the previous ones." a middle age lady suddenly spoke.
"They are truly weaker. I don't think half of them would survive the Event." another supported.
Several figures nodded their heads in acknowledgment but a voice cut them off.
"Jerkins, what do you mean weaker? Do you want to see them killing each other like dogs before you find them strong enough?" an old voice retorted. Obviously angry with their thoughts.
The previous batch had more than a hundred death counts in the first few weeks of being in the institute, which made the students battle hardened and strong minded because of their intense competitions. But the draw backs were obvious.
Many potential talents died off during the process. Leaving the institute at quite a loss.
The oldman didn't want that to happen again, so he was obviously happy to see such small amounts of death rate.
The others quickly shut their mouths, as they withdrew their heads.
The middle-aged lady, Kenny Jerkins but as a professor, they would be only be called by their surnames.
The middle-aged lady sneered as she replied "Jeremy, the older you get, the more softer you seem to become."
The oldman's expression darkened instantly when he heard her words. "Don't drag me into this. We are talking about the Institute and its students, not me. If the amount of students dwindled by the same amount as last year, do you think the institute would sit still this time." This finally shut her up.
The white haired man suddenly pipped in "Its time. Open the gates."
The group instantly responded in a loud and synchronised voice. "Yes!"
* * *
After a few minutes, the doors to the large building suddenly trembled and then, with a groan, the doors forcefully opened slowly and steadily.
The crowds instantly turned to look as murmurs and all sorts of noises filled the air. Both David and Nihyuh also turned to stare at the piece of crap metal they called door, open.
Rays of sunlight instantly pierced through the entrance, revealing a couple of people who stood still at the entrance.
A slightly old man, suddenly shouted in a deep voice "Quiet!"
The crowds of teenagers instantly felt their heads buzzed as though the sound of a horn had rung besides their ears, and they felt lightheaded. David was no exception and likewise Nihyuh.
David forcefully propelled his blood in his body, strength returned to him as the force from Forcefully circulating his blood countered the buzzing sensation.
David observed his surrounding, and he noticed that he wasn't the only one to have recovered.. Nihyuh also recovered just a second after him.