All over Union City, every last youngster who came for the union trial was making their way to the designated trial location. There were five thousand of them, and by the end of today, only 2,000 would qualify for the academy.
Those 2,000 would spend six months there, after which the final trial would take place once they had all reached at least an intermediate Grandmaster level.
After reaching the Grandmaster stage, advancing to the Saint stage would become the next priority. However, moving from the Grandmaster stage to the Saint stage requires forming a core—a star core. This, of course, is what separates the prodigies from ordinary warriors.
It can take as long as two years, depending on how quickly or slowly one comprehends the formation process. There are established methods, but it was always advised to find one’s own way, as that will be the foundation one relies on for the rest of one’s life as a warrior.
“You guys look like dummies. Come on, lighten up and take comfort in knowing that my charm and brilliance as the number one strongest Master-stage warrior will rub off on you,” Klaus said with a teasing smile as he looked at his friends.
They were on their way to the trial location, but their expressions showed that the pressure was getting to them. Klaus, of course, wasn’t worried, so he threw in a jab, and, as expected, his friends smirked at his comment.
“We’re not like you, Klaus. We’re human, so we can’t stay calm in a situation like this,” Daniel said, and the others nodded.
“Relax, you’ll all pass this trial with ease. I know you will,” Klaus reassured them.
However, in the back of his mind, he hoped Lucil and the Nerds hadn’t gone overboard with the last trial. The last time he’d helped them with Oracle, Lucil mentioned she was cooking up something big for the union trial.
Klaus had made sure she didn’t say anything more about it, but knowing Lucil—and the fact that Oracle had become very realistic—he knew this would be a tough one.
After driving for half an hour, they arrived at a location similar to where they’d taken the Regional and City trials.
Thousands of youngsters were everywhere—some chatting with friends and acquaintances, while others just stood silently, the pressure getting to them.
“It’s him, that’s Klaus Hanson! Oh my god, I can’t believe I might be in the same class as him if I pass today’s trial!” a young lady exclaimed the moment Klaus and his friends arrived.
“Oh, my heart! I thought it was just filters that made him look so handsome when I watched him yesterday, but seeing him up close, he’s even more stunning,” another lady said, almost drooling.
“Keep it together, Alex. Unless you can make it into the top 10, don’t even think about him noticing you,” her friend said, nudging her back to reality.
“Tsk, what do you know? I’m as beautiful as those ladies with him,” Alex replied. She is a dark-haired, well-endowed young woman with striking features, puffing out her chest—a sight that certainly caught the attention of many guys nearby.
“Keep deceiving yourself. Those three were all in the top ten during the regional trial, and, while it hurts to say, they’re all better-looking than us. We can only do our best and admire him from afar,” her friend said with a defeated smile.
It wasn’t just her—most of the girls felt the same way when Klaus appeared. He had grown so handsome that it was beginning to affect some relationships.
The boys whose girlfriends had started watching Klaus in all the wrong ways seethed with anger. If they could, they would cut him into pieces and dispose of each part in different locations.
But alas, they could only fume from afar, knowing they didn’t have the power to face him, especially after watching him kill Saints, Sages, and Great Sages as if they were nothing.
As soon as Klaus and his friends arrived, he scanned the area and spotted a few familiar faces. Lawrence was there, looking in his direction with all the jealousy he could muster. He wasn’t sure whether to blame Klaus for the backlash he had been facing lately.
Since the genius gathering, his credibility had taken a hit. After all, he had conspired against his team under their enemy’s command, causing the team to split. This had angered many, and after the gathering, some even began bashing him online.
This, of course, brought him endless pain whenever he read the comments about him. Since he couldn’t take his anger out on everyone, he could only direct his hatred and frustration at the one person who made him feel this miserable—Klaus Hanson.
There were also a few notable people Klaus remembered from the trial back in Sinji Valley. Some were leaders from other regions who had allied with Ella Duncan and her team.
Now, they watched Klaus with frowns and wary looks as he made his way through the crowd, a smile playing on his lips as he headed toward the last person who wanted to see him—Miguel.
“Miguel, my friend, it’s only been a month, but it feels like we’ve been apart for a century. I hope you’re doing well,” Klaus said with a teasing smile as he approached.
With him were Omari, the Zhou twins, Scarlet, Ruby, and Lucas, the archer who had chosen to stay with Klaus during the trial. It seemed they had grown much closer since the events at Sinji Valley.
“Klaus, not now. Unlike you, some of us actually need to prepare for the trials,” Miguel replied.
“Oh please, you think I’d believe that? You’re all much stronger than the last time we met,” Klaus said with a knowing smile, showing he could read their strengths and weaknesses like a book.
In reality, Klaus’s Eye of Malevolence had grown so powerful that he could easily tell if someone was hiding their strength. This, of course, led him to notice quite a few people who were more than they seemed.
Miguel just chuckled and went back to his quiet stance. Klaus smiled as well and led his friends to find a spot to relax for now. Kilian, of course, had already become smitten with Scarlet.
“Mark, my friend, it seems those twins have their sights on you. You might want to keep sharp on this one,” Klaus said, nudging him when they were a few meters from Miguel’s team.
Mark and the others turned, and sure enough, they caught the Zhou twins, Lin and Zing, subtly watching the spearman in Klaus’s group.
“Better aim for the top 50. That would make things easier,” Klaus added.
“I won’t let you down, Klaus,” Mark said with a determined look.
“What the hell, I’m not the one in love with you! Why would I care if you let me down?” Klaus replied with a smirk.
“Right, I won’t slack off then,” Mark said, scratching his head. His friends smiled, amused by the lovestruck fool who didn’t seem to know what to do.
“Big sister, is it just me, or does that young fella seem to be looking at you with less-than-good intentions?” Klaus gently nudged Hanna.
“That’s Eden Jacobs, someone I plan on killing as my first human,” Hanna replied with a calm expression, though her clenched fist told a different story.
Klaus’s mood shifted at this, but before he could ask for clarification, the doors to the trial building opened, and everyone began moving inside.