Ran's body was shaking. He didn't know how to deal with this result.
'I thought his offensive power would be a few hundred points. Maybe he would use another trick, but it shouldn't be higher than two thousand. Yet, he actually got over three thousand.
'This is not a normal score. This kind of number can only be achieved by someone with an extreme element or someone who is already close to evolution.'
He didn't know that Auric's energy was already beyond 100%. Unfortunately, it was separated. It was already quite amazing for Auric to have reached this number with his current condition.
Still, Ran could only think of a certain possibility.
'Don't tell me he deliberately showed only the weaker abilities in his fight against Simon?'
This was the only reasonable explanation. Auric definitely had much more amazing power. If he had used this power, he would have won easily against Simon.
Ran wondered about Auric's purpose in hiding his true power.
There was only one reason. It was to compete with students above his grade.
Ran felt chills down his spine. If he didn't get serious soon, Auric might suddenly surpass him.
Ran's body shook. He felt an intense glare from behind. It was as if Auric were already walking in his shadow, waiting for the right time to take him down.
Ran shook his head helplessly.
'This had to be the explanation. It's a big deal that I know this information. I won't tell anybody about it. They will definitely be shocked once they know about his hidden power.'
Ran couldn't help but smile when he imagined their shocked faces.
Nevertheless, the biggest surprise would be the last score.
'How am I supposed to evaluate the last score? I have never seen anyone achieve something like this. So, should I consult the professors?
'It's normal for you to single out an energy and calm it down. However, Auric not only stabilized all of the energies, but he was also able to accurately separate them simultaneously.
'His skill as an evolution master might be much higher than any student on our campus.
'I bet all those professors from the Support Department would go crazy the moment they saw this result.
'Now that I think about it…'
Ran turned around and looked at Auric. He had almost forgotten one thing. 'That's right. Auric has two elements because his actual element is a unique element.
'Maybe it's because he can wield two elements that his understanding of them is much higher than ours? In this case, it's no wonder he focuses on the Element Department.
'This kind of information… I'm too scared to reveal it to anyone, no matter the price. If I end up provoking this person's wrath, my life will be over.
'To think a junior of mine can make me feel threatened just by showing his results. This is beyond my expectations. Maybe those results came from the combination of two elements?
'This is the first time someone with two elements, even though it's classified as unique, has appeared. So, the amount of magical energy he could unleash might be doubled because of this advantage?'
Ran couldn't figure out the full extent of Auric's abilities, but he got a good grasp of Auric's potential. The only problem would be whether Auric could evolve or not.
Nevertheless, there would be a good show for at least a couple of months until it was time for most students to evolve their avatars into the juvenile form.
Auric turned his head. "I'm done with the test. Let's head to the gravity room."
"Training Center? Sure." While Ran guided Auric to another building, he continued his explanation. "This is the Training Center of the Training Hall. It has two areas. The first one is the gravity room, which you're planning to visit. As the name implies, this gravity room will help refine your physique."
"What about the other?" Auric asked.
"The second one is the testing room. This is a plain white room where you can freely test your powers. Unlike the Overall Combat Test, you can get multiple dummies and more room to move."
Auric thought, 'I already have the villa. If I want a practice dummy, I can create it with my dream element. Besides, training in a dream is also quite good. There is no reason for me to go there.'
"The third building is none other than a sparring arena. There are a total of four arenas, which is why this building is bigger than the other two."
"Sparring arena…" Auric remembered that the gym was used as a sparring arena before.
"You must be wondering why the teacher held the sparring match in the gym, right? The answer is simple. Your power hasn't reached the level where the sparring arena is required. Are you disappointed?"
Auric rolled his eyes. "Not really. Why should I be disappointed? Let me guess, this arena requires points as well?"
"Yep."
"See?" Auric shrugged.
"Well, from time to time, the sparring arena is used as a place to scout people. There are plenty of students who are recruited into a group or a club thanks to this arena."
"Club?"
"Yes. Even though we are similar to a military training camp, as the college prepares us to fight the beasts, we are still a university, you know? Clubs and other things you usually find on campus are here as well. Interested?"
"Do you have a club?" Auric asked.
"I'm part of the Newspaper Club. We gather information and publish it."
"Mhmm…" Auric looked as if he wasn't interested in any of the clubs.
"Aren't you going to ask me not to publish your information?"
"Should I? I know your intention from the start. It is only because I don't think it matters that I accepted your offer, Senior."
Ran chuckled. "Don't worry. I won't really sell your information. Besides, this is just a personal curiosity."
"Either way, we have arrived." Auric raised his head, staring at the building.
"Of course. Let me be the host. This is the second building. The left side of this building is where you should go." Ran quickly led him to an empty gravity room.
"There is a control panel here." Ran pointed at the screen next to the entrance. "It can simulate up to 10G. It costs 20 points per hour. Is there anything you want to ask?"
"Won't it be quite dangerous for people to use this kind of room? What if someone accidentally presses an option much higher than their capabilities?"
"Don't worry. The increase will be gradual. In addition, the floor has a sensor. If your whole body or face touches the ground, it will deactivate immediately. Well, you will probably leave with some bruises, but no broken bones."
"I see." Auric nodded in understanding. "In that case, I will test it."
"Sure. I will be right outside." Ran raised his hand as he walked away.
Ran crossed his arms with a small smile on his face. "Judging by the numbers on the first building, he would have a hard time enduring even 2G with his pure strength alone. But if he uses all his power, maybe he could raise it to 3G, if not 4G. Anyway, I should probably buy him a drink."
Ran walked away, as it would be at least one hour before Auric would leave the room.
Meanwhile, Auric pressed the '2G' option first.
"Since I plan to train my physique, I shouldn't use any energy here, right?" Auric muttered.
"Yes. Focus on refining your physique. It will be better if you can do some light exercises here."
"Got it." Auric then walked to the center of the room, wondering how this place would simulate gravity.
He thought it would be using a similar method that the Air Force used, but his curiosity turned into surprise when he realized the way they generated the gravity was what would benefit him the most.
"Wait." Auric blinked his eyes a few times while scanning the entire room. He could see gray magical energy similar to that of a unique element.
This could only mean one thing. The gravity in this room came from an element rather than science.
"Gravity element…" Auric gasped.
"You are in for a treat." Lindwurm seemed to have noticed it as well. "Are you going to take this element?"
Auric thought for a moment. "The gravity element will be quite useful. First of all, I can use it for my own training."
"Fair point. It is also a very versatile power," agreed Lindwurm.
"And unique elements are quite rare. I'm very lucky to have encountered three of them so quickly." Auric smirked.
With this, he had the convenient space element, the mysterious dream element, and the versatile gravity element.
"I just need to find a battle technique, and I'll be good to go." Auric smirked. "This trip is definitely worth it."
"Indeed." Lindwurm nodded before rolling his eyes. "But say that without your legs shaking next time."
"…" Yes, Auric's legs were shaking hard. The gravity room had been active for some time, so he already felt the full force of the 2G that this room provided.
Although Auric didn't show it while he was conversing with Lindwurm, it didn't change the fact that he had endured the gravity purely with his physical strength.
"Hahaha." Ran laughed. It was because of this that he realized Auric was not some sort of monster. He handed him the energy drink. "Anyway, drink this."
"Thanks."
"By the way, what are you going to do next?"
While opening the bottle, he replied, "I'm planning to visit the Exchange Center. I'm quite curious about how it works."
"I see. I guess this will be where we part ways. As much as I'd like to take you around, my existence is needed elsewhere."
"Yes. Thank you very much, Senior." Auric nodded politely.
"Not at all, I should be the one thanking you for showing me such a treat." Ran winked playfully. "Let's meet again sometime!"
"Yes." Auric took a quick glance at Lindwurm. 'If we can get a gravity element battle technique, we don't need the gravity room anymore. So, is there even a need to get any points?'
"Can't you exchange it for rare materials or other stuff? I don't know what can be exchanged there, but let's take a look first."
"You're right."
…
While Auric was leaving for the Exchange Center, Ran had his back against the wall with both hands up. His face turned pale as sweat covered his back. "Isn't this illegal? Are you going to kidnap me next, Ellia?"
Yes, the one who actually cornered Ran was none other than Ellia.
Ran glanced at Arina, who was standing behind her. "Are you not going to stop her?"
"Do you think I have ever succeeded in stopping her?" Arina let out a disappointed sigh.
"…" Ran gulped down. "What do you want?"
"His test results," demanded Ellia coldly.
Ran had expected it, but his scared face soon turned solemn as he answered, "No."
He quickly added, "Don't be ridiculous, Ellia Stroph Astler. If you are close to Auric Elfe, then ask him yourself. Don't ask me. Even if I have the information, I am the one who will decide whether I want to sell it to you, not you."
Ellia glared at him. "Does that mean you're going to make me your enemy?"
Ran snorted. "I might have lived a dishonest life, but I still have a principle that I will follow no matter what."
Ellia took a step back. A small smile formed on her face.
"!!!" Ran blinked his eyes a few times, wondering if he saw it correctly. Ellia actually smiled?
"That's good enough. At least I know you are not going to sell his information." Ellia snorted and turned away.
"What is this? Are you trying to monopolize him by not letting anyone get his information?" Ran's eyebrows twitched.
"That's not for you to know." Ellia snorted. "Arina. Let's go."
Before they left, Ran actually said with a smug smile, "I didn't sense you anywhere inside the building earlier, so you must not know about his results yet. I can tell you about it, though."
"…" Ellia suddenly halted her steps.
"Well, this is personal information. I have always thought you were close, like his girlfriend or…" Ran's smile became even bigger. "…his sugar mommy."
Ellia squinted her eyes. "For a sly fox like you… you just gave me a rather good idea."
"Eh?" Arina was the most surprised. "A good idea? Which one?"
"…which one?"