As the autumnal equinox approached, a desolate breeze swept through the dry streets. The members of Team 749 in the first zone had ended their recuperation. Chad had deliberately worn the uniform of the Spiritual Energy Association to pick them up at the airport.
"Good job, kid! It's only been a while, but why do I feel like your aura has changed so much?" Captain Torey had remarked, still as imposing as ever, his figure indicating he had enjoyed good meals during his recuperation. Chad had casually glanced at his stomach, noting its roundness. "Is it? Maybe it's because of hard training," Chad had replied indifferently. Torey had squinted at him, grinning as he clamped his arm around Chad's shoulder. "By the way, we haven't trained together yet! How about we find a chance to spar?"
Chad had instinctively wanted to refuse. As a one-star D-level talent Awakened, he could easily defeat Torey, even with both hands tied behind his back. But the words had stuck in his throat, defeated by the anticipation in Torey's eyes. "Alright, just sparring then," he had finally agreed. Torey had excitedly patted Chad's shoulder, "Good!"
Team 749 was fully assembled again, gathering in the training room. In the central arena, Chad had stood lazily in one corner while Torey gleamed with excitement opposite him, eager to test Chad's abilities. "How did you manage to defeat a second-stage Eerie Being that day?" Torey had asked, rubbing his hands together. Chad had maintained his usual relaxed demeanor. "Begin!" came Garfield's command, marking the official start of the sparring match.
Torey had roared and rushed forward, aiming to knock Chad flying with a powerful slap. With his nearly 6.56 feet tall frame and weight, the ground shook as he charged. But Chad stood still, calculating how to go easy on him. Just before Torey's slap landed, Chad had made his move, lightly stomping his feet. A terrifying heat had spread within 16.4 feet radius around him, creating a blazing ring of light golden fire that restricted Torey's movements.
Torey's expression had changed drastically as he urgently halted, sparks flying from his feet. He had stared in shock at the flames surrounding Chad, feeling the intense heat from 32.8 feet away. Realizing he had underestimated Chad, he had decided to go all out. "Iron Body!" he had roared, transforming his skin to a metallic color. "Chad, you can defend against ordinary flesh with fire, but can you defend against my body that's comparable to steel?"
Torey laughed heartily, taking heavy steps as he became determined to defeat Chad and uncover Chad's true abilities.
"Hiss~!"
"Torey is serious!"
"Isn't this bullying? Torey is a late-stage one-star Awakened, and he's using his ability against a novice with an F-level ability!"
"You don't understand. This is our captain's respect for Chad. Since it's a spar, he's going all out!"
Below the arena, Garfield and the other two team members exclaimed when they saw Torey unleash his Iron Body, then began discussing among themselves, sweating for Chad.
...
Chad stood still, inwardly sighing, "Why is our captain so reckless? Didn't he see that I was going easy on him?" He had deliberately controlled the temperature of the Hellfire, keeping it below even one-tenth of its normal level. Unexpectedly, this had made Torey overly confident. There was no other way; Chad had to increase the fire a bit and raise the temperature slightly.
Then, his eyes moved.
The flames surrounding Chad surged instantly! The terrifying heat distorted the air, burning through a large hole in the specially reinforced arena.
At that moment, Torey remained smug, ready to rush into the ring of fire with his Iron Body and drag Chad out by hand. But the suddenly surging flames made him freeze in shock, his eyes widening.
The next second, Chad willed it, enchanting his dark golden dagger with Hellfire. Then he flew with the sword. Dark gold, crimson, and brilliant gold—three divine lights dazzled as they shot out, tracing a dazzling fire line in the air. The blade faced backward and struck Torey's thigh with storm-like force.
"Ah!!!~" Torey instantly knelt down in pain. When he touched his thigh, it was bloody, and a layer of skin had burned off. Moreover, his entire lower body felt like it was crippled, unable to exert any strength.
With that one strike, Chad stood in place, having defeated the captain. Torey knelt on the ground in pain, cold sweat dripping from his forehead as he looked up in shock at Chad's face, hidden in the flames, calm and composed, like a flame demon. His heart felt like a tempestuous sea, shocked beyond belief.
"Is this really an F-level talent?" Torey thought as he looked again at his bloody thigh. He realized this was his skin after using the Iron Body, which meant Chad's flames could melt steel!
"Chad can even control the blade to attack me. If it was the sharp edge, I would probably be killed instantly!"
"Has Chad already reached the strength of a two-star? How long has it been since he Awakened?!!!" Torey looked up at Chad again, feeling as though his worldview was collapsing. This was insane! If anyone dared to say Chad was F-level again, he would get angry!
Below the arena, Garfield and the other two teammates were already stunned, their mouths wide open. They stared with wide eyes, foolishly standing in place.
...
Unbeknownst to them, on the fifth floor of the Spiritual Energy Association, President Rayne and Vice President Dolores watched the entire match between Chad and Torey through monitors.
"What do you think, Rayne? Didn't I tell you Chad was peculiar?" Dolores, wearing a black professional polo shirt, looked capable and sexy.
Rayne frowned, his eyes never leaving the monitor screen. After a long while, he pursed his lips and shook his head, saying, "In my opinion, it's probably just luck. When Chad awakened his talent, I was personally there. He's definitely an F-level psychic!"
Rayne did not believe in Chad's strength, attributing it solely to good luck. Dolores raised an eyebrow, intending to argue, but then gave up. Rather than argue with this old man, she decided it was better to investigate it herself.
Thinking this, Dolores stomped off in her high heels, heading straight to the second floor without looking back.
Meanwhile, with Chad, the sparring match had also concluded. In the end, he had deliberately controlled his strength and temperature. Otherwise, that last move could have easily disabled Torey's entire leg. Instead, it resulted in just a burn and a fracture, which could be healed with some medicine.
After Chad came down, the other team members stared at him as if he were a monster, their gazes carrying a hint of reverence. Obviously, Chad's strength had conquered them.
Torey limped over to Chad, step by step, and said with a bitter smile, "You're too freakish, kid. I seriously doubt there was a mistake during your test. That flame can't possibly be an F-level psychic ability! I'd believe it if you said it was B-level, or even A-level!"
Suddenly, a woman in a black professional suit had entered. Dolores smiled at Chad, saying, "I saw your sparring just moments ago. Since your strength surpasses Torey's, you will be the captain of Team 749 from now on." Torey had immediately supported the decision, and soon Garfield and the others followed suit. Chad had been confused, having become captain so suddenly.
As the new captain, Chad gained additional access to the simulation training ground, but before he could even apply, an urgent notice had been issued. The eerie mist in the first zone had descended again, prompting the Spiritual Energy Association to dispatch ten teams via helicopter, including Chad's Team 749.
On the helicopter, Torey and the others sat opposite Chad, their faces tense with anticipation. Chad had felt excitement swell within him. The last time he had encountered the mist, he had been an ordinary person. Now, as a two-star psychic, he knew that within the mist, there were not only Eerie Beings but also many other unexpected and mysterious surprises.
"My sister said that clearing the mist and killing all the Eerie Beings inside could yield substantial rewards. Many resources for awakeners were obtained from there... I wondered what I would gain this time when I entered..." he had thought, anticipation coursing through him.
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