Chapter 255: Almost There

[Body. Enhanced Path L5: 500/2000 (+90)

Space Path L4: 65/1000 (+5)

Lightning Path L4: 465/1000 (+0)

Morpher Path L3: 380/400 (+20)

Mind Path L3: 300/400 (+170)]

Varian sighed lightly.

Sure enough, the biggest improvement was not in Body but in Mind Path.

Nalp never stopped his mental attacks. Of course, his physical attacks were more frequent.

However, it was a comparison between Level 5 vs Level 5 Body and Level 4 vs Level 3 Mind.

Since his mind path fought a far stronger enemy, of course, it gained more Xp.

In the late match, he was seriously injured but Morpher Path kept him going. It was a form of extreme practice. Thus, it was up by 20 Xp.

'I can advance in both Mind and Morpher Paths soon.' Varian's breathing quickened.

Beep!

A few bots came for him, with a comfortable chair and took him to a rest room. It was filled with dense aura.

The intention was to let the geniuses to regain their aura quickly and continue dueling.

Varian didn't particularly bother. Even with his half-hearted effort, his aura was being quickly replenished.

Perhaps because of his Celestial-grade talent.

'Body Path…this is the most important one for me now. According to Sarah, the rewards of the competition later can help me advance one or two sub-levels, regardless of the path.'

Varian clenched his fist and took a deep breath. 'So I must win the reward.'

Soon, the bots cleaned his clothes and tidied up his appearance.

Varian shook his head and simply changed into his camouflages. Before the banquet, Sarah feared whether he'd attend the banquet in uniform.

She was right to be scared.

'100 Xp per duel. That's 10 duels. Even before that, I can advance in Mind and Morpher Paths.' Varian returned to the banquet hall and walked around, looking for the second target.

Unlike earlier, this time, the gazes at him didn't have any contempt. They were filled with a lot of curiosity, a shade of anxiety and a trace of caution.

The high and mid Level 6s were curious about his strength—the strength he showed in the last match was of High Level 5.

But the intel only showed as him as a low Level 5.

The disparity in their strengths couldn't be more clear.

Then there were the low level 6s.

The abnormal resilience and vitality Varian showed near the end made them speculate he could be a level 6.

That meant one more strong competitor in the competition and no one was happy.

They were even anxious that with his talent, he'd surpass them in a few months.

Finally, all level 5s were cautious. The high and peak level 5s didn't fear him. But they now looked at him as a rival.

As Varian browsed through the level 5s, he soon found his next target.

Of course, he walked through, waves of comments followed.

"…Is really a first year?"

"He'a second year, I think. Thee earthlings…argh!"

"B-Beast"

"Y-You!"

Even though they spoke in small voices, Varian perceived and understood each of their words.

However, he just them be.

Revenge could wait. But advancing to new paths wouldn't.

Varian reached the weakest section. Mercury.

Unlike others, there were only a few level 6s in Mercury. Most of them were peak level 5.

With each step he took, the rage in their eyes rose.

Finally, Varian pointed to a young woman and lightly. "Please advice."

"You…are you looking down on us?" The young man next to the woman growled.

He was third year cadet. Yet he was only peak Level 5.

He wasn't one of those that were invited to 'experience' the banquet early on. No.

He's one of the participants. Yet, he failed to reach even level 6. Not just him, Mercury had the least number of Level 6s. Even in ratio!

So they instantly assumed Varian's posture as belittling Mercurians.

But—

"Look down?" Varian looked at the enraged young man and said "I treat everyone on I don't know the same. I just want to fight. If you just want to chicken out, try better excuses."

The temperature suddenly dropped. The eyes of the young woman flashed blue. With a chilling glare, she said.

"Bing vs Varian, Duel."

She leaked her aura. It was a perfect opportunity to estimate her strength precisely.

[High Level 5 Water. Level 4 Mind.]

"Varian vs Bing, Duel."

The transparent barrier covered their fight like always.

But unlike last time, a lot of gazes focused towards the battle.

The gazes of Mercury groups were hostile whilst those from Earth were full of pride.

The war mongers of Neptune gazed with a fanatic thirst to fight.

Each party had their own interests as they collected the intelligence.

Even though his level 5 strength won't help much in today's competition, next year, this information would become crucial.

But…

The person in question didn't even bother look at the audience.

Currently trapped in a world of snow, he dodged the rain of ice arrows and slew of mental attacks.

With his physical strength coupled with space armor, Varian defended himself against the ice spears that pierced him multiple times.

Of course, he was still quickly injured.

But looking at the woman in white that floated a hundred meter above the ground, he had an urge to face palm.

'I can just cover solidified space around me to block her attacks. It's not noticeable. Everyone will think that I'm a high level 5 from my defense.

But the current me cannot hit her while she's floating. My speed is significantly lower than hers.

If I even attempt and fail, people can get suspicious. I need to do something...'

The young woman looked down at Varian with a cold gaze.

Since the beginning, he was just defending.

Even though he dodged most of the attacks, some hit him.

Even though he defended himself against many of those some, few penetrated his defense.

As time went on, the injuries were piling up.

It seemed like it was only a matter of time before he collapsed. But…he still stood strong and his movements didn't seem to be affected in the slightest.

"Hmph!" The young woman snorted and continued her mental attacks.

It was strange. He was surely taking damage, but he didn't seem to be affected that much.

Did he have a high mental resistance or something?

As she was thinking, he called.

With an arrogant voice, he said. "Hey girl, you're right. If this is all you have, I really look down on mercury's geniuses."

Snap!

That was it.

Veins popped up on her head and the next moment, she conjured a huge ice spear and thrust it at Varian.

In the blink of an eye, it split into two. four. Eight.

And the by time they reached him, Varian found himself targeted by hundred ice spears.

There was no way out.

'Serves you right!' The young woman's lips curled up and she sighed from exhaustion.

But the next moment, the ground shook, ice creaked and a silhouette appeared in front of her.

Having just used a big move, the young woman helplessly watched as Varian's fist punched her armor and sent her flying.

Three ice spears pierced Varian in his shoulders, abdomen and arm.

However, that didn't stop him from pursuing and finishing her off.

Under the utter shock of the audience, Varian finished his second duel with an abnormally big smile on his face.