Chapter 101: Entrance Exam: Reactions

Isabella's delicate face is now marred with a deep frown as she stares at the blonde guy who's calmly marching down the stage.

Let it be known that Isabella wasn't the jealous nor the arrogant type. Her horizons were broad and she knew that compared to the ocean of geniuses out there, she was just slightly luckier.

Similarly, she worked hard to not waste the heavenly gifts she received, much like everyone else who was here right now. She has her reasons for bitterly training to pursue power, and she's confident that, at some level, she's above the majority because of her latent potential and hard work combined.

But that blonde guy, Cedric as she has learned, isn't he a little ridiculous? Where did he come from?

First, there was the matter of his Sword Intent, something that learned almost every swordsman pursued throughout their lifetimes with the majority failing to gain it even after pouring decades worth of effort.

Cedric looked like he wasn't even in his 30s yet, but he has it. Not only that, but his Sword Intent was also potent. It was clear that he had plenty of time to nurture and validate its existence.

Again, many swordsmen desperately clamored to gain even some semblance, a wisp, of Sword Intent to grace their presence, yet this man has it in spades.

The absurd part is that nobody would've known if he hadn't come here or shown it.

Isabella herself didn't follow the path of the Sword. She's more used to Elemental Manipulation and her gift leans more towards control over the Ice Element. But still, she knows just how difficult it is to condense even a sliver of Sword Intent.

'How in the world did he do it?'

Is what she asks herself, fully knowing that she might never get an answer for that. She isn't the social type after all.

And although Cedric's results at the first part of the Practical Exams were just above her but lower than Garrick's, she could confidently say that Garrick would definitely lose against Cedric if they were to fight.

And that's because of Cedric's display of speed just now.

From what he displayed, it would be wrong to say that his speed was unparalleled amongst Tier 3. Hell, he might even be able to compete with Tier 4 experts in sheer speed alone.

So what if Garrick's raw power was greater than Cedric's? That would be useless if Cedric could kill him before he even knows what happened.

And judging from the clouded expression on Garrick's face, he knows this too.

Isabella and Garrick were acquaintances. They're not close, they just knew each other because their respective guarantors introduced them to each other a couple of months ago.

No, they didn't spar or anything. They just exchanged a few polite words and that's that, nothing more.

And he would admit that this has disillusioned him into thinking that he was invincible amongst those within his Tier.

But then...there was Cedric...

When he released that Sword Intent, Garrick felt something he hadn't felt in a while...the prickling sensation of fear.

Cedric's Sword Intent made him feel an unprecedented level of threat, something that he only felt towards his foster father whenever he was serious.

That Sword Intent was so sharp that he felt like it could easily slice him effortlessly. One had to know that ever since awakening his Divine Physique, Garrick had become impervious to mortal injuries.

He could allow someone to freely hack away at his body with an ordinary sword all day long and he wouldn't feel a thing. That's how absurd his physique has gotten.

But in front of Cedric's Sword Intent, his body might as well be a piece of paper. In fact, he gets the impression that even with a shabby sword, Cedric could still cut him in half with that Sword Intent.

And that's not even including his speed in the equation...

It would've been fine if Cedric was only faster than him by a mere second or two. He didn't even fear that Eleonore Weiss who scored 55 seconds on the test because he knew that she couldn't do any noticeable damage to him.

But Cedric was different. The dude was faster than him by 29 seconds! In a real battle where even a single second could change the outcome, a whole 29 seconds was no longer just dangerous, it was certain death!

Would Cedric be able to do serious damage to him with that difference in speed? Absolutely! Especially with that Sword Intent of his.

What's more, is that Garrick could tell that Cedric didn't need time to gradually increase his speed to that level. He could burst at that same speed right from the get-go.

There's no way he could've done that! Not unless he too possesses a Divine Physique that specializes in speed.

Unfortunately, it would be too rude to confront the guy about that now. Besides, even if he doesn't care about his reputation, Cedric is entitled to his secrets and Garrick couldn't force him to admit to anything.

And much like Isabella, he too felt stifled knowing that someone like him was in the same batch as them.

He couldn't help but wonder: 'Is this what others felt towards me?'

A wry grin appeared on his face. Though the feeling was stifling, it was also refreshing. His confidence might've suffered a blow but it also felt nice to be indirectly humbled.

Despite being pushed down like this, Garrick felt even more excited. After all, he thrives in competition.

'Hurry up with the 3rd part, please! I want to know just how wide the gap is between me and him!'