"How is that, Proctor?" the man, identified as Jui-Lao, inquired, casting a glance over his shoulder at a figure clad in silver suit armor that clung to his form, his short, buzz-cut black hair lending him a decidedly professional demeanor.
"You did as good as expected, Jui-Lao, though I'm sure you could destroy even more once you really get your blood pumping," the Proctor commented, his tone indicating a mix of approval and anticipation for greater destruction.
Jui-Lao, acknowledging the feedback with a nod, wiped the sweat from his brow. "That is true. Our blood heritage does forge us better as the fights draw on. I hope I did—" His words trailed off as he sensed an intense gaze upon him.
Turning around, Jui-Lao's eyes met those of a young man standing about 6 feet tall, looking down at him with an intensity that cut through the distance between them.
"What are you staring at, BOY!" Jui-Lao snapped
Ty watched, the sharp words from Jui-Lao ringing in his ears, as his fairy peeked out, ready to interject. Gently placing his hand over her, he urged silence with a soft touch.
Taking a deep breath, Ty tilted his head and closed his eyes for a brief moment, steeling himself with the thought, anything to progress.
Opening his eyes, the red hue replaced the soft blue, a stark contrast to his calm demeanor moments before. Locking his gaze on the man 30 feet away, Ty declared, "I'm just looking at the fodder competition. I will enjoy ripping you limb from limb."
"And who do you think you are to talk down to me like I'm some worm in your path?" Jui-Lao challenged, his posture tensing in anticipation of Ty's response.
The man's smirk widened at Ty's bold words. "You should be quivering in your boots, orange vest... Wait, I see you're the Demon brat who showed up out of the blue. You reek of arrogance and think you're entitled to some greatness because of that pitiful demon blood inside of you."
"First will be a 3-mile run, which is from this starting point all the way down to the end of that field and back here." Ty watched in amazement as the field regenerated before his eyes, transforming into a flat landscape where grass slowly intertwined with a sturdy surface of dirt, readying itself for the challenge.
"Once you finish this, we will evaluate your skills and rank them based on your combat prowess. Finally, you will perform one massive attack as if it were the final attack you ever released. Do you have any questions?"
Ty, recalling the display of power he'd witnessed upon his arrival, inquired, "Yun-Jin's attack when I walked in—that was him and his ultimate attack, right?"
The man nodded in confirmation. "For the most part, but he could probably do a bit more under the right motivations."
"So, I should change out of these clothes, or will I be running in the only pair I have?" Ty inquired, pondering the practicality of his attire for the task ahead.
The man, unfazed by the query, replied, "You can run naked for all I care, but you only have like 15 minutes till your window slot is finished, and #8 is slotted to come in."
Ty paused, the information not fully syncing in. "But you want me to run 3 miles, right?"
"Yeah, so hurry up and get to it," the man urged, his tone indicating there was no room for delay.
Ty, momentarily lost in thought, reminisced about Earth. "I never really saw anyone running faster times than like 15 minutes, though there was that Bolt guy who had an insane form off the run."
Shaking off the distraction, Ty focused back on the present. "Sure, what's the best time so far?"
The man consulted his clipboard, a flicker of seriousness crossing his face. "Looks like it was posted by the first person at a time of 45 seconds."