Amon did some stretching. His body was still aching, but the wounds were healed since he had drunk a healing potion.

"Hah... My body is still aching. But all is well now." Amon patted his clothes, removing the dust from his uniform. Putting back his hatchet inside the storage ring, Amon decided to move from this place.

He kept his sword in his right hand. It's better to be ready for anything. Though now he was wondering in which direction he should go. He rubbed his chin with a thoughtful expression.

There were still three days remaining. It would soon be evening. He needed to find a perfect place to live for tonight, not like last night, where he literally slept on a tree, which was actually very dangerous.

Putting those thoughts aside, Amon decided to walk in the direction that would lead to the center.

Crunch! Crunch!

His steps were calm and steady, making a crunching sound every time he stepped on dry leaves. He pushed aside the huge plant leaves and vines while walking.

Just then, he heard another sound of footsteps coming from the direction he was walking. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. It seemed someone was coming — and more than that, the footsteps sounded like those of a human.

'Another student,' Amon thought. He could tell the one coming towards him was a single student. He hid behind the trunk of a nearby tree, trying to conceal his presence. His breathing slowed. Measured.

He had just fought against a rank two monster. Getting into a fight with another student was not a good idea.

'I should have chosen another path. Damn it.' Now all he wanted was for the student to be a low-ranking one so he wouldn't have any problem defeating him. But his luck was, again, not with him.

'Shit! Why is he here? Of all people, why did it have to be him?' Amon peeked from behind the tree and saw the student who was coming.

A tall young man with a good build. His dark blue hair was clean. Not a single speck of dust on it. His blue eyes were cold, as if he could freeze anyone with a stare. A sword was gripped in his right hand.

Yes. The young man was none other than Arnold Bigod. Currently the second strongest student in the first year.

Arnold suddenly stopped walking. His eyes shot in the direction of the tree where Amon was hiding.

Amon held his breath. 'Please don't find me! Don't find me!'

But his prayer was not heard.

"Who is there? Come out." Arnold's voice was authoritative.

Slowly, Amon came out from behind the tree.

There was a friendly smile on his face.

"Oh! Hello, Arnold! Long time no see. How are you doing, my friend? Now since we met, we can form a team again, just like we did in the dungeon." Amon acted friendly towards the young man.

Arnold didn't reply. He remained silent, just staring at Amon with the same cold eyes.

"Hey, talk something," Amon asked again.

Finally, Arnold decided to talk.

"It's nice to see you again... Amon." His voice was cool. Amon couldn't tell what this man was thinking.

"But I don't need a partner for this exam," he continued, looking at Amon with the same expression.

"Hahaha," Amon laughed, rubbing the back of his head with his left hand.

"It's alright then. It seems you were going in this direction." Amon pointed his finger at his back, then pointed his finger forward, in the path from where Arnold came.

"Well, I need to go in that way, where you just came from. So, see you. I will get going. Best of luck." Amon started to move, but suddenly Arnold lunged at him with inhuman speed.

So fast that Amon's eyes couldn't even follow. His instincts kicked in before his mind. His sword moved.

Clang!

Sparks flew in the air as the steel blades of two swords collided violently. Amon's whole body shuddered from the impact. He clenched his teeth, using mana to strengthen his body and hand.

Yet the power of Arnold was overwhelming. Amon's dark eyes met Arnold's blue. Unlike his, Arnold's eyes were just as calm as before. He wasn't even struggling. As if he were fighting a very weak opponent. Which actually was true.

They pushed each other and then clashed again.

Swish!

Amon tilted his head to the side — barely avoiding the strike that cut a few strands of his hair.

"You're seriously trying to kill me?!... Well, not kill. But why are you fighting me?"

Arnold's voice was flat, almost mechanical. "That's how the exam works. Only one person can take the top. That will be me."

Amon's expression twisted. "You've got to be kidding me—!"

Clang!

Another clash. Amon's hand went numb from the vibration. He jumped back, creating distance between them. He quickly gathered mana at his feet, sliding over the forest floor like a shadow.

'This guy's speed… it's not normal.'

Arnold moved again and disappeared.

"Where—?"

Before he could finish, a blade flashed from the left. Amon barely raised his sword in time.

Clang!

The impact sent him flying backward. He rolled over the dirt, stopping against a tree. Coughing, he wiped blood from his lip.

"Damn it… he's way faster than before…"

Arnold stepped out from the shadow of the trees, his sword held loosely at his side. There wasn't a single scratch or cut on him.

"You've improved," he said quietly, "but not enough."

Amon's shadow stirred beneath him. Dark mist spreading across the ground. "Oh yeah? Let's see about that."

[Shadow Clutch]

Tendrils of darkness shot from the ground, aiming for Arnold's legs. But before they could reach, his sword sliced through them in a single motion. The tendrils burst apart like smoke.

Amon's eyes widened. "He cut through it. Dammit."

Arnold raised his sword again, his tone calm. "Predictable moves don't work on me."

The next instant, Arnold vanished again.

"Not again—"

Amon instinctively ducked, feeling a gust of wind slice above his head. He swung upward in reflex, meeting the descending blade.

Clang!

The force sent a shockwave through the air. Amon's knees buckled, his sword arm screaming in pain. He couldn't even counterattack properly. Arnold's strikes were too precise, too efficient.

'If this keeps up, I'll lose!'

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