Chapter 36: One item

The [Primordial Beast Hunter] was an Ascension Art that allowed cultivators to transform their Ræzoň into an attractive lure for Pixies. Like pollen for bees.

It was among one of Eren’s choices for an Ascension Art. Like most cultivation scrolls meant for Tamers, the [Primordial Beast Hunter] didn’t require any talent for combat, only management and handling of Pixies.

He was not a natural born fighter. He didn’t delude himself. It was much easier training creatures to fight his battles for him.

"Who’s he?

"I think he’s a foreigner."

"He really travelled overseas for this License Exam?"

Eren wasn’t able to figure out the monk’s name. Nobody here knew who he was.

It didn’t matter. Their paths would cross eventually.

"Can you even bring something that big?" someone asked from the crowd.

No personal belongings to the exam. That was the rule. Everything would be provided by the United Governments: food, uniforms, and lodging. It ensured fairness for all.

Examinees were only allowed to bring one item with them. Be it a weapon, or a sentimental item, or even a piece of fruit. It didn’t matter. The only limitation was that they could only bring one thing with them.

This monk brought with him this hive. Magnus brought fingerless gloves. Most others brought weapons.

Eren brought one as well. A gift from Dr. Reid that he specifically asked for. It wasn’t a weapon, but it was something he’d need for his cultivation. But that was for later.

Eventually though, interest with the monk died down. Practice continued on with haste.

And as he continued his observation, he started to get a much clearer picture of what people here considered ’talented’.

It basically coincided exactly with what Geister taught him a week ago.

5-star talent was the lowest bar of what could be considered as a passable Awakener. It described those who could Reinforce their fists and keep it empowered for a full minute up until exhaustion. They could perform the Primal Strike ten times in quick succession until the Ræzoň in their dantian was depleted.

6-star talents had marginally better stats. About a minute and a half of Reinforcement, with fifteen Primal Strikes in their reserves.

7-star talents could maintain their concentration for three minutes without trouble. They could execute the Primal Strike from thirty repetitions upwards to forty.

8-star talents could exert their Ræzoň for five minutes straight, with near uncountable repetitions for the Primal Strike, as demonstrated by Magnus.

As for a 9-star talent, he had no parameters for him to compare to. No one here had such aptitudes—as far as he knew.

Of course, these comparisons were superficial. There were a lot of factors that created variance between performances.

For example, higher mastery in Reinforcement allowed cultivators to exert less Ræzoň in their bodies for the same amount of power.

Ascension Arts and Martial Manuals were also a big factor.

Some Ascension Arts focused their Ræzoň channels onto the upper body, allowing for better efficiency in Reinforcement. 6-star talents could manifest the same power as a 7-star talent when it came to using the Primal Strike.

Then, there were Martial Manuals. Not everyone used Primal Strikes.

A few Reinforced their legs, performing devastating kicks to shatter the concrete wall. Some Reinforced their weapons, performing sword arts that cut through concrete with ease.

Their Martial Manuals were a lot more complicated than the Foundational Movesets. Usage of Ræzoň could cost more than thrice as much as the Primal Strike.

But despite their differences, almost everyone shattered through the concrete wall, proving themselves capable of Reinforcement.

Tension amongst the examinees lessened. More laughing, more light conversations. The gymnasium became a place to show off one’s skills rather than a place to train.

Eren was unconvinced. The ’easiness’ of the test only cemented his suspicions. There was something more to this test than meets the eye. Perhaps, literally.

Heat in his left shoulder alerted him of something incoming.

He turned around. A woman with luscious violet hair stumbled backwards, tripping straight towards him.

Eren stepped aside, letting the woman fall on her back.

"Ah!"

For a brief moment, her eyes locked with his. She raised her eyebrows lightly, eyes turning downturned in a visible plea.

She waited for him to help her up.

But Eren stood there, unmoving. He’d seen countless jade beauties, myriads of heavenly belles, each one of them apex cultivators in their own right. One does not simply survive in Immoræ without learning how to resist their seductive prowess.

This woman was certainly a looker in her own right. But Eren wasn’t interested.

He certainly wouldn’t extend a hand to her. Especially when she was specifically asking for it with unknown intentions.

It was too choreographed. Too obvious of a scheme.

But it seemed the rest of the people here were drawn in to her show.

"Are you okay?" a woman asked, helping the ’helpless’ woman up.

"I’m okay," she replied. "I was a little caught off-guard when the concrete exploded right next to me."

"Do I know you? You look familiar..."

The two continued their conversation, hitting it off with ease. He didn’t buy her reasoning one bit.

He memorized her face. She would be the one to watch in this License Exam. Amongst the likes of Magnus and that monk.

Eren exited the main gymnasium, leaving behind the practice area. The hallways echoed with the muted rumble of Ræzoň hitting concrete.

He walked to the other side, towards a hallway that led to their dorm rooms annexed right next to the arena itself.

A door bearing his name engraved on a metal plate led him to his designated room.

Lodging here was simple. A single bed leaning on the far right wall. A wooden cabinet on the other side, containing multiple battle suits for him to wear during the entire License Exam.

There were no TVs, no fridges, no excess accommodations aside from the basic necessities. It was purposefully austere, subtly prodding the examinees to spend most of their time outdoors rather than indoors.

But Eren was about to do exactly that.

He unzipped the hidden compartment in the waistline of his battle suit. Inside the pocket was a soft leather envelope tied together by string.

He took it out and unbound its knot.

This was his one ’item’: a set of needles. Not the ones used for sewing, but one used for acupuncture.

That was one aspect this world had yet to discover.

Opening the meridians.