“You’re really my partner?!”

I stare at the young “man” as he gets dressed in front of me. I didn’t get a closer look at “him” before at the train station because I was in a hurry to leave. There’s no mistaking it. This is definitely that guy from the station, Phineas.

Her bright red hair drapes around her neck and onto her shoulders. Her chest is wrapped tightly with bandages. Her green eyes shimmer in the light.

“Hello my name’s-“ An article of clothing is thrown at my eyes. “Stop peeping you perv!”

I spend the next few moments listening to Phineas change their clothes. “You may uncover your eyes now.”

I take off the piece of clothing covering my eyes revealing the male Phineas once again. I sit on the bed and wait for her to say something.

After an uncomfortably long silence, she finally opens her mouth. “As you can see, I am female. I will not have you judge my prowess based on my gender. I am a perfectly capable candidate for this exam and neither you nor anyone else should think otherwise.”

“Oh well that’s great to hear! I really needed a strong partner for this entrance exam.” I learned my lesson on the train from that maid. It’s better not to judge her until I’ve really seen her skills.

Phineas’ gaze seems to lighten at my words. “Alright, since we’re partners let’s start off with introductions. My name’s Cayden Madley. My body’s pretty strong so I definitely think I’ll become a hero of justice one day!”

Phineas stares back at me with contempt. “What? You don’t think my body’s strong? if you don’t believe men then let me show you what I can’t?”

“No need. No need… I’ve teamed up with a moron. Haah. I can’t believe they teamed me up with a halfwit like you.”

“Hahaha! Maybe you’re just jealous of my manliness!”

Phineas rolls their eyes at me. “My name is Phoebe Delmach. The third in line to become the head of the Delmach Clan. I’m the youngest talent of the Delmach Clan at only fifteen years of age.”

Her age slightly surprises me. The only other person I know that can claim to be a genius at her age is Ellen. “Your age-“

“Yes. Yes. I know I’m quite young to be entering this exam, but I must do it. For my family’s honor… and my own! Not something a lowborn like you would understand.”

“Okay! Okay! No need to be so hostile. Since we’re done with introductions, how about we move onto bonding.”

“Bonding?”

“Don’t you know? All partners have to bond with each other so that we can know everything about each other!”

Phoebe’s cheeks turn a bright red as she lowers her head. “Pa- Pa- Partners?! We’ve just met! I mean… maybe… perhaps…”

“Exactly! We’ve just met. You and I should have a fun time bonding! Bonding will help us have a higher chance of passing this exam. Don’t you want to pass the exam for your honor?”

“I will… try my utmost… to bond with you.” She keeps fidgeting on her bed. I have to force my laughter back. She just looks too cute when flustered.

“So how good are you in a fight?”

“Ah, is that it?” Phoebe stares back at me with a blank expression. “You were talking about my combat skills?”

“Well duh. Aren’t we gonna fight together? This is a military exam. What did you think I meant?”

“No- Nothing!”

“Alright! I haven’t reached Private rank yet. I don’t have any familiars and I haven’t taken a gene solution.”

“...”

“But I can take a lot of punishment so count on me for defense!”

Phoebe glances at me strangely. Is there something on my face? “That’s… quite a unique skill of yours Cayden. Ahem, I’m quite skilled in directing my familiar to fight. I’ve also learned how to use a bow to support my familiar.”

“Familiar? That’s awesome! We’re like a three-man team then!” So she’s contracted a familiar? She’s already reached Private rank then.

Mr. Bishop’s voice is heard from somewhere outside the room. “Attention candidates. Your first trial will begin soon. Exit into the courtyard.”

I’m surprised at how short the rest time was for candidates. The trial started only a few minutes after we were shown our rooms.

Me and Phoebe put on our gear before we head out. I wear a grey combat suit fitted with light armor that can stop small Ripper attacks. I’ve heard that the entrance exams tend to get dangerous so I prepared as much as I could for it.

Phoebe wears a red combat suit that looks way more expensive than mine. On its shoulder pads there seems to be an image. It’s the figure of a giant. Flaming wings are outstretched on its back. It’s head is a demonic skull with one eye dominating most of it. Looking at it makes me feel uneasy.

As we enter the courtyard we notice Large metal boxes lining the sides of it.

A man wearing a beast’s skin around his shoulders climbs up onto the podium. He’s at least 7 feet tall. His arms are massive. They’re as thick as my head. His body is like steel. Tempered and refined. His eyes flicker under his hood. His presence is unlike any man and more akin to a wild beast.

“The first trial’s conditions are easy. Defeat the Ripper inside the cages and you win. I expect less than half of you to pass though.”

Several members of the crowd express their displeasure to the man. A few soldiers appear and grab those who spoke up in the crowd. They are thrown out of the courtyard. The rest of people calm down after witnessing that.

“Team A-1. Head to your cage.”

Two individuals enter into one of the metal boxes. I recognize one of them as that Philip guy I heard from before. I think he was called Sword Dominator? Loud roars and sounds of metal clashing erupt from the box before everything goes silent.

Philip and his partner walk out of the box unscathed. The man in beast skin flashes a grin for the first time. “Only five minutes. You’ve got some talent, kid. Okay next team, A-2.”

Many teams are called up until I notice Connor being called up next. His partner is quite… roundish. He almost looks like a meatball-shaped person. They walk into the cage and don’t come out until half an hour passes. Connor comes out looking bruised and battered while his partner is drenched in unknown blood.

Teams are continuously sent to their cages. Some come out looking relatively fine while others have various injuries. I even saw a contestant come out without both his legs.

Finally our turn arrives. The anxiety was grinding on my nerves at this point. I glance at Phoebe. She stares straight ahead at the gates of the cage ignoring me. We both enter the cage.

What greets me is a large lizard. Its body is covered in a rock carapace. Its long, red-ringed tail drags behind it. Its black beady eyes stalk our every move. It looks kind of like a salamander.

“Do not hinder me while I complete this task. You can stay back while I finish off the beast. I repeat. Do not get in my way.”

“Sure. Sure. Whatever you say oh great madam.“ The salamander’s eyes narrow before turning in our direction. It tilts its head as if it was pondering the new guests in its living space. It suddenly vanishes from my sight.

The salamander’s large body closes the distance between us and swipes one of its claws at me. I activate [Blood Accel] to its maximum output. I narrowly dodge the attack but not before it shoots a stream of fire from its mouth to Phoebe.

“Watch out!” Before I can move to save Phoebe a large white bear appears between Phoebe and the fire. It towers above her easily being three times her size. It’s paws look like it could swipe my head off my body. The fire barely affects it, only singing its fur.

“Damn! Your familiar looks super cool!”

“It's not time to get distracted, idiot! I hate to say it, but I rescind my previous words. Support me and focus on the Ripper!”

I grab a knife from my leg and take a stab at the Ripper. The knife shatters upon contact with the Ripper’s skin. Fuck! That knife cost a fortune. “A little help Phoebe!”

“Hmph. Let me show you what true strength is.” A green bow materializes in her hands. Her hand grips the air and motions to nock an arrow into her bow. The air gathers into an arrow shape. She releases the arrow. It whizzes past me. It pierces the skin of the salamander causing magma to spew out of it.

Some of the magma lands on my glove. I immediately throw my glove on the ground. I watch as it bursts into flames. “Hey! I don’t think we can get close to that thing. I’ll distract it while you attack, alright!”

“Do not order me around low-“

“It is not the time or place for that!”

The salamander goes for Phoebe, but the bear appears between them again. It swipes at the salamander. The salamander avoids the blow, but is forced to retreat.

Each of Phoebe’s attacks injures the salamander. Whenever it comes near, the bear repels it. The bear seems unfazed by the hot magma splashing onto its fur. All it does is singe it’s fur discoloring it somewhat.

If this keeps up then we might take an hour to kill the Ripper. I scan the Ripper’s body for any noticeable weaknesses. I notice how large its eyes are. Yes, that could work out.

“Phoebe, aim for its eyes!”

Phoebe draws two arrows this time. She fires them both accurately piercing the eyes of the salamander. They explode into a red mist. It rages and roars hurtling its body towards the walls of the cage.

“Yeah! We did it! We won!”

Just as I’m celebrating, the salamander’s eyes regenerate before my eyes. Its head turns toward Phoebe’s direction before it lunges at her. The salamander is too fast for her. I don’t think she can summon her bear!

Phoebe’s body is stuck in place. Her mind wants to run, but the fear paralyzes her. She closes her eyes in the vain hope that her death will be swift. She waits one second, and then another, until she opens her eyes.

Cayden is above her. He holds onto her tightly. He dashed away from the salamander. “Cayden? How did you get here so fa-“

Phoebe’s question is cut short when she notices a red liquid trailing down her combat suit. Her eyes look up to see Cayden’s left arm has been torn off.

“AAAAHHH!”

“Damn. I’m the one that lost an arm so shouldn’t I be screaming?”

“You- you- you need to go get help!”

“It’s- Hrm- alright. This body’s- Hhhh- a lot tougher than it looks.”

This Ripper was far stronger than I imagined. My regeneration’s already knit up the wound so I’m in no threat of bleeding out, but it still hurts like hell. I’ve got to end this quick before I tire out.

I place down Phoebe. My veins pulse purple light as I begin to circulate my ability.

[Lightning Attire, Full Cover]

Electricity covers my whole body lighting up the whole room in purple light. “Alright you knockoff dragon! Let’s have a round two!”

I amp up the electricity strengthening my body until it feels like a million needles are stabbing into my body. No pain no gain right? I might just have enough strength to overpower it now.

Me and the salamander collide against each other. Our bodies refuse to give one inch to the other. Just as I think we’re evenly matched, the salamander swipes at me with its tail. I feel my organs shift from the impact.

Ah, that was definitely a broken rib or two. Damn, I can barely move. Heh, I hope they can piece me back together later.

Just as the salamander opens its mouth to consume me, an arrow hits the side of its head.

Phoebe has gotten up from the ground. She stares down the salamander ferociously. Her eyes have lost their green color. They’re now tinted a deep red. I can feel her killing intent. It’s almost tangible as if something is pressing down on me.

While it’s distracted by Phoebe I climb up onto its head. I grab the holes where its eyes used to be and discharge all of the lightning in my body into them.

The body of the salamander starts to convulse as my lightning fries it’s brain. It nearly throws me off of its head. It finally dies after Phoebe shoots a couple more arrows into it.

I get off of the corpse and immediately collapse onto the floor. My body is dead-tired. I really want to take a nap right about now.

Phoebe runs over to me with tears streaming down her face. “It’s all my fault Cayden. I didn’t mean to... I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright. I’ll be fine. Hey Phoebe, can you lend me a hand? I could really use one right about now. Hehe…” I try to cheer her up, but now she’s crying even more.

I remember something Connor told me before. If a girl starts crying then you should give them a present. Maybe that will cheer her up.

I reach into my pocket and take out a rag. I hand it to her. “Here. Use this. Crying like that isn’t nice to see, you know?” Her tears stop as she reaches out to take the rag. She wipes off her tears before beginning to laugh.

“Hey what’s so funny?”

“It’s just… a boy never called me ugly before.”

“Wait. I never called you ug-“ I feel a new wave of pain hit me. My eyes begin to close on their own. The last thing I see are the doors of the cage opening up as people rush in. I hear Phoebe call my name before I black out from exhaustion.

@*#($(@)#

“Who’s there?!” I wake up on a bed in what seems to be a medical ward. I look to my left and see that my arm is back. A screen in the ward shows a day passed since I fell unconscious. A doctor approaches me alongside the man in beast skin.

“Just waking up kid? That Ripper really did some work on you.” The man in beast skin stares down at me. It’s slightly unnerving to have him stand over me like this.

“Uh. There was this voice-“

“Don’t worry candidate C-30. The medical technology used to heal your arm does have a few side effects. It was probably a small hallucination. Although we did find it peculiar how strong your natural healing capabilities were.” The doctor's words cause cold sweat to run down my back.

“It could probably be just your body’s natural affinity to what we used on you. Some patients are known to heal faster in certain conditions.” I sigh in relief. That was too close.

The man in beast skin pats me on the back. “You did good kid. A lot better than those sissies who ran crying from the cages. Now get the hell out of here. We have more injured coming in.”

I’m kicked out of the ward before I can say anything else. I head to my room to get a quick change of clothes since the one’s I’m wearing are all bloody.

As I open the door I see Phoebe pacing around the room. She seems nervous about something. She’s holding the rag I gave her from before. I cough lightly to get her attention. She looks up from her stupor and stares at me with a surprised expression.

“Hey I just came back from the ward. I saw there was a cafeteria. Let me get some clothes and we can get some lun- oof.” She tackles me onto the ground throwing her arms around me as we fall.

“Waaahh. Don’t do that to me again.” Phoebe buries her head into my chest. Her tears begin to stain my already bloodied shirt.

“Alright! Alright! The door’s open so can you please stop crying?” I don’t know what to do. This is the second time I’ve made a girl cry. And on the same day!

I didn’t realize her reaction would be this extreme. Although if I think about it, she’s still only fifteen so watching something that disturbing might have stressed her out too much.

Soon her muffled sobs grew slower until they stopped all together. She gets off of me and begins to tidy her clothes. “Come on Cayden. Let us feast after our victory!”

“Hah! Now we’re talking! Let’s go!”

Cayden leaves the room leaving Phoebe standing alone. She whispers to the air, “Thank you my knight.”

“What was that?”

“I- It was nothing! I’ll follow you soon.”