Not only are the Greater Spirits at S rank, their race naturally can use powerful techniques that are impossible for humans to replicate. When these little humans challenged them, they felt amused, but nevertheless, they accepted.

Knowing that they could be winning over their future partner, the nine of them each choose an Elemental they wished to combat. Tommy against Aetnaeus, a Greater Metal Spirit, Alan against Ifrit, a Greater Fire Spirit, Edward against Boreas - Greater Frost Spirit, Jim against Zephyr - Greater Sky Spirit, and Kairos against Tempest - Greater Storm Spirit.

The four captains also picked out their own, selecting the Elemental they have an affinity with.

Unlike the Greater Spirits that were restrained to A rank during the ranking examination, these spirits could use their strength fully.

The battles started without notice, each Elemental attacking the moment they were paired up, while the other spirits ignored their battles and continued to study how this place is created. For these Elementals, battles against B and C rankers are far too boring, but their opinions soon changed with the first clash of combat.

Since the Elementals wouldn’t die with normal methods, the guys did not have to hold back. Before the Greater Spirits could strike, they already infused themselves with Origin Energy.

It was a tremendous display of power. The training ground trembled with their unbridled strength.

Depending on their adeptness with the Origin Cultivation Method, the power they brought forth varies, but all of them instantly jumped several ranks until they around Peak A rank. With just Origin Energy alone, the four captains that have lower cultivations should not be able to reach the same level as Tommy and the rest, but with Thrym’s gift, they forcefully bridged that gap.

Kairos, alone, stood head and shoulders above his friends. The moment he infused himself with Origin Energy, his cultivation shot up to Mid S rank.

Though all of them used the same technique customised for them, the Origin cultivation method still fits Kairos far better than anyone else.

Aisa explained that there is such a difference between them because of Kairos’ soul. Therefore, although his bloodline limits his cultivation speed, he is still the most potent Origin Energy user.

More and more Greater Spirits gathered over to observe. They did not expect the clashes to cause the entire arena to shake, and the battle auras to make them feel threatened.

Every battle was tremendous, but each ended shortly.

Except for Kairos, the rest are all weaker than their opponents, but when had they fought a fair battle before? All their enemies in the past were towering over them in cultivation, had better artefacts, and most of the time outnumbered them.

The only fights that their opponents are equal or weaker than them is during this combat tournament they are in, but without their lives on the line, they don’t even consider it a real battle.

At this time, Tommy had finished his battle with a loud roar. The boy acknowledged the Greater Metal Spirit he fought, and in return, the Elemental has a gift for him.

It gathered an enormous pile of soil from underneath and transmuted the earth into precious metals. Then, from those ores, it wielded them without fire, to become a pair of greaves, a pair of light gauntlets, and a chest guard.

It left a strange runic symbol on the items and offered the boy respectfully, “Child. You Truly Are Special. I Would Like To Follow Your Journey And See Your Story With My Own Eyes. Will You Accept Me?”

The armour set is made the same way the Greater Metal Spirit creates its shell, however, unexpectedly Tommy shook his head.

The others were confused for a moment, if he did not want a Greater Metal Spirit, why would he choose this Elemental for a spar? Was he just interested in a brawl?

With affinities for all three elements of nature: Frost, Wind, Lightning, along with the Transcendent Elements: Time and Space, it seemed to be an odd choice to pick metal.

Then, Tommy took out his old pair of gloves and showed the Greater Metal Spirit with a stubborn look, “I’m not accepting a new pair of arm guards than this.”

The brothers instantly recognise what Tommy is holding as the gloves that Snow forged and understood his reason. They know that the sentimental value of the glove weighs heavier for him than its practical use. But as Tommy outgrows it, the glove will start to limit him in battle.

The Elemental took the glove and melded it with the gauntlets, completing the set. If a blacksmith could see this, he would be exceedingly envious, but, that is not to say that metal wielding can replace actual forging.

“Wa Ha ha ha! I'm glad to choose you, Aetnaeus,” Tommy grinned as he marvelled at his gauntlets. The Elemental had guessed his thoughts and ensured that the original glove made by Snow was not covered up. Instead, it lined the inside with a strong nano-metallic webbing that gave it incredible durability. And, it turned the leather glove into an alloy that, although looks the same, it is protective enough to catch bare blades.

When Edward saw this, he exclaimed with regret, “Ahhh! You’re a genius Tommy, why didn’t I think of that?”

Only the guys a target in their hearts could understand the value of wielding metal like this. With a Greater Metal Spirit by their side, they can go crazy and fashion all kinds of artistic accessories that would be too delicate for human hands to make.

Unfortunately, Edward had already formed a contract with Boreas, the Greater Ice Spirit. And with their cultivation, they cannot withstand a second contract.

But his frown quickly turned into a devilish grin, “Say… If I want to make a present… will you lend Aetnaeus to me?”

A thumb up was all the archer required, and the two, arm-in-arm, started dancing.

“Children,” the metal spirit sighed.

The Greater Spirits are far more powerful than their ranks suggest; however, they were the ones that were surprised.

In fact, technically was it not because they could reform their elemental shells, they will be dead, several times. Of course, the true power of an Elemental depends on the shell they have.

An enchanted suit of armour, like what Saint Academy had prepared, is better than what the Greater Spirits can fashion for themselves.

One can only wonder, the true potency of a person who contracted an Elemental.

Many of the Elementals gained a new-found respect for the strength these human children have, and under orders from their King to assist Kairos, each offered up a contract to their sparring partner.

Now that everyone is paired with a spirit, they felt a newfound power coursing through their bodies and grew restless for a try.

It is a rare sight for humans and Elementals to fight together because these nature spirits are often too wild, free-loving, and proud, to bind themselves to a human. Since their race never ages, and they cannot die except when their souls were destroyed, or their energy completely depleted, few among them have a friendship with mortal men.

Most of the contracts were between Elementals and organisations made for mutual benefits. ‘Contractees’, on the other hand, are a rare sight in the lands. In some places, their existences are extremely revered.

“Let’s fight, Alan!” Jim shouted.

“Tommy?” Edward asked.

The four captains, John, Silvers, Sasha and Long, paired up to spar as well, leaving only Kairos without a partner.

He did not mind and sat down in a corner by himself, studying his friends fight with a penetrating gaze. But, Tempest floated next to Kairos listlessly, “Kid, why don’t you fight as well? Try out your new abilities.”

The Greater Storm Spirit crackled and rumbled. It could feel the lack of talent in Kairos’ blood after binding itself to him and felt dismayed. It’s King had called him the ‘Great One’, and at first, it was proud to be chosen as his partner, yet now it worried if the boy would have a future.

"Just like an Elemental with unrefined energy..."

As an ancient being, even though it is not made of flesh, it knows how important bloodline is to humans. Techniques, even after adequately mastered, cannot show full potency due to a weak flesh, and cultivation refuses to rise after a certain point.

And, unlike them, the humans cannot shed their shells and make a new one.

But, it knows that this world is filled with miracles. Since Kairos is the Great One, perhaps, there is something special with the boy that it’s King could tell that it couldn’t?

Tempest concludes, the best method to find out, is for Kairos to use its power in a battle.

However, it’s doubt about Kairos, and the tinge of disappointment it felt, did not escape the notice of a terrifying being.

How impolite! Kairos was not picky, but Tempest had such thoughts! Aisa will punish you~

With this sudden declaration, a tiny shadow flew out of Kairos’ robes and stood between the boy and the spirit.

“Pri… primordial one. I did not know my place. I apologise!”

The small dragon snarled, it’s scales raised threateningly.

She directed her aura at it, showing her displeasure. With her control, only Tempest could feel her wrath. The spirit felt that it’s about to be extinguished, and flattened itself into a pool of storm clouds on the ground. It was the most sincere gesture of apology that an Elemental could show, however, Aisa would not have any of that.

She knows exactly who Kairos is, and his existence is not up to a lowly spirit to judge.

Without giving Tempest a chance to explain, Aisa blew out a transparent bubble from her mouth, enveloping the poor Elemental within.

Bad Tempest!

She said, placing the Greater Storm Spirit in time out.

“Aisa, it’s okay, I didn’t feel any disrespect in its intention,” Kairos chided. He could not understand the reason why Aisa who is normally easy-going is making such a big fuss.

But the dragon only replied with an unsatisfied gaze.

Because Kairos is forgiving, Tempest can stay for a day.

“But... P… primordial One… I made the music and the lights!”

Hmm okay, then, how about an hour?

Having his plead accepted, Tempest nodded several times in relief and obediently waited in the bubble. Though it looked flimsy, no one needed to test it to know that it is unbreakable even if they attacked it with their full power.

“Whoa…what is this sealing technique you used?” Kairos asked his dragon with a thought, but the only reply was a playful giggle.

Giving up immediately, he sighed and returned his focus to the battles before him.

After finding out from their new partner on how a Contractee fights, his friends faced each other eagerly, with their Elemental hovering by their side.

The fight started with a loud bang, and Kairos saw a scene that could not be found in the Saint Empire.

“Wind Art, Gale Steps,” Jim shouted, instantly invoking his Elemental’s power. Zephyr disappeared into him, and immediately a swirl of green vapours surrounded his boots.

With this new enchantment, his speed risen to nearly twice of before, and in a flash, he charged towards his opponent with daggers ready.

“Flame Art, Flame Emperor’s Mantle,” Alan shouted, and likewise Ifrit disappeared, as a cape of blue flames shrouded him.

The intense heat forced the approaching Jim to fall back, but he immediately countered.

“Wind Art, Vorpal Darts!” He threw out a handful of daggers to probe for any weakness in the fire. This new invocation coated his throwing knives with a razor sharp, green coloured wind. Although the daggers curved in the air, their speed continued to increase until they struck.

It was an attack with speed and power easily at double S ranking, but before they reached Alan, all the daggers harmlessly melted away.

As they fought, they quickly realised the limitations of a Contractee. The Elementals can enchant their equipment or even directly on them, but not only do they need to shout out their activation chant, but the Greater Spirit also requires time to gather the energy for each move.

On the other side, Edward and Tommy clashed just as fiercely.

The latter had surrounded himself with multiple layers of floating shields, one before the other. Each shaped like the top of an eggshell.

The archer tested this defence with a shortened version of his Secret Art, and Tommy, knowing how dangerous the attack was, immediately gathered all his protections in one direction.

The arrow with incredible penetrative power caused the shields to explode into pieces, scattering the metal pieces across the battlefield, but in the process, it also lost much of its momentum.

After piercing through only a dozen layer of shields, the Ki arrow dissipated, and in a blink of an eye, the defences restored itself.

Without giving his opponent time to recover, Tommy charged forward, with his shields gathered before him like a battering ram.

The protection left Edward without a way to directly reach his target, forcing him to use Boreas' enchantments finally.

“Frost Art, Ice Silhouette,” he called out his invocation as he released a fistful of arrows.

The first arrow crashed against Tommy’s shield and splintered itself against the metal. But, when the others thought that it was ineffectual, an amazing sight ensued.

The shield had turned brittle with the extreme cold, and together with the arrow, it shattered into ice dust. The next few shields met with the same fate, disappearing one after another, as Edward’s arrows touched them.

The layer of frost coating his attacks allowed him to break through the stubborn defences and the archer prepared himself for a melee. Yet, Edward never expected that this was a trap laid out for him.

When the two charged with metal gauntlets and wrist blades, Tommy roared, “Metal Art, Reverse Polarity!”

His gauntlet turned magnetic, and the remnants of his shields that had been masterfully scattered across the battlefield flew towards them at deadly speed.

It was far too late for the archer to dodge when he come to realisation. He knew Tommy had a good head despite how buffed up the boy is, but he did not expect such a brilliant snare was awaiting him, prepared right from the very start of their fight.

With his back towards the high-speed metal shards hurling at him, defeat seemed imminent. But, at the last moment, Edward revealed his trump card.

“Frost Art, Broken World!”

An unearthly chill emanated from Edward, and because the air had become heavy with the cold, the magnetic fields strengthened and caused the shards to speed up.

Then, a strange thing happened.

In a thin sphere around Edward, every moment halted.

It was the slowing down of the invisible particles, due to a wave of extreme coldness. If Edward had not limited the range, it would be enough to kill Tommy.

The shards that should’ve reached became stuck in this zone of absolute silence, and the archer hastily dashed out of the way just as his technique broke.

He skidded to a stop, panting and shivering with fatigue, while Tommy, on the other hand, was covered in frost, but otherwise unharmed.

After the cryogenic effects disappeared, the metal pieces reacted to the magnetism once again and flew towards Tommy. But, thanks to a warped magnetic field around his gauntlets, the dangerous shards revolved around his arms without harming him.

The two had fought to a standstill so far, but the advantage is with Tommy.

They looked at each other with a smile. Satisfied from the battle.

The boys discovered that when they fought together with their Elementals, they gained their partner’s extensive knowledge of their attribute, allowing them to fight in ways unthinkable in the past. The limits as a Contractee is for them to explore.