Rean and Roan then went to their specific arenas to wait for the two guys to come. Limio and Fredin weren't expecting that, though. After all, every time someone wanted to join the Inner Sect, they would select someone at the very bottom of the list. Still, rules were rules, so they had to appear.
However, they soon found out who were the challengers. Even though Rean and Roan were part of the outer sect, the demon twins were quite famous already. Especially after the Umbral Energy event, where everyone found out that Rean could heal it. Besides, even before that, a few people heard about the two twins with rare elemental affinities.
Fredin and Limio then went up to the stage. However, they weren't idiots to underestimate the twins. After all, they wouldn't be challenged by then if they were not confident.
It was then that Limio, who was Roan's opponent, remembered something.
"I've heard that you and your brother can use each other's elements to fight, and that your hair color changes into a mix of black and white when it happens. However, this is the Inner Sect exam. You can only rely on yourself to get inside. That being said, you are prohibited from using your brother's help."
The disciples around heard that and had to admit that Limio was right. It doesn't matter how one looked at it. Using someone else's element is definitely the same as receiving their help.
Rean's opponent, Fredin, also heard that statement. He didn't waste any time and repeated Limio's words.
"The same goes for you. If you want to join the Inner Sect, you will have to rely on yourself."
Rean and Roan nodded in the end. They were indeed going to use the elements exchange since they were stronger that way. However, they couldn't deny that Limio and Fredin's words were correct.
"Very well, no elements exchange then."
The arenas also had a few elders that acted as judges for important events. Fights for the Inner Sect position was obviously one of them. They were there to prevent anyone from intervening and to make sure that no one died. After all, the sect can't have their best talents killing each other. No sect would be idiotic enough to let their geniuses die like that.
"Killing or permanently crippling your opponent is forbidden. Anyone who breaks these rules shall be punished accordingly. If I see that a victor has already been decided, I will stop the fight. Alright, you can start now."
Still, before the fight started, Rean and Roan exchanged a few thoughts.
'We can't use each other's elements. However, our swords can already gather the opposite element. We usually use our elemental exchange to hide this fact, but we can't do it now. I don't want people to know about my sword's special abilities yet, so make sure you don't use it either. Anyway, my White and Black Stars should still be strong enough even if we don't do that.'
Roan nodded, not caring too much.
'Alright.'
Right after, the Dark Elements gathered around Roan as he dashed forward. He might not be as fast as Rean without the Life Style First Form. But he was definitely a lot faster than those at his level. Of course, his opponent was an Initial Stage Core Formation Realm cultivator, so Roan was only able to match his speed.
Nonetheless, Limio was shocked to see that Roan could be as fast as him. Fortunately for him, he already expected that the black demon was strong, so he reacted swiftly. Limio took out his saber and immediately counterattacked. The Lightning Element then gathered around his blade as he used one of his skills.
'Chaotic Lightning Slash!'
Lightning spread out of his saber, sealing Roan's escape routes as the main blade appeared above Roan's head. Limio was already in the Core Formation Realm. Naturally, he could already use his cultivation advantage to bring out skills.
Roan wasn't any slower, though.
'Death Style, First Defensive Form, Reversive Arcs!'
Dark Element gathered on Roan's White Star. Soon after, his hands moved in several arcs, creating threads of Dark Element in mid-air. This version of the defensive form was weaker than the real one. After all, it did not have Rean's Light Element to increase the Dark Threads' resistance.
However, Roan wasn't fighting a Late Stage Core Formation Realm like in the past. Besides, his own cultivation went up a stage as well. That being said, the Dark Elemental Threads were enough to stop both the lightning coming at him and the lightning-imbued saber right in front.
*Zap, Zap, Zap, Zap...*
Lightning sounds spread around as the Dark Thread destroyed them. Right in front, Dark Threads and Limio's saber were in a lockdown. However, it was apparent that Roan's Dark Threads were on the verge of breaking. They definitely wouldn't hold for more than a second. That showed just how much weaker the Reversive Arcs were when the Light Element was not present. Still, Roan stopped Limio's full power attack with his Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation. Limio wasn't underestimating Roan, but he found it hard to believe that Roan could stop his attack just like that.
Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on Roan's lips, which made Limio feel a chill on his back.
"Not good!"
Limio shot back at full speed, but Roan didn't give him time to run. The Dark Threads could only stop Limio's attack for a single second, but for Roan, that was more than enough. Why? That's because it left his hands free to use his White Star! At the same time that Limio shot back, Roan exploded forward with all his strength. Both had similar speeds in that situation. Since Limio was already so close to Roan, he had no chance to increase their distance anymore.
'Death Style, Third Form, Three Claws of the Dragon!'
Soon, three dark swords aimed at Limio's head, throat, and heart, respectively. Still, Limio was a genius of the sect and a Core Formation Realm cultivator.
'Lightning Suppression!'
His body released massive amounts of lightning while he brandished his saber, created a protective layer of pure lightning! Roan's three swords hit that layer at the same time.
*Bzzzzz!*
The Three Claws of the Dragon consisted of two semi-real swords and one real. The semi-real ones only have 70% of the real sword's power, so they were still stopped by Limio's Lightning Suppression. However, the third one was a lot stronger. Besides, Limio didn't know which one of the three was the real one, so he used his saber to stop the most dangerous one aimed at his throat. Too bad, though. That was a semi-real one. Roan's White Star then pierced through Limio's Lightning Layer, going straight for his heart!
It was too fast, it was too sudden! Even the elder didn't have time to act to stop it anymore. In the end, he could only shout.
"Stop!"
The moment Roan heard that voice, his White Star froze in place. That's what he was waiting for, the elder's declaration.
Everyone looked at that scene where Roan's White Start tip made a small drop of blood come out of Limio's chest. He was moving so fast just a split-second ago, but he was able to stop it instantly. It was evident that Roan had planned it from the start. However, his attack was so brutal, and his killing intent was so strong that everyone thought he was really trying to kill Limio.
The elder had already braced himself to send Limio to the Doctors' building, expecting to get a dead disciple.
'What a terrifying control over one's own strength. Even I can't be this precise.'
Roan then retracted his White Star as Limio kneeled on the ground with his body fully covered in sweat. He really felt like Roan wanted his life just a second ago.
'May I never fight you in my life again.'
Those were his first thoughts.
The elder quickly composed himself and announced.
"Winner, Roan Larks!"
Roan nodded, not appearing to be that happy with the result. He simply sheathed his sword and stepped down of the arena. At the same time, he looked at Rean's fight against Fredin, which was still ongoing.
'Hey, Nightingale. How long will you take to finish it?'
Rean's mouth twitched while he exchanged attacks with his opponent.
'Fuck you! Don't you know that I'm not as strong as you? Ordinary people need time to adjust, you know? Besides... call me Doctor Wilson.'
Roan snorted, though.
'Wilson was a man, but you are moving like a lady over there. What's wrong with Nightingale? If you put on a dress, I might think that you are dancing in a ball.'
Roan was usually very quiet and didn't like to talk if not necessary. However, when it came to cursing Rean or making him angry, he was more than willing to change his style.
It was then that Roan had an idea and sent the Judge a Spiritual Sense message.
Rean felt like crying. Thanks to his Light Element, Rean was a lot faster than Roan when using his Life Style First Form. However, his combat prowess wasn't even close. Because of that, Fredin could still use his advantage in cultivation to fend off Rean's attack. Rean kept moving everywhere while using one skill after another. Anyone could see that Rean had the absolute advantage in this fight. Still, in Roan's eyes, that was nothing more than a shameful display.
The thing was that Rean wasn't used to fighting without the support of Dark Element. Roan, on the other hand, didn't have a problem with it. That is basically the difference in experience between the two of them. It's not something Rean would be able to overcome anytime soon.
Finally, Fredin couldn't hold anymore and admitted defeat.
Rean sighed in relief as he turned around to leave the arena.
The judge had a puzzled expression on his face. But in the end, he announced as Roan said.
"Winner, Nightingale!"
Suddenly, Roan saw the red color of killing intent appearing around himself. However, it was undeniable who wanted to kill him. Seeing that, he looked directly at Rean's dark face and snorted.
'What? Don't you like it? Then come at me! If you can, of course. Hahaha!'
Little did Roan notice, but this was the only kind of thing that could make him laugh for real. Sure enough, Roan still remembered that he was brought to this world because of Rean.
Rean didn't want anything else at the moment other than to cut Roan's head off. Unfortunately, he wasn't Roan's match in direct combat. There was nothing he could do about that. In the end, Rean could only think to himself.
'Hmph! Payback will come.'
