Rufus kept talking about the event's importance in the kingdom's eyes.
The Grandmaster ranker also told the young rankers how they could apply for benefits after they have officially graduated. However, a certain group wasn't fully into Rufus' speech. It was busy trying to find its last member that hadn't shown up at the venue yet.
'Where's Eren? Does he know this shit has already started?'
Jake looked around as he commented in a voice that said 'I don't believe this guy'. The White Raven party from LA had been waiting for his arrival for a few days at this point. But he wouldn't show himself even now. The entire team wondered what was keeping him away from the event for so long.
Jake looked a lot different from his previous self. He had transformed himself into a completely different person by shedding all the fat. One look at him and anybody could tell he was a capable tank.
Jake had entered the solid stage of the Adept rank not too long ago. His transformation and his ranking progress were astonishing to most rankers who knew him from the beginning.
Jake had also progressed further in his elemental attainments, allowing him to have no bottlenecks at the time of his ranking breakthrough. One could say that his on-field assignment had changed him completely. He was not only better potioner at this point but had also learned what it meant to be a tank.
'He should be here at any moment. I just hope he makes it in time.'
Renita Diabreo commented while looking ahead. She had a smile on her face that expressed the feelings in her heart. She was excited to see Eren after so long. And rightly so. She stood in her place as a proud Adept ranker who was only a step away from entering the next rank. The ranger was looking forward to showing Eren what she had achieved in her on-field assignment that had turned out to be the most sensible decision in her academic life.
Renita was wearing an all-black ensemble that complemented her free-flowing jet-black hair. Her golden iris would shine faintly when she inhaled. She maintained a nimble physique despite her attractive feminine features.
Renita's presence as a ranger and long-range expert was also made apparent by her aura. It looked like she had branched out from merely using mana guns. She was equally capable of employing other long-range weapons in her battle style.
The dual berserkers Ron and Dino were standing beside Renita They had also become part of the group.
Both of these dual berserkers had recently entered the solid stage of the Adept rank. Years of grinding had made both rankers look older despite the progress they had made in their ranks. Their physiques were more in line with the mature thought process they had come to cultivate over the years.
Ron was still the brains between the duo while Dino was the brawns, giving him a taller and larger constitution. The smarter berserker among the two spoke, with half of his attention focused on what Rufus was saying.
'Don't worry about Eren, you guys. If he says he'll be here… he'll be here.
More importantly… Ana, did you succeed in your quadruple casting practice? It could give us the edge we need in the competition.'
Ron didn't want to show it on his face but everyone who had gathered in the arena as participants looked intimidating to him. Especially the young rankers from Royal Ren.
Ron had thought that being a solid stage Adept was going to be a big thing at the event. And it was a big deal considering there were not many of them. Nevertheless, the presence of Expert rankers couldn't be ignored either.
Oriana Amaris AKA Ana had stress lines on her forehead when she listened to Ron's question. She had just broken into the Adept rank and was technically the weakest member of the White Raven team. She was still proud of her progress because others had a great start right from the beginning.
Ana had also taken an on-field assignment under Eren's guidance. Her job as a healer at the southern duchy's borders had made her a better healer than she was. She had also learned various ways of casting healing spells, not getting confined to a particular school of spells.
Ana pursed her lips before responding.
'I… I should be able to execute quadruple casting successfully three times in six attempts. It's still a little difficult for me. But I can make up for it using my healing talismans.'
Ana had gotten taller and prettier over the years. Her feminine curves were more defined than before, increasing her charm even further. As a capable healer herself, her presence felt full of life and vitality.
'Talismans? Branching out to different schools, huh? Well done, Ana. Looks like we are going to have to depend on you a lot in this competition. Battling with these rich kids is not going to be easy.'
Steve commented as he looked around. Like Ron, he was also most concerned about the Royal Ren students. Not only did they have more Expert rankers in their midst than any other four academies but they also likely possess loads of Trump cards. He just hoped that competition would make it difficult for them to use their accumulated advantages.
Steve Austin was White Raven's berserker. He still had his handsome features from the past. But there was a certain hint of maturity added to them.
Steve had gotten taller and looked more ripped than before. He had cut his hair short and maintained a light beard. He was standing right in the middle of the White Raven group, acting as the team's official captain.
Steve was the sole Expert ranker on his team. Everyone on his team was inspired by his progress. He had proved his mettle while doing his on-field assignment. Therefore, both he and his demon beast were rewarded for their accomplishments.
For a berserker, Steve looked relatively less intimidating. But his battlefield presence as a strong and domineering ranker couldn't be underestimated.
