C5 Challenge

"Okay, albeit I don't recognise that voice. I'm willing to do it, though, if it would help.

They had made it to the lake, and Jacob, Clara, and Jennifer were all set to go for a swim. While Carly was preparing to become an officer, Benedict walked as fast as he could across the grassy field provided by the academy.

Benedict, who was still attempting to walk, thought, "I have to think of a way to get through this exercise, but what about this huge weight?"

"Benedict, Benedict, Benedict, relax. There's got to be a way," Benedict told himself.

"Guys, have you completely forgotten about this drill? Don't we work together?" Instead, Clara remarked, "I'm worried about our teammate Benedict, so we're going to leave him behind."

"Put your foot down so he doesn't become a liability for his squad."

Jennifer responded with a wry grin, "People shouldn't be spoiled; the most fundamental thing as a team member is to be able to protect yourself when the enemy attacks, then think of others around you."

"You're not a very good teammate if you abandon your buddies." Clara scoffed at her with an irritated grin.

Yesterday, Jacob pictured Benedict shielding himself from an arrow by pushing himself away from the target.

"If what Clara says is true, then I am not much of a friend." Jacob had this thinking, so he turned around and returned to where Benedict stood in the field.

While Jennifer rushed up the slope, Clara yelled after Jacob, "Jacob, wait!"

Despite the triple gravity, Jacob maintained his incredible speed. Jacob is not like other Aetherians. Therefore, he doesn't just rely on the shadow step talent when he runs; he also uses the powerful shadow push skill.

Following Jacob's use of his talent, Clara exclaimed, "Master doesn't forbid using any skill power; well, I'll use my skill technique, Azure Dragon!" before making a swift escape.

The first of the divine techniques, Azure Dragon, is a lightning-fast slashing attack. Those who master this method will have lightning-fast reflexes. Even at the highest level, level 7, their speed is unparalleled.

Clara's quickness allowed her to outrun Jacob, but her energy rapidly ran out. However, if your body isn't built for lightning-fast responses, you'll rapidly run out of steam using this method.

"Good, put your heads together. Real-world combat requires more than raw strength; it requires careful planning and fast thinking."

Carly, who was standing on a hill overlooking her student, remarked, "It's a great technique, but unfortunately if your body can't withstand those reflexes, it can become a weapon."

Benedict struggled through the grassy practice area, but he did it. Benedict made his way to the desert practice area.

"Hey, you all! It's me again. Together, we can escape to the hills!" Clara and Jacob yelled at Benedict at the same time.

"What brought you back here? You're going to bomb this drill and get in trouble with the Master," Benedict warned.

Clara was on Jacob's right, and Jacob was on Clara's left as they dragged Benedict about. The combined gravity force was 16 times that of Earth, although each person felt just the gravity that Benedict's body experienced.

We applaud your cooperation. Carly, still observing the four of them, mumbled, "Team members should protect each other, not abandon each other."

Jennifer has circled back to the starting point, which means they have completed the race. As for Benedict, Clara and Jacob are still lugging around 16 times the force of gravity. The added weight slows Clara and Jacob by 70 per cent and increases Benedict's speed by 30 per cent.

Carly had established a time restriction for this activity, and the three had to finish it within that constraint. In about a second, all three of them crossed the finish line.

Benedict, Jacob, and Clara sat on the ground, their breathing ragged from the exercise, and said, "This is so tiring!"

They were taken aback as Carly materialised before them, her body aglow.

"Shit! Rubbing her chest," Clara whispered, "Master, just shocked us."

Carly congratulated the trio, "All three of you passed!"

[RING!]

[You have earned a thousand Experience Points via your training; congratulations!]

"You're doing great! The quest is almost over."

Carry through Carly's training until its conclusion.

[RING! You got 10 XP and 100 EUR, and you're not being punished. You levelled up.]

"I finished the job and made a good sum of money."

Benedict reasoned, "I can go out and get some extra fixings for dinner tonight."

"Master, why are there only three of them?" Jennifer cut Carly off mid-sentence with an angered look since she didn't agree with her verdict.

"I'm the first one to finish; I should also pass and be the best master in this exercise."

"Jennifer! Do you question my judgment? You ought to realise your error." Carly yelled, a gleam of anger in her eyes.

"It's not fair, Master." Jennifer scoffed at Benedict, saying, "Scum like that bloke can't be on the same team as me."

"I can't believe it, Jennifer." Clara's eyes widened as she said, "I'll rip your mouth out!"

Jacob said, "Jennifer, you're too much, that's enough!" as he yanked Jennifer's collar.

Suddenly, Benedict said, "Stop it!"

"Jennifer, I challenge you! I will leave the academy if I don't pass. But if you lose, you have to alter your ways."

"Do you think I'm scared? Damn you." Jennifer hissed, "I accept your challenge, get your stuff ready; I am going to kick your arse out of this academy."

Let me be a witness," she said. Jennifer and Benedict, you two are very reliable! Carly remarked.

Suddenly, both Jacob and Clara said, "But Benedict," in a curt manner.

"Don't worry, I'm going to win. Hehe!" Benedict, with a chuckle, turned off his watch's gravity sensor.

"Jennifer, let's get this party started! Benedict, you there?" as Carly put it.

A call to action: "Ready, master!" Jennifer and Benedict looked at each other, nodded, and continued talking.

"Ready! Go!" Carly yelled.

As soon as Benedict was in range, Jennifer drew a pair of daggers from her waist and slashed at him. Jennifer used both of her daggers to attack Benedict. Training sharpened Benedict's reflexes. Benedict effortlessly sidestepped Jennifer's stabbings and slashes.

"What? This guy is immune to my strikes. No way!" Jennifer had this notion as she rounded her eyes and launched another barrage of attacks at Benedict.

By ducking and tilting, Benedict adopts a boxing technique called "weaving" to dodge Jennifer's slashes and jabs. By anticipating Jennifer's actions, his super glasses allow him to avoid each blow.

"No way! Such evasive manoeuvres are akin to boxing moves. Is Benedict's source of knowledge for this strategy the Markopoulos global government? "Benedict is just a regular young man," Carly mumbled.

Jennifer is a healer who is proficient with a double dagger but does not know how to deal with deadly damage.

What happened to your abilities? Benedict responded to Jennifer in an angry tone, "Nothing you can throw at me will even come close to scratching my skin."

Jennifer stepped back and retracted her double dagger. "Do you believe I can only use daggers as weapons? I beg to differ with you. Buffing as an Art: Strength!"

Jennifer's entire body seemed to glow a fiery red, and her muscles were noticeably stronger, as seen by the bulging veins that adorned their contours.

The phrase "cherry blossom!" Jennifer collected the power of The Veil in her right palm and charged straight for Benedict; her speed was so incredible that not even the Super Glasses God could keep up with her. Jennifer punched Benedict in the chest, sending him tumbling.

"Bang!" When Jennifer punched Benedict, he was sent crashing into a tree.

GLUCK!

Benedict gargles blood and then wipes his lips.

His muttering, "I can't lose," was repeated.