Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Ever since Skullius had felt the sensation of a deathly grip that had wrapped around his <HEART> back during his fight with Bassbion, his flesh had never felt the same.

Even without wielding Demion's Dance, he felt the coil that promised death whenever he was using the [Swindling Death's Death]. Each one of his strikes couldn't be lacklustre, otherwise he could suffer dreadful consequences.

When his body was reforged with Luminant Seed, it seemed that this deathly energy that manifested as a dark red, borderline black ooze which leaked from the green sword, was now a part of him, tainting his flesh and bone.

This was something that primarily came with the [Swindling Death's Dance] technique.

The <CURSED HEART> and <CURSED BLOOD> were products of this and ultimately, without even holding Demion's Dance and even with [Swindling Death's Dance] being incomplete, Skullius could wield this pure death energy to a limited degree.

Even if he could manifest it though, it was not very strong, but it did give him a little bit of a boost.

VWOOOOSH!

Skullius' mana spiked insanely, leaking out to cover over five meters around Skullius in an epic white show, yet the Hybrid Luman kept the flow constant on his steel, curved sword.

Sharp edges began to form around Skullius' mana, in all directions as he planned to fully exploit [Hyperfocus Motion Counter].

His senses focused on Alaris who didn't budge or show any reaction on his face.

Yet, in response to Skullius' preparation however, the officer's figure blazed with his own mana which leaked from a super bright blue core that shone with a luminance that put Skullius' to shame. This man had lived longer and a had a steady foundation after all.

He was renown for a reason.

The mana that jutted from his figure didn't wash over him for maximum reinforcement.

No.

Its pristine light morphed to create a thin film around him that outlined his figure while numerous protrusions, cylindrical in nature and with flat, bulb like ends formed on this thin film.

Skullius narrowed his eyes.

This was a very purposeful shaping of mana.

Was it something like [Hyperfocus Motion Counter] too?

This peculiar design of the mana could also be found on the man's sword which he held without a stance, his arm merely extended to hold the double edged weapon.

This was something Skullius had yet to learn about.

An auxiliary technique.

'Nomatter. I'll just have to use my speed to quickly close the gap and strike,' Skullius said as splatters of the thick, red energy billowed over his sword along with controlled flow of mana. 'When I reach him, I'll increase my weight for additional strength. Until then...'

Skullius' mana which was flowing rapidly began to manifest its weight property around the Hybrid Luman.

Soon Skullius grew lighter and lighter until he was almost starting to float.

This was it.

He was ready.

Keeping Alaris' figure within his focus, he crouched even further, gathering up the energy for extended movement and then...

VWOOO...

Skullius blasted ahead...

But stopped.

His right hand which was ready to strike with his sword felt numb as with two horrendously powerful impacts that ran through his frame, it lost its strength.

A cold sensation rested on his neck, a sharp and prickly itch of mana tingling over his sensitive skin with the peculiar moulding of mana.

Alaris' sword was already at his neck.

Skullius sighed frustratedly as he gazed blankly at Alaris, the figure of this man not showing an ounce of sophistication in his stance.

Just like that.

Just like that... it was over.

The Hybrid Luman didn't even know what to attribute this to.

Timing?

Strength?

Speed? Maybe speed.

Right now, he was merely holding the handle to his sword as he couldn't quite tell how his sword had been shattered at all, even from his Koten. It probably had to do with how much his arm had turned numb.

"It's certainly not about speed," Alaris said, as if answering Skullius. Actually, he was.

Skullius frowned.

"It's obvious from the look on your face that you think that what just happened is because I was faster. If that was all there was to it, you would have stood a chance."

Alaris withdrew his sword from Skullius' neck.

"Are you satisfied?" the evaluation officer asked.

"It's my loss. I can swallow that," Skullius said as he threw down the handle he was holding.

"That's a good trait. Acceptance is a rather difficult stage for many people to pass. I thought it would be difficult for someone like you who seemingly wants to touch upon well... everything . You're very greedy."

Skullius gave a short laugh.

That he was.

"If you turned out to be prodigious in the sword, I would have had to re-evaluate myself as an individual. But your talents are extraordinary all the same. In my books, you can qualify for Rank 4 easily but that's not for me by my lonesome to decide," Alaris said as he motioned for Skullius to follow.

Rank 4?

Skullius didn't quite understand this.

As they approached Lemorine, Alaris swiftly gave her an instruction.

"Please get Stephin some to the Healers and do warn them about his...situation," he said.

"Sure thing," Lemorine said as she in turned commanded her lizard to carry the unconscious Stephin. She then turned to Skullius and wore a friendly smile.

"It was nice meeting you. Hope to see you around often."

Skullius nodded to her while ensuring her inwardly that he wouldn't do that.

She was a non-sockethole from a glance and a peak with his [Crude World Projection] vision which he had aptly named Crude Vision, he was proven correct.

The crew from the glass finally exited again as they all looked at the Hybrid Luman differently.

Even Terese didn't run her mouth.

She simply stared at Skullius while her heart rate increased, her eyes blinking every second.

Skullius noticed her piercing gaze but ignored it. Instead, he focused on Silrat who breathed out a heavy sigh as he held the Hybrid Luman's shoulder.

"You had me there. I can't believe you pulled it off," he said with an exhausted visage, as if it was him who had been fighting.

"I thought you were the one who believed in my strength for this in the first place," Skullius said with a strange expression.

"Yes well, I didn't realise how the weaker areas pf the nation polluted my view of talent and strength. It's been a while since I have settled here and had the time to follow up on REAL levels of strength," Silrat said while once again rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Wait, what do you mean it--"

"Festos, Silrat..." Alaris' voice interrupted Skullius' inquiry, "...Please go to the fifth floor. I have to hand in a report for the repairs to this room."

"As for your entourage, I'll have someone lead them to the first floor and offer them refreshments while they wait for you."

Silrat nodded and gestured for Skullius to follow.

They exited the room and were met with many faces all looking towards this room with concern and curiosity.

It seemed the destruction caused by Skullius' [Ungodly Passion of Debauchery] had called for quite the attention.

Silrat who was quite familiar with the layout of the Guilds Association building led Skullius to the staircase hurriedly, escaping the gathering evaluation officers and the likes.

"You're sure to become well known around here with that," Silrat said.

"That'll be very bad. I didn't think that room would buckle so easily," Skullius said with shrug.

"Easily, huh? You've changed quite a lot," Silrat said with a drop of sweat trickling down his face. "Why didn't you use your more...unique abilities? That is what I was counting on the most."

"I just recently learned that it might not be a good idea to use them, though I'm in the process of confirming whether I'm right or not."

"Is that so? Well, as long as you passed. Though your ranking will be a bit lower. All you did was show the power of a combat Mage with unique perks."

"About that. What did Alaris mean by Rank 4?"

"Ah, right. Grading of mercenaries here is different from what you're used to. I should explain it from the top. The Guilds Association grades the grading system itself according to where the Association Branch is. For instance, having the rank of B here is very different from having the rank of B in Inhone. If Tulnas were here, he would be considered a C rank or perhaps lower depending on the circumstances. The idea of having the grading system differ between regions is to raise morale. If within a Branch, no mercenaries even qualify for a B or C rank, that would be tragic. Thankfully, there are next to no events that require mercenaries from different Branches to come together."

Skullius nodded.

This made sense. Mercenaries were mainly random individuals looking to make money. They could easily be motivated by ranks. If the Association grew too strict for them with uptight grading systems for even those in poor areas, it would be disastrous. An increase in rank meant more than just prestige after all. Money was involved.

The Capital Service and the grading system created by the Families and Houses were different though. They remained the same.

"As for the Rank 4 Alaris assigned to you, it's for the exclusive mercenaries chosen through Aptitude Evaluation Test. It goes from 1 to 10. 10 is the weakest, 1 is strongest. Your rank isn't bad at all."