Death... and me

Turin had another problem with Rean's way of doing things. There was still the fact that he didn't destroy the layers of a single Myriad Elemental Protection Formation, but two. Should they consider both formations' numbers or only one of them?

'There is no need to count both formations. Just use the Water Myriad Elemental Protection Formation's numbers. After all, he will not fail this test even if we deduct those three extra layers that had been absorbed.'

Saya said through a Spiritual Sense message to Turin.

Turin finally sighed in relief after announcing the result.

"Rean Larks, seventeen layers destroyed."

Rean smiled as he nodded. After that, he returned to the area outside the elemental fields to observe the rest of the competition. As for the rest of the competitors, they had seen just how powerful that strike was. They all gave up taking first place straight away. As crazy as Rean's idea might have been, he didn't break the rules. None of them had the confidence of breaking through seventeen layers, much less more than it.

A few of them also noticed another point of Rean's formation. At first, he analyzed the Water Myriad Elemental Protection Formation before the test started. Saya, Havek, the elders, Droman, and a few other spectating Formation Masters could tell that he hit the right spot. It made it even more impressive since his Shooting Formation's aim was also nearly perfect.

The tests continued as everyone began to fight for second place and below. Havek was in quite a dilemma. He was happy that his 'rival' was this strong. However, he was also sad because he knew that his corrosive formations wouldn't be able to pierce seventeen layers either.

*Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter!"

"Ginsey Fole, eight layers. Next!"

*Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter! Shatter!*

"Dian Surteri, nine layers. Next!"

Havek's turn quickly arrived as well.

Havek's formation focused on a single extreme small point of the formation. It then used its power to open just a small hole as it passed through the layers. The level of damage was far from enough to break the layers. However, that tiny hole was all that his Triple-Layered Formation needed to inject the corrosive substance that melted everything around.

In the end, Havek didn't shatter any layers, but he created a passage big enough for several people to pass at the same time. That was obviously considered a successful attempt. It also caught some attention since he was the only one who didn't use brute force. Even Rean had relied on a powerful one-time strike.

"Havek Sasamil, fourteen layers. Next!"

Rean looked at the result given to Havek's Formation and sighed.

'Sure enough, this guy is frightening. He did that while using a Water Formation Against another one. If I had struck the Lightning Myriad Elemental Protection Formation instead, I don't think I would have done Fourteen Layers.'

Havek then came back with a gloomy expression.

"And here I thought that a Piercing Corrosive Formation would get me first place. You really opened my eyes today."

Rean shook his head.

"We both know that if I had attacked the Lightning Formation, I wouldn't get a result as good as yours."

Havek didn't care.

"That's not the point. The fact that you came up with such an idea shows that I'm still lacking. What matters are results! That's all."

Rean couldn't help but get a better impression of this guy. As narcissistic as he might be, he didn't think he was invincible. He reached that level through sheer effort, not just through talent.

The tests continued either way.

"Artin Luvel, seven layers. Next!"

Artin came back, shaking his head.

"Sigh... It seems like this is where I stay. I would need at least eight layers to have a chance into the top 100."

Rean put a hand on his shoulders as he said.

"Well, between over ten thousand Formation Masters, you reached the top 300. There is no need to feel like that."

Artin shrugged his shoulders and just accepted his words. After that, he looked at the other tests.

"Qia Sasamil, eleven layers. Next!"

Qia came back with a prideful expression. That result wouldn't only put her in the top 100, but in the top 10 as well. She quickly held Rean's hand again before saying.

"See? I can also do it."

Rean smiled as he nodded.

"Milo Dian, eight layers. Next!"

Milo also came back after that.

"Eight layers, huh? I'm not sure if this is enough for me to pass."

Artin laughed as he said.

"Well, you still did more than me, so you have a chance. I don't even have a chance anymore."

"So what? Being better than you is a given. Who would feel happy with that?"

"Are you looking for a fight?"

"What fight? You lost already, don't you see? Hahaha!"

Rean and Qia also laughed, making Artin feel even gloomier.

In the end, it was as everyone expected. Rean's result was absolute. In fact, no one reached Havek's level either. Seeing that all the results were out, Turin ended that exam.

"1st - Rean Larks, seventeen layers;

2nd - Havek Sasamil, fourteen layers;

3rd - Waka Mantil, twelve layers;

4th - Bia Shian, twelve layers;

5th - Uriu Taran, eleven layers;

6th - Qia Sasamil, eleven layers;

7th...

93rd - Milo Dian, eight layers..."

"Hahaha! I did it! I'm in the finals!"

The results of those with the same number of layers destroyed were decided based on their previous phases. Fortunately for Milo, he had done better than the others, so he passed with eight layers.

"Congratulations to the top 100. You are now in the final phase. However, before I continue, let's go back to the Formations Guild. Everyone, step on the Teleport Formation in the center. We will send everyone back."

Those who passed, who failed, and those who were spectating did as they were told. Soon after, with a flash of silver light, they all disappeared from the testing field.

"Now that we have only a hundred participants left, we have enough space here in the guild to work with it."

"Anyway, the next exam is obviously related to formations. We tested your analysis ability, your defensive formations, and your offensive formations as well. As for the last theme... it is originality. Don't just rely on your senior's efforts and the formations they created. Show that you can do more than just copying others. You will have one day to make an original formation!"