Return Of The Strongest Player

Arthur and Aryan chatted for a few minutes before the newbies began flooding in. There were about fifty newbies participating in physical training, and most were scrawny and un-athletic. It seemed most were planning on increasing their versatility.

Physical training was not required by those with athletic bodies. They simply focused on increasing their capabilities with mana and magic to increase their versatility and compliment their physical prowess.

On the other hand, those who were well-versed in magic and mana manipulation focused on the physical aspect. Both parties were improving aspects in which they were not experienced to form a well-rounded base of power.

Suddenly, Arthur spotted someone he knew. 'Oscar…'

The man was looking around innocently, observing the other newbies. His gaze suddenly fell upon Arthur, and he clasped his hands together before revealing an apologetic smile. It seemed he still felt bad due to the incident yesterday.

Arthur ignored Oscar. The newbies formed a semi-circle around Aryan, as per his orders, and waited for the instructor to introduce himself. The Physical Training class was being conducted by a Ranker, which caused excitement to rise in the minds of the newbies.

A Ranker was a legendary existence to someone who hadn't taken a single step towards climbing the tower. A retired Ranker was difficult to spot, as most either died in the tower or chose to remain loyal to their clans.

There weren't many unaffiliated Rankers, since most couldn't climb that high without the assistance of clans. Mid-rank clans and high-rank clans usually monopolized Rankers, but low-rank clans also possessed a few.

The newbies began asking questions before the Ranker could even introduce himself.

"How many floors have you climbed?"

"How difficult are they? Could you spare some information about the floors? I've heard each tenth floor is the most difficult. Is that true?"

"What are your powers? What element do you specialize in?"

"How good are you with the sword? Oh, right, are you affiliated with a clan or are you a lone Ranker?"

Aryan, being bombarded with the questions of the excited newbies, couldn't help but scratch the back of his head in embarrassment. He displayed signs of nervousness, being the center of attention for once.

Arthur clicked his tongue, finding Aryan's behavior to reinforce the former's judgment of him. The latter was a blank canvas. He became nervous in front of a crowd filled with people a person like him wouldn't even consider ants.

Perhaps it was Arthur's arrogance, but Aryan wasn't fit to be a Ranker.

'Perhaps he possessed a strong inherent skill, and when someone found out about it, they made him join their clan and helped him climb floors…' Arthur thought, considering the possibility that Aryan was the by-product of a mass-carry.

Such a person couldn't have climbed through the floors of Heaven's Spire without assistance. Otherwise, either arrogance or indifference would be deep-rooted within his demeanor. Even a righteous demeanor was fine…

But Aryan acted like a child.

"Calm down," said Aryan. His position and authority forced the newbies to shut their mouths at once. They were in no position to argue with or refuse to follow the orders of a Ranker, who was hired specifically by the Tower Administration.

Once Aryan had the situation under control, he introduced himself.

"I am Aryan Patel, a Ranker affiliated to Olympus," said Aryan. His words shocked those who listened. Olympus was a high-ranking clan, and to affiliate with them, one required tremendous power.

Usually, high-ranking clans hired High Rankers. They only hired Rankers if they were the cream of the crop, which represented Aryan's influence and power within the tower. It surpassed all expectations.

'So it was Olympus…' Arthur thought, letting out a chuckle internally. His predictions turned out to be the truth. Aryan possessed a powerful skill that enticed the executives of Olympus, and allowed the Ranker to rush through the floors.

But that also meant his base was not that solid.

'Still, his skill has to be incredibly powerful for Olympus itself to seek him,' acknowledged Arthur.

"Today, I will be your instructor, and we will be conducting Physical Training," Aryan announced information that everyone already knew. However, he still received fake applause, causing him to raise his chin in temporary arrogance.

The newbies seemed to admire him.

"Firstly, I will examine your constitutions," said Aryan. "Judging by the fact that you have just entered Heaven's Spire, I'm assuming you do not have powerful constitutions. However, I intend to find the average durability of your constitutions so that I can tweak the training as per your needs."

The newbies nodded simultaneously, and Aryan began his check. He circled across the batch of students, delivering light jabs to their abdomens to test the durability of their bodies. Many folded immediately.

Some managed to remain standing, while a few managed to refrain from displaying a significant reaction. However, constitutions did not represent a lack of pain receptors. 

"What's your name?" Aryan asked, stopping in front of a certain man whom he had just punched.

"Oscar Rune."

"Well, Oscar, your constitution is exceptionally powerful," Aryan acknowledged. "Well done."

Oscar nodded, allowing a smile to blossom on his face. It held innocence… similar innocence to when Arthur had first met Oscar during his former life. The crimson-eyed man, however, knew what Oscar would develop into in the future.

Soon, Aryan arrived in front of Arthur. As extended his arm at alarming speeds. His fist collided with Arthur's abdomen, causing the crimson-eyed man to tighten his muscles. Pain spread across his body.

However, he withheld a shriek. Moreover, no internal damage was done to his body.

It was simply a surge of pain.

"Your constitution is also powerful, Arthur."

"Thank you."

Aryan continued, praising a few others. Most of the people he praised were quite muscular and had toned bodies. They weren't ones who attended the class for the sake of versatility, but those who dedicated their lives towards physical prowess.

They were the minority who decided to attend Physical Training.