Lightning Is the Only Way

Forneus sat on his chair. One youngster after another appeared in the hall. Even though their speeds in clearing the test varied greatly, people who took multiple days longer actually appeared just minutes later than the faster ones. The reason for that was that the practical test was performed in a lower world. The lower the world, the easier it was for the laws of the world to operate.

When one day passes in the highest world, ten days pass in a high-rank world, 100 days pass in a medium-rank world, and 1000 days pass in a low-rank world. By that calculation, a week in a low-rank world would only equate to about 10 minutes in their world. For Forneus, not even 30 minutes had passed between the times of when the youngsters left and came back.

The youngsters all came back in different conditions. While some looked healthy, others were nearly dead. Forneus just had to activate the formation, and all the injured people returned to peak condition in no time.

"Oh, another one's coming," Forneus commented casually as purple light flashed. The purple light revealed a youngster wholly drenched in blood. Forneus couldn't even see the color of the boy's outfit through all the blood. His left shoulder was broken, and a massive cut went through his abdomen. The youngster looked at Forneus and the others beside him. His fighting spirit was still shining through his eyes, but when he looked at the other youngsters, their own fighting spirit didn't lose to his.

That youngster was, of course, Gravis. He continued watching the others, but the atmosphere was broken by a loud slurp coming from Forneus smoothie. "Man, you look like you had a ton of fun." Forneus snapped his fingers, and the formation activated. All the blood on Gravis vanished, and his injuries healed nearly instantaneously.

Gravis took a deep breath and felt refreshed. It felt like taking a shower after a hard workout, just many times better. Forneus waved. "Come over and stand with the others!"

Gravis released a long sigh to calm down. He had fought for his life for over two weeks, so it was hard readjusting to normal life. He walked over and stood beside the others, who watched him with interest. Gravis didn't speak and just waited. A couple more youngsters appeared and returned to their classmates.

"Alright, everyone's here." Forneus stood up and stretched.

looked around and counted 25 people, including himself. Suddenly, he noticed something. "Forneus,

said while

"What?" Dead? He died, just like

powered out by the end of it. His next opponent was the Rampaging Rhino, which completely decimated his left arm. His

out with Ballor nearly every day for the last two months. They had grown pretty close, and Gravis considered him a true friend,

"Alright, people die. It happens. Get over it." Forneus looked at the others, while Gravis gritted his teeth. "Okay, there are 25 remaining, and seven died. That's a death rate of a little over 20%. That's average. Although..." Forneus looked at Gravis. "I'm surprised you

around. So, even though you all fought the same beasts and environmental challenges, the order differed."

crusher". They thought back to the beasts they fought but weren't sure. Gravis,

of the experience they gained from

of people die when they fight the tortoise first. They charge in without a plan and get decimated by its snap. If you have the experience, it's difficulty is about average. The reason why

from the tortoise, but he had nearly died. If he had continued charging back

smiled in relief. "BUT!" Forneus shouted, and the others stopped smiling. "That was a challenge with only one opponent coming at you at a time. The challenges will increase in difficulty the next time.

of the youngsters grimaced. Life wouldn't become

will always have to fight two opponents at the same time."

the next test.

back home. The next three days will be rest days. After that, we resume our theoretical lessons." And with that, Forneus walked out of the hall, not caring about anyone else. When he was halfway out the door, Forneus seemed