After the second test was over, everyone returned to their seats and waited for Thyrus to announce the results. Everyone was tense since they couldn't understand whether they did well or not. They were all basically the same, none were able to touch Thyrus and none were able to even damage his clothes, so there were no precise indications of who did good or who did bad.
A few minutes later, Thyrus appeared again and looked at the candidates.
"I will announce the results…ummm….There are only four people who deserve to pass the test."
In the same way, as when he announced the second test, another bombshell was dropped so casually. He was even about to even continue speaking but he had to stop because of the murmurs of the candidates.
"Only 4?! What the hell is that!"
"Why only 4! There are a lot of people who did a decent job."
All kinds of remarks that didn't like the decision reached Thyrus's ears but he couldn't bother any less. If he had to care about everything he heard about himself, he would've never become the strongest hunter. He learned to ignore criticisms from people around him to keep his mind clear.
"I don't remember your names…um...So I will point at the ones who deserve to pass."
Then, with no hesitation, he pointed at the first one. It was Tania.
She didn't show any reaction and just sat silently beside Acht. Everyone gave her a look of awe mixed with envy but didn't find any reason to talk bad about her since they felt inferior. It was as if they were comparing a princess with a commoner. No such thing is logical.
Then, he pointed at another person, it was another girl with slightly inferior looks to those of Tania but she was still quite beautiful. She had a casual demeanor and a small smile on the corners of her mouth.
The reaction of the candidates was a little more intense and some clicked their tongues in frustration.
'She was one of the rather more interesting bunch.' Acht thought as he casually sat down in his place without bothering with his surroundings. The lingering feelings from the previous fight were still bugging his mind and his body was still pumping with adrenaline.
The third person he chose was the frivolous young man who was the first to start. When he was chosen, he laughed like a maniac while looking at the others with a proud look.
Finally, there was only one spot left and everyone was praying and holding their hands together wishing to be that one final winner.
This time, however, Thyrus didn't point at someone but rather spoke with a calm tone.
"Acht…You're the final winner."
Everyone was perplexed because of his words since he didn't seem to be a person who remembers names and he clearly mentioned that fact. For him to remember someone's name, that person should've left a deep impression on Thyrus.
Acht wasn't surprised by the outcome, he knew that he was going to pass from the moment he landed in the arena. He was simply way above the others in terms of power and wits.
He didn't get many gazes because no one knew his name in person.
"Now…You four stay here…the others…leave." Thyrus ordered lazily as he pulled a chair to sit on it. He was never a fan of standing for long times and this particular test was hell on earth for him because of that.
"WAIT!!! THIS IS NOT FAIR!" A random boy from the crowd shouted in anger as he stood up.
"Why is everyone accepting the fact that only four have been chosen and we the rest could only go home as if nothing happened. DID YOU LOSE YOUR GUTS BECAUSE HE'S THE STRONGEST HUNTER!? TO HELL WITH HIS POWERS!"
The young man was apparently furious because he wasn't chosen and decided to create some kind of protest against the results and Thyrus as a person.
Maybe it was because they also felt the same way or maybe because they felt the courage after hearing his words but the crowd also started speaking loudly with anger.
"Yes! Why do we have to leave like that! You're being unfair."
"They're most likely chosen because they're from influential families!"
"If this is how the hunter exam will be then I should go home. They're all biased bastards!"
'Wow, what a chaotic situation.' Acht took a glance around him with an impressed look. Such situations occur often for leader figures or examiners and it's very hard to nullify if you don't have the dominance and authority to do so. It was a test for Thyrus on his leadership abilities.
'Now, what are you going to do, Thyrus.' He shifted his eyes to Thyrus, interested in what he was going to do.
The aforementioned didn't react at first to the commotion as he only sat casually. But, when he heard a particular sentence from one of the candidates he felt something click inside of him.
"What's so good about them? I'm way stronger than them."
"Stronger?" He muttered as he stood up slowly and looked at the crowd.
"You said stronger…The one who said it, step out and speak to me." He added as he put his hands in his pockets.
No one spoke or stepped out, they looked at each other in confusion and hesitation while muttering some incoherent words.
Seeing what happened, Thyrus started laughing. His laugh was calm, quiet, and full of mockery. It was the first time he showed disdain since the start of the exam.
"You lot…call yourself strong with that attitude…."
He then started walking closer to the stand as he continued.
"If you were really strong you would've understood why I chose those 4 in particular."
"You! All of you! Came down and fought me, the strongest hunter, with fear and hesitation. You all thought 'Oh, he's the strongest so we can't do anything against him.'...You think that fucking mentality will make you get stronger…You fucking naive trash!"
"Those 4 were the only people who came down thinking of only one thing…To win…They knew they couldn't beat me, but they didn't give up that goal until the end."
"The strongest is that who never backs down no matter how strong his opponent is or how bad his situation is. Cowards will only be left behind rotting in the corner. And you kids are nothing but a cowardly bunch who thinks everything should go their way."
He then gazed sharply at them and said. "Now…Get the fuck out of this place!"
No one dared to speak to the point where the sound of a needle dropping to the ground could be heard. Everyone couldn't believe what they heard, the calm and composed Thyrus was shouting with clear anger and disgust.
He even unleashed a bit of his aura which made most of the candidates suffocate from the sheer pressure.
'He could act like that, huh. In contrast to what he shows, he has the aura of a leader.' Acht whistled quietly in amazement. He kind of agrees with Thyrus on some of his points but not all of them.
'Those who are strong are those who win. Being a reckless idiot doesn't mean you're powerful…it just hastens your death.'
"I said get the fuck out or I will do something that none of you would like to see." He repeated his words and even threatened them.
At that point, no one could stay any longer there. The crowd soon left the place with clouded gazes and gloomy looks. They were thinking about Thyrus's words and even questioning their own selves. Were they really a bunch of cowards? Were they really that far from becoming strong?
Such questions filled their minds and made them even sadder.
After everyone left, Thyrus looked at the four left and made a long sigh as he scratched his head.
"It's been a very long time since…the last time…umm…I lost my temper slightly." He muttered under his breath. Yet, everyone heard his words and could only shake their heads while thinking.
'You destroy their confidence and then you call it a slight loss of temper!'
"Now…I will talk about the last test. It won't be related to any physical activities. This test will need your brains and wits."
"A strong hunter…..will always need his mind in all kinds of situations…and so…umm…You need to have the skill to stay calm and rational under immense pressure."
He then sharpened his gaze and continued in a slow manner.
"I won't be telling you the details…Come here tomorrow at 7 AM and you will know what kind of test will be waiting for you…From my point of view, it's by far the hardest one out of all tests."
Then, he left the place, leaving behind a bunch of surprised people.
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