My System: An Evolved Computer I Made With My Unique Ability—

Just like how every candidate was transported into the Stage, Aljier vanished in an instant and was sent out of the Stage by some unknown power. He didn't even have time to complain nor did he have time to apologize to his teammates about his shortcomings. It was a well-deserved disqualification though since he really didn't control his superpower back then.

​

Aljier was known to lose his cool, and there were times when he'd be disqualified in official matches, not just in inter-high tournaments. He was one of those rare candidates that got the oppportunity ever since he was a first-year and that somehow got in his head.

In the blink of an eye, Aljier realized that he was out of the Stage right now, ineligible to complete the entire first round. Now, all that he could do was rely on his teammates so they could get to the second round. "Man, can't they just overlook that? It's not like that USA candidate died or something. I know he could take a hit and I controlled my force output. Why was I disqualified when I didn't do anything wrong?" Aljier clicked his tongue for a second time as his tantrum got the better of him and he started flinging chairs around.

A few minutes later, security was given the heads up and he was sent to the waiting room of the Great Mountain School. At least he wouldn't cause unnecessary trouble in there compared to causing a ruckus by the audience seats.

Meanwhile, the commentators were having a blast at the sudden turn of events.

....

Siril and everyone in Aljier's team was genuinely surprised at the outcome of Aljier's actions. Vulcan-san, who watched in horror as Aljier attacked Siril, immediately knew that he was going to be disqualified. And he was right on the money. As for Clara and Grior though,  they could tell that Siril wasn't hurt that severely with the attack, that's why they were shocked.

"That is to be expected. Now we just have to— "

Whish~

With their leader gone, Siril grabbed his chance and got the Badges that fell from Aljier, flying out of there with his humungous dragon-form body. His speed was incomparable from when he was just defending that's why his retreat was totally unexpected.

"And there he goes," Vulcan-san sighed. He could already foresee their school failing the first round due to losing the main core of their team.

By then, Grior's injured hand had already been healed and he felt more energized due to Vulcan's effective superpower. They still have a chance if they re-strategize and put Grior on the pedestal. He is in no way inferior to Aljier's attack power after all.

"Let's get out of here, we've caused enough commotion as it is. Grior, can you walk?"

"Yes, thanks to you and Clara. Good for him, I didn't like him anyway." Grior muttered under his breath, actually glad that Aljier was disqualified.

"Yeah, but we need him. Right now let's regroup with everyone else. We can't last long without them."

Clara and Grior nodded. With Aljier gone, it was safe to say that Vulcan is now their new leader. Both of them thought that it'd be for the better but if they pass the first round, everything would go back to normal and they shuddered at the thought.

.....

After getting a meager distance away from Aljier's group, Siril reverted back to his human form and studied the nine badges on his hand. Unfortunately, he didn't get a badge owned by his 'target' but in retrospect, he earned a lot of points for his team. He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned on a tree, awaiting other candidates to see him He hoped that anyone from his school would find him in that place but he didn't know where he was and his sense of direction isn't working that well due to his exhaustion.

Of course, there's the easier option of shifting back into his Dragon Form and flying around the Stage while searching for Satoshi and the others. But that would not only reveal his location, but the whereabouts of his teammates as well assuming that he finds them.

"Siril?"

"Siril! It's you!" Someone suddenly called behind him. "Phew~ good thing I found you."

At first, Siril thought that the person right behind him was an enemy so he immediately backed away and prepared himself for a fight. But after recognizing that it was just Sakura Cherry, he sighed in relief and collapsed on the ground. "It's just you."

Cherry nodded and sat in front of him. "I was looking for you guys. Then I fainted and by the time I woke up, I have another badge on my hand... "

After rummaging through her pockets, Cherry then showed a badge towards Siril. As usual, the number didn't belong to his 'target' so he didn't react to it that much. In response, Siril got the nine badges in his pockets and showed them to Cherry. "I stole these. Didn't really defeat anyone."

"That's nice. At least you got a few points for us. Hopefully, the others aren't having a hard time."

Siril kept quiet as he occasionally glanced towards Cherry. Every candidate in their school was aware of her biggest secret but they didn't dare tell her about it. Right now, Cherry wasn't having a hard time and Siril had a vague idea why that is. Upon being introduced to her 'other self', he knew that that personality would be able to take care of anyone it crossed paths with.

'What was her name again? Sa— Sasha? No, Sassu. Yeah, I think that's correct. That Sassu... she's a scary one. No doubt' Siril inwardly said.

Swish!

Before Siril could break the awkward silence that surrounded him and Cherry, a wind blade whizzed past his face, almost cutting him on the neck. Fortunately, he shifted a part of his neck into dragon form in time.

"So this is where you were. We need those badges back." Vulcan calmly said.