Chapter 134: Proctor

It was the first group that they fought. Eren remembered that there was one group that they had fought earlier.

It was when Eren and the group stumbled upon a Territory that was being conquered. The Garden Territory, the one with the large fountain and tons of Skyward Herbs.

Eren had chosen to basically snatch that Territory from their hands, even though it didn’t warrant any aggression from their group.

They must have been sponsored by the Elvenied Riders as well. That was one of the only reasons why they would be having ill feelings against him.

That was the first incident. Redd’s group was the second. And the third must be the other group in this Volcano Territory, the one led by that burly man from earlier.

He would be depriving the third group from the Elvenied Riders a Territory.

In their eyes, this was a targeted attack.

"I can see that you understand now why they hate your guts a little bit, right?" Aliker said. "So, if you would just give up on this Flag and let it fall into the hands of Elvenied Riders, then you will be square. They’ll forgive any other transgression that you have done on them."

Eren stood in silence for a little bit, in deep thought.

Then, he looked up at Aliker with an inquisitive look in his eyes. "I understand why the Elvenied Riders would want to find revenge on me. But what I don’t understand is you. What do you get out of this?"

Proctors should be neutral parties. It wasn’t just for this Second Test.

As far as he knew, Proctors were employed by the United Governments. And everyone knew that the United Governments and the private organizations and families in the Awakener world didn’t really see eye to eye.

"It doesn’t make sense that an employee of the United Governments would help a private organization," Eren said to Aliker.

The proctor with the tattered brown coat looked at Eren with an annoyed smile. "You’re smart. Probably too smart for your own good. So, I’ll ask the question back to you. Why do you think I’m helping them?"

Eren thought about it for a second. "You’re definitely getting something from the Elvenied Riders. Something in return for interfering in this matter..."

Aliker smiled, before shaking his head. "Colder. That’s not exactly what I need."

Eren’s eyebrows turned uneven. "One of the leaders?"

"Warmer..."

"You... you want to recruit one of the leaders?" Eren realized.

"Hot, hot, hot!" Aliker clapped his hands. "Exactly. See, it’s not just the Prominent Families and the Elite Awakener Organizations that want something or someone from this License Exam.

We want talent too. We can’t let all of them have their pick of the litter. So, sometimes, we strike a deal. In exchange for some benefits here in the License Exam, we will be able to recruit talent without them interfering.

It’s a very good exchange in my opinion.

The Prominent Families and Organizations are able to sponsor leaders, and in return, the United Governments gets first pick on the talent."

Eren was finally enlightened on the Proctors’ true goal in this Second Test.

They were here to recruit talent! That’s the reason why they were interfering in the License Exam.

"So do you understand now? I cannot let you have this flag. You’ll be depriving the Elvenied Riders from a comeback. At this point, almost all of their groups will be eliminated from the License Exam. And that is embarrassing for them.

If you think about it, I’m helping you here. This License Exam is but a fleeting moment. It doesn’t matter. But what does matter is making sure that you get a good impression on the Prominent Families and the Awakener Organizations.

They will make or break your career. If you fail this License Exam, you can just take it next year. But if you completely anger an Elite Awakener Organization, well, you’ll find yourself having a hard time finding opportunities in the real world."

Eren felt his blood boil after hearing Aliker’s words.

He could tell that this was the truth of the world. The strong dictate the weak.

And in Immor?, this was normal. It was natural. Only those who reach the peak could dictate what fate should weave.

But there was a disconnect here.

These people were not cultivators. They have barely understood the truth with cultivation, and yet, they dared to act as if they have reached the peak!

It was a travesty to see.

The smarter move here would be to let it slide. It would allow Eren to remain in the dark, allowing him more time to practice and improve his cultivation one step at a time.

However, there was something within him that was urging him to go forwards.

Was this impulsiveness?

Eren didn’t know. But he did know that he couldn’t let these people get away with what they were doing.

He moved. Consequences be damned. The Awakeners of this world didn’t have enough strength to demand such reparations from him.

Aliker shook his head in disappointment.

The proctor with the brown coat landed on the crater, before cracking his neck in preparation for what was to come.

He didn’t even raise his hand as Eren unleashed a Primal Strike.

R?zoň clashed with R?zoň. Primal Strike against Reinforcement.

Aliker’s position stood still against Eren’s full force. But he did raise his eyebrows. For a brief moment, he saw the Reinforcement on his body waver. Just a little bit.

Eren moved forward with relentless pursuit. He unleashed Primal Strike after Primal Strike. He weaved in feints in between. He moved left and right.

But somehow, each of his moves were easily read by Aliker. It only took a casual swipe of his hands to deflect Eren’s attacks as if they were nothing.

Unlike Paupre’s fraudulent technique, Aliker’s was a true Full-Body Reinforcement.

"You must be getting tired by now. You should stop," Aliker said.

Eren saw the proctor’s eyes look towards his fists as it started to lose its density. Aliker thought Eren would need a breather to Reinforce his fists again with Psions.

That was his critical mistake.