I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 1257: Each Candidates

Laughter lingered in the arena even after the first match ended. The tension that had filled the space earlier never fully returned.

By now, the candidates had spent long weeks together inside the facility training, failing, improving, and enduring side by side.

Competition still existed among them of course, but it no longer stood alone.

There was also camaraderie that had grown around it, along with friendship, trust, and even the quiet beginnings of romance that came from shared exhaustion and shared danger.

Because of that, Roland and the first candidate treated the end of their bout less like a victory and more like rough play.

They exchanged a quick fist bump before separating, both still grinning as medics waved the first candidate away for a brief check.

Adrien’s voice cut through the noise, calm and firm.

"Next."

The second candidate stepped into the arena.

He was taller and leaner, with sharp eyes and a posture that never fully relaxed. His Magic manifested as vibration control immediately.

Rather than amplifying force outward, he generated high-frequency oscillations through his muscles and bones, turning every movement into a destabilizing impact.

Even when he was just standing still, the air around him hummed faintly.

Roland’s grin widened when he felt it. "Oh, you’re going to be annoying."

The candidate laughed. "Heheh. You’ll feel it."

They moved at the same time. Roland advanced as before, metal skin hardening, but the first clash felt different.

When their arms met, the vibrations slipped through the metal layers and rattled Roland from the inside.

"Urgh."

His step faltered for the first time. His boots scraped hard against the arena floor.

"Oof," Roland muttered, shoulders tensing. "Okay. That’s new."

The candidate grinned and pressed the advantage, strikes landing in rapid succession, each one sending tremors through Roland’s body rather than bouncing off.

Roland grunted and leaned into it, forcing himself forward through sheer mass and will.

They traded blows at close range, both smiling through clenched teeth, mocking each other between impacts.

"You buckle yet?" the candidate asked.

Roland laughed, even as his knee dipped slightly. "In your dreams, man."

Above them, the observers leaned in knowing that this one was able to push Roland harder.

Erend, Adrien, Billy, and Jessica watched closely from the observation edge, their attention never leaving the arena even as they spoke in low voices.

"This one is smart," Adrien said, eyes tracking the candidate’s footwork. "He stopped relying on enhancement and went straight for internal disruption."

"His ability is vibration-based Magic," Erend replied. "This is effective against hardened targets. But he’s overcommitting. Too aggressive."

Jessica nodded. "He keeps pressing without resetting his stance. If Roland survives the pressure, that opening will cost him."

Billy folded his arms. "Roland’s taking it on purpose. He’s waiting. Just see."

Below them, the fight intensified. The candidate fought ruthlessly now. His movements were sharp and relentless, driving vibration through every strike and every step.

The reinforced ground trembled faintly beneath his feet. He showed no hesitation or restraint, pushing forward like he intended to break Roland apart from the inside.

Roland staggered more than once. His metal skin shuddered under the internal shock, but he never stopped grinning.

Even when blood touched the corner of his mouth, he laughed and wiped it away with the back of his hand.

Then it happened. Roland shifted.

His metallic body hardened abruptly, the surface darkening and densifying as he anchored himself in place. He didn’t move. He waited.

The candidate rushed in, closing the distance for a finishing blow.

At that moment, Roland moved.

He stepped inside the attack, seized the candidate jn the middle of his charge, and lifted him clean off the ground.

With a sharp turn of his body, Roland threw him down hard, the impact echoing through the arena.

Before the candidate could recover, Roland drove a single brutal punch into his chest.

The body went limp.

"Haha. Yeah!" Roland shouted, raising his arm.

"Yeah!"

The cheers exploded from the circle of candidates surrounding the arena.

Erend, Adrien, Billy, Jessica, Thomas, and Conrad smiled as they watched the scene unfold.

Billy let out a long sigh. "I’m glad we don’t need to worry about evil influences anymore. We can actually enjoy this."

The others nodded in agreement, sharing the moment as the arena buzzed with life again.

The drill continued without pause, the arena barely given time to settle before the next challenger stepped forward.

The third candidate facing Roland was a woman named Lira. She rolled her shoulders once as she entered, eyes sharp but respectful.

"Don’t hold back, Roland," she said lightly. "Cuz I won’t."

Roland let out a rough breath and grinned. "I wasn’t planning to."

Her Magic revealed itself the moment he moved. His punch should have crushed straight through her guard, but the force bent sideways, sliding past her ribs as if the air itself had nudged it aside.

Lira flowed with the motion, striking his knee and then his body, with precise and efficient hits.

"Tch... annoying," Roland muttered, adjusting his footing.

"I say it’s efficient," Lira corrected, circling him.

They traded blows in a tight rhythm. Roland powered through the strain burning his muscles, taking hits to land his own.

When Lira tried to slip past him again, Roland suddenly stepped in instead of chasing. He caught her wrist.

"Got you!"

He slammed her down hard. The impact echoed, and Lira laughed breathlessly from the ground. "Yeah... that’s on me."

She yielded, and Roland stepped back, chest heaving. His metallic skin dulled slightly as fatigue crept in.

Then the fourth candidate entered.

The candidate’s name was Darius. He cracked his neck, eyes locked on Roland.

"You look tired," he said with a meaningful grin.

Roland wiped sweat from his brow. "Then hurry up."

Their first clash shook the arena. Roland’s punch landed cleanly, but Darius barely moved. Instead, the stored force detonated outward, throwing Roland back.

"Oh," Roland growled, pushing himself up. "That’s new."

"Everything you hit me with," Darius said calmly. "I give it back to you tenfold."

They collided again and again. Roland struck harder, but each blow only fueled Darius. The ground suddenly started to fracture under the returning shockwaves.

Roland staggered, vision blurring.

"Still standing," Roland laughed hoarsely, forcing himself forward.

"One more then," Darius said, stepping in.

Roland swung with everything he had left. Darius caught it and released the stored force point-blank.

Roland hit the ground and stayed there.

From above, Adrien exhaled slowly. "That was clean."

Erend nodded, smiling faintly. "Right."

Below, Darius offered a hand toward Roland. "Good fight."

Roland took it, still grinning despite the loss.

The drill continue.

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