Parallel Memory

Zero as an opponent, that was literally having to compete with Rank-S, at least that is what they feel.

Unlike others, Hiro and his group had witnessed Zero's strength on several occasions. And even if the opponent was way beyond him, they had never seen him lose.

Moreover, in the two years they had not seen Zero, he had grown considerably stronger and his rank was now higher than them.

"Guys… "

Sylvia wanted them to just think of that as a joke. Anyway, she didn't think that Zero would lose, at least not to anyone under Rank-S.

"Seriously, Zero doesn't have many weaknesses. He wields both Ice Magic and Sword Art. Additionally, he has ridiculously powerful attacks. And who knows what kind of trump card he is hiding."

Hiro said. Although he will not give up if he needs to fight against Zero but by thinking rationally, you cannot exploit Zero's weaknesses as he has almost none.

The only chance of winning is if you were more powerful than Zero! That means that your speed, strength, mana stat should all exceed Zero's.

And Hiro knows that it is impossible since he saw Zero's speed. It was comparable to Rank-S, and his strength stat also was very high. But he cannot be sure that it was Zero's best since he hasn't used Art and skill.

"Anyway, Zero is not the only thing you should look out for."

Sylvia said. She has to admit that Zero was very powerful but in the gathering of geniuses, there were many who seemed invincible.

"Yeah, Lupin of Therianthropes Race. His speed might have been faster than Zero. And he was literally toying with his opponent like a prey."

Misha said. The only reason why she knew how fast Lupin was because of Lupin's way of fighting. He could have ended his opponent in one move like Zero but he played with his opponent.

He would always appear from his opponents back and make his opponent scared of him. He never dealt lethal or serious damage and every one could see that Lupin was just playing around.

"Gimli from the Dwarf race is a very difficult opponent. He took a Rank-A + powerful attack like nothing."

Zion also chimed in.

Gimli was the Rank-S Dwarf and someone who is almost like Nock. His defense was very tough and his opponent immediately gave up after his strongest attack failed to do anything to Gimli.

"Then there was also Cyrrinthia of the Dryads Race. She might be one of the trickiest opponents in the contest. I don't think Rank-B like us would stand a chance."

Lisa said.

Cyrrinthia has an easier opponent to deal with but how the match ended was baffling. Her opponent seemed to be in control of Cyrrinthia as he gave up voluntarily the moment match.

The evidence that he gave up because of Cyrrinthia and not because of her own violation is the fact that the opponent didn't seem like himself until an hour after where he was asking what happened to his fight.

It seems like Cyrrinthia used some kind of advanced illusion magic. Anyway, she was also the one with the highest chance of winning.

"Stoneclaw of Druid has unbelievable regeneration. I don't think that without any special skill, he will be injured."

Hiro also has someone in his mind who could be the strongest in the contest.

For Hiro, it was Stoneclaw of the Druid Race whose regeneration surpassed common sense. In the earlier fight, he fought a Rank-A and despite the Rank-A fighter landing many hits, all the cuts and scratches had been healed in a matter of seconds.

Moreover, his strength was also high. Stoneclaw punched his opponent and managed to shatter the weapon which prompted his opponent to give up.

"Also don't forget Princess Elenia."

Sylvia warned. She didn't want to say just because she lost to her, but Sylvia believes that among the geniuses, Princess Elenia was one of the top.

Princess Elenia's last attack was enough to prove that if she wanted to end the battle quickly, she could have been able to.

Being an expert in archery, she could become quite annoying to deal with. After all, she can stay far away while attacking at the same time.

"And Seraphine of the Aasimar Race is also strong. She didn't seem to use much of her power earlier, so I can't be so sure. However, she is definitely someone that we need to look out for. Mia and Zero had also warned us previously."

Misha said. 𝑏𝘦𝘥𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝑐𝘰𝑚

They didn't know when they first met her but now they know what Mia and Zero meant when they said that Seraphine was strong.

They inherited flight skills, so they always have that advantage. Moreover, Seraphine defeated her opponent without any skill or weapon. It was purely one-sided even though her opponent was also a genius of Rank-A.

"However, no matter who, I don't think we humans would lose. After all, no one is as strong as Professor Mia."

Lisa said with a hint of admiration.

All races Rank-S were strong and powerful. However, even amongst them, Mia Frostine stood out. She was beautiful and very strong.

Her control of mana was on another level and she could immediately think of a way to defeat her opponent using the least amount of effort and the least amount of time.

There wasn't anyone who could do what she did. She didn't use much mana to defeat Lucian who was at the peak of Rank-A +.

They all nodded to Lisa's statement. While the geniuses of other races had their own monster but it was not like humans didn't have any. Rather, they had more. With Mia being one and Zero being another.

With them, the chance of humans winning the contest was high!

Although if they talked about them winning then the chances were very low. Zion and others were Rank-B, so it would be very very difficult to defeat the Rank-S opponent that they mentioned.

Although they might be able to win against Rank-A, there were also some geniuses in the Rank-A who were almost impossible to defeat such as Zero and Hiro.

But there was a chance that Hiro, their companion, might win. In the Rank-A category, apart from Zero, there were not many who could threaten Hiro.

While defeating Rank-S might be hard, there was also a small chance that he might be able to. Well, fights are always unpredictable and there is always a chance as long as one doesn't give up.

Hiro and others just want to give their all and want to show that they are also a proud genius of their race. They can't give up after seeing Sylvia who gave her all against Princess Elenia.

Just like that they were discussing the geniuses from other races. And it was the same for other races geniuses.

They were also discussing counter measures and of course, their biggest enemy was the human race. After all, they had 5 Rank-S and also other powerful fighters in Rank-A.

"That Zero did display great strength!"

The Aasimar race were also gathered to discuss the geniuses that caught their opponent and might get in their way to championship.

"True, his swiftness did astound and awe. Yet, he's a feeble match for Seraphine's grace, For she outshines him in her radiant drawl."

Another Aasmar replied. For them, no one was a match for Seraphine. Of course, that was from their perspective.

"..."

Seraphine was also there but in a deep thought. Although common sense would have it, she as Rank-S should easily be able to win against Rank-A without trouble.

But she didn't feel that way. In reality, she was sensing more danger from Zero than any other fight she saw that day.

( Why?)

That is what she has been asking herself. True that Zero's speed was absolutely insane for his rank, but she was also as fast as him.

Could speed justify what she was feeling? It was not a simple feeling of facing a strong opponent but like the threat of being killed.

( Methought he was but a mere anon! )

Seraphine at their previous encounter in Eldoria city didn't really pay attention to Zero. She didn't even think that he would be strong.

Mia, Amelia and Hiro were eye-catching and someone that she had to pay attention to.

For the rest, Seraphine considered them as very talented but didn't think they possessed any kind of threat to her.

But when Zero fought, she definitely was surprised and her sense began telling her that she should avoid him as much as possible.

"Thou shouldst not too lightly undervalue human race, For there be amongst them those of stalwart might, And with circumspection we must approach such souls."

Gabriel said. She remembered what Seraphine said previously and also when observing Mia Frostine's battle. Moreover, one should always remember that humans are one of the dominant races in this world.

"I think we must ponder upon the manner in which to confront Hiro Ernest. Though Seraphine shall undoubtedly triumph o'er such as he, 'tis a knotty quandary for others."

Gabriel said.

Just like that, they began pointing out difficult opponents in Rank-A and how they could use their skill and fighting style to their advantage. As for the Rank-S opponent, it was better to leave it to Seraphine.

Lucian already proved that Rank-A stood no chance against Rank-S geniuses. Lucian, despite all the humiliation he brought, was the strongest in Rank-A. So, for him to be defeated so easily, they gave up the idea of competing with Rank-S.

Though they did share what they know and seen, so that Seraphine can develop countermeasures against them.

All in all, everyone was getting ready for the next battle which will be even more intense than that day!