"Simon, how come you're so strong? Do you have any tricks? Teach us too!"
As soon as Ethan Valor dismissed them, Ivan and Tyler approached him.
Simon smiled. "There are no trick? I've just been practicing as soon as I get off work and I usually don't stop until midnight. I don't even sleep at night because I spent the whole night absorbing Astral energy, and when I not able do either of them I fidget with the skill creating flame the size of fountain pen."
That was the truth!
As an adult, he was matured and he had passed the stage of wanting to have fun a long time ago.
Plus, having superpower that he dreamed of, Simon was working twice as hard.
Unknowingly, in just short two months, he had increased the gap between him and the other youngsters!
"you've been doing additional training after work!"
Tyler scratched his head and said in embarrassment, "I've been drinking and eating with classmate, as well as friends after work or gaming with friends and other things, I've never done any additional training after work"
"I'm about the same!"
Even Ivan felt ashamed of his behaviour, in the past two months, he had become a successful person in the eyes of his family and friends. He was popular and sought after for eating, having fun and socializing, so how could he have time to practice?
The sudden success clouded Ivan and Tyler's judgment resulting in their poor performance.
Simon shocks his head. He understood that they were at playful age, with this sudden success just boosted that youthful pride.
"Regardless, you two should take this seriously. Passing the assessment in half a year's time is the most important thing. It is key to whether you can stay in the company or not!"
Simon advised them.
"Yeah, Simon, you're right. We'll have to put in hard training after work. We need to pass the training assessment!"
"Me too!"
…
After the test, everyone was fired and understood the urgency and seriousness of the matter, and they became much more serious than before.
Observing this, Simon worked even harder. He did not want to be overtaken by a group of brats.
Like that time passed, and in the blink of an eye, four months had gone by.
Today, as Simon was about to get off work, the general manager, Eira Sylvana came to the training room unexpectedly and looked the new trainees.
"Ms. Eira, you're here!"
Trainer Ethan Valor stepped forward to greet her.
"Trainer Ethan, how are they doing?"
Eira Sylvana glanced at the 12 newcomers standing neatly in a row with their heads and cheat high. The company leaders also looked at Simon and others.
"Passing the assessment shouldn't be a problem!" Trainer Ethan Valor replied confidently.
"Is that so?"
Eira Sylvana looked at Simon and others. "I have some bad news for you people, Due to a last-minute request by the government, the trial assessment this time will also include the rejected ones!
That means, the training assessment this time will not only include newcomers but also the Astral Lords who have independently awakened their Astral skills in society. Also, those who were dismissed in previous years will be included!"
The expressions on Simon and others faces changed drastically.
In previous years, only new recruits would participate in the assessment. most would be from high schools and some would be those that have awakened independently. Before this, those who had been eliminated in the past would not be allowed to participate.
Yet, this year those who had failed previous year would be participating. It was a huge change!
One needed to know that those eliminated in the past years had trained at least a year longer than them. A whole year! What level of strength could they have reached in that time?
Naturally they would be stronger than newbies, which would have been fine if the rule of the assessment where not cruel!
"The content of the assessment is same as in the previous years. You will be sent to a base infested with Dreadbeasts, you need to hunt them and collect their hearts!"
Eira Sylvana said plainly "the more beast hearts you collect, the better your results will be!
Although killing other in trail is not allowed, you are allowed to snatch from one another!
That means, even if you try your very best to kill the Dreadbeasts and dig out their hearts, there is a possibility that someone can take them from you. In other words, this year's assessment is extremely unfavorable to you newcomer!"
Hearing this Simon and others heart sank, in the previous years, only newcomer competed, and everyone was basically at the same level of strength. And even if they were to snatch from one another, it would be relatively fair.
But his year was now different. With a group people who had been previously eliminated, their strength automatically would be higher than this year's newcomers!
"But there are two sides to a coin!"
Eira Sylvana continued. "The harder the assessment is, the more you can stand out. A diamond in rough is still a diamond, it will shine the brightest when under pressure. Using my power as the general manager, I promise you that those who end this assessment in the top three will receive rich rewards!"
"There are rewards?"
Simon ears immediately perked up.
"The first reward is Intermediate-level Astral technique that is worth one billion!"
"What!"
Simon and others were in an uproar, and even instructor Ethan Valor was shocked.
"Intermediate-level Astral technique which is worth a billion is the reward for this year!"
The efficiency of low-level Astral technique's absorption is 10 time better, while the efficiency Intermediate-level Astral technique is 100 time better.
Therefore, if two Astral Lords were to start training together where one use low-level and other intermediate-level, where the later will skyrocket through levels gaining strength in short time.
Which is 10-days of continues hard work result in a single-day.
"if I could obtain it, my speed in absorbing the Astral energy will skyrocket" Simon was very tempted.
"There is second reward that is resigning the contract!"
Eira Sylvana continued, "your current contracts are all under C-level, if any one of you people can achieve top three, their contract will be upgraded to A-level"
"A-level contract!"
Everyone was once again shocked. They had been in the company for almost half a year now, so they naturally learned a lot about the company, one which was A-level contract.
As normal employee generally had D-level or C-level contracts that gave them salaries that amount to several thousand, making them no different high paid office worker in Simon's old world.
And Astral Lord's contracts start off with C-level contract then higher on, S-level being the highest.
Even though it is just under the top-level contract don't not mean that its bad, if a normal man ever to sign this contract their life will turn 180 degrees changing it for better.
With a million-dollar salary, a stand-alone mansion in most secure part of the city which in itself was worth billions of dollars.
All Astral Lords starts off with C-level contract, and not only did they have a basic salary of 100,000, they also have many privileges which is better than ordinary employee.
And many other benefits, what left the deepest impression on Simon was that he can enjoy a 45% discount when he shops on company trade centre. For example, an intermediate-level Astral technique which is worth 1 billion will only cost six hundred fifty million.
That was the benefit of an A-level contract!
Eira Sylvana moved her eyes over them. "After all is said and done, it still comes down to the same thing. As long as you perform well, the company will not be stingy! So, do you best!"