The Broken Halo

A few demons looked at the crystal with burning eyes.

A few looked at it with nervous expressions.

As for Sonya, her lips curled up even more.

Akaza looked at the crystal with a calm but focused gaze.

Simon remained silent.

Korran allowed them to speak for a few seconds before his aura pressed down on the compound.

The noise died immediately.

”Some of you might be wondering why we are doing the test this way.”

Korran’s expression became cold.

”After all, in battle, who would fight without demonic energy?”

A few demons had exactly that thought.

Demonic energy was the most important thing in a battle. A demon was extremely weaker without it, so why go through the hassle of having two tests for a strength test.

Just have one.

A strength test involving the usage of demonic energy and life would be a lot easier.

Korran saw their expressions and continued.

”The answer is simple. We are preparing for an invasion. We are not preparing for a friendly competition inside Velmora or in the demon realm.”

His voice became heavier.

”Earth is not the demon realm. For the ignorant fools among you, Earth does not have demonic energy. It has aether.”

”Invading Earth is risky for us because once you are too far away from the rift, you would not be able to replenish your demonic energy.”

”You would be like a fish out of water.”

This was not going to be the case exactly, but it was something similar.

The Archfiends became more serious, not caring that Korran had just called them fools.

Korran continued.

”Humans also have strange abilities. Some of them can restrict movement. Some can weaken the demonic energy close to the rift and even inside of you. Some can seal areas and make it difficult for you to get help. Some can force you into a situation where your body is the only thing you can rely on.”

He paused for a moment.

”That is why your raw physical strength matters.”

A few demons unconsciously clenched their fists.

Korran’s gaze swept over them.

”A demon whose body is strong even without demonic energy can still kill when tired, injured, or restricted. A demon who only becomes dangerous after pouring demonic energy into his body is useful, but he is also easier to break once his circulation is disrupted or once there’s no demonic energy in the air for him to absorb.”

Simon listened silently and he was inwardly surprised.

He understood what Korran meant.

This test was not just about measuring strength. It was about knowing what kind of demon each recruit was.

Some demons had strong bodies.

Some had good control over demonic energy.

Some had both.

And some had neither.

Korran continued.

”The difference between your first strike and your second strike will also be recorded.”

”If your first strike is weak but your second strike is strong, then your reinforcement is good but your body is lacking.”

”If your first strike is strong but your second strike barely improves, then your body is good but your demonic energy reinforcement is poor.”

”If both strikes are strong, then you are valuable.”

His lips curled slightly.

”And if both strikes are weak, then pray that your combat ability is better than your body or you’ll be going back home... either alive, broken, or as a corpse.”

Some demons had ugly expressions after hearing Korran’s words, but Korran didn’t care in the slightest about how they felt or what they thought.

Korran pointed toward the Impact Crystal.

”Remember. No weapons. No chaos. No tricks.”

His gaze became sharp.

”If I catch you cheating, I will break the hand you used.”

Nobody doubted his words.

Korran turned to the official holding the beast-skin list.

”Begin.”

The official nodded and looked down at the list.

”The order will be the same as the first test.”

A few demons immediately looked toward Harvek, the bulky demon who had been called first during the affinity test.

Harvek stepped forward with a solemn expression.

His earlier confidence had reduced a lot after his low C grade earth affinity result. He was a Prime Archfiend and from his bulky stature, some demons expected him to perform well.

Some expected him to get a Superior Archfiend strength result from his raw strength alone.

He stood before the Impact Crystal and took a deep breath.

”First strike. No demonic energy.” The official reminded.

Harvek nodded.

He clenched his fist, twisted his waist, and punched the crystal with all his strength.

Bang!

The Impact Crystal shook slightly and Harvek waited with an extremely solemn expression.

A crimson ring of light appeared.

Then a second crimson ring of light appeared.

The third ring flickered faintly, but it did not fully form.

Everybody’s gaze immediately moved to the official, including Harvek.

Since the third ring flickered, does that mean that Harvek possesses a Superior Archfiend strength?

Many had this question in their minds.

However...

”Prime Archfiend physical strength.” The official said with an indifferent tone and expression.

Harvek’s expression became stiff and he could not help but clench his fists.

It wasn’t a bad result since he was a Prime Archfiend. In fact, it was to be expected.

Not many demons could fight above their level or possessed physical strengths above their level.

And from what Simon could see, the impact crystal was quite thorough and accurate.

From the force and movement of Harvek, one would think that Harvey’s punch was definitely as strong as a Superior Archfiend or maybe even a Supreme Archfiend.

However, Simon could see that the crystal was measuring things a lot deeper than he expected.

’Efficiency. Efficiency matters a lot when striking the crystal.’

Just as Simon had this thought, the official’s voice sounded again.

”Second strike. Demonic energy reinforcement.”

Harvek gritted his teeth. His eyes blazed with fury and his demonic energy gathered around his fist.

He punched the crystal again with more force than the previous one.

BAM!

This time, three rings of light appeared clearly.

A faint fourth ring tried to form but disappeared almost immediately.

”Superior Archfiend physical strength.”

The official recorded the result.

Harvek stepped back with an ugly expression.

Korran watched him with a calm and indifferent expression.

”Next.”