After putting on Leme's eye, Basil poured his mana into it, as he had told the couple, this is an artifact capable of appraising their life rank to the Transcendant level. This artifact could also provide information on their elemental affinity.
The first to be appraised was Lilith; a small window appeared before Basil's eyes, displaying less information than normal.
[Lilith.....
Race:????
Life Rank: 14?????
Elemental affinity: Dark?????????]
He couldn't believe his eyes. Never had he encountered a situation like this which left him astounded, Elfie knew he must have encountered something unexpected and it wasn't hard to guess what it was.
Basil after checking two more times could only drop the matter, he concluded the artifact level was not high enough to read this woman's information, and he suspected her life rank was higher than 14. A Life rank 15 or 16, a Mystic rank being.
Gulp!
He gulped trying to calm down his beating heart, he almost couldn't control his expression, after a great deal of struggle he finally managed to open his mouth, announcing the result of the appraisal.
''Huh, it's said Life Rank 14 but I'm not quite sure.''
While Elfie was thinking as expected, Lilith nodded as if she had expected something like this, Gabriel as well.
Disappointed by the lack of reaction Basil decided to appraise Gabriel next and the result wasn't really different.
[Gabriel.....
Race:????
Life Rank: 14?????
Elemental affinity: Light,?????????]
''The same result.'' Basil announced the result in flat tone.
Next, he tossed a small ball into the sky and got divided into two, it was record device, immediately after, Lilith and Elfie disappeared to another place to start the test, leaving Gabriel facing Basil who summoned a sword, his entire demeanor switching, right now he was sharp as a sword, in the kingdom except the old mystic ancestor, few could rival him. Although, he couldn't gauge their real level, he had the feeling he couldn't lose, called it intuition gained with experience, Gabriel was like uncut gem, he needs polishing to shine, to put simply he might be stronger but he didn't know how to wield perfectly yet.
''What weapon will you choose?"
Gabriel thought for a moment but decided not to use any weapon yet.
''Let's go barehanded first. What's the goal?"
Basil didn't think Gabriel was being conceited, if he was in his shoes he would have chosen the same option, the best weapon at his disposal right now was his body, he could switch to a weapon after gaining a little bit of understanding of it.
''Well, the goal land a powerful attack on me capable of knocking me down. If you last one hour against me without going down also count as passing. What do you think? Ready to give it a go? For your information I'll be going all out because you're a worthy opponent and I'll think you'll prefer me doing this.''
Gabriel nodded before indicating that they could begin he was ready.
There was nothing grand with the start of the fight, no clashing of aura, no flashy power-ups, or declaration of ultimate moves like in movies.
''!"
Crossing the distance that separated them in an instant, Basil with his sword raised slashed down at Gabriel with minimal movements, fully intent on putting him down for good, like he had previously warned he had no intention of going easy on Gabriel. The slash was silent and deathly efficient.
It was a very simple movement at its root, but the power it contained was nothing to scoff at, truly.
Gabriel understood this by instinct, he then acted on instinct as well. An intangible force wrapped around his hand. The invisible force flickered according to his command like obedient puppy.
BANG!
Gabriel's body reacted first. He leaped, pushing off the air as if he were stepping on the ground, his body bent low while he thought why not try various moves from novels and the animations he had watched on Earth.
He then extended his arm, golden mana coiled along its length at his silent command like dragon's scale.
''Illusionary Draconic Form!" He gave it this name in his mind.
The intangible force and the explosive power gathered in his illusionary draconic arm clashed. He blocked Basil's attack with his dragon scales.
Gabriel could not help but frown as small cracks appeared on the illusionary golden scales. The cracks swiftly vanished, but that did not stop him from realizing that in a concept of strength, he had slightly lost, he was disappointed he didn't succeed in the first try.
''Hoh? What a nice skill but it's not perfect yet.'' Basil saw through his technique in instant.
Gabriel nodded without saying anything else.
Basil send dozen of slash contained aura at him.
Looking at the barrage of incoming sword slashes, Gabriel's head cooled down, he imagined himself becoming the Light itself, as soon as he created this mental image, he unleashed his mana and at the speed of light he passed through the attack completely unscathed.
Although, he had anticipated this outcome, surprise flashed through his eyes but he shook them off and unleashed his following attacked.
Suddenly, the surrounding area descended into a blazing inferno, red aura emanating from Basil's body as the temperature increased, he was using his elemental affinity: Fire.
Gabriel could feel a searing heat trying to infiltrate his body despite his tough physique. He immediately wrapped a layer of golden mana shimmering like a dragon's scales on his body.
Both shot forward at extreme speed as they engaged in their next bout.