Chapter 6: The Entrance Examination

Eleven figures cut through the morning sun, slowly sitting down on raised seats overlooking the grounds. They were sent from the country to ensure fair, standardized testing to all candidates. Unlike other years, where the attention would be directed towards the examinees, the crowd looked at a beguiling beauty among the judges.

To enter the country headquarters with that youth, her talent must have been extraordinary. Although, this was a small city of many, and the quality of judges were not very high. It seemed like all the other judges were older than 30, and sent here as their first assignment judging by their lack of confidence.

But the most surprising thing was, among the judges that sat down, she sat down in the center seat.

If this wasn’t by accident, then, it meant she was actually the head judge and the strongest out of the people present!

From impatient manner they took their seats, it wasn’t hard to see that the judges didn’t want to waste any time. After all, the examination was very simple: each examinee was called up, sorted by their identification number, and would demonstrate their skills.

“Number 1, Hill!”

A teenager that worked at a nearby farm went up, and displayed energy covering his arms up to his waist.

6th grade novice!

His talent was quite good, as he had taken some lessons from private tutors inside the city with his savings.

An ordinary sword was withdrawn from Hill’s side, and he sent out a thrust, circled, and stabbed the air, showing a practical, simple style of sword mastery.

To score as much points as possible, techniques were often presented to emphasize the person’s full fighting prowess.

As the motions of the sword began to slow down, the judges started to rate him.

Other subjects were also tested one by one, with the majority of people ranking in between grade 3 and 5 novice, and occasional outliers of grade 6 or 7 novice.

But even as half the total testers had tested, there was no one at the 8th grade; simply because advancing into higher levels of strength required an exponentially larger amount of energy.

This was the case, until a certain person was called.

“Number 103, Vincent!”

When his name was read, he proudly came to the field as a burst of energy covered his entire body.

8th grade novice!

The crowd instantly went quiet, as in this exam, he was the first person to reach this stage of power.

Yet, it was the end – the energy kept spreading, and came to a stop as it covered the head, and the eyes.

9th grade novice!

This was the highest stage anyone could reach as a novice.

Instantly, the crowd broke out into cheers, and people whispered to each other in envy.

“This is too much, reaching that stage of strength at his age.”

“Yeah, getting the 8th grade as a novice is high enough, but going as far as the 9th grade is just ridiculous. There’s no question who the top scorer of this examination will be.”

“It seems that Vincent will accomplish more than his father, being as brilliant as he is.”

“Well, he’s from a real martial arts family, unlike that useless Fang, what did you expect?”

A middle-aged man proudly smiled. No parent wouldn’t be proud to see their son do well. He thought about Fang, and couldn’t help but smirk. Deep grudges ran between the Vincent and Fang families, therefore, every generation of fighters had compared their strength in this examination. In the past, Fang’s parents easily outshone the rest of the city, while he lacked the ability to compete.

But look at this now, Fang’s parents, dead, and Fang, the laughingstock of the city. There was no better taste than sweet, gloating victory.

Although Vincent’s examination was over, he was determined to stay behind and watch the fool that Fang was.

Vincent bowed, and left assertively. Just by displaying his talent, it was clear to him that there was an insurmountable gap in strength between him and Fang.

Expecting to revel at Fang’s amazement, Vincent went past the line of people, and looked for Fang. However, he quickly grew irritated; Fang’s calm face didn’t change at all, as if what happened was trivial.

Pathetic, Vincent thought, trying to put up a front. Not that it matters anyways – you’ll be humiliated when it’s your turn to test!

The testing process continued, but no one displayed strength remotely close to Vincent. Murmurs ran across the crowd, it was certain now that Vincent would top the scores.

“Number 189, Fang!”

Hundreds of eyes stared at the lone figure below. All their attention was focused, to the joke and spectacle they were sure would appear. Jeers sounded around the field.

“Come on, Fang, I hope you didn’t come to shame yourself!”

“Our city is a small place, but there hasn’t been anyone before that took the entrance examination without at least being at the novice level.”

“After the wreck this is going to be, I bet the examiners are going to be speechless.”

Ignoring all the mockery, Fang came to the center of the testing grounds, in full view of all the spectators.

He took a deep breath. A faint light spread around his fist.

The noise came to an abrupt end.

Fluid as water, energy flowed past his wrists, covering half his arm.

1st grade novice!

Then, the arms were both covered.

3rd grade novice!

It continued to go past towards the neck.

4th grade novice!

His entire chest became shielded.

5th grade novice!

To think, half a year ago, he was just at the apprentice level, and now, to be at the 5th grade novice? The crowd couldn’t believe their eyes.

However, the shock was far from over.

The strength surrounded his waist.

6th grade novice!

Yato said that Fang was only at at the 5th grade novice… Did he conceal his strength or make a breakthrough?

Seeing all these responses, the judges were slightly surprised; after all, this amount of energy is just normal.

Mii was also surprised – she thought that Fang’s strength was only at the 5th grade, but pleasantly, he was already at the 6th grade.

No wonder master would have such confidence!

However, she greatly underestimated Fang.

Fang’s legs and feet were immersed at this point. Vincent swore softly. This, this is impossible, how can this waste be a 7th grade novice?

But it still wasn’t the end. His head quietly emitted light.

8th grade novice!

Other than Vincent, no one had gotten to this level!

His eyes started to light up, and his aura felt formidable as it came to an end.

9th grade novice!

Suddenly, the top scorer wasn’t alone.

In disbelief, the audience watched as the apprentice ranked Fang that the entire city scorned managed to compete for the top spot with Vincent!

Vincent staggered, his mind went blank; was this reality?

There’s no way, I must be seeing things, Fang could only reach this strength if he took rush pills!