"The Practical Exams will be divided into Three Tests and a Bonus Test at the end. The first part is called the Test of Strength." Orion announced.


    "This is the Blooming Lotus of Protection," Orion stated as he gestured at the treasure. "It''s a Tier 6 Artifact that produces 999yers of barriers to protect its user, with eachyer tougher than thest."


    "Even though it''s only Tier 6, this artifact could serve Tier 8 experts. It could even be considered as their favorite defensive tool."


    "All of you will take turns attacking this artifact. To pass this part, your attack must reach the 50thyer at least. Of course, the deeper your attack reaches, the better. Your results will be recorded so do your best."


    "Once we call your name, step forward and attack. We will begin with Carmin Arthur!"


    The first participant stepped forward. Judging from the look on his face, he was extremely nervous. Nevertheless, he still summoned his weapon to prepare for his attack.


    "Begin!" Orion announced.


    With a courageous shout, Carmin exploded at his highest strength, he threw his spear with all of his might.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Layers uponyers of barriers shattered due to his attack. Many participants were surprised by the explosiveness of his attack but those who had good senses could tell that the attack was swiftly losing its momentum.


    30thyer...31st...38th...40th!


    Carmin was praying to all the gods he knew. He only needed 10 moreyers to break and he will pass this test. The spear continued until it reached the 49thyer however, it stopped there.


    It seems to have met a fearsome resistance that sapped all remaining momentum it has. It barely scratched the surface of the 50thyer before dropping down uselessly on the ground, much to Carmin''s despair.


    This is when Orion''s cold and callous voice sounded in everybody''s ears...


    "49 Layers, Fail! Next!"


    That sounded like a death sentence for everybody who heard it. The fact that the instructors didn''t even botherforting the participant who failed, didn''t help either.


    This spells the end of Carmin''s trials. Since he already failed at the first part, there was no need for him to continue being here. A guard already dragged him out of the testing grounds while he''s still stupefied at his failure.


    All that hard work, anxiety, blood, sweat, and tears were rendered useless because he failed...that failure will certainly leave a scar on Carmin''s mind.


    It was cruel and merciless, yet nobody could do anything about it.


    Carmin''s results served as a warning for everyone else. This was no ce to hesitate. So, the next participant made sure to give it their all.


    Just like that, the test continued...


    "51yers, Pass!"


    "60yers, Pass!"


    "62yers, Pass!"


    "45yers, Fail!"


    "70yers, Pass!"


    "10yers, FAIL!"


    "100yers, PASS!"


    One after the other, the participants showed off their might. Some passed, some failed. Regardless of their results, the instructors kept a neutral face as they continued conducting the exams.


    "...hey, isn''t that her? Isabe Frostwind!?"


    "Yeah, it is! As expected, she''d be here! Watch carefully, she''s bound to be amazing!"


    Cedric heard the murmurs near him so he looked over at the girl who was preparing for her turn.


    She was beautiful, there are doubts about that. She has tinum blonde hair, pearly white skin, a voluptuous figure, and an ethereal aura that radiates coldness. Her face was hidden behind a thin veil, but that didn''t stop Cedric''s senses at all, he was aware that beneath that veil lies a stunning face that could enchant even a war-jaded heart.


    ''If I remember it correctly, this must be the publicly acknowledged #1 genius of cia City, the Frozen Princess - Isabe Frostwind.''


    From what Cedric could remember, she was dered a genius because she possessed an S-Rank overall aptitude. Moreover, she also received a Legendary ss called: ''Frostweaver Sorceress''.


    Partnered with her exceptional beauty and grace, she became the darling of cia despite her being cold towards everybody.


    Everybody watched as she took her stance. A burst of chill erupted silently from her body, causing those near her to shiver due to the cold. She lifted a hand and a spiked cier condensed behind her.


    It was initially huge, but within a minute its size reduced greatly. Cedric raised a brow, impressed by her control over Ice. The cier turned into a spear and with a flick of a finger, sheunched it towards the lotus.


    Boom!


    Itsunch broke the sound barrier, shocking the majority of the participants. As soon as her attack reached the lotus, it began shatteringyer afteryer of barriers.


    It practically tore through the first 50yers with barely an effort which ensured her sess for this test. The attack continued and only started slowing down once it reached the 100thyer.


    Everybody was silent as the attack continued forward until it met the 120thyer. A fierce struggle urred for a brief moment before the 120thyer broke thanks to her attack exploding for its final act.


    "Isabe Frostwind, 120yers, Pass! Next!" Orion announced, causing the participants and the audience to gasp in shock.


    "120yers! That''s insane!"


    "Strong! She''s so strong!"


    "As expected of the Frozen Princess, she really is formidable!"


    "How can we evenpete with that!"


    Heated discussions ensued as the absurd results were out. Some people felt threatened while others could onlyment the sheer difference.


    The one responsible for this however, barely paid attention to their discussions. She simply got off the stage and returned to the spot where she previously was, opting to remain silent instead.


    Of course, her ster results didn''t dy the exams. While everyone else was surprised, the instructors remained indifferent about it.


    Participants were called to partake in the test. After a few unimpressive results, another publicly acknowledged genius stepped onto the stage to show off.


    "Hey! That''s Garrick Earthshaker!"


    "I know him, I saw him on the news!"


    "Isn''t that the guy who reportedly killed demons with his bare hands before?"


    "Yeah! His feat was witnessed during a live stream too! He''s like...super strong!"


    Garrick Earthshaker is another strong participant in this batch. The young man marched towards the stage with a broad axe on his shoulders. His face was calm but it radiated power and confidence.


    Once he arrived there, he received the signal from Orion. Garric hefted his axe, holding it with both hands. He stomped forward and an overwhelming force erupted from his body, causing several people to stagger in fright. His aura was akin to the awakening of a Prehistoric Beast.


    With a mighty shout, he raised his axe and cleaved the lotus using everything he had. That was then followed by the sound of ss breaking continuously, signifying the continuous shattering of the lotus'' barriers.


    Garrick''s attack carried far more momentumpared to Isabe''s. His attack swiftly broke through the first 100yers without stopping. It only slowed down when it reached the 150thyer. Nevertheless, it still carried great momentum which was enough to shatter more barriers.


    And under the dumbstruck gazes of the crowd, Garrick''s attack impacted the 200thyer, shattering it before losing gas and dissipating into nothingness.


    "Garrick Earthshaker, 200yers! Pass!"


    Themotion that followed that announcement was explosive.


    "Holy shit!"


    "What the hell!"


    "You''re telling me that he''s a Tier 3 just like us!? I don''t believe you!"


    "He wouldn''t be participating here if he wasn''t, you idiot! Do you think that he could fool the staff of the Starlight Royal Academy?"


    "He''s at Tier 3 Lv.6 and is an S-ranked Superhuman. He also possesses a Legendary ss which specializes in strength so this much is normal...for him at least."


    "Yeah, us unlucky fools couldn''t even begin topare. How unfair!"


    The audience was also discussing Garrick''s mighty showcase.


    "Darn! Kids nowadays are scary."


    "Right? What even are they feeding him?"


    "Looks can truly be deceiving. Who knew that such a lean physique hides that kind of monstrous strength?"


    "That kid has to have Innate Divine Strength at least. How else can he even exert that much strength?"


    Cedric was impressed too, he just doesn''t show it. In his mind, he could tell that beyond Garrick''stent potential and good luck, he was also hardworking.


    His senses wouldn''t lie to him. Aside from experience, he could also see traces of hard work all over Garrick''s body. Cedric knew that this guy did his best to hone his strength to such a degree, that he didn''t ck off just because he got lucky.


    Garrick''s results were followed by a disappointment. The one who came after him barely prated 30yers of barriers, causing the crowd to be disappointed and others to mock him.


    Still, just like before, the instructors remained indifferent no matter how impressive or unimpressive it was. They continued calling out participants one by one to do the test.


    And then...


    "Next, Cedric Stormrider!"


    It was finally his turn.


    From the moment he was called, he already felt several pairs of eyesnding on him. Despite this, Cedric continued marching towards the stage undeterred.


    When he arrived there, he didn''t say a word. He merely bowed at the instructors before taking out his sword from the scabbard.


    "Begin!"