Michael could tell that Silva was not joking and that there would be no compromise. He also hated the fact that Silva wanted him to be under him.
But what could he do? Silva possessed the strength he needed. He, as a commoner, was limited, but with Silva, he would be able to move higher.
Not only did Silva have strength, but he also had connections, like the daughter of a Viscount. A Viscount may not be too high, but it was still a very good thing.
“Alright, I agree to that. Let us pass the exams tomorrow and start the plans needed,” Michael said.
After that, they both ate their food and returned to their rooms.
Silva’s roommates for the night finally returned. They all tried not to look at or talk to Silva because everyone was actually scared of him.
Sukav didn’t care, though. He lay in his bed at the top bunk and was drifting in his thoughts. Soon after, his main mind went to sleep, as well as half of the other minds.
This was the method Silva used to ensure that he got enough rest while still being actively vigilant.
Sure, five minds were an overkill, but Silva was known to overdo things.
_________ __________
The next day came faster than anyone wanted, with just a thousand people remaining. Five hundred would go home today.
And the tests for today were all basic—a written test, and then a strength test. These last tests were just to weed out the remaining people; nothing special about them.
Today, Elias was not the only one here. He brought some young assistant instructors with him to help with the final aspect of the test. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
The first test was an open-air written exam. Stone slabs were set as chairs and tables, and everyone took a seat.
The instructors shared the question papers, and the test soon began. Silva solved his exam at a steady pace and was done.
He got up to submit at the same time as his sister Lia and the blue-haired girl.
‘Huh? How the hell did they match my speed? I didn’t even waste a moment on any question,’ Silva thought as he walked to submit.
Lia looked angry, though, and Silva could understand why. She wanted to beat him so much. She put all her effort into the exam, yet she couldn’t.
The blue-haired girl, on the other hand, had a calm expression. She didn’t look at Silva even as they submitted at the same time. She just stood and waited for what the instructors would say.
The instructors handed the papers to Elias. He used a Cube to scan them, grade them, and then announced the scores aloud for everyone to hear.
“Silva, a hundred points, standing at first position. Lia, ninety-nine points, standing at second position. And Rachael, ninety-eight points, standing at third position.”
“Tsk.” Rachael clicked her tongue and frowned when her score was announced. It was the first time Silva saw her show emotion.
The other students, on the other hand, started to panic. How could anyone be scoring that high? Some were even angry at Silva because how can anyone have it all?
He was strong, and he was crazy smart. Was the world even fair anymore?
“You three stand to the side, wait for the exams to finish,” Elias said. So Silva and the two girls moved to the side and waited.
After an hour, the exams had finished. Many people submitted before the time was up, Silva included, while some weren’t done even after the time was up.
In the end, only six hundred made it through. Four hundred candidates had to leave. The pain and sadness they felt was unimaginable. After coming so far, they still ended up failing.
The remaining six hundred candidates would head to the strength test in the next yard, and a hundred would head home. This was where the real tension was.
As the candidates moved, an instructor came to Silva and told him that Elias wanted to see him. Silva followed and met with Elias at the table where they had submitted.
“You called for me?” Silva said when he got there. About four helping instructors were there as well.
“It’s not a big thing, but I’d like for you to take the next test last. Allow the others to have their turn first before you test last.
The reason is that I have a feeling that if you take it first, the results you get may cause the candidates to lose heart.
At this point, tension is crazy high, and something like that would affect them negatively. So I hope you understand,” Elias said.
The instructors there wondered why Silva was being told this because they hadn’t seen the past tests, but they would understand after this test.
Silva looked at Elias and let out a sigh. “Alright, I understand, but there better be a reward for the inconvenience,” Silva said and walked away.
“Sir, how could you let him talk like that? He speaks so proudly, like he knows he will get into the academy,” one instructor said.
Elias just sighed and then let out a chuckle while looking in the direction Silva left.
“If he doesn’t pass the exam, then no one amongst the candidates will pass as well,” Elias said.
______ _______
Inside the next yard, there was a large metallic-looking beam at the center and a magical array around it.
Elias came in with the instructors and walked to the center.
“Now, most of you already know that this academy focuses mostly on strength. We make combatants.
Even if you want to be a healer or anything else, in this academy, you first have to be a fighter.
Those that want to be only healers go to medical academies and such, but this academy tries to make a few things.
We try to make soldiers, warriors, great adventurers, and such. But we will not throw away those that want to chase other fields.
And that is why this beam is here at the center. Hit it however you want—you can use magic, physical force, or whatever.
You can even use healing magic; it all works the same. The beam will take the energy you give and give out an output. That is the strength test.”