Chapter 34: The Academy Assessment Begins

Aria stepped closer, a hand resting on her hip.

"Don’t mind Leon. He’s always been a big talker."

Ethan glanced at her.

"He seemed pretty confident."

"Of course he did." Aria crossed her arms. "He’s good at talking about himself."

She paused, then added, "Has he forgotten who he’s talking to?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"You just became the first person to solo a Hell-difficulty dungeon," Aria continued. "Leon probably wouldn’t even dare to try it in his dreams, and he still came over here acting like he could judge you."

Ethan couldn’t help but find her reaction amusing.

"Maybe he just wanted to see for himself."

"Then he should have asked nicely instead of trying to provoke you."

Ethan said nothing.

Aria sighed. "Anyway, don’t let him get to you. The academy entrance Assessment will show him the difference."

Ethan wasn’t bothered by Leon. He had encountered him before in his previous life.

Leon had always been a fighting fanatic. He cared more about his own strength than anything else.

Back then, when Ethan’s profession had been revealed, Leon had laughed at him for having a high-rank profession without the combat power to match it.

Ethan still remembered what he had said.

A high-rank profession was useless if its owner couldn’t fight.

But things were different now.

Ethan looked in the direction Leon had left.

"He’s still the same."

Aria turned toward him. "You know him?"

"We’ve met before."

"Then you already know how annoying he is."

"Apparently."

Aria laughed.

Ethan didn’t pay Leon any more attention. He had already wasted enough time on him.

The next two days passed with Ethan and Aria searching for treasures around Blackstone City. Ethan knew several places where valuable items could be found, while Aria’s Silver Treasure Sense made their search much easier. They found several treasures during that time. Ethan kept the useful ones and sold the rest, while the monsters they encountered along the way were dealt with without much trouble.

Soon, the morning of the academy entrance Assessment arrived.

Ethan had spent the night at the City Lord’s residence. When he came downstairs, the City Lord was already waiting for him.

"You’re finally here."

"You could have sent someone."

"I could have, but I wanted to come myself." The City Lord picked up his coat. "All the newly awakened from Blackstone City will be taking the Assessment today. I’m going to see them off."

He looked at Ethan.

"But I have higher hopes for you."

"I understand."

Aria came downstairs a moment later, already dressed for the Assessment.

"I’m ready."

The City Lord sighed.

"You too?"

"Of course. Why wouldn’t I?"

"I was hoping for a quiet morning."

Aria ignored him and walked over to Ethan.

"I’m going with you."

"I know. You’re taking the Assessment too."

"Good. At least someone remembers."

The City Lord shook his head.

"Enough. We’re leaving."

The three of them left the residence together.

The streets were already crowded. Groups of newly awakened were making their way toward the city’s central square.

The academy representatives had arrived two days ago and were already waiting there.

When the City Lord arrived, he walked toward the academy representatives.

"City Lord."

The representative at the front greeted him with a slight nod.

"Are all the candidates here?"

"Not yet. We’re still waiting for a few."

The City Lord nodded.

"Understood. Please let me know when you’re ready to begin."

"We will."

The City Lord stepped aside and waited with the others. He was already familiar with the representatives since they had arrived two days earlier.

A few minutes later, the remaining candidates arrived.

The City Lord looked over the crowd.

"Everyone is here."

The Formation Engineer reached into his storage equipment and pulled out a small metal ring. He wore a dark work coat with several tools hanging from his belt. Unlike the other representatives, he wasn’t carrying a weapon.

The ring was only about the size of a finger.

"This is a Teleportation Device."

He tossed it onto the ground.

The small ring suddenly began to expand.

Metal parts unfolded from inside it, joining together until they formed a large ring nearly three meters tall. Lines of light appeared across its surface as the device started to work.

Several candidates stared at it in surprise.

The man looked at the gathered candidates.

"Once everyone is ready, I’ll activate it. It will open a passage to the Assessment grounds."

Ethan looked at the large ring.

So this was how the academy handled the entrance Assessment.

It was much easier than having every candidate travel all the way to the academy.

Aria moved closer to him.

"Pretty interesting, isn’t it?"

"It’s useful."

"That’s all?"

"What else should I say?"

Aria rolled her eyes.

The City Lord stepped forward and looked at the gathered candidates.

"Everyone, listen carefully. All of you are representing Blackstone City today. Do your best."

His eyes briefly stopped on Ethan.

Then he stepped back.

The academy representative walked toward the Teleportation Device.

"Everyone taking the Assessment, get ready."

The candidates gathered around the Teleportation Device.

The large metal ring stood in the center of the square, its formation lines glowing brighter as energy gathered inside it.

Ethan stood among the other newly awakened and checked his status.

[Spirit: 985]

The Tear of the Spirit had been working the entire time, and there was still some time before he reached 1,000.

Ethan closed his status panel.

A deep hum came from the device.

The space inside the metal ring began to distort, slowly forming a large opening.

"One at a time. Don’t push."

The candidates began entering the passage.

Ethan followed the crowd with Aria nearby.

As soon as he stepped through the opening, the scenery around him changed.