Chapter 182: Test

The principal nodded as she looked at Lady Alexa.

"What should we tell them? And what about the girl’s family?"

"I’ve already taken care of them. They are safe, and there’s no sign of Astralian involvement. It seems only Alicia was replaced, but why?" Lady Alexa muttered.

She couldn’t understand why such a powerful being had gone to the trouble of replacing a single student. There had to be a reason behind it.

Lady Alexa was one of the few people capable of detecting Astralians and identifying their presence. That was why the principal had contacted her for help in the first place when he sensed something wrong with Alicia.

One cannot take any chances with these Astralians.

"As for those two boys, don’t tell them anything about what happened here. Just say that their friend has a special constitution and has been sent somewhere else for specialized training."

"Wouldn’t it be better to tell them the truth?" the principal asked.

"No. They’re still young, and they might do something reckless if they learn the truth. We don’t know what the Astralians are planning yet, so it’s better to keep them out of this matter for now."

The principal nodded.

"Understood."

"Now, call them back."

The principal contacted Kaiser and Alex, asking them to return to the room.

A few minutes later, the two boys entered.

Kaiser glanced around the room before frowning.

"Huh? Where’s Alicia?"

"Your friend has a special constitution," Lady Alexa explained calmly. "Because of that, she has been sent somewhere else for specialized training. We had to make the arrangements quickly after learning that the Astralians might target someone with her potential."

Kaiser and Alex exchanged glances.

Although they found the explanation a little strange, neither of them had any reason to question Lady Alexa’s words.

"I see," Kaiser replied.

Alex nodded as well.

"Alright, then."

Lady Alexa looked at the two boys before continuing.

"Now that you have agreed to join the army, you’ll be given the chance to comprehend Rules. And then training will take approximately three months or less depending on your performance. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll be assigned a rank based on your performance."

She paused briefly before adding, "You’ll also be sent to the battlefield to fight against the Astralians."

"Killing the Astralians will grant you merit which you can use to purchase many things from the military and it have everything we can get our hands on"

Kaiser and Alex nodded. Neither of them seemed particularly surprised by this arrangement.

"Principal Drax will explain the remaining details to you," Lady Alexa said.

As Lady Alexa disappeared, Alex let out a whistle.

"Man, that’s a cool way to exit."

Kaiser nodded.

"Let’s go and get your Rules. You two are already one and a half months behind everyone else," Principal Drax said.

Alex agreed, and the two followed him out of the room.

Soon, they arrived at a room with a sign reading Soul Tester above the entrance.

"First, we’ll conduct some tests to determine which types of Rules your bodies and souls can withstand," Principal Drax explained.

"Rules are divided into three main categories: Lesser Rules, Greater Rules, and Supreme Rules. Each category has different levels of power, just like affinities. However, the higher the level of a Rule, the greater the burden it places on your body and soul."

He looked at the two boys to make sure they understood before continuing.

"We’ll first determine how much power your bodies and souls can handle. Based on the results, we’ll assign you suitable Rule Crystals. These crystals contain the power of specific Rules and can grant you instant comprehension of the corresponding Rule."

Alex’s eyes lit up.

"So, all we need to do is use the crystal, and we’ll comprehend a Rule?"

"More or less," Principal Drax replied. "However, the process isn’t as simple as it sounds. Your body and soul must be capable of bearing the Rule’s power. That’s why we conduct these tests first. Giving someone a Rule that exceeds their limits could have disastrous consequences."

’It’s just like the Corruption Rule Crystal I obtained,’ Kaiser thought as he finally understood why Lady Alexa had been so confident about the one-hundred-percent success rate.

’With a crystal like that, comprehending a Rule is almost guaranteed.’

Principal Drax led them inside the room, where several large sections had been marked on the floor.

"This room will test your bodies and souls against different levels of Rule energy. Each section is one hundred meters long. All you need to do is enter a section and remain there for ten minutes. If you can withstand the energy for the entire duration, you’ll qualify for a Rule of that level."

He pointed toward the different sections.

"Each category—Lesser, Greater, and Supreme—is divided into several subsections. Every hundred-meter section is further divided into four twenty-five-meter zones, corresponding to the low, medium, high, and peak levels of that category."

Kaiser and Alex followed his gesture, examining the markings on the floor. The three main sections were clearly labeled, and each contained four smaller zones indicating the different levels of Rule energy.

"So, we just have to stand in one of these zones for ten minutes, right?" Kaiser asked.

Principal Drax nodded.

"Correct. The farther you go, the stronger the Rule energy becomes. Your results will determine which Rule Crystals you’re eligible to receive."

He paused before adding, "For your information, the highest level anyone in your class has reached so far is the high level of Greater Rules. That student comprehended the Greater Rule of Cutting."

Kaiser and Alex nodded before looking at the different sections.

"We’re ready," Kaiser said.

"Good. Let’s begin, then."

Principal Drax placed his hand on a control panel beside the entrance. The entire room lit up as the testing equipment activated, and the different sections began releasing their respective energies.

As soon as the process started, Kaiser and Alex felt countless different types of Rule energy filling the room.

"What a magnificent sight," Alex remarked as he watched the equipment activate.

Principal nodded with satisfaction.

"We spent a lot of money and resources building this facility, but it was also sponsored by the Guild."

After giving them a moment to observe the room, he looked at the two boys.

"Now, get going. I don’t have all day."

Both Kaiser and Alex nodded before moving toward the first section.

When they entered the low-level Lesser Rule zone, they immediately felt the Rule energy surrounding their bodies.

It wasn’t painful, nor did it feel particularly threatening. Instead, the energy moved around them as though it were flowing through an invisible current, constantly brushing against their bodies.

Kaiser could clearly sense the strange power interacting with him, as if it were trying to examine his body and soul.