Chapter 71: The Second Assessment
"Welcome to the second assessment of the Aethel Academy’s examination..."
In an unknown space, numerous people stood on a massive floating platform, a rune suspended in the sky, its surface glowing with ancient symbols that pulsed with a soft, rhythmic light. The platform stretched wide, large enough to hold hundreds, yet it hovered effortlessly above an endless expanse of clouds and mist. Beneath them, nothing but open sky stretched into infinity, while above, the heavens seemed close enough to touch.
Who would have expected that immediately after sunset, the first assessment ended, and the card they had been given glowed with a soft light, transporting them here? Lucien was startled at first, but when he saw the crowd around him, most with notable Draconic features, he immediately deduced that these were the ones who had passed the first assessment.
Just as confusion and murmurs threatened to erupt into chaos, a voice rang out from above, confirming his thoughts.
"All of you have passed the first assessment. But just so you know, this is only the beginning."
A male, domineering voice made them all look up. A young green-haired man floated above them, his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a hawk surveying its prey. It was none other than Sylas.
"Well, for introduction, I am the examiner for the Dragon Continent’s Aethel Academy Assessment. You can call me Sylas."
The crowd burst into cheers, some excited by the fact they had passed, others discussing the examiner before them.
Sylas watched the murmuring crowd with an amused smile, then his expression shifted into something more serious.
"The second assessment begins now."
An immense pressure diffused from him, descending upon the platform like a mountain made of air. The weight pressed down on everyone, forcing some to their knees, others to gasp for breath. The air grew thick, heavy, suffocating.
"If you aren’t kneeling or fallen to the ground after half an incense stick, you will have passed this second assessment."
The crowd weren’t expecting this. Most were immediately disqualified as their bodies glowed with a soft blue light, and their figures disappeared from the platform. The sudden elimination sent a shockwave of panic through the remaining participants. They gritted their teeth as they tried their best to withstand the suffocating force pressing down on them.
"Oh, and also, no external force is allowed," Sylas added casually, his tone almost playful.
His words threw some of them from grace to grass. Those who had been secretly relying on talismans, artifacts, or hidden techniques to bolster their resistance suddenly felt their crutches vanish. Their faces paled, and one by one, their bodies glowed blue and vanished, leaving only empty space behind.
This assessment was designed to filter out the weak-willed among them. Those with high cultivation levels or powerful bloodlines faced little difficulty, their innate strength shielding them from the worst of the pressure. But for the others, it was a brutal test of will and endurance.
As for Lucien, he felt basically nothing. The pressure that had others gasping and trembling washed over him like a gentle breeze. If he were to compare it with the suffocating, soul-crushing pressure of the Volkoids he had faced in the Land of Death, this was still merely child’s play.
Meanwhile, Lucien was unaware that Sylas was searching for him. When the examiner’s gaze finally landed on his figure and took in his relaxed, almost bored expression, it piqued his curiosity.
The news of the Voss Clan’s destruction hadn’t escaped Sylas’s ears. And when he pieced things together, he realized it might have been Seraphina who had done the deed. And the reason? It was none other than for the safety of the young man before him.
He had checked the data on Lucien, the academy’s records held only his name and age. There was no information on his talents, no history of his cultivation. That meant the abilities Sylas had witnessed during the first assessment might not be the full extent of his power.
Intrigued, Sylas increased the pressure on Lucien, focusing the weight of his aura directly on him. He wanted to see the boy’s limit, to witness the moment he would finally crack.
Lucien sensed the sudden increase in pressure but didn’t take it to heart. He simply assumed the examiner was intensifying the test for everyone. It made no difference to him. The pressure remained as insignificant as before, his posture was still relaxed.
As the assessment continued, the pressure continued to mount. More and more participants couldn’t withstand the crushing force, some fell to their knees, their bodies trembling violently before glowing blue and vanishing. Others collapsed entirely, their faces pale as their wills were shattered by the pressure.
Lucien watched all of this with a relaxed expression, his eyes sweeping across the platform as participants disappeared one after another. Sylas, who had been increasing the pressure on Lucien little by little, was genuinely surprised. No matter how much he pushed, the young man remained unfazed, as if the weight of his aura meant nothing at all.
Apart from his experience in the Land of Death, Lucien’s physique, bloodline, and traits also worked to reduce the pressure, rendering the examiner’s efforts ineffective. The combination of these factors made the test feel like little more than a gentle breeze against his skin.
Half an incense stick passed. The crowd of participants had been cut by more than fifty percent. Only half remained standing, most were trembling and sweating, their bodies strained due to the pressure, but they were still on their feet. And among them, Lucien stood as calm and composed as when the assessment had begun.
No one noticed him. He didn’t garner attention, and with his weak, unassuming aura, he remained inconspicuous. His gaze swept across those who had passed, most had notable cultivation bases or powerful bloodlines. Relief washed over their faces as the assessment ended, their bodies slumping slightly as the pressure lifted.
Lucien shook his head. Even though the assessment had lasted only a short time, many had been disqualified like ants beneath a boot. The filtering process was ruthless, but that was the nature of Aethel Academy.
Sylas looked down at the remaining participants from his position above. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he prepared to address them.