Chapter 292: Selection Test
"Thank you for coming today. I am pleased that a lot of students have shown interest in this competition. However, there won’t be any fights in this competition. I’ve just received the criteria used for this selection."
Principal Fernandes showed a brown envelope. "It’s still sealed, so even I don’t know the criteria."
"There are five tests this time. They are the Strength Test, the Magic Test, the Overall Power Test, the Reaction Speed Test, and the Support Test. I know no one can be good at everything, which is why the academy will recommend anyone who has managed to pass three out of the five.
"As for whether you are selected to go to the national selection or not, it will depend on the committee. The teachers here will be helping us with the selection process.
"I’m sure you’re already aware of these tests, but I’ll briefly explain what each one involves. For the Strength Test, you will punch the device over there. You may coat your fist with your magic power, but you’re not allowed to use battle techniques.
"The same applies to the Magic Test. You can only use your magical energy, not battle techniques. The test will be conducted at that station.
"For the Overall Power Test, you will receive the scores for Offensive Power, Defensive Power, and Stability Power. Those three scores will be combined.
"The Reaction Speed Test is basically dodging. The location is in the training hall. Last but not least, the Support Test. It’s the test to remove the energy from a person so that they can be healed or something like that."
Principal Fernandes smiled and raised the envelope. "Are you ready? I’m going to unseal this envelope now."
Principal Fernandes carefully opened it and took out the paper that contained the requirements.
"All right." Principal Fernandes nodded to a teacher on his right. The information appeared on the projector screen as Principal Fernandes typed it for everyone to see.
(Strength Test and Magic Test)
Rank 1: 500 points
Rank 2: 2,000 points
Rank 3: 5,000 points
Rank 4: 10,000 points
(Overall Combat Ability: Previous Test x 10)
(Reaction Speed Test)
Rank 1: 60 seconds on Difficulty III
Rank 2: 60 seconds on Difficulty IV
Rank 3: 60 seconds on Difficulty V
Rank 4: 60 seconds on Difficulty VI
(Support Test: 4 Strands)
"Well... the numbers look high, but it may not be as high as you imagine. You’ve been studying here for a few months. All of you are geniuses on your own, so do your best." Principal Fernandes smiled.
Auric still remembered the last time he took the test.
At that time, he could only get a few hundred points, but he lacked elements and control over them, so while it might still be hard for others, it wouldn’t be impossible.
This time, Auric had to take the test according to the requirements for the next rank.
’Hmm... I don’t know if my strength is enough yet, but the overall combat test... while the requirement is high, we get three different points there, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully, my reaction speed is good enough. As for the support test, it looks like the same test as the one I took before.’
Auric had prepared himself for this test. In fact, he was looking forward to it. While he intended to keep a few cards hidden, he wasn’t going to hold back in several areas.
"Anyway, you should aim as high as possible. After all, we can only recommend you based on your performance. If you hold back too much and your numbers don’t look good in the committee’s eyes, you might not be chosen." Principal Fernandes raised one finger. "We are selecting geniuses from across our country to show other countries that we are strong.
"Are you strong? Prove it to me in this test. I wish you the best of luck." Principal Fernandes smiled.
A lot of students clenched their hands, determined to get chosen.
"It looks like the test this time is going to be interesting." Ellia, who had been standing next to him, smiled, looking slightly excited about the test.
"Yeah. I wonder how much I can score."
"I’m looking forward to it as well. Unfortunately, we don’t have the same rank, otherwise, we could compete."
Auric chuckled. "Well, I’m sure you have plenty of rivals already, not to mention you’ve only evolved not long ago. It’s going to be difficult for you."
"Don’t worry. Thanks to Arina, I’m able to focus on my training." Ellia took a deep breath. "Besides, if I can show good results here, there won’t be any more opposition from my family."
"I see. I wish you luck."
Ellia nodded before looking up. The teachers had moved to their respective positions.
The teacher in charge of the first test announced, "Those whose names are called, please step forward and take your test. We’re starting with the Rank 1 students."
"I guess it will take some time before you take your test."
Ellia looked around. "Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen your teacher. Where is she?"
"I don’t know. She told me she had a few matters to attend to. Maybe she’s just too lazy to bother with this kind of thing."
"Maybe." Ellia could definitely see it from her.
The teachers had begun calling the people around. The first person seemed to be a first-year student.
Auric rarely attended his classes, so he couldn’t recognize the student. Besides, the student had a muscular body, so he might have bulked up recently.
"Here I go!" He covered his fist with his energy and took a step forward before unleashing a punch with all his strength.
Bang!
The machine received the attack and showed the number.
681 points.
"Wow?!"
"He actually did it."
"Can we also do it?"
The others were quite curious. They had their own confidence. After all, the one who took the test wasn’t someone like Auric. They had some confidence that they could somehow outperform him.
However, when the next person took the test, he actually failed. He only got 380 points.
"Hehehe!" The guy who succeeded earlier couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling proud of himself as he walked toward the next test.
Unfortunately, that smile didn’t last long. The moment he took the second test, he got only 390 points.
He might have passed the strength test, but his elemental manipulation wasn’t as good as he had expected it to be.
Of course, no one was perfect. Even Auric couldn’t guarantee that he would be able to get a good score on every test.
Nevertheless, 70% of students failed the test. Another 25% of them managed to pass, but their scores weren’t spectacular. Only 5% of students managed to get over 50% of the score the committee demanded.
The college had spent the last month calibrating its machines so that they would produce the same scores as other universities. If they readjusted their machines, the central committee would find that one particular university had a rather abnormal passing rate.
This was why it would be easy to spot cheaters.
When the Rank 2 students began, Auric noticed that most students who had passed had around 2,300 points. It was higher than what the Rank 1 students had gotten, but the teachers still looked a bit disappointed, knowing that it would be hard to compete with other geniuses from across the country.
Finally, Auric’s turn had arrived.
"Auric Elfe!"
As soon as his name was called, many students stopped in their tracks. At the moment, Auric was the greatest genius that their Grand Magica College had.
While it was true that he rarely attended classes, his achievements outside campus were something no one could ignore.
"So, this is Auric..."
"How good is he?"
"Good looking?"
"I’m talking about his scores!"
Auric calmly walked toward the machine.
"Auric Elfe, you may begin at your discretion." The teacher nodded to him.
"Yes, Teacher." Auric nodded politely. He looked at the machine and inhaled deeply. The energy in his fist first stabilized and solidified like rock. Then, he added another layer that would feel like a blaze.
Moreover, Auric’s physical abilities weren’t like they used to be. Whenever he got the chance, he would use his gravity element to push his physical abilities further.
While Auric didn’t like to develop bulky muscles, his body was quite robust. His muscles were also well-developed.
Auric was also quite curious to see how far he could go with his strength alone. His left foot stepped forward as his right fist struck the machine.
Bam!
The first energy erupted while the second energy stabilized everything, making his punch both solid and explosive.
The impact was quite shocking even for the other Rank 2 students.
"Oh?" The teacher was quite astonished.
3,812 points.
It was definitely not his strong suit, but he actually almost scored double the requirement, which had obviously been increased drastically.
"He... He actually?"
"He scored so highly."
"As expected of my prince!"
The students couldn’t help but cheer. They knew Auric would be one of the few people who might be selected for the national team. At the very least, someone from their college would be selected.
"A very high score. Please continue to the second test, Student Auric."
"Thank you, Teacher." Auric politely nodded before walking to the next test.
Obviously, people also wanted to see it since both tests took place in the arena, while the other three took place in their Training Hall.
"Still, is he going to score that highly as well in the second test?"
"Looking at that score, he must be a strength type, right?"
"No way. He is from the Element Department. He’s good at using elements..."
"Maybe he changes midway?"
The students thought Auric wouldn’t score as highly this time due to his previous high score.
But Auric silenced them by discharging his power.
The impact was much more powerful than that of the previous test.
Everyone couldn’t help but drop their jaws once they saw his score.
6,143 points.
"What the fuck?!"
"Isn’t that kind of power already surpassing the power of Rank 3 students?"
People were dumbfounded. Rank 2 students only needed 2,000 points, while Rank 3 students needed 5,000 points. Yet, Auric’s score had already surpassed the rank 3 requirement.
The most important thing was the fact that Auric was still a first-year student. People couldn’t imagine how strong he would become after a few years.
While Eric didn’t take part in the selection test, he was observing the test. He sent Auric’s scores to Tommi.
Annoyed, Tommi replied.
[People used to call me a freak, but compared to this guy, I’m just a cute, innocent baby!]
As Eric had mentioned, there was no need to compete in the training program. They already had a monster like this among them.
Auric simply waved his hand, avoiding their reactions.
However, there was someone else who made an impact as great as Auric’s. That person was Ellia.
There were no Rank 4 students in their college, so Ellia was already among the strongest in this place. More importantly, Ellia had only recently evolved, so the scores she achieved were shocking.
11,439 points.
7,869 points.