The exams procedures were relatively easy, first it was to register, then aptitude test where magic affinity, cultivation roots and asura might would be tested.
The best regarded roots for cultivation where those with only one path, and were labeled as heavenly because how easy was to cultivate with those, the cultivation speed increased as the roots decreased.
This was the opposite in the mage's side as a multi root normally meant multi element affinity and the proper combination of those could do wonders.
Then it was the asura might which disregarded the roots and focused in battle sense and absorption speed.
For the first two all it took was to place your hand on a cristal and move your energy towards it, the crystal would shine and display the result, for the asura measure a basic core would be granted and its absorption rate would be measured after a minute passed, you got to keep it as a souvenir if anything was left, of course those that still had some of their core left didn't pass for the asura path. The record in this plaza was 25 seconds for finishing a basic core. The battle sense could be taught , absorption rate was a personal might and couldn't.
So if there could be a path for everyone why was the return rate so high? Well you see just because you could do something it didn't mean you'll be good at it, after the first measurement it would be clear how easy it would be to teach a student, so if you didn't catch the eyes of a examiner on the measurement test, written and physical exams where in order.
Those included survival in the woods for a few days and battling basic monsters, so a good number of applicants got discouraged and returned home after not getting selected the first day, people with some money opted for the merchant way, as this school accepted not that gifted but wealthy students, if people didn't get selected for the free spots they could pay to enroll here, it was the only school that had this modality as it recognized money as a form of strength.
Also because in business money means everything if those paying students couldn't protect themselves in the future, well let's say it was not the school's problem. This option wasn't too shabby, as it was considered the fourth path to power, sadly you still needed true might to protect your money empire as one would think twice from stealing from a dragon, but wouldn't hesitate to kill a hobbit for their treasures... unless you where a hobbit stealing from a dragon; but that's another story altogether.
Lazuli was lost in her own little world yet again, thinking about those fantasy books her older brother used to read, 'if only I had payed more attention maybe I would know what to do now' was the underlying thought, when a sharp voice took her out of her reveries "number 358 step forward" her turn had arrived.
She did as she was told, placed her hand on the crystal and moved her energy to it, she couldn't help herself to think 'maybe I'm one of the chosen ones and that's why I transmigrated? Aren't those the usual plots? But I don't want to save nor conquer the world, could we change it to a story of a peaceful living hero?'
"Tetra roots, fire, water, earth and air affinity, no peaks"
Stifled laughter filled the place, as four was too much for "good" cultivating and this was the empire where the inmortal path thrived above the mage's, also because even if mages wanted more than one element affinity the students always had a mayor element and several support ones. No peaks meant balance, no mayor, all the same, this was highly unusual and not wanted at all "so not a hero story then" her words escaped from her mouth on a relived tone, which angered the spectators.
Whispers could be heard everywhere, even from the selectors seats, condemning her for not wishing to strive for greatness as a hero tale was something everyone wanted to live in this world, how dare she sound relived for not being able to living it?!
This showed a weak will in the eyes of the school's representatives.