Three months back Gin was trying his best to improve himself so that he can participate in the 'Contest of the Gifted ones' and join one of the top three academies of the Human continent.
But now, he was already a student in such a powerful academy. Thinking about how his life took a sudden turn because of a single ruin exploration, Gin smiled.
That is life; unpredictable.
It's been three months since he called Hammer as he was busy in his training. Hammer too didn't call him back and he could guess the reason.
Gin already mentioned to him on the last call about his training plan. It should be why he didn't call him, afraid of disturbing his training.
'H's still a blockhead!' Gin shook his head and called Hammer.
He didn't know whether Hammer and Astro got themself a spot. Silver Mist is a backwater region with little to few geniuses so if one worked hard and opened at least 8 hidden seals, they can easily get a spot.
The 'Contest of the Gifted ones' always takes place in the Starlight Domain and there's no change in it this year too.
After a few rings, Hammer attended the call. As Gin foresaw, both Hammer and Astro obtained a spot among the 500 given to the Silver Mist region.
Hammer also told him, they have already reached the Starlight domain and were staying in a city called Acron.
Gin knows about the city as its where the contest is held every time. It was a city located at the southern edge of the domain and it takes a few hours from Blue Orchid academy to get there.
Few thousand years back, there was no city in that area but a dense forest filled with the various magical beasts.
When the starlight Domain decided to expand the domain, they killed most of the high-level magical beasts and developed a city at the center of the forest.
But it was later abandoned due to lack of investors and a huge number of low-level magical beasts occupying the forest -- making this place a perfect trial ground.
Since then, the top academies of the Human continent were using this place for a contest.
Acron city is a special place as it only breathes for 10 or so days when the contest takes place and will remain lifeless for the next two years. During these 10 days, the entire city would be lively and bustling with peoples.
Even people who don't participate in the contest visit this place and enjoy the trial as audiences. It was like a festival for many.
Aside from normal peoples, various shops and hotels will be opened which will thrive in business for the next few days.
Gin intended to visit Acron city and meet Hammer. One of the major reasons he wanted to meet Hammer is to give him the potions he made.
His potions will surely enhance his strength to the next level and help him in securing good ranking in the contest.
He has to rank in 10,000 to join the top three academies — Rising Dragon, Blue Orchid, and Sacred Union.
It's definitely not easy, as most of the contestants who participate in the contest come from the core regions. Students like Hammer and Astro who come from the surrounding regions are limited.
There's a reason why the spots given to the surrounding regions are limited. It's to filter the best students and suspicious individuals like Fiends from infiltrating the academies.
As for people from core regions, there's no limit. Any qualified person can participate in the contest of the Gifted ones.
Tens of millions of peoples participate in the contest and one has to rank in the top 200,000 even if they need to join some trashy academies.
Otherwise, they can only pack their things and go home.
Most of the students who participate in the contest would have 'discovered' at least 8 hidden seals and the outstanding ones may have 'opened' two or even three hidden seals.
Of course, there are other ways to enter top academies, that's recommendation spots. Like his senior students who joined the Rising Dragon academy and it's also how Gin joined the Blue Orchid academy.
--
The next day,
Gin, Luna, and Reyna were speeding towards the Acron city in Reyna's Flying shuttle.
Gin told his plan of visiting the Acron city to Reyna and he didn't expect that both Luna and Reyna were also intended on attending the contest. Traveling by Flying-shuttle is countless times better than train so Gin happily joined them.
Within an hour they reached the Acron city. It was a medium-sized city surrounded by green and can easily accommodate a few million people.
After dropping them at the city entrance, Reyna left on her own saying she has some business. Seeing her off, Gin and Luna strolled the crowded city and walked towards the place Hammer mentioned.
Within a few minutes, they reached the area and spotted a small Inn with a sign Hammer mentioned.
Noticing the cheap and shabby building, Gin entered without any second thought while Luna wrinkled her nose and followed after some hesitation.
Entering the Inn, Gin saw both Hammer and Astro occupying a table. Even though the building seemed run down from outside, it was neat and tidy on the inside with a nice interior.
"Gin, I feel like I am meeting a different person," Hammer said while Astro smilingly greeted him, "Brother Gin"
Hammer looked the same, deep blue hair, ink-black eyes, and toned built. He was dressed in casual clothes; a red checked shirt and blue jeans.
As for Astro, he has grown a little taller and gained some muscles. Perfectly trimmed black hair, brown eyes, and chiseled face.
Surprisingly Luna was quiet after entering the Inn and just replied with 'Mn' when he introduced her to both Hammer and Astro.
When Gin assessed their strength, he was surprised a little since both of them had already discovered 9 hidden seals. Their rate of improvement may even rival some of the youths of core regions.
'Well...it's expected considering their recent ruin exploration and various resources provided by the Skyfire academy.' Gin mused.
At first, Luna was hesitant and didn't speak when Hammer, Gin, and Astro chatted. But soon she also joined in the conversation, but she'd only answered occasionally.
When Hammer and Astro learned Luna's background they were speechless and their expressions were wonderful to behold.
They even turned nervous and stammered when they spoke to her while Luna enjoyed their expressions and held her head high up, displaying a haughty look.
"Miss Luna, do you know what the contest will be like?" Astro asked, politely.
Luna placed the hand on her chin and thought for a second, "It's a ranking competition that follows simple rules.
Every contestant participating in the contest will be given 100 points and you have to survive in the forest surrounding this city for the next ten days.
Defeating an opponent will gain you 10 points and at the same time, you will lose 10 points if you are defeated by another contestant.
Furthermore, the Acron forest is filled with low-level magical beasts. If your luck isn't great, you may even encounter some Mid-stage magical beast.
Defeating a low-level magical beast will get you 10 points and defeating a mid-level magical beast will gain you 20 points.
Oh yes...I forget to mention, If your total points drop to Zero then you will be eliminated from the contest." Luna explained.
"Can we form teams?" Hammer asked.
"No. Team up is strictly prohibited in the contest. The entire forest will be observed by the experts of the top academies if they find someone violating the rules then that person will be punished and eliminated."
"Both of you are worrying about nothing. It's just a contest. Relax!" Gin chuckled.
Hammer scoffed. "Gin, shut up. Just thinking about how easily you joined the academy frustrates me."
"I am a person blessed by heaven itself, so you shouldn't compare yourself with me." Gin grinned.
"Bullshit" Hammer kicked his legs, without any strength.
Gin laughed, "Don't worry I have a way to improve your strength to another level. If your foundations are strong, you may even discover your next hidden seal."
"What? Really?" Hammer's eyes sparkled. He knew his friend won't joke with things like this.