The Godslayer Humankind taught its children how to hate the Dark Races from a young age, depicting them as horrible monsters. While that did the trick, making every human loathe them, it also generated great fear in their hearts.
All the youths present were Wave Warriors, but none of them was a proper soldier, so the idea of facing the Dark Races still scared them. Even those coming from Noble Families who seemed to have an idea of the Military Academy Secret Trial adopted solemn expressions.
"Do we... Do we have to take the test?"
Vice-Captain Josef's eyes grew immensely cold as he heard that and focused on the one who uttered those words, making the youth tremble non-stop.
Although Josef was angry, he noticed how that was a question many wanted to ask, so he only sneered.
"Hmph, the Imperial Military Academy can offer you even better resources than Wave Universities, but if you want them, you have to take them. Background doesn't matter here. Only your strength does!"
Josef's aura exploded as he uttered those words, and a furious dark-purple Wave Cloak emerged from him. It unleashed so much power that it almost sent some of the youth flying away.
"Those too scared to face the danger ahead should get the fuck out of my sight right now!"
After Josef uttered those words, several cadets lowered their heads and left, reducing the number that would take the Secret Academy Test by a quarter.
Vice-Captain Josef did not bother to glance at the cadets leaving and focused on the ones remaining before nodding and waving his hand, making rectangular flying drones fly to every cadet.
"Since you have decided to take the Military Academy Secret Trial, I will give you the instructions, but before that, you must hand over all your Wave Artifacts and treasures. You can also leave your belongings there so they do not disturb you during the test. Make sure to take out the special military backpack. It has Soldier's Drugs and survival equipment and can be used even in battle."
No one dared to disobey Vice-Captain Josef and did as he told them. Although some Noble Families' youths would have liked to keep their treasures, they knew there was no way they could trick the Imperial Military Academy.
Cain took out the special military backpack and deposited his belongings in the drone. He was about to leave the spear he stole from Kurin but stopped and looked at Josef.
"Can I keep this? It is not a treasure nor a Wave Artifact."
Josef stared at the spear for a moment before nodding. It was not against the rules to bring something like the spear since it was not of much use for a Wave Warrior.
Some commoners could not help but show envy as they saw that, but none of them brought something like that. Those of Noble Families were close, if not at Level 2, and a weapon like Cain's was useless for them.
Josef saw how the cadets had stored their belongings and carried on.
"While there are dangers, and I encourage all of you to test your limits, there is a difference between courage and stupidity. The power of the enemies you will face inside is proportional to how deep you go into the Danger Zone. Of course, accidents can happen, but as long as you remain less than fifty kilometers away from the entrance, you should not face anyone above Level 1."
Cain and the other cadets smiled as they heard that. A safe zone made things easier, and it seemed that as long as they were careful and did not overestimate their capabilities, they would be fine.
If the cadets that left knew that, they might have chosen to remain, but since they were too scared to face the prospect of danger, there was nothing they could do other than blame their weakness.
"During the Military Academy Secret Trial, the Imperial Military Credits you obtain will be multiplied by ten. Also, your final scores will determine the Secret Test Rank, with those at the top obtaining a bonus."
Imperial Military Credits were something Cain had already familiarized with. The folder given to him after entering the Star Cruiser described it as the currency used by the Imperial Military Force and one of the main currencies of the Godslayer Humankind Empire.
Obtaining it was very hard for a commoner, and its uses were almost endless. Not to mention it also worked on calculating the merits one individual obtained through his career in the military.
"The gate into the Danger Zone will open in five hours when the sun comes out, and the trial will last for three months. You need to use your A.I. Chip to record your killings. Are there any questions?"
"Is there in-fighting allowed?"
Josef and the other cadets immediately focused on Cain when they heard that question.
Although the cadets frowned, Vice-Captain Josef smiled as if showing approval toward that question.
"As long as you don't kill or maim someone, in-fighting is allowed."
Cain nodded before closing his eyes. The idea that because they were all humans, they would fight together was something extremely naive, and he had already learned that.
No one else asked questions, and they all began replenishing their strength. However, the atmosphere grew tense since they knew that if a treasure were to present itself, chances were that a fight would happen.
Cain did not care about the others and instead used one of the techniques in the Soldier Military Manual, Internal Breathing. Of course, he also used this opportunity to command the system to scan all the other cadets.
He drew Life Wave into his Astral Heart. Still, instead of using it to improve his cultivation, he circulated it through his body, replenishing his strength and diminishing his fatigue.
Josef shook his head as he saw some cadets trying to improve their cultivation, but he smiled as he focused on Cain and saw the youth using that basic military technique.
'Smart brat.'
From time to time, roars coming from inside the Danger Zone would reach the youths. Although it would have been easy to block that noise, the wall purposely allowed them to pass so they could generate psychological pressure in the cadets.
The first thing that breaks in war is not the body but the mind. If a soldier could not endure some roars, what use would they have on a battlefield?
When the first ray of sunshine reached their faces, all the cadets opened their eyes. Some could not rest due to the roars, but most were at their peak.
The gate into the Rank 0 Danger Zone opened, and all the cadets marched in. Once the last one crossed it, the gate closed.
Less than fifty meters ahead, a massive forest packed with trees blocked everyone's view.
Cain's eyes narrowed as he saw groups forming. Some were small with only two people, while others were larger.
Those larger had members of Noble Families as their core, with some commoners added to the mix.
It did not take long for someone to approach him. Cain saw the youth coming with a smile, but he also noticed the hidden scorn in this one's eyes.
"Hmph." Cain only sneered and did not wait for the youth to get close to him before flashing into the forest.
Although there was safety in numbers, Cain knew those nobles would only be using him as a pawn, so he did not bother them.
The scion that had walked toward Cain showed immense rage when he saw this one run into the forest. Although part of him wanted to chase and teach a lesson to the commoner that ignored him, he did not dare to leave alone.
Other than Cain, someone else had marched into the forest moments after the gates closed, the red-eyed youth.
Many nobles would have liked to have someone with such power in their teams, but the red-eyed youth was too strong, and they could not control him, so instead of giving the leadership, they preferred to avoid him.