Arthur packed his things and ran to the selection venue Viscount Alger and Jynx had mentioned the night before.
Many people had gathered to watch the Sky Radiance Transcendent Academy's selection. Even those who couldn't participate in the selection had joined to watch.
Arthur could hear people discussing from a distance.
"I've heard that the assessment this time is much simpler than before. The academy will send one student to accept challenges from the participating transcendents."
"As long as you can display enough potential and are under 20 years old, you'll be able to enter the academy."
"What if someone defeats the student they sent out?"
"Defeating the student? How would that be possible?"
"Among many transcendents of the same energy level, the ones who came from a transcendent academy are definitely the strongest."
"Do you know who's the student they'll be sending out?"
"They're sending out the famous Stron!"
"He was originally a famous expert in Cantero City. Before he entered the academy, he had already reached energy level two. He only has a few rivals within the other second energy level users."
"He's been studying at the academy for half a year now. Even if he hasn't reached energy level three, he must've improved by leaps and bounds! "
"At this point, how can any outside transcendent be his match?"
"So they're actually sending Stron out? I can't believe the academy would make it so difficult for us. He was already an expert before he even entered the academy, so he must be stronger now!"
Upon hearing this person's explanation, a few participants were instantly dejected.
A student of the same energy level from the academy indeed had the strength to sweep away transcendents from outside. Therefore, it was almost impossible for them to defeat Stron.
However, before they could finish, someone else lowered his voice and said, "Who said that outside transcendents can't defeat students of the academy?"
"Last night, weren't there two students from the academy who were defeated by a transcendent from the countryside?"
"Eh? You've heard of this too?"
"I've also heard about it!"
"Is this true? I don't believe that at all!"
"It's definitely true! I even saw the two nobles, Grott and Ferguson, at the clinic."
"They were beaten up and almost lost their lives!"
"Otherwise, they would've come over today as examiners for the selection."
Someone gasped and said in shock, "Is that really true? So there's actually an outside transcendent who could beat up students from the academy? I can't believe it!"
"Perhaps it's not that the outsider is strong, but that those two nobles are too weak?"
"Rumors spread last night, saying that Grott and Ferguson are simply uneducated and incompetent trash. Apparently, they sneaked into the academy and didn't have any strength at all."
"If they had sent out Grott and Ferguson instead of Stron, we might've been able to enter the academy!"
"Haha... I think so too. Otherwise, how could a transcendent from outside beat them up so easily?"
Many people nodded in agreement. Arthur frowned when he heard the discussions.
Last night, the city mayor and the other nobles ordered to block news from spreading. In the end, it had only been one night, but the whole city already knew what had happened!
It didn't make sense. Did someone deliberately spread the news?
Arthur had this thought. But since he didn't have clues, he shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Ultimately, this matter didn't have much to do with him.
His priority right now was to pass the selection and enter the academy.
As Arthur squeezed through the crowd, he saw the high platform prepared for the assessment.
On the high platform stood a man in knight armor, completely wrapped in steel. People would occasionally go up the platform to challenge him. However, no one could withstand more than two moves from the man.
Instead, all of them were kicked off the stage right after they went up. Stron was also an energy level two user, but there was a vast difference in strength between him and other same-level users.
"My goodness, is this the strength of the academy's students?"
"As expected, it's not that easy to pass this selection."
"It's already been more than ten people, and not a single one has succeeded." The person who was just thrown off rubbed the part where he was kicked and sighed.
The people around him all nodded. They originally thought as long as they persevered, they would have a great chance of entering the academy.
But now, it seemed that it wasn't like what they imagined. Up until now, no one had been able to last two moves.
"Is there anyone else who wants to come up and try?" A staff member said.
He furrowed his brows. There were so many people, but he still hadn't managed to recruit a single student. His expression was somewhat dissatisfied.
It was one thing if no one met the requirements, but now, there weren't many who wanted to take the challenge. He felt disappointed.
"I'll do it."
Suddenly, a man with a sword in hand and a calm look in his eyes stood up. The onlookers looked at Arthur as if they were watching a show.
They felt that if they waited for a bit, Arthur would also be thrown down like the other people who challenged Stron.
On the platform, Stron sized up Arthur's skinny figure and nodded. He could tell that Arthur had entered the second energy level. Therefore, Arthur should be a little stronger than the others before him.
But to Stron, it was useless to be a little stronger. If he used 80% of his strength, he could easily kick Arthur out.
"Are you ready? Stron asked as he watched Arthur walk into the ring.
"I'm ready." Arthur nodded calmly.
"Then here I come!"
When Stron said that, he ran toward Arthur like a cheetah hunting its prey!
His entire body shot out like a cannonball, releasing a powerful aura. The spectators' eyes widened upon watching this scene.
"This kid would probably have at least three broken ribs," they thought.
The heavy armor didn't seem to affect Stron's speed and strength at all. Instead, it made his punches and kicks even more terrifying.
Many people left an empty space behind Arthur, waiting for him to fall. However, something unexpected happened the next moment.
Bang! Thud!
With a loud bang, a figure fell from the ring, unable to move. Dust and debris flew around in the aftermath.
"Didn't I tell you? This guy didn't even last one move." Someone said to the person beside him when he saw the person fall.
However, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Everyone looked at the figure who fell down. Looking closely, they saw knight armor!
"What?!" Everyone gasped, and their eyes widened.
"The guy who fell down was Stron!"