The training ground fell silent after Wen Shan's embarrassing moment. Bloody Guardian Apollo continued: "I know what your question is. Do you think a single opportunity is too hard? Special privileges will be granted to those who advance to the next stage."
Everyone was intrigued.
"The first privilege is medicine. You will be given a medicinal pill called Instant Demonic Energy. This happens every time you overcome the challenge."
This ball was created inside the Demon Academy. It was not as good as the one created in the Celestial Academy, but it was still good enough for the person who consumed it to gain 100 years of internal energy. In simple mathematics, passing the six tests would give the person six hundred years of internal energy. Of course, this was also the kind of medicine that would create immunity after continued use, but it was still a good privilege.
'Four stages, huh...?'
Eric Romano also seemed interested. He didn't have enough internal energy (Qi) to move on to the next stage, but if he passed all six tests, he would have the opportunity to increase his internal energy instantly.
"The second will be the books of the secrets of martial arts. If they are martial artists, everyone should know the importance of such books."
This was one of the most important privileges of the academy. There were many books inside the academy, and even the martial arts books of the five clans were stored inside the academy.
'Books! '
This was something Eric didn't need. With all the techniques he knows from his past life was enough, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look at the books of the Academy.
"The library has five floors. The higher the floor, the stronger the books. You will be given access to a higher floor once you go up the stages."
The fifth floor, which was the top floor, was full of secrets from several martial arts manuals of Star Galen herself.
"However, you won't even approach the fifth floor, so give up." Apollo spoke dishearteningly, but the second privilege was still astonishing. Not to mention, all of this also meant that whoever the students were, or wherever they came from, everyone had an equal chance of gaining greater power if they could take it. It meant that the stronger the person was, the more powerful he would become.
'So, this was the reason... '
Eric Romano realized why everyone said it would be different once they were in the academy. In the academy, no one would be protected by privileges or by their family lineage. They were all under the same food chain.
"If you pass the first stage and follow a you will be a demon soldier. Third, a demonic captain. I hope none of you with military clan backgrounds will be left alone in the second or third rank as losers." Apollo spoke to the students with a smile.
"Oh, but even those of you who just want to be demon soldiers or servants will still receive medicine balls. Don't worry."
"So they will give the pill to simple demonic soldiers. Qi pills, training methods, and secret martial arts books. It is a sure way to get some to the stage of True Qi... Is the Demon Academy preparing for a war? This is about to get very interesting. A big smile was drawn on Eric Romano's face.
As Apollo said, the academy granted privileges even to demonic soldiers, which was a good opportunity for future warriors who want to become more powerful.
"The second and third stages will be done on Mount Red and in groups, they will have to survive 2 years there and hunt at least 100 deadly grade magical beasts"
"The fourth stage will be a life-and-death battle and for the one who finishes first, we will prepare a weapon that will have 5.75 kilograms of black iron for him.
Apollo said that because he had his reasons. The test of the sixth stage was almost impossible and less than ten people would manage to pass the test. That is why Apollo did not anticipate such an event.
"And while everyone starts with the same range of trash, everyone will come to have different ranks based on progress through their stages. Then you will have to obey your superior."
That was the central element of the academy. He who does not try higher will allow himself to rot. Eric Romano looked excitedly. If it had survived until now, it was time for it to move up the food chain.
"Don't be too happy. Most of you won't even go beyond the third stage." Apollo cracked a smile as he gave his final statement.
"I'm done explaining. Start forming groups for the assigned dormitories and I will proceed with the first test on stage."
The students were surprised to hear sudden progress. They didn't think they would be tested on the first day.
"As I said before, if you fail this test, you are expelled. If you can't pass this test, you don't even deserve to be a simple demon soldier."
More than half of the students paled. They thought they would at least learn something before the test, but this meant that anyone without training had no chance. Eric Romano was also shocked.
'What? The first test already? '
He didn't have enough internal energy and was likely to fail the test. I had to hope that the test would be easy or not require internal energy. Apollo stated what the proof was.
"The first test will assess your basic skills. You will need at least basic internal energy if you are going to be a demonic soldier from our Academy.
Eric Romano smiled. This meant that, if there was one without internal energy, it was going to fail. At least he had enough energy if the test was easy.
"If you fail this test, you will be sent to farms or mines for forced labor. Do your best to... No, we need people to do the dirty work, so don't try too hard."
Apollo was joking, but some people felt uncomfortable after hearing it.
'Ugh... This is problematic. ' They thought in unison.
Wen Shan, the prince of the Wen Clan, seemed to be satisfied.
That's when a beautiful and seductive middle-aged woman took the stage. Apollo pointed at her and said, "She is the leader of the Han clan and the supervisor who will oversee this test. Our fifth elder, Han Soyu."
A girl standing in the front row in luxurious red silk clothes smiled. She was Han Wonryou, and she was the daughter of the fifth elder, Han Soyu.
'What proof requires the fifth elder to come? '
The students were full of questions and Apollo explained, "This test is a piece of cake. If you fail here, you will never have a chance to become a demon soldier."
After he finished, Han Soyu sat down and prepared to play the stringed instrument he brought with him. It seemed that people realized what he was going to do and started covering their ears as they bent down.
"Well, you kids won't resist her wave of musical energy, but she will control it for you weaklings. Hopefully, you could even endure it without any internal energy. Haha." His last set of words felt like he was talking to the garbage that had no internal energy and only trained the body. The wave of musical energy was not something one could tolerate with just resistance.
'... Curse. '
The first test was to withstand the attack of the energy wave. This was also the simplest way to easily eliminate unworthy students.
"If they have even the slightest amount of internal energy, they will be able to withstand a minute."
Han Soyu spoke in a beautiful voice, but none of the students could hear it because they were already covering their ears.
"Those who endure the energy wave for a minute will pass the test! Get started!"
And with the signal, the fifth elder began to play the instrument.
The beautiful sound of the instrument spread across the training ground. However, it wasn't just beautiful. She hadn't played a beat yet, but dozens of children fell to the ground with bubbles coming out of their mouths.
"Nnnngh…"
"And-I still hear it!"
It was just the beginning. While playing the strings, the sound rumbled in their eardrums and shocked their hearts; Some students fell while clinging to their hearts. Enduring such a wave required at least twenty years of internal energy. If it weren't for the princes of the five clans or the children of the high-ranking clans, there would be no one who had so much inner energy.
'This itches in the ear. You'll already be on the ground, hehe... '
Wen Shan was full of joy, but things were not going as he expected.
'Huh? What's going on? '
Han Soyu's fingers touching the strings began to move faster. Based on the expression on his face, it was evident that he didn't look very happy. It was because he was just looking at Eric Romano.
'Why? Why doesn't it fall? '
Eric Romano, since he saw him by his beautiful appearance, fixed his gaze on him and saw that he did not have even 2 years of spiritual energy, he was not falling. When the fifth elder began to play the instrument.
He didn't feel any pressure and that puzzled him.
'...what? '
He only heard the beautiful melody that Han Soyu played with his instrument and couldn't feel anything else. However, countless students fell in front of him.
--- Author's Note ---
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