***
Inside the secret chamber of the city lord mansion, the city lord was sitting on the chair and the finance minister was sat on the ground, bowing.
"Sir, please forgive me. I wasn't careful enough".
" I don't need your apology, I need an explanation".
"Sir, the merchant who was responsible for bringing the spirit fox is nowhere to be found.
We found his carriage on the path I told him to come from.
The safest one we had. Something unfortunate must have happened".
" Does that mean I can't complete the ritual? Find that fox.
Dispatch soldiers around the area you found the carriage in. I don't care about anything, I need that fox as soon as possible."
The city Lord left after that.
After he left, the finance minister got up.
He felt an excruciating pain in his head along with a voice.
'How could you make a mistake like this. Lord is extremely angry. Make up for it or even I won't be able to save you'.
'Yes'.
***
After receiving reports from Bob, Abhay decided to rest for the night.
The trial will begin tomorrow morning.
The trial is very simple. It's a test of mental fortitude and soul.
As long as you can stand the pressure for five minutes and you are not more than eighteen years of age you'll pass.
Other requirements are only applicable in branches of big cities. A small countryside branch doesn't have an aptitude test.
***
Next Morning.
After getting ready, abhay left.
Outside the branch, he saw many youngsters in their teens(𝕄𝕣. 𝔹𝕖𝕟𝕫𝕖𝕞𝕒) lined up outside the building.
Abhay's plan wasn't to become a regular student here. He just wanted the student identity for now.
Then later, he'll participate in the battle examination that'll be held after fo ur months.
Top ten performers of that examination will be transferred to mark city branch.
He joined the line and waitet patiently. After three to four hours,it was finally his turn.
He placed his hands on the age determining orb which flowed and number seventeen was displayed on it.
After that he had to wait for the examiner to check a few more candidates age.
After the number off people reached one hundred, they were all sent to stand on the big array.
Then the examiner pushed his hand in the air and abhay felt a little pressure in his head.
It wasn't painful just annoying or irritating.
But that wasn't the case for everyone as some of them were sweating profusely.
After a little more than two minutes, the first kid collapsed followed by another after a few seconds.
At the end only around six ty or so were left standing.
After passing the test, abhay and the rest were given a form to fill.
It wasn't much just name, interests, preferences in which combat weapon or style.
After filling up the form, abhay received a token representing his status add a disciple of the sun academy.
It was a black token representing the lowest level. The guard at the door held higher status than than this token holder.