Since Clifford had half a month remaining, he decided to pause his cultivation, believing he couldn't strengthen his dantian in the remaining time. Passing through the inn, he heard something about the academy's admission trials, which made him hurry outside before anyone spoiled it further for him. All he understood was that the first trial involved something about willpower, but how? He didn't know and didn't want to know until the time arrived.
The next couple of days were spent looking around the city and familiarizing himself with it since he didn't know how long he would stay there. The city was massive compared to Spiral City, and humans were not the only race that occupied it. The city had three academies, all built by the royal family at the center of the city next to the royal castle. One was near the northeast and one was near the west. Although all three academies were equal in teaching capabilities, Elmar's Royal Academy had its own rules which made it special compared to the others.
Although the academy was managed by the emperor himself, it was not swarmed with nobles. Due to its rules which prevented any outside interference, the majority of the noble families avoided it. It was a place for the strong, with strict rules that controlled everyone inside regardless of their race or lineage.
Finally, the awaited day arrived. Clifford entered the academy through its massive gates, which connected to a long road leading to the academy's building. A middle-aged man stood at the front of the decorated road, blocking all the newcomers who came to join the academy from going further.
Although relatively short, his body was covered in a black robe adorned with red decorations, and one golden thread was tied around his waist. His tight robe displayed a moderately muscular body, and his short hair was completely golden in color. He held a long spear with a black polearm and two sharp heads on each end, one red and the other completely black, matching the pole's color. Releasing his pressure, the man brought everyone's attention to him.
"Silence," the man roared, forcing the noise to die down before continuing, "The test can't wait any longer."
"Infernal Asylum!" Muttering these words, the man struck the ground with his spear, causing flames to spread in every direction. The floor dried slowly as lava cracks snaked through it, causing the newcomers to panic momentarily. The clouds below the sun turned red as the sun's color changed, becoming bright red. The sky darkened, turning completely black, giving the place a depressing feeling, and the originally bright world turned into a hell on earth as the temperature increased, making everyone sweat.
"Welcome to my world! My name is Credo, and I will be the elder managing your first test." Finishing his words, the man separated the spear into two parts before striking the floor with the black end, causing rock-shaped stairs to burst up from the ground, rising high toward the sky.
"Step forward and climb the stairs," Credo said, jumping and landing on the 35th step. "Once you reach me, hand in your identity card to qualify. However, be aware that only a thousand may qualify."
Once Credo finished speaking, everyone rushed forward, including Clifford. Like some of the cultivators, Clifford didn't feel the pressure on the path and reached the professor among the first three hundred.
"Hand in your identity card and sit down." Obeying, Clifford gave Credo his ID and sat down as told. Time passed slowly as Clifford meditated in silence. After an hour, the last qualifier reached the 20th stair and handed in his card.
"We have enough for this year. The rest may go." Speaking quietly, Credo made his announcement before striking the floor with the red spearhead, causing everyone who didn't hand him their ID to disappear, effectively ejecting them from his world.
"Twenty is the magic number. If you are older than twenty, you are out." Fetching card by card, the elder started handing those above 20 years old their cards back before expelling them all with a strike of his spear.
"Next, you will continue climbing. The higher you climb, the higher your status will be in the academy."
"Higher status means more resources and, in some cases, access to special privileges," Credo continued, jumping and landing on the top step. "Go ahead, show me how high you can go!" At his words, everyone continued climbing.
Slowly, the ranks started changing as Clifford found himself passing some of those who had rushed forward because he took his time, unlike the rest. Reaching the 30th step, Clifford noted that he had passed about three hundred who had given up due to the pressure, which he was starting to feel now. Continuing forward, Clifford increased his pace, slowly passing those who had given up. At the 50th step, Clifford felt the pressure increasing wildly. However, he found himself among the first hundred this time, while the remaining candidates gave up, happily accepting their current limit.
Witnessing someone step on the 51st floor, Credo struck the stairs with both of his spearheads, causing some of the stairs to collapse, forcing the candidates to raise their legs higher than they had needed to previously in order to climb up. Unfazed, Clifford continued climbing slowly until he reached the 75th step. Above him, thirty others with willpower no weaker than him were catching their breaths, preparing to climb higher.
Starting from the 76th step, everyone felt a torrent of wind trying to push them back. They gritted their teeth, trying to climb higher. Three hours later, upon reaching the 81st floor, everyone felt as if a wall was blocking their path forward, causing their number to drop to ten.