Today was the final day of the entry ceremonies, and the rituals for this day were held in the combat halls.
There would be four judges who would divide all students into five categories within the academic campus: S, A, B, C, and F.
As the class begins, each category will have a hierarchical ranking system, ordering students from best to worst.
At the end of every three-month academic period, the rankings will be updated based on the students' achievements during that time frame.
The purpose of evaluating and categorizing students, and placing them in different hierarchical sequences, was for two reasons.
The first reason is that the educational methods received by higher-ranked students differ from those ranked lower.
For instance, high-ranking students will be trained and taught at advanced stages suited to their level, while lower-ranked students will receive a lesser degree of education to build everyone appropriately.
The second reason is a form of pride and competition, where students keep the rankings in mind, motivating them to train harder, which in turn makes them stronger.
The top ten students at the end of the five-year academic period are awarded an honorary medal and a personal arsenal, granting them the right to form their own military squads.
The first category is the S category: only 1% of the total number of applicants are classified into this category annually.
Despite the fact that most royal-blooded students are immediately placed in this category, it is not due to their noble lineage alone, but because most of those classified in this category are exceptionally powerful.
They are naturally fierce and sufficiently trained to be placed in this classification, possessing vast resources of wealth, weapons, and support that allow them to excel easily. Additionally, applicants with extraordinary and immense abilities are also placed in this category.
The second category is the A category: typically, this category includes 9% of the total applicants.
Students with abilities slightly lesser than those in the S category are placed here. Some come from royal families, while others have more modest backgrounds.
They are still extremely strong, but not to the level of the royal families. The A category has many diverse capabilities and potential for students who can be promoted to the S category.
Hence, each year, many from this category are promoted to the same stature as the royal families.
The third category is the B category: students classified here are quite ordinary with modest abilities.
It is very rare for someone from this category to be promoted to a higher classification. This category contains the largest number of students annually, with 60% of the students being of the B classification.
The fourth category is the C category: students with the least abilities and the weakest applicants are placed here.
This category can be considered a dream-killer since being placed here means you lack the necessary capabilities to stay awake. Annually, 20% of the applicants are placed in this category, and they all end up becoming ordinary officers or soldiers on the battlefield.
The last classification is the F category: annually, 10% of the total applicants are classified here.
All those classified in this category are expelled from the academy after the first year, as they are too weak to have any chance of fighting against the creatures of chaos.
This classification is a mark of shame for any applicant, as there is no bright future ahead for anyone in this category, who will end up becoming mere merchants or farmers.
All the students advanced that day with nervousness, as no one wanted to be placed in low rankings. However, there was also a sense of excitement in the air.
Jin, who didn't understand any of this, felt bored as usual. There were thousands of students who would go before him.
"Fuck this number, why the hell was I given 9801?" Jin muttered, sitting outside the hall, leaning against a tree.
Jin had already seen many people coming out delighted, and many others looking disappointed. What amused him the most was seeing several students crying as they left the arena.
Everything was normal until Jin heard a loud commotion approaching the hall.
A beautiful girl just left the exam hall , her long white hair flowed down her back. Her stunning green eyes sparkled with enchanting charm, catching Jin's attention.
The silver armor she wore was sculpted to perfection, fitting her curves flawlessly. The armor was tight, accentuating her breasts, while its elegant lines highlighted her slim waist.
The armor was both alluring and strong, barely concealing her thighs and hips, revealing the extreme softness of her body. The way she carried the slender silver sword added an extra touch of danger to her captivating allure.
Crowds gathered around her, congratulating and approaching her, while many others appeared extremely annoyed.
Jin heard people shouting:
"Did you hear that? Yumi got first place!"
"The Atrevalia clan is terrifying, my god!"
"Did you hear? She already possesses awakening powers!"
It seemed that this girl, Yumi from Atrevalia, had already acquired awakening powers and ranked first in the S classification.
This was the first time Jin saw her clearly, as he had been sleepy and uninterested on the first day.
"What a beautiful girl," Jin whistled, admiring her at first sight.
She was the first girl he had seen with white hair like his own, and she was extremely beautiful, composed, and, above all, the strongest among all the students.
Jin wasn't a romantic person and didn't care about women at all, but this girl had truly caught his attention.
"I guess this academy isn't so bad after all," Jin smiled contentedly.
A few minutes later, the second place was already decided. It was Jonathan from the Malekith family, whom everyone expected to take the first place.
He walked out with a look of satisfaction and disappointment at the same time, and everyone welcomed and greeted him just like they did with Yumi.
" Why are all the rich guys so handsome?" Jin felt jealous of the many girls surrounding him.
It didn't take long before the third place was decided. Jin guessed correctly this time that Alucard from Shanzo would take the third spot.
He was the most famous and cheerful person, which made everyone gravitate toward him.
But that wasn't the only reason Jin guessed right; his strong physique indicated he was incredibly powerful.
He was the only one Jin had seen clearly on the first day of the ceremony, and Jin admired his physique, which made him feel envious of his own lack of muscles in comparison.
"Well, this is expected," Jin said, somewhat satisfied, as he didn't dislike Alucard despite him being from a royal clan.
The students continued to get in and out until it was Henry's turn. From a distance, Jin spotted him and waved. "Hey, Henry! Come over here."
Henry smiled, "Oh, Mr. Jin, hello."
"Tell me, how were you ranked?"
Henry sighed, "I was ranked lowest in category B, but I'm somewhat satisfied because I wasn't placed in category C."
Jin patted Henry's back to encourage him, "Hmm, that's good. Well done, Henry."
Henry smiled, "I think it's your turn now, Mr. Jin."
"Yes, finally. I was about to die of boredom."
There weren't many people left outside, but there were a few who stared at Jin as he entered.
Because of the first day of the ceremony, Jin had caught the attention of many people, and he was one of the most disliked individuals in the place.
Jin entered the hall to see four people in front of him, among them was Saruman, sitting with a smile.
"Welcome, student number 9801. Tell us about your abilities," Saruman said with a smile.
Jin replied, "I am Jin, and I use the sword, I suppose."
Saruman smiled, "Alright, today your abilities will be evaluated by me, and teachers Paul, Xiao, and Chris. We will rank you based on your abilities."
"So show us what you've got without hesitation."
Jin hesitated, thinking, "Should I use my blood powers?"
But he quickly dismissed the idea, "No, that could put me under suspicion again."
Jin thought for a moment and then said to them, "Alright, can I use one of those swords?" He pointed to the wall in front of him, which had various weapons hanging on it.
Paul replied, "Do whatever makes you comfortable."
Jin moved to pick up a sword and swung it, "Not bad."
He then stood before them and said, "So, who will I be facing today?"
The teachers looked at him mockingly, "What do you mean by 'who will you face'? You're here just to display your abilities."
Jin scratched his head, not understanding, "How can I show what I have if there's no one to face?"
The teachers looked annoyed until Saruman said, "No problem. Do you permit me to face you, student Jin?"
"Revered Saruman, what are you doing?" Xiao looked at Saruman in surprise.
Saruman laughed, "Don't be hard on the boy. Maybe he has a different way to show us his abilities."
Saruman then took out a small dagger hidden in the sleeve of his coat and said, "I'll face you with this. I won't strike you, but don't hold back, show me everything you have."
Jin sighed and raised his sword, "Alright, get ready."
"Huh Are you going to close your eyes during the fight, old man?"
Jin moved with force, aiming the sword at Saruman's head, who was smiling with his eyes closed, easily blocking the strike.
Jin's sword recoiled, causing him to be pushed back slightly, as if he had been shoved. Jin was sure that colliding with Saruman's dagger would be simple, but somehow the clash made his sword recoil.
"Fuck," Jin moved to the left, swinging his sword in several deceptive directions, but Saruman blocked them all effortlessly.
The other teachers were visibly frustrated as Jin appeared very weak.
But Saruman remained smiling, blocking Jin's strikes effortlessly.
Jin continued his attack with ferocity, hoping to at least scratch Saruman.
"Clang... Clang... Clang... " Saruman effortlessly deflected every blow as if playing with a child, his movements smooth and deliberate.
Jin's frustration grew with each failed attempt, his attacks becoming more desperate and uncontrolled.
The other masters watched, their faces a mix of frustration and concern.
But Saruman remained calm, his smile never wavering. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted quietly, his voice barely a whisper.
Jin panted heavily, feeling weak. "Damn it, why can't I hit him?"
Suddenly, a paper appeared before Jin's eyes, invisible to everyone else.
"What the hell? I didn't summon the guardian of Amon!" Jin was astonished as he looked at the paper.
Jin's gaze seemed vacant to the masters, making them think he had lost his mind as he stared into the air.
"Do you want to enter combat mode? [Yes/No]" appeared on the paper.
Jin didn't understand what this was, but he answered anyway, "Yes."
Jin's expression turned into an unnatural frown, a fleeting flash of terror in his eyes before a strange calm settled on his features.
His body tensed, overtaken by an invisible force. "What's happening? Why can't I move?" he muttered, his voice trembling and barely audible, as if something was choking the words from him.
Suddenly, Jin's eyes became cold and lifeless, blue and devoid of emotion. The air around him grew thick with a sinister chill, as if death itself had taken control.
His gaze was so cold, hollow, and lifeless. then He drew his sword behind him and dragged it across the ground, the sound of the blade scraping the ground echoing loudly, as if it were splitting the ground.
It seemed strange to Saruman, as if the ground was recoiling from his sword.
Jin's body moved slowly, his eyes fixed on Saruman with an unemotional demeanor.
In a moment, Jin moved with terrifying speed, leaping into the air with a smooth and graceful motion, lifting his legs as if dancing through the air.
The position Jin held as he leaped brought the sword downward while his twisted, dancing body moved upward.
He then continued his movement, raising the sword high above his head to swing it down with deadly force.
"Clang!" Saruman quickly moved his dagger to block Jin's strike, the metallic clash between Jin's blade and Saruman's dagger resonating throughout the room. Saruman barely managed to deflect the blow.
The force of the impact sent waves through the air, causing Saruman to stagger back slightly, his eyes wide with shock. The intent of that strike was undoubtedly to kill Saruman!
Jin landed on the ground, turned his head to look at Saruman, who was now behind him, with a dry, cold, and terrifying gaze.
Strangely, Jin's hand was bleeding after that swing. Jin resumed moving slowly toward Saruman, dragging the sword on the ground once more, and this was not the end.
Jin suddenly lunged forward, delivering several deadly strikes to Saruman,"Clang... Clang... Clang... "
Saruman deftly parried each of Jin's strikes, but the relentless ferocity of Jin's assault left him struggling to maintain his defense.
"What's happening to you, boy?" Saruman muttered to himself, realizing that the one he was fighting was not Jin.
Jin's cold, hollow eyes continued their fierce and erratic assault, each movement powerful and unpredictable.
The clash of sword and dagger echoed in the hall, astounding everyone, even those outside the battlefield who heard the deafening clashes.
Jin struggled to control his body. "Stop! Stop, you fucking thing!" Jin was terrified, fearing that he might actually kill Saruman.
But suddenly, Saruman changed his stance, his gaze turning serious as he looked at Jin with piercing eyes.
Saruman vanished from Jin's view and appeared behind him in an instant, striking him forcefully on the head with the hilt of his dagger, leaving Jin to faint.
Silence fell over the hall as Saruman sheathed his dagger, his face showing clear signs of annoyance and discontent.
Master Kris broke the silence, looking shocked. "What in the heavens was that?"
Paul looked at Jin's unconscious body with a mix of shock and confusion. He turned to Saruman, his voice tinged with incredulity, "Saruman, why did you suddenly get serious?"
Saruman replied as he returned to his chair, "I don't know what happened to the boy, but everything I was fighting was not him."
Then he turned his gaze to Xiao, who remained calm, watching Jin. "Master Xiao, I'll place him under your care. Keep me informed about everything concerning this boy."
Xiao answered calmly, "Do you suspect he might become corrupt?"
Saruman's expression was sad and troubled. "I hope he doesn't."
Thus, Jin emerged from the trial, ranked first in Category B...