In just a few more minutes, the registration was over, and the gates were closed. It was time to start the entrance exams. Aegon stood in the corner, leaning against the wall as he observed the participants...who, in turn, observed him. Clearly, he was their biggest competition. ’Many Noble Houses can directly send their descendants to the Academy, so the candidates here are either commoners, lesser nobles, or from various organizations,’ Aegon thought. ’The true talents are already admitted, but they will still come for the rankings.’ The ranking tournament was the best part of the entrance exams, as it determined the allocation of resources by the Academy. It was one of the best ways to remain independent. Even if someone wanted to join a House, it was still the best method, since they could showcase their talent and let various Houses recruit them. "The first exam is for the Knight Class." Hearing the announcement, everyone from the Body Pathway moved toward the main stage while the others backed off. As expected, the number of participants for the Knight Class was massive. ’Damn! A total of twelve hundred people.’ That was quite a lot, considering most didn’t even qualify to be here. Aegon glanced at the people who stepped back and thought, ’Mages, huh.’ The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩 There were exams for both the Body and Mage Pathways but none for the Soul Pathway because there were too few people in it. Every person who awakened their Sea of Consciousness was automatically given admission. So, it was clear who the ones backing off were. "He’s following the Body Pathway?" "Not surprising, every single Augustus chooses it." "Yes, but he’s also a Valerian, so he must be following the Soul Pathway too." "That’s too good of a combination." Aegon waited on the stage as the voices of the crowd reached him. Then he glanced to his side and noticed a familiar face looking at him with sheer horror. "Yo! How’s your back?" Aegon asked, smiling at the burly man who had messed with him earlier during registration. The man flinched and quickly bowed. "I-I’m sorry for what I did back there. I will never do it again." "Now, now, don’t create a scene," Aegon said, glancing at how everyone was watching him. "Believe me, it won’t be good for you." "I’m really sorry," the man almost cried, but Aegon just patted his back. "It’s not me who will harm you, buddy," Aegon said, helping the man stand straight. "There are people delusional enough to think that by eliminating my supposed enemies, they’ll earn my favor." Only then did the man understand his meaning. Looking around, he felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the killing intent in some of the gazes fixed on him. Aegon smiled and patted his back again. "So, just remember to behave well and not do stuff like that. I don’t really care otherwise." "I swear I won’t do it again," the man gulped in fear. "But... will I be alright?" "You’ll be fine as long as you decide to change," Aegon shrugged and turned his attention to the front, where the examination had already begun. The first part involved testing their rank. For that, there were ten obsidian blocks upon which the participants would place their hands and then it would reveal their current level. "My name is Herculas, young master," the man introduced himself hesitantly. "And I once again apologize. I’ll stay on a good path from today." "Glad you understand, but it would be better for you if you don’t get too chummy with me," Aegon said. "You seriously lack the brains to understand this world." Herculas scratched his head in embarrassment and quietly moved back, putting a bit of distance between them. [You don’t hate him?] It was the system this time. ’Not really. He seemed like your average bully type before, but he’s clearly willing to change, so why would I hate him? It’s not like he’s committed serious crimes. He’s just a kid.’ [So, you forgave him. Understood.] It was finally his turn. Aegon stepped forward and stopped before the obsidian block. Even the instructor standing nearby gave him a long look before speaking. "Aegon Valeria Augustus. Fifteen years old. Please place your hand on the testing block." The audience stirred, and the other participants were visibly taken aback after hearing that. Everyone knew that the majority, if not all, of them were at least seventeen years old, so seeing a fifteen-year-old here was shocking. Normally, one started cultivating at the age of fifteen, as that was when the body’s essence began developing properly, making it the ideal age to begin cultivation. That was also why the Academy allowed two years before the entrance exams, so they could measure one’s growth and talent accurately. Everyone took the exams at seventeen for a reason. Aegon didn’t pay attention to the whispers. He simply placed his hand on the obsidian block. In the next moment, he felt a strange energy course through his body before returning to the block. As he withdrew his hand, his gaze fell on the carved spheres embedded in the black surface, just like everyone else’s. Under the heated stares of thousands, the first sphere lit up, eliciting a collective gasp from the entire stadium. But it didn’t end there, the faint glow of the second sphere followed. "He’s already Rank 1? Unbelievable!" "And he’s just fifteen this year!" "Fools! He’s almost at Rank 2! Look at the second sphere properly!" "As expected from an Augustus. He’s a monster!" "His Essence must be incredibly potent to reach this level at such a young age!" Raphael tapped the handrest of his seat with a faint smile. ’You will become mine, Aegon.’ ’He is strong,’ Gabriel thought, her face expressionless though her mind was alight. ’I want him. I will have you under me, Aegon.’ Amon glanced at Aegon, then at the two siblings beside him, before shaking his head in amusement. ’Bunch of fools. You’re too young to understand it, but a Valerian can never be tamed, especially one raised by that lass. You can forget all about those nasty thoughts.’ Of course, he didn’t voice his thoughts. His lips simply curled as he adjusted the monocle on his right eye. ’Interesting development. Everything is going according to plan.’