Chapter 3 Test.

Many people were gathered around the entrance to the academy. The vast majority of the people there were richly dressed noblemen. Countless

carriages filled up the space in front of the academy, and the various nobles chatted to each other.

Rex and Irene had arrived here as well.

"There's so many people here today and so many nobles too. I've attended the test several times already, but I still can't help but feel nervous." Irene clenching tightly on to his sleeves.

"Nobles? Every single student of the academy is a noble. We'll also be joining their ranks soon. So there's no need to be afraid." Rex laughed, clenching his fist a fervent determined light burning in in his eyes as he looked at the academy gates.

He had taken the spirit root test several times since he turned five, the first time his father had accompanied him through these very gates. He could still remember that encouraging smile his father had given him.

That was one of the last memories he had of him since then he had left to fight against the Savage Barbarians invading the border and even though he had turned out to not have awakened a spirit root after taking the test before and even though a spirit root was not detected then he still never gave up.

One day he would make his father proud. After he awakened his spirit rootw, he would work hard and cultivate to the peak then he would go bring his father back from the front lines.

"Hmph. Those commoners and country bumpkins have also come. Aren't they just dreaming?" A far-away noble laughed.

There were some commoners amongst the hundreds of people crowding the square, and some lower rank nobles like Rex.

Usually, those lower rank nobles and commoners were also looked down upon.

The nobles of the capital were an arrogant lot who generally looked down on people. Thanks to being under the tutelage of his father, Rex wouldn't pay too much heed to that group of self-centered, arrogant nobles.

The entire crowd was clearly delineated into two camps. A circle of nobles who conversed casually, and another with commoners and other lower rank nobles.

At the moment, two armor-clad warriors were standing in front of the academy gates, barring all entry. After a while,the gates opened and a black-robed official stepped out. Stopping in front of the crowd, he smiled and said in a bright voice, "The Spirit root test is about to commence. All of the recruiters for the various major clans and families are ready as well. Everyone who is here for the test, please follow me into the assessment hall."

Under the guidance of the academy official, all of the people were walked into the academy grounds.

The entire road was constructed from symmetrical limestone tiles, wide enough to allow multiple horse carriages to cross simultaneously. On each side of the tiles were trees, lakes, artificial mountains, beautiful pavilions training grounds...

A large group of uniformed patrolmen were walking around the area. Many sharp eyes were staring all around from hidden areas, and despite it being the daytime, they still did not show the slightest sense of relaxation.

As Rex walked past a series of training grounds, a young, but soft shout had gotten his attention from the side. A mere glance would show a small group of 10 year olds being taught some martial art drills by a middle aged man. Rex understood in his heart that these children were disciples from the previous generation.

Walking past the training grounds, the academy official led them into a large Hall. This was where he would undergo the Spirit root Test.

Within the Hall.

The great hall of the cathedral had a floor paved with marble, and hanging above was a massive crystal chandelier. It could easily fit the hundreds of people who entered yet still feel spacious.

In the very front of the great hall, there were a line of chairs, seated upon which were representatives and recruiters of each of the great noble clans and families.

Directly in the middle of the great hall was the testing location. There was a large standing instrument embedded with multiple crystals arranged from small to large at the sides with the largest at the top. There was also a central translucent crystal, about a meter above the ground.

The black robed Academy official smiled and said in a clear voice, "The testing location is right in the center. All testees, please come one at avtime. No one else can enter the circle in the center. All testees, please get in line. Family and friends, please step to one side."

"First."

The bald old man pointed at the crystal ball and said, "Place your hand atop the crystal ball. We will test for your spirit root and affinities."

The first testee was an Eight or nine year old young man. That young man nervously placed his right hand atop the central crystal ball. Immediately, the entire crystal ball began to emanate a hazy grey light as it was activated, but it quickly dimmed

The old man coldly announced, "Age, nine. Spirit root, none. You cannot cultivate."

The instrument was deactivated, and the youngster quietly departed.

A burst of noise from nearby.

"Silence." The bald elder coldly said, and immediately a large group of nobles no longer dared to speak.

"Next."

One after another youngster was tested. Of the first ten, none met the requirements. Right now, a young man stepped up to the instrument and nervously placed his hand on the testing Crystal.

The Crystal lit up as it was activated, but this time the lowest crystal s at the side lit up with a whitish light.

The bald elder glanced at the scrap of paper in his hands, and emotionlessly said, "Age, nine. Spirit root, present. Grade, low." The judgment of the

bald elder had just determined the fate of this Child.

"Oh, how wonderful!" The first person to shout with joy was not the young man. Rather, it was his father, a bald, middle aged, gentlemanly looking person.

They were commoners, it was quite rare for commoners to be lucky enough to awaken a spirit root, most people that did awaken one were from the noble families.

It was common knowledge that if a single parent had a spirit root then the child had an at least 50℅ chance of awakening a spirit root, and if both parents did then that would almost be a guarantee as their child had an at least 99% chance of awakening one.

"Quiet!" The bald elder snapped in a cold, unhappy voice.

Immediately, the ushers came and escorted the young man and his father to where the line of Noble clans and family recruiters sat.

Many envious eyes were cast towards the young man.

As time went on, the people in the main hall grew more and more numerous. The magical testing event would go on for the whole day, so most people didn't see the urge to come right away at the beginning. When Irene's turn came, the line of test-takers had already stretched out the main doors of the Hall.

"Next." The bald elder said again, directing his gaze at Irene.

She stuttered lowering her head. "Um, s sorry I don't want to be a cultivator. I'm not here to take the test, I came with a friend."

"Since you're here, just take it, it's okay," the man encouraged.

"Rex." Irene turned nervous.

He smiled encouragingly and patted her head "it's okay, go I'll be cheering for you."

She nodded and balled her little fists "Mm. I'm off."

"Hrm?" The bald elder's eyes shone as she stepped up, and he immediately activated the test mechanism.

As Irene placed her little palm on the crystal, in just a few seconds, the crystals on the sides suddenly released a burst of green light. Soon, the green light

rushed to the top of the crystal column. The soft shine of the green light, was like a light green rainbow.

"Supreme Spiritual Roots!" The official and several others cried out at almost the same time. Rex saw a crazed look in their eyes.

The elder read from the paper in his hand his voice faintly quivering with excitement, "Age, Eight. Spirit root found, Wood Element Supreme Spirit root. Excellent absolutely marvelous, haha. Young lady you have the potential to be a supreme cultivator, and an extremely powerful one at that."

The crowd exploded into an uproar.