On the day the entrance examination was taking place, Kaden and his father rode the flying car to the specified location.

The Central Martial Academy was on another planet, but they held examinations on a few of the central planets.

The Hale family’s mansion was located on planet Rhea, and it was one of the key central planets in the Democratic Alliance. That made taking the entrance examination rather easy. For people who didn’t have such luck, it was a bit more troublesome.

“There’s so many.” Looking out through the window, Kaden wore an expression of wonder.

The hundreds of people gathered at the temporary testing site, was the most he had ever seen since coming to this world. It really put things into perspective for him. There were only just barely a hundred demons in the Underworld, but far more than that had showed up here. And that wasn’t even close to being all the planet’s inhabitants.

“Many of the academies cooperate and hold the entrance examinations together. It cuts a lot of costs. Most people aren’t here for the Central Martial Academy,” Camden said.

“Oh,” Kaden said, nodding, but then frowned. “Why wouldn’t they try since they’re here, anyway?” It didn’t make sense to him. Why wouldn’t you go for the best academy? Even if you failed, it didn’t cost you anything but time.

“None of the top academies are free, and the Central Martial Academy is by far the most expensive. Few families can afford to send their children there. The vast majority just send their children to their planet’s general education academy. There’s usually only two types of students attending the top academies. The first, and simplest, are the students with affluent families. They either have enough money to pay the tuition outright, or they have enough income and assets to secure a loan.”

“I’m guessing I fall under that type then?” Even though he knew his father owed a debt, Kaden was still sure they were well on the affluent side.

The manor they lived in was large and situated on an enormous property. And even though hundreds of people had gathered at the entrance examination site, there were few flying cars parked, making it clear not everyone could afford such luxuries.

“Yes, you don’t need to worry about the cost. I’ll pay for your tuition just as I did for your siblings. If you get in, of course.”

“I will.” Kaden said, determination flashing in his eyes. This was just a minor step on his journey to explore the world. There was no way he was going to be stopped here.

Watching him, Camden gave a nod of approval. “Good, I believe in you.”

“What’s the other type student then?” Kaden asked, he wanted to learn as much as he could about the ways of the academies. After all, he would soon be going to one.

“Well, they are sponsored, either by a corporation or the military. In exchange, they sign a contract with a variable amount of years of service. With good potential, you will get a more favorable contract and the choice to attend better academies. But the better the academy, the more expensive it is, increasing the duration of the contract.“

“If it’s all about money in the end, why is there even a need for an examination?”

“To have the status and appeal of a top academy, you can’t just accept anyone, can you? Besides, the government allocates extra funding based on the ability of the graduates. A nation lives and dies by the strength of its citizens. The situation on the borders can hardly be described as stable, so it’s a good thing to have capable citizens to conscript if needed.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. It’s quite smart, actually.” Kaden said, marveling at the fact that someone had come up with such a genius system. The government was basically getting top tier reservist soldiers for emergencies, without taking on the full cost of training them.

“Indeed.” Camden smiled, delighted that Kaden seemed to have understood the inner workings. “Still, it’s nothing for you to worry about. The situation with the Interstellar Empire has been tense for a long time, but it doesn’t look like war is going to break out. Neither of us are interested in fighting someone close to our own size, we’d both much rather keep picking on smaller fish.”

The flying car flew over and landed in the designated landing zone, right with all the other cars.

Stepping out, Kaden and his father went to go complete the registration process.

Registration was easy, as all they had to do was provide Kaden’s identification. The data was stored on the wrist communicator he had gotten for his tenth birthday. Kaden simply tapped it against the scanner, and then the identification was transferred, uploaded to the system.

Now registered, they just had to wait their turn.

As promised, there really weren’t many that were here for the Central Martial Academy. There were only four others in front of him, and chairs had been set out for them, so they didn’t have to stand in lines like everyone else.

It didn’t take long either. After waiting just half an hour, they were already being led inside a building to take the examination.

Meanwhile, the other lines hadn’t moved in the slightest. Those people had a long day ahead of them.

Inside of the building, they were met by a pair of examiners. A man and a woman.

“Welcome Mr… Hale?” The male examiner looked down at his tablet, and then a shocked expression soon appeared on his face. “I’m terribly sorry sir, you should’ve said you had arrived, we would’ve come out to get you immediately.”

Kaden just watched confused as both of the examiners looked nervous. He knew his father was strong, and their family was well off, but he hadn’t expected it to be to this degree.

“Don’t worry about it, Terrence,” Camden said, having taken a quick look at the man’s nametag. “Were not in a rush, and it wouldn’t do to jump ahead of the others.”

“Right…” Terrence tugged his collar, looking lost with no idea what to say.

“Why don’t we get started. If you would both follow me, please.” Luckily, the female examiner noticed his peril and came to his rescue.

Copying his father, Kaden took a look at the woman’s nametag, remembering her name, Olivia.

“We’ll begin with testing your attributes, using this machine called a full body scanner.” Olivia said, gesturing to the aforementioned scanner beside her. “Have you tried it before?”

Looking at this monstrous cubical machine that was easily 2.5 meters tall, Kaden didn’t think that the one he had tried as a baby counted. Besides, people wouldn’t expect him to remember that, anyway.

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“No,” He replied, shaking his head.

“Well, there’s not much to it, all you have to do is step inside and let the essence rays scan your body. It’s simple, really.” Olivia gave him a reassuring smile.

Kaden nodded, flashing a smile back at her before stepping confidently into the scanner.

Olivia then started operating the machine, and soon the scanning process started.

With essence manipulation skill that he had now, he could feel it clearly when the rays of essence passed over him, traveling through his body.

Kaden could see that his father was starting to look a bit nervous now, but Kaden knew the man would be feeling something entirely different in just a few moments.

“Okay, just a moment…“ Olivia pressed a few more buttons. “There we go, you can step out now.”

The machine began processing the results, and Kaden stepped out to wait with the others.

Soon a bunch of text appeared on the black vertical display.

Kaden Hale

Level 3

Attributes

142 Strength

111 Agility

85.5 Vitality

84.5 Endurance

106.5 Willpower

88.5 Essence Power

Total

618

Level Adjusted Potential Rating @ 55% Growth Cycle

S+

Kaden hadn’t thought that the machine would be able to read his level, or the precise value of his attributes, but it did. And when he laid eyes on the rating at the bottom, he found another surprise waiting for him.

He knew he was strong. He had an excellent class, two top tier bloodlines, and superb potential, but he still hadn’t been expecting such a high rating. Of course the machine couldn’t accurately adjust for his level or bloodlines as it didn’t know the details of them, but the result was still out of his expectations. And it was still adjusted for a growth cycle higher than his, so his potential was even higher than the machine thought.

While Kaden had been somewhat prepared for the results, he had still been taken by surprise. As no one else in the room had even seen it coming, it was even more of a shock for them.

The two examiners were slack jawed as they stood with comically open mouths, getting more and more stunned the further they read. It was one surprise after another.

Kaden had even seen a glimmer of surprise cross his father’s face for a moment. But it was only there for a second, and then it was gone. The man had been quick to conceal it.

Oh well, Kaden knew his father would find his high attributes quite suspicious, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.

“S grade overall, could even be SS grade…” Terrence mumbled, still having trouble pulling himself together.

Olivia was better off and remembered what her current duties were. Tearing her eyes away from the screen, she asked him, “Since you’re level 3, have you picked a class yet?”

Kaden looked to his father, and when the man nodded, replied, “Yes.”

“What class?” Terrence asked eagerly, wearing an expression of curiosity with a little obsession mixed in.

“That is private information, naturally.” His father stepped in and shut that questioning down right away.

“Of course sir, we understand. However, as it will be listed on his records at the academy, might I ask what grade it is?”

“You may. It’s rare,” Camden said.

“Alright.” Olivia marked the information down on her tablet. “Well, that’s it for the attribute test, shall we proceed with the combat examination?”

***

Kaden took the combat examination and naturally passed with flying colors. After all, even his father had thought he would easily make it through that one.

Passing all the criteria, he was accepted into the academy and given his very own student ID. They were also provided with some general information regarding when the term would begin, as well as other relevant information.

With everything in order, Kaden and his father went back to their flying car to return home.

The trip back was very different to how it had been on the way over. While the mood in the flying car was definitely good, Kaden couldn’t help but notice that his father was constantly staring at him, like he wanted to say something.

Kaden assumed he wanted to ask him about his attributes, but didn’t want to pry. It made the trip slightly awkward, as they didn’t say a word to each other during the entire return trip.

“So… you’ll be leaving in three days, huh?” Camden said as they stood in the manor's entrance.

“I suppose.” Kaden really couldn’t believe it either.

It wasn’t that he was surprised to get in; it was that he was finally here, at this point in his life. After ten years in this world, he was finally on the cusp of leaving home to explore more of the outside world.

“I’m proud of you, son,” Camden said, giving him a quick hug.

“Thanks dad.” Kaden hugged him back, and he really was grateful to this man. For training him, teaching him, taking care of him…

“Well…” Camden took a step back. “I better go get your plane ticket sorted then, wouldn’t want all the seats to be taken.” He gave Kaden a quick clap on the shoulder before leaving.

***

At dinner that evening, the good news was announced by his father.

Everyone that had been present when Kaden’s potential was revealed ten years ago, was just as surprised as the examiners had been. That included the servants and the other wives.

None of them had expected him to get into the Democratic Alliance’s best academy. While it was funny for Kaden to see their gob smacked expressions, it ultimately didn’t matter much.

Lily was naturally sad that he was leaving. Not just because he was leaving, but because she would be the only child left at home. She wasn’t quite old enough yet.

He knew how much she loved the company of her siblings, so Kaden could imagine how hard it was for her to be all by herself for a full year.

Amy and Godfrey had both graduated, but Godfrey was still training hard in the Holy Order and rarely returned, while Amy had gone into the military.

Nonetheless, Kaden made full use of the last few days he had at home.

They didn’t stop their training either, and his father even stepped the intensity up a notch. Kaden supposed that the man just wanted to impart all the knowledge he could before he left. And he didn’t complain, he still had a lot left to learn from the man, and now was no time to slack off.

But the few days passed in an instant. Before he knew it, it was time for him to leave.

All his possessions had been packed and were already loaded on the spaceship that would take him to his destination.

Standing at the boarding terminal, Kaden and his father were saying their last goodbyes.

“I know that there comes a time in every young man’s life where they must go out and make their own way. Still… that doesn’t make this any easier,” Camden said, chuckling and pulling his son in for a hug. “I’m going to miss you, so you better make sure you come home during the break.”

“I promise,” Kaden said.

“Good.” Camden nodded, clapping him on his shoulders, and then a reminiscent look crossed his face. “I can hardly imagine how tall you’re going to be when I next see you, you used to be so small, but you’ve already grown so big. I don’t know if I’ve told you this enough, so I’ll just say it again, I’m really proud of you Kaden.”

“I know dad.” Kaden felt a bit touched. He couldn’t deny that this man had been good to him.

“Well, you better remember it. And remember to eat well, listen to your instructors, and don’t slack off. Don’t waste my money, kiddo.” Camden barked out a laugh, shaking his head at his own joke.

“Right and… thanks again dad,” Kaden said.

“What for?” Camden looked at him with a quizzical expression, wondering what he was on about.

“Just… not asking.” Kaden knew that the man was curious about his high attributes, but he hadn’t tried to get anything out of him at all.

“Everyone is entitled to their own secrets,” Camden said, smiling at him. “I’ll see you again soon. And don’t forget, you can always write if something comes up. Actually… scratch that. You better write me whether something comes up or not.”

“I will, dad,” Kaden said, nodding.

“Good, good… Well then, you better catch your flight, I’ll see you soon, you little rascal.” Camden gave Kaden’s hair a quick ruffle.

Kaden smiled, not minding in the slightest. As he entered the spaceship, he turned around and waved goodbye.

This was the first time he was leaving home, in both his lives. He couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for him.