Shifting his gaze around him, Samael can spot a lot of anxious students fidgeting as they line up near the testing stage. Oddly enough, sensing Lilith's attention on him made him feel a little odd himself.

As the participants went to the stage one by one, a mix of disappointment, tears, and cheers of victory echoed in the stadium.

Some managed to barely pass, while others missed by a point. Nonetheless, many of them failed the test.

Meanwhile, five people sat in a seat above the crowds, watching and discussing themselves.

"As usual, a lot of failures," a voice spoke.

"What would you expect from these... lesser nobles?" Another chimed in.

As the line ended, it was finally time for the Thaesir heir, Cairo Posh. As he walked up the stage, loud screams thundered in the crowd, mainly from the female watchers.

As Cairo stood before the wall, he closed his eyes and raised his hand forward. Slowly, a chilling wind enveloped the stage.

"Ice surge."

A large conical block of ice exploded from the ground, striking the wall and impaling it. However, it only got so far before halting.

"Congratulations; you pass with high praises," the instructor said upon measuring the scale of destruction.

Getting the confirmation, Cairo proceeded to the next stage as he shot a look at the testing dummy.

In one breath, he delivered a heavy blow to its stomach as the machine beside it started to go to work.

"7,445 kg! Congratulations! You pass with high praises!" The instructor said.

Cairo gave a nod as he left, causing another wave of uproar from the female viewers.

"Tsk, show off," Eric muttered as he went on stage.

Looking at the solid wall, a smirk escaped his lips as he positioned himself.

"Crimson fist."

Eric's hand glew crimson as a nearly transparent red aura enveloped his entire hand up to his forearms.

Taking a martial arts stance, he took a deep breath. With one breath, he dashed forward with speed no other heir could produce as he delivered a brutal blow to the wall.

As his fist collided with the solid block, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the dome as the dust stirred, forming a cloud. As it settled, a large hole was inflicted on the testing machine.

"Congratulations! You passed with high praise!" The instructor said.

A wide smirk escaped his lips as he proudly went to the next test. Looking at the dummy, Eric blasted forward as he sent a heavy punch into its skull.

"32,378 kg! That's the highest so far!" The instructor said.

"You pass!" He followed.

As Eric stepped off the stage, he looked at his father, who stood in one of the VIP seats.

Now, it was Samael's turn.

As he stepped on the stage, murmurs and whispers filled the room. Speculations, along with doubt, were present in the eyes of the viewers.

After all, Samael to them was nothing but a peasant. A random nobody who suddenly intruded on their society.

Clearly, all they wanted was to see him fail. Among those people is Eric, who holds a deep grudge against Samael.

Looking at the man, Eric whispered. "Good luck beating that."

Shifting his gaze at Lilith, Samael saw the girl's hopeful eyes. Now, how can he betray that?

Standing before the solid white wall, Samael caressed its smooth surface. Under the curious gazes of the crowd, he chanted.

"Null thrust."

A large, ear-shattering explosion shook the entire dome as a dust cloud formed, blinding everyone.

As it settled, the scene before them left everyone in awe and Eric in utter disbelief.

The very wall they struggled to destroy was left with nothing but dust and ruins. What remained of the mighty white block was but mere small fragments winding in the wind. Even the stage had suffered considerable damage.

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The instructor felt lost for words as he stuttered.

"I-I can't believe this," he muttered.

"Y-you pass with flying colors," he said.

Eric's face fumed in rage as his hands formed a fist, his blood boiling beneath his skin.

They couldn't even see the attack, as it was too sudden and explosive. Not to mention the scale of damage it did!

Approaching the next test, Samael positioned himself before his figure vanished, leaving the Thaesir heirs watching in the shadow with their eyes wide.

Appearing inches before the dummy, Samael sent a heavy blow to its chest, causing a significant tear to its materials as a thunderous bang rocked the stage along with the shockwave coursing through the room.

"7-79,000! I C-CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" The instructor roared as he frantically stood up from his seat.

The audience fell silent in utter disbelief, their murmurs and whispers hushed down by his raw strength.

This was a feat even some of their professors could not do! Just what is going on?! How can a kid the same age as the other nobles do this?

The Thaesir heir's faces fell grim as they watched Samael walk off the stage without care. As though this was just another ordinary feat! Or was it?

The head of the Donovan clan couldn't help but cuss under his breath. Of course, the brat was nearly a saint in power. There was no way his son could even compete! Eric had fallen for his trap the moment he requested a duel.

Lilith, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel proud as she watched Samael nonchalantly show his power.

Meanwhile, the five professors of the family's were left in deep surprise. As the instructor said, even they cannot do something of this magnitude without putting all of their power into it. Even then, they may fall short.

Unsure of what to do next, the instructor chose to proceed with the tests as planned.

After some walking, the passing applicants were sent into a room where knights stood watch. It was now time for the general knowledge exams.

The questions in the test weren't too easy or too difficult. For Samael, who has traveled far and wide, these things were common knowledge, allowing him to pass without much struggle. However, he cannot say the same for the other students.

As he passed by them, the pressure began to rise. But Samael paid them no mind as he went to the next room.

The combat knowledge was far easier for him. It asked a lot of questions pertaining to scenario-driven actions, like what will you do when a Lairax attacks you or when you have not much equipment but a specific list?

These were all things Samael had mastery over. After all, he did spend the last eight years of his life wandering the woods and wilderness, facing monsters on a daily basis, and fighting for his life.

With that being said, Samael swiftly went through the questions with speed that even the Thaesir heirs couldn't compete with, leaving them in disarray and utter frustration.

How can they not? They spent their entire lives training and learning just for this very moment, and a random nobody walks in and steals all the spotlight. Not to mention, knowing that a member of their clan is the leading figure of specific familia's just raised the difficulty of passing.

It's not like they are all loving and caring; to these people, honor and results are what matter. Should they fall short, they could very well deny them to avoid tarnishing their family reputation even more.

Although they are free to choose their own families, that doesn't mean the leader of that faction does not have the ability to refuse.

After some time, the tests finally came to an end. It took another hour or so for the staff to finish checking, and the results were put on a board in the middle of the academy.

As they crowded up to check the results, many were left in tears as they found out they fell short of passing. Meanwhile, Samael surprised himself when he found out he was in the top 10 of the highest scorers, leaving many jealous and hostile to him.

By now, the number of students that remained was around 500 of the 8,000 noble kids who had tried to join.

"Congratulations to all passing students! I know the journey has been hard up until now. Many have failed and some succeeded, a natural result we expected. But! do not lay easy, as the real challenge has yet to begin," the headmaster said, startling the students.

"The real challenge lies in the combat assessments—a test where your power shall be measured. Now, take your cards and go to your specific waiting rooms; there you shall be informed of the details," he said before his figure vanished.

Excitement and nervousness prevailed in the room after the announcement. After all their hard work and pain, they were finally nearing the end of the road. Now, they only had to keep it steady and pray they got a weaker opponent, a sentiment Samael did not appreciate.

In the wild, you don't pray; you fight with whoever or whatever may come for you. In reality, your prayers don't do shit when the very church that praises said god is corrupt itself.

After the speech, dozens of staff members swept in, giving the kids a piece of paper with a written number and letter on it.

"These are your designated rooms; please form a line and make your way there," the staff said.

After some organization, Samael finally arrived at the room. This time, he found peace, as there was no big shot among them. That being said, it seems a lot of commoners were in his group.

Nonetheless, all of them shared one emotion: fear. Knowing their lineage and origin, the nobles would surely trample on them. Sure, they're used to the mocking, but that doesn't mean they like it.

However, one of them was different from the rest. He wore a determined expression and sat straight and strong. He wasn't trembling or praying without stopping, but simply staring into nothingness.

Maybe he has a chance, Samael thought as he laid back and closed his eyes. However, he soon sensed the presence of the kid approaching him.

"What do you need?" Samael asked without opening his eyes.

"Are you of noble origins?" he asked.

"I used to be, but not anymore," Samael answered truthfully, luring the attention of the participants present there.

"Then how are you so strong?" The kid asked.

Samael fell silent for a moment as he opened his eyes, his crimson gaze landing on the kid before him.

"Did they put in a rule that only nobles have the right to become strong?"

The kid fell silent as he fell deep into contemplation.

Looking at him closer, he had black hair. Although not as dark as Samael, he was darker than your average man. He also had sharp eyes, which you wouldn't find in most kids, and rough skin, showing the hardships he endured.

"Can you answer my last question?" he asked for the last time as he shot a look at Samael, his pupils empty and devoid of light.

"What are you?"

Samael's brows furrowed.

"I have a peculiar ability. I can see things others can't. I can see 'colors' surrounding people, and that helps me know how strong, kind, and evil they are. But you... I only see... nothing. Just pure, unbending darkness," he said as he strained his eyes to no avail.

He can sense the presence of the Void in me? Samael wondered.

"Go back; prepare for the fight instead of poking your nose where it doesn't belong," Samael said as he went back to rest.

The kid stayed there for a while before going back to his seat.