Reith stayed in a corner of the hall and he allowed himself to look around, resting his gaze on most of the students.

There was Peter, sitting on the floor and staying by himself as usual, he had lowered his head down and he couldn't see Reith.

"Who are you looking for?" Isho asked, standing by Reith's side.

Reith merely shook his head. He wasn't really focused on any particular person.

He simply wanted to see how the students had come prepared and safe to say, he already had his answers.

The gathering was quiet for a while until a trumpet resounded and the students turned to the sound.

It was a direction where nothing was placed but something else happened.

From the center of the floor, a gate arose from the floor, and the students' eyes focused on it, unsure of what was going on at the moment.

They didn't notice the speakers and cameras that were coming out from the walls of the room.

Even Reith was carried away by the gate.

Was this the final selection? What kind of exam would they prepare for him.

A alarm resounded again and every student stood at alert. They gripped their weapons tightly and some of them began to set their armours straight.

Reith rested his back on his wall, with his gaze lowered.

This was the Final Selection, this would be the examination to determine which student of the region deserved to go into the world and combat the corrupted frenzies, ranging from the beasts to even the humans.

By the end of this day, they would all know if they were truly ready to stand tall in the face of danger.

This was what the school was built for.

And as Leon Lohengrin sat in a high throne, the same thoughts flowed into his mind.

Around him were countless cheers and yells, this was the main hall were various people were gathered to watch the competition.

There was a massive screen in front of them, and it was currently showing the amount of students that were waiting in the closed walls.

This was the moment they were all waiting for .

This was why they had come.

To support their champions and raise up their victors.

On the high seat of the massive collosus, there were golden seats which were designed intricately with dragons and they held major men in the systems.

These were higher heads, and family who had come to see their children and maybe even adopt a few.

They had all come from various places and were looking forward to maybe even finding an heir to their clan or family.

The black screen showed every one of the students and it displayed their skills, grade talent, cultivation emblem grade, and current cultivation levels.

"Woah! That's an SSS grade talent!"

"Why is his emblem marked as F-grade?"

"Probably why his cultivation is so low. Universe had to give him such a nerf or he would clean the whole slate and come out like the victor."

The people were muttering amongst themselves as they watched the screen display so many information.

Reith had managed to catch the attention of so many people without his knowledge.

"Hey! That guy has an S-grade emblem too."

"Woah! If only the emblem was given to the SSS grade person!"

Of course, humans had their own thoughts to how things should have played.

But if it were that simple, what would be the fun during these moments.

Terra was zeroed in by the camera, and she caused many gaps and widened gazes.

It was expected. She was young and she had captured the heart of many men who instantly subconsciously started rooting for her win.

Even the elders of massive familkes weren't exempted from the excitement.

It was quite an honour to see young people battle together for a win, it made them remember their young days and gave the sweet feeling of nostalgia.

Among the high seats, a middle-aged man clenched his fist and cracked the arms of his chair.

His eyes zeroed in on a timid looking boy with silver hair.

"That boy would disgrace the family name. I shouldn't have let him go along." The man was Isho's father and he was resting with anger. His name was Graven Reinhardt

Just as he uttered the statement, someone spoke to him from the side.

"Just watch, Father. It's a lot better that he disgraces himself here and then we can use it as an excuse to seize that emblem of his, don't you think?" The boy who had spoken also had silver hair that was cut to remain at the nape of his neck.

The robe he wore had golden linings that indicated the identity of royalty.

He was the first born son of the family, and he ultimately believed that he had the right to that peak emblem.

Isho getting it was merely a disgrace to the family's name.

"Yes my son. That should be yours. If he does, then it would be easier to bind you to the emblem." Graven stated, his silver hair was tied as a bun behind him.

He kept staring at the image of his second son.

Anytime he looked at the boy, that woman's face would appear before him, reminding him of a drunken mistake that caused the death of his true beloved.

This man, even though he was elderly hadn't grown past the fact that he should be the one facing the brunt of his mistakes and not forcing it on an innocent child.

Despite all this, Isho was oblivious to what was going on behind him.

In another seat, a young man with dark long hair had a side of his lips lifted up.

"She's too beautiful to be given to that rascal nephew of mine. She should be mine." This dark haired man spoke of Terra like she was an object to be owned by him.

"What do you think mother?" He turned to the aged woman beside him with the same dark hair but there were a few white streaks on hers.

"Yes. Yes. She has the right hip size. Child birthing would be easy for her." The woman said, waving her fan over her lips.

Her eyes were displaying a strange yet dangerous look.

This was her own internal plan. She was married off to this clan.

The Fire Dragon Clan and all her dreams had been cut off with her only job being a breeder for the clan head.

She now had a new dream, making other young girls suffer the same way she did.

"Ashraf, your taste is just like your father's. Very exquisite." She uttered behind her fan, causing the young man to widen his grin.

"Yes, thank you mother." Ashraf smiled, liking his lips.

As if sensing a disgusting gaze, Terra turned her head and her eyes locked in with one of the cameras.

Why did her body feel so strange?

"Probably my imagination." She muttered. She currently had no armour or weapon on her.

The only thing she carried was a normal looking ring and she looked up, instantly spotting someone.

It was the guy that had given her his observation. His head was lowered and his friend sat in a cross-legged position behind him.

Terra narrowed her gaze and she realised something that was totally off.

"He's asleep??" She said out loud, before clamping her mouth shut, hoping that no one has heard her.

Reith's breathing was even and slow and it gave no other conclusion, other than the fact that he was soundly sleeping.

Terra was confused but it reminded her of the same way this person had been doing exercises in a place meant solely for cultivation.

The introduction of all the students were made in the collosus and Leon rose to his feet, it was time to give his speech.

An holographic image of his body was transmitted to the students in the closed hall.

It wasn't the real image but his mere presence commanded an instant respect.

"That's the Regional Insignia!"

"Keep quiet, he's about to talk to us."

Students were excited and this was expected because almost everyone looked up to this golden figure of a man, despite his current image.

This time Leon took the image of his original self instead of the child- figure he had shown when Reith first met him.

"Today," his voice boomed, enhanced by hidden speakers in the walls, "marks the end of your years of preparation, and the beginning of your true journey. You will step into the gatez, and it will test you not by what you think you are, but it will test the very abilities and characteristics that define your identity."

The students shivered. Some out of excitement, some from pure dread.

They had all heated rumors and news of the Final Selection. For others, it drove them to train harder and for some, it made them have nightmares.

Leon's holographic gaze swept over the students like an executioner's blade, yet he paused briefly when his eyes landed on Reith with his head lowered.

A flicker of curiosity flashed in Leon's pupils, but he quickly masked it. He was already familiar with Reith and his strange feats.

"You will face the beasts and monsters. You will face yourselves. Some of you will rise as champions of your clans. Some will die. That is the price of glory, and the weight of this world. So I ask you all to keep your heart ever ready! And prepare to fight for your lives!"

Leon said, concluding his speech and a deafening roar erupted from both the students and onlookers at the collosus.

The large gate that was just one, instantly split into different amounts and each student had a gate appear in front of them.

The gate's light pulsed stronger, painting the walls of the hall with shifting colors

It was not just a doorway, as it was humming with a low growl that stirred something terrifying in every student.

Near the back, a bulky youth slammed his fist into his chestplate and barked out, "This is what we trained for. If you cannot handle this, then go home now." His voice carried, making a few nearby students straighten their spines in shame.

Another laughed nervously, trying to hide the shake in his knees. "Home? Who would give up when the clans are watching? Even if I die, at least they will see my name." He said out loud, and moved towards his own gate.

This reaction made all the students feel the same way also.

Terra's lips pressed together as she looked around. Every face was drawn tight with nerves or burning with pride. All except one. Reith's head rested against the wall and his breathing was even.

"He is still asleep," she whispered, disbelief lacing her words.

However, she turned her attention to the gate in front of her.

Isho rose to his feet and walked towards his gate, although he could feel the direct stare of his family behind his back

The fact that each students had their own gates meant that they would each be appearing at various places.

"Remember do all you can do to survive and last before the timer ends." Leon said as a final statement and then sat back on his throne.

The crowd roared widely as they watched the students enter into the gates.

Reith stirred.

His eyes opened slowly and lazily, like a man roused from a dream he had no interest in leaving.

His pupils glowed faintly for an instant, like the reflection of stars in water. A flash of lightning and fire moved slightly around him, unnoticeable by the people close to him.

He stepped forward without hesitation, his gait calm, almost casual.

Leon Lohengrin watched silently from his throne, his fingers curling around the armrest.

A thin smile tugged at his lips.

"Interesting…" he whispered with his gaze on Reith.

And as Reith stepped into the light of the gate, the world seemed to hold its breath.

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