---
Chapter 7 : The Trial of The Prodigies and Beginning of The War
As Marcus finished his test, the crowd waited for the instructor to announce the name of the next contender. The instructor began announcing unfamiliar names. Only a few of them passed the test, with the rest of them walking out of the trial with a face filled with sorrow and regret.
Even if I passed and they failed, there was one thing common among all of us—we hated ourselves because of how weak we were. I shared that feeling with them, but I could not afford to show it.
Then, after announcing the names of insignificant people, he started the announcement with one of the rising stars of our generation: the Hurricane Master, Michael Ollivier, the chosen one of Hermes (S rank). His presence alone was a reminder to people that the Empire was changing. In today's era, the noble heirs were not the only ones to possess talent—the Empire was changing.
As the instructor announced his name, Michael Ollivier walked towards the trial path. The crowd held its breath as he walked towards the trial space. He walked to the pillar and placed his hand on the pillar. The pillar shone with brilliant light, making it seem as if a god descended to Altara. The instructor was first shocked at the scene, but after adjusting himself, he let out a few words.
"Middle Saint Tier."
The crowd cheered for Michael.
But Marcus—his eyes were filled with joy as he saw the number of girls cheering for him. After going back to his place, Michael started to chat with the girls.
As the instructor sighed at seeing the playboy, he announced the next rising star's name: Ellis Runestone, the Primal Hunter of our generation, the hunter blessed by Artemis, the huntress goddess herself (S rank).
As she walked forward with a gaze sharper than her arrow, no one dared to stare back at her.
As she placed her hand on the pillar, it glowed with a red celestial light. The instructor sighed again as he announced:
"Mid Saint Tier."
Most of the noble heirs, as well as the commoners, were in awe.
While looking at her results, Ellis sighed and said,
"It could have been better."
Most of the people were in shock seeing her reaction.
But then the instructor announced the name of the Archangel-blessed one:
"Galahad Vortigern."
As the instructor announced his name, the crowd started cheering for Galahad and started chanting the Vortigern family's name.
Galahad looked at them and said,
"I shall not let you all down for cheering for me."
He placed his hand on the pillar, with a bunch of golden light feathers falling on the trial space with blinding light. The instructor, now used to this, did not even blink.
"Mid Saint Tier," he announced again.
Galahad didn't say anything and returned to his place.
The instructor then announced the name of Siegfried Dragunov. He stepped forward with his spear on his back. The others started to whisper among themselves:
"Hey, is that not the son of the Dragon Lord, one of the 7th realm experts on the continent? No wonder he is so cocky in nature. So what if Young Master Galahad's Vortigern father is also one of the Seven Masters—yet he is so humble."
What they didn't know was that Siegfried was able to hear them, yet he didn't do anything. He walked to the trial space with his demeanor.
He placed his hand on the pillar. Blue celestial energy rose from the pillar, making all of the people wary of him, but still, everyone was calm—as if an invisible energy was helping them. The instructor could not even express his rage at this point. Now he did not even bother to look at the pillar and said:
"Middle Saint Tier."
Those who were mocking Siegfried did not even dare to look at his face, but Siegfried—his heart was getting excited with joy.
"Two people with higher potential than me. This will be so fun," he thought, as he returned to his place.
As the instructor now announced the name of the Princess of Shadows, a black fog moved through the candidates and reached near the pillar. As a hand came out from the shadow, a dark shadowy energy erupted from the pillar. The void announced to the audience itself:
"Middle Saint Tier."
And then she disappeared into the air.
The instructor was now clearly frustrated at this point. He then announced the names of students who had given their tests before.
Seraphina Lysander: Low Saint Tier
Cyril Morvan: Low Saint Tier
Vesper Albrecht: Low Saint Tier
And then the instructor announced the name of the last contender:
"And now, the last—Lucian Caelum."
As he heard his name, he emerged from the skies with his griffon descending on the trial platform.
"Huh, it's already time for me."
He then placed his hands on the pillar, and black lightning appeared from the pillar. And even you know the result of the pillar—the instructor didn't even bother to tell the result, as all of the participants knew what it was.
Then the instructor announced:
"Now the pre-trial has ended. Now the real first trial will begin right now."
As he said those lines, all the participants began disappearing into the air.
All of us knew the real war had started now.
---
End of Chapter 7