Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Test Ends IV

Finally, at almost nightfall, the whole selection process ended.

Thirty students with the best talents and good character were chosen. One common thing among them was their eagerness to prove themselves, which is understandable. Given that they were from commoner backgrounds, they were often eliminated in the earlier days due to their lack of proper training, unlike the noble children.

But this round today had given them the chance to shine again. The old man from the academy, seeing this, nodded. He mumbled to himself, “It seems I was right to increase the number of positions for the last day.”

The results were good enough, as the examinees who were selected didn’t lack talent; they just lacked proper training.

“If they are trained properly, they will surely win against even those noble kids,” the old man said.

“I don’t think so,” remarked a young girl who came with him.

The old man turned to look at her and questioned, “Why do you think so?”

The young girl, with red hair cascading down to her waist, crossed her long legs and snorted in contempt. “No matter how you train animals, they will be worthless animals at the end of the day.”

Hearing her, the old man shook his head and replied, “Your thinking, or rather your hatred towards the non-nobles, is too severe.”

“You might act all high and mighty just because you are from a royal family, but listen carefully. At the end of the day, only your powers matter, not your birth position,” the old man continued. However, this time, each of his words was laced with pressure that made the young girl kneel.

Dani von Korav gritted her teeth and thought to herself as she endured the bone-crushing pressure, ‘Shoot, I forgot this old coot is also from a commoner background.’

‘This bastard, if not for him being this strong, I would have made him my dog,’ Dani thought viciously, but outwardly she acted as if she was guilty.

“F-Forgive me, Elder Ross. I was wrong,” she pleaded with sincere eyes.

Elder Ross looked at her, and although he saw through her, he didn’t make things difficult for her; after all, she was from the Korav kingdom.

“Good, be sure not to repeat those mistakes again,” Ross said and then took back his pressure.

Dani nodded, and just as she was about to get up, someone stepped on her back, pressing her to the ground. Another foot was placed on her head, causing her nose to start bleeding as her face slammed into the hard spirit wood floor.

“Bastard, do you want to fight?” Dani stood up and shouted at the young man.

The young man, who had been acting as an examiner earlier, looked back and replied, “Oh? It’s you. I think there’s some skinned tiger mat on the ground.” His reply was full of mockery.

Hearing him, behind Dani, a white tiger with golden patterns appeared, glaring fiercely at the young man.

“It seems you have a death wish, Marcus,” Dani said.

Marcus, who was being subjected to Dani’s spirit pressure, waved his hand and broke the pressure.

Then, behind him, a spirit also materialized. As it did, Dani’s golden-patterned tiger spirit flinched, as Marcus’s Mystic-Eyed Peacock was a higher grade than hers.

As Marcus’s spirit materialized, it glanced at Dani with disdain.

Dani’s anger flared at seeing even Marcus’s spirit mocking her.

“Enough,” Ross said, and both Marcus and Dani’s spirits vanished.

He glared at both students and reprimanded them, “You are now in the City of Champions, not in the academy. Behave yourselves.”

Marcus and Dani bowed and apologized.

Marcus stepped forward and presented a stack of papers to Ross.

“This is the information on all the selected candidates,” Marcus said.

Ross nodded and took the papers. Just after seeing the first rank candidate, he raised his brows and asked Marcus, “What is the meaning of this?”

Marcus stepped forward and whispered in Ross’s ear, “He has two spirits, though the other is not shown, not even to his people.”

Ross raised his brows and asked, “And what about his first one?”

Marcus nodded and then added, “It’s above Earth grade.”

Ross nodded and then dismissed him. Marcus nodded and returned to his position.

“What were you talking about so secretly?” Dani frowned and asked.

Marcus remained silent and ignored her.

‘It seems rather important, given the old coot’s reaction,’ she thought inwardly, feeling frustrated as she was unable to know the details.

As Ross flipped through all the data on the selected candidates, he said, “This year’s batch is surely promising.”

Marcus nodded in agreement. “Yes, Elder Ross, there are a number of talented candidates.”

Dani nodded too and then said, “I have an objection.”

“What is it?” Ross asked.

“I object to the selection of Candidate Loyd. He killed a fellow candidate; we shouldn’t approve of such a murderous kid,” Dani said righteously.

Ross sighed, then stood up. Marcus, seeing this, stepped aside. Ross vanished from his place and reappeared at the other end of the room, holding two slender arms leaking blood in his grasp.

“We already talked about it,” Ross said dangerously. “Yet you once again sprout such nonsense,” he continued, his voice getting colder.

Dani stood there, unable to scream as Ross’s pressure immobilized her completely. She couldn’t even heal her wounds, no matter how much blood flowed from her torn shoulders. She could only stand motionless, shedding tears.

“I already pardoned you once, and then you spoke about commoners again,” Ross said. “Yet once again, I forgive you, but… it seems my leniency made you think you can have your way.” Ross threw her hands back at her, knocking her and sending her crashing into the wall.

“Don’t forget I can just kill you and spout some nonsense, and everyone will believe me,” Ross said, staring at Dani emotionlessly. His eyes scared her, and using all her willpower, she fell to her knees, bowed to him, and apologized while crying hard.

Ross just looked at her and said, “This is your last pardon from me, Apprentice Elder Dani.” He waved his hand and then threw her out of the room.

Ross looked at Marcus and asked, “Do you need something?”

Marcus shook his head and left too. As he closed the door behind him, he mumbled, “He is too scary when he’s angry. Fortunately, I wasn’t on the receiving end of his anger.” Marcus wiped the sweat from his temples and went to his room.

On his way, he glanced at the unconscious Dani. He sighed, picked her up, and took her to her room. Placing her on the bed, he uncorked a healing potion and poured it on her shoulders. Her wounds squirmed, and then flesh, bones, and nerves began to grow out, soon forming new, beautiful, slender arms.

Marcus averted his gaze as the growing arms also tore her shirt, exposing her white chest. Remembering something, he paused, went back to the bed, picked up the blanket, and covered her. Then, Marcus left.

As Marcus left, Dani opened her eyes and mumbled as she touched her hands, “I was only acting, because I didn’t want anyone to see me vulnerable. But who would have guessed I would see this side of him?”

“Hmm, if he is this kind, I can use it to my advantage,” Dani thought and then began to laugh like a madwoman.

******

“Tomorrow, we’ll leave for the Academy,” Aiden said.

“Hmm, I can’t wait to see what this new place is going to be like,” Chloe replied with a nod.

“It won’t be much different, but you might find some great friends who will stand by you for the rest of their lives,” Aiden said with a smile.

“Hmph, as if you’ve been there,” Chloe snorted.

Aiden shook his head. “I haven’t, but I’ve heard from Princess Lana.”

Chloe nodded. “I also learned from her. She mentioned that many of her friends are even from outside the Five Kingdoms.”

Aiden nodded. “Well, that’s normal. The Five Kingdoms Academy is very prestigious; it’s considered one of the best academies on this continent.”

“I’ve read about it,” Chloe said.

“What do you think of Loyd? Do you think he can be our friend too?” Chloe asked, glancing over to where Loyd was dining with some beautiful girls.

Aiden smiled. “He can. He’s a good guy.”

Chloe nodded. “I’ll try to befriend him then.”

‘Even if you don’t try, he’ll come running to you,’ Aiden thought to himself, then said aloud, “Let’s go eat too.” He pulled her towards a table for two.

Chloe nodded and went with Aiden.

As today is the last night at the colosseum, the people of the city arranged a big banquet for everyone who were selected and their guardians.

The parents or other relatives of all the selected students mingled with each other, each praising thier own kid.

While the students mingled with each other amd even some potential groups were formed too.

Everyone hoped to form a group that will help them in the academy