Chapter 235 - First Round

They had all signed up for the Inner Academy Examination and after their rest; they were more than ready for it as they all eagerly woke up early on the day of the examination.

There were a few rounds to it and it was an event that was also open for everyone within the academy to watch.

The first round was based on speed and endurance. 

One would have only a single hour to complete multiple laps around a course that was set by the academy. 

A rank 5 cultivator would need to run at their full speed the entire time in order to make it, and yet, it wasn't as simple as it seemed and each year, most of the applicants would fail. 

Entering the Inner Academy was quite difficult and within the Inner Academy, one would be given resources and contribution points monthly. 

You would also have access to many more facilities and would become more valued by the academy with more opportunities provided. 

The main rule for the first round of the Inner Academy Examination was that you couldn't directly attack or harm each other, but that did not mean that you couldn't block each other off or set traps for those behind you. 

As long as it wasn't a direct attack, there were many ways to indirectly attack or harm each other and it was even encouraged by the academy to do so, making it a very difficult, but also an interesting round of the test. 

Most students would make small groups to better their chances of getting through, while the students that were confident in their speed would prefer to be alone and even set traps along the path. 

Damian was obviously in a group with his friends, but they were all confident in the capabilities of the others and were merely in a group for additional security, but were more than capable of getting through alone.

Quite a few students and other groups asked to join up with them or be allied throughout the Inner Academy Examination, but each and every time they would be declined by Damian and his friends. 

While signing up for the Inner Academy Examination, their cultivation level would be tested, so everyone there was rank 5 or above. 

So the main purpose of the examination was to create competition and give them an opportunity to display their skill and capabilities, along with allowing students to push themselves to their limits against each other. 

Most elders within the academy branch would attend and watch, and they could allow students to enter Inner Academy or rejoin the examination if they saw fit. 

As long as one elder observed that you were worthy of entering the Inner Academy, even if one failed in the first round due to bad luck, as long as they showed enough potential, they could still become Inner Academy Students. 

But that would rarely occur and almost always the weak would end up losing, while the strong would make it to the finish line. 

However, Damian and his friends hadn't attended in previous years and Damian had something in mind that he wanted to do. 

It was about to be an interesting examination with many young talents taking part, and knowing that, there were many more riders watching than there usually was. 

All the students not only wanted to succeed in the examination because they could enter the Inner Academy, but also because of the great rewards and benefits that were granted to the top students in the examination each year.

That made the competition between the students even more intense, and Damian and his friends were aiming for nothing lower than the top position.

Damian's eyes crossed that of Trevor and he glared at him, while Trevor smiled and was in a large group, while his father was an elder and had begun actively supporting him, so he had nothing to worry about. 

The students taking part in the examination were around 200, which was more than previous years, since many students were afraid and not confident enough to take part in the examination, but it was still a lot of people. 

Damian was beside his friends and had a slight smile on his face as the rules were announced, as it was just like he had hoped. 

"There are a few rules that you must follow and if you do not, you will be disqualified and may also be punished," 

"First off, you must stay on the path the entire time. Secondly, you are not allowed to use any treasures, items or pills that enhance your speed. Third of all, you cannot directly attack or harm others during this round of the competition. And lastly, you cannot destroy the path itself or seek external help,"

The rules seemed to protect everyone and make it a fair, simple race, but just like they all knew, there were many loopholes and more to it than what met the eye. 

"3.....2.....1..... Go," 

His voice resounded throughout the academy and had been amplified by a rune, while as soon as it was announced, Damian activated the Flame Burst Skill and instantly was a few dozen metres ahead of everyone else. 

However, instead of using that burst of speed to get ahead, he turned around and called out for everyone to stop. 

"Everyone may pass apart from those two and everyone within their groups" he announced as he pointed to Larry and Trevor. 

They were both quite capable and in the strongest groups and were also sons of elders, and yet Damian dared to make such a brave and outrageous announcement. 

Even his friends were shocked and knew nothing about what he was planning, but most students didn't ask any questions or waited to see what was going to happen. 

Damian's actions were shocking and never seen before, while it was also unknown how exactly he was planning on holding them there while following the rules, but his actions made the entire thing a whole lot more entertaining.