Chapter 306: The Entrance Exam [2]

The sun slowly rose into the sky, casting a golden radiance all over the capital! The city was especially active today as several carriages moved back and forth towards the eastern direction of a royal island where the prestigious Vermilion Academy was located.The gold- and silver-crested gates that were usually closed and restricted only to a few people were opened, revealing the beautiful spiraling bridge and the clear, flowing blue water below.

"Woah, so beautiful!"

"I've always dreamed of coming to the royal island. I can't believe we're finally here!"

From the carriages, several of the examinees pointed at the towering castles and cried out in ecstasy. Some of them were even hugging each other. With the twin beautiful castles and flying carriages with cannons patrolling the air, the island was simply magnificent.

A determined look appeared in the eyes of the examinees as they swore to pass the exam. If they had pushed themselves to their limits before, this breathtaking view ignited a fire within them, and they swore to pour their entire soul into this exam.

"Yawn."

From one of the carriages, Nox yawned as he glanced outside. Beside him were, of course, Nyx and Serena. After leaving the Adventure Guild, they had checked into an expensive inn!

Yes, the Cromwells were now very wealthy after claiming the two-dimensional rifts on the Amstrong Duchy and the one in their Cromwell Barony! Now they could even go toe-to-toe with some of the noble families in the capital, though not the big four.

"I wonder if the students are allowed to leave this island... feels like a prison," Nox muttered with a slightly dazed expression on his face as he looked out the windows of the carriage.

Being holed up in the academy all the time would be boring, so Nox had already made plans to go out into the city and explore more. Not only that, there was still the ice elemental crystal that he was yet to trade. In the capital, he was certain that he would definitely find an auction.

After the first gate that led to the island, there was yet another gate at the entrance of the Academy. Nox's carriage parked outside this gate along with several more carriages.

There were over a thousand people gathered here, and the air was filled with a cacophony of noise as everyone stepped out of their respective carriages.

They were all talking at once like excited children who had just come across their favorite toys in a grand store. It was so loud that Nox doubted how anyone could possibly understand one another with the volume of their voices being so high, because he couldn't make out what they were saying. They sounded like broken TV static.

Suddenly, at that moment, the gates leading to the academy opened wide invitingly, and like ants, the examinees all rushed in, some even tripping and being stomped on the ground. But thanks to being Awakened, apart from minimal injuries, they didn't die.

Of course, Nox and his group weren't foolish enough to rush in. It wasn't like the academy was disappearing or something like that. They'd wait until the entrance was free enough.

"Fools, I bet they'll be among the first batch to be eliminated."

Nox heard someone standing a few meters away say. Their voice was deep, intimidating, and tough, the kind women found pleasing to hear.

The voice belonged to a golden-haired youth of about 18-19. He was dressed in light black armor that hugged his fit, bulging form—a result of rigorous training from a relatively young age. Just like his golden hair, even his eyes were of a similar color.

However, unlike the naive eyes of the others, this boy's gaze was full of maturity—sharp and piercing, much like the heavy sledgehammer that rested on his shoulders.

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Just out of curiosity, Nox wished to know the basic information about this individual, and their information cascaded down in his retina.

[Kali - LV 50]

Nox wasn't the only one who had used the basic appraisal. Several people around the surrounding area had also tried it, and the blood drained from their faces, their complexions turning as white as a sheet of paper.

"He looks around our age, but how is he already so strong?"

"Lv 50, this is insane! Who is this person?"

"I hope we won't be paired up with him," a student said in a trembling voice. "I pity the person who'll face him."

The academy entrance exam was unpredictable every five years. A few years back, some exams repeated, catching unprepared examinees off guard. In the last five years, it had been one-on-one battles. Most of the examinees were praying such a situation wouldn't happen today. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Just then...

"Ah, it seems I'm not the only mature one here," Nox mumbled to himself. Though his voice was low, it was still loud enough for everyone to hear. Simultaneously, Serena and Nyx felt countless gazes piercing their backs like arrows aimed with intent.

Because of the sheer confidence, most people thought he was powerful too. After all, he was surrounded by two exquisite, beautiful girls, capable of triggering the desires and admiration of young adults.

However, upon seeing that Nox was just level 20—no different from the level most of them were—they lost all interest in him and even scowled in disdain. How dare he speak so arrogantly with his measly strength?

Level 20 was just the threshold for newcomers here. Even the weakest person here was around level 18-19. Apart from his handsome looks and his height, there wasn't anything special about him. Some even believed that he would be among the first batch to be eliminated in this competition.

Suddenly, the hooves of horses and the tires of a carriage sounded, silencing the whispers of the crowd. Wondering who was coming so late, heads turned toward the direction of a luxurious carriage. A single glance was all they needed to know who this carriage belonged to, as they saw the sword and shield insignia, which belonged to the Adventure Guild!

"Is that...?" one of the students murmured in a trembling voice, a mixture of awe and fear.

"It's Theo Fanum, the guild master's son!" someone else exclaimed, causing a wave of whispers to spread through the crowd all over again.

Nox, along with Nyx and Serena, narrowed their eyes, a sharp silver light gleaming within them. The name Fanum was very familiar... was this person related to the guild master of the Adventure Guild?

From within the carriage, the youth in question stepped out with confident, refined steps.

Theo was striking. In terms of handsomeness, he was only below Nox. His black hair was neatly styled back, and his grey eyes shimmered with a predatory gleam that seemed to pierce through anyone who dared meet his gaze. Wearing ornate white and golden armor, the elegant youth held a sheathed, jewel-encrusted longsword.

"Level 55...!" And of course, those present didn't hesitate to appraise the newcomer. After seeing his glaring level, their faces immediately went pale as they realized the huge gap between themselves and the young man.

Theo's lips curled into a slight smirk as he scanned the crowd, clearly enjoying the reaction of everyone. As he stepped forward, just as he was about to enter the gate, his sharp gaze fell on Nyx, and he stopped in his tracks.