Chapter 97 - The Second Test Starts
Hulian gave everyone one hour, but the field was already full in less than thirty minutes. No one wanted to leave a bad impression by arriving late. One could see around 20 Aptitude Orbs at the very front, and right behind, there were another 20 Affinity Orbs. However, before those orbs, there were tables with several cups on them. Also, a big jar with a strange liquid could be seen.
"Alanda, any idea what is that liquid about?"??
Alanda shook his head. This is also his first time in a place like this, so he is clueless as to what that liquid is used for. However, Julio's Uncle was different. He also came out stayed beside Rean's group since Julio was friends with them.
"That is the age measurement liquid. It is made with the stratum of the Grave Herb and a few other materials. Depending on the amount you add to the mixture, you will be able to tell whether someone has surpassed a certain age or not. That is to prevent anyone above 13 years old from joining the Dalamu Sect."
Rean's group was quite surprised to hear that.
"And how does that work?"
"It's quite simple. If you are above the age limit, you will fall on the ground in pain. If not, you won't feel anything. This is also a good lesson for those who try to fake their ages. Well, anyway, as long as you are not above 13, you will be fine."
Rean and Roan nodded. Their bodies are really of a 9 years old boy, so there was nothing to be afraid.
Soon, Hulian appeared at the stage to speak. Together with him, it was possible to see several other elders who came to watch.
"Congratulation to the 1736 Kids who passed the first exam. To be honest, it was more than I expected, so I'm glad to see that so many kids nowadays are putting real effort into their training. The tests now are quite simple. First, no one above 13 can participate, so we will test your ages first. Second, the sect doesn't accept anyone below the Yellow Color aptitude. Last but not least, the Affinity Test has to lit up no less than three Affinity Small Orbs."
Someone couldn't help but ask.
"Is there any meaning in the 100 first kids on the board outside?"
Everyone nodded after hearing that. They were all curious as to what that was about.
"You will now after the practical tests start. For now, just focus on passing this second test."
Without any other choice, everyone made 20 queues behind the tables with the age measurement liquid. Alanda went back and joined the other adults, while Rean's group was in the middle of the leftmost line. The Outer Sect disciples then came forward and started to fill up the cups on the table.
One kid after another began to drink them and move forward to the Aptitude Test. As they arrived there, no one helped then to take their blood. They had to do that themselves using any method they wished. In fact, this particular arrangement was made by Hulian every time he organized the exam. It was just a drop of blood, but kids would usually be afraid of getting hurt. Although all the kids would still be tested regardless, it was one more way to check if they had the heart for it or not.
Soon, the aptitude orbs began to shine with Yellow Colors. Sure enough, the majority had Yellow Aptitude. However, it didn't take long for Green Colors to appear as well. It could be seen that at every 20 or so Yellow Aptitudes, there was at least one Green in the middle.
Suddenly, a kid began to scream on the ground beside the table with the age measurement liquid. The Outer Sect Disciples quickly took the kid away and didn't look surprised at all. Obviously, that was a youngster who surpassed 13 years old of age.
But it was then that Rean and Roan noticed a quite tall boy stepping forward. He was at least 1,70m, and no one would believe if he said that he was under 14. However, after drinking the liquid, nothing happened to him at all. Obviously, that attracted quite a few eyes.
"Such a tallboy. He should be almost 14 already."
However, just as he was about to cut his finger, Hulian asked him from the top of the stage.
"The boy over there, what's your name and age?"
The boy was frightened for a second, but he quickly recovered before bowing to elder Hulian.
"Mi-Mizan Galaw... E-Eleven Years old."
Gasps could be heard all around.
"Only eleven years old? What are his parents? Giant's descendants?"
"Such a tall kid, impressive."
Hulian nodded.
"Alright, you can continue."
He then returned his attention to all the other kids.
Mizan took a deep breath and held a small knife that he kept on his waist. With a quick slash, a short cut soon appeared on his finger. A drop of blood then fell on the Aptitude Orb, which soon lit up with a Blue Color!
"Oh! The first Blue Aptitude has appeared already. I wonder how many there will be this year."
"Hard to say, they are too rare. I would say 6 to 8, most likely."
Hulian was pleased with the tall kid. He cut himself without hesitation and even had a Blue Color Aptitude.
It turned out that Mizan lit up 6 Small Earth Element Affinity Orbs. This was proof that his body was made for close combat.
"If he passes the practical test, send him to my Iron Faction in the Outer Sect."
"Yes, elder Hulian."
Usually, the elder presiding over the exam would have the first pick. So the other elders around Hulian didn't say anything.
Hulian is an Inner Sect Elder, but no new disciple could start in the Inner Sect regardless of their aptitude. They would still have to make their way up. So the several Inner Sect Elders had their own factions within the Outer Sect as well.
The tests continued, and after some time, another 2 Blue Aptitude cultivators appeared. This time, the Inner Sect Elders fought between themselves to see who would take them in. Hulian and one more elder stayed out, without saying anything. In Hulian's case, he knew which position those kids finished the marathon test, so he wasn't very interested in them, especially after seeing their expensive clothes.
'Hmph! Another two brats from some whatever clan. You can have as much as you want of them.'
Soon, it was Julio's time.
"Well, I'm going first."
Rean and Roan nodded. Malaka and themselves would be the next ones.
After testing his age, Julio's Orb showed a Green Color Aptitude, which was already very good. As for affinity, it was air type, just like Alanda. Julio was able to lit up 5 Small Affinity Orbs as well. All in all, his test was pretty decent.
Finally, it was Malaka's time.
"Yay! Now I will show you what I can do!"
Pah!
Roan, who was just behind Malaka, kicked her butt forward.
"Stop wasting my time and go!"
Malaka obviously got angry, but Roan was really her nemesis. She wasn't brave enough to rebuke him else he will give his punishment during their fighting lessons. Malaka could only walk forward helplessly while rubbing her butt and sulking. Rean and Alanda couldn't help but laugh out loud, seeing that.
She obviously had no problem with the age test, so she quickly went to the Aptitude Orb. Malaka also didn't have anything to make a cut, so she simply bit her finger's tip. What could a small cut on her finger amount to someone who received Roan's Ultra Death Hell Style Spartan Fighting Lessons? Naturally, she had no problems with it.
Still, she was shocked when she saw her Blue Color appearing. After all, she had always thought that she was a Green Color Level Aptitude.
"Rean, Roan, Look! I have really become stronger!"
Rean and Alanda once again burst out in laugher while even Roan couldn't help but chuckle. Her eyes brightened, and her happy face while thinking that her aptitude really increased was really amusing. Even the other adults around couldn't help but feel attracted to her contagious smile. Sure enough, she was the sun of their group.
"Alright, it is good that it increased. Now go ahead and test your affinity."
Malaka nodded excitedly and went for the Affinity Test.
As for the elders, their eyes immediately lit up. Even Hulian was somewhat interested in Malaka since she made it to the top 100 board. She also didn't seem to mind cutting herself to take a drop of blood, which was very good.
While Malaka controlled her Water Element, Rean and Roan noticed something different.
"Didn't her Water Element Affinity barely lit up the 7th Small Affinity Orb? How come it is fully lit now?"
It was then that Sister Orb answered.
[Isn't that obvious? After spending so much time with Roan, who is the epitome of Yin, how could the Yin Energy in her body not improve? Naturally, her Affinity for Yin Elements like Water would rise after all those years.]
Rean and Roan's mouths twitched.
'Obvious? What Obvious? Obvious your head! Couldn't you say that before?'
Finally, Malaka's 8th Small Affinity Orb lit up, which was also her limit. This time, the crost of ice around the Affinity Orb was several times bigger than back then when she did her Affinity Test for the first time. However, she was already a Middle Stage Energy Gathering Realm cultivator, so she could free herself without others' help.
Once again, Malaka began to jump while waving at Rean and Roan on the back. She was really excited to see everything getting better than she was told.
The twins just sighed in the end. Since it was done, then so be it.
On the stage, the several elders were verbally fighting even more fiercely to see who would take her.
It was then that they heard a sweet voice rising from behind.
"I hope the elders will leave this little girl to me. Although she doesn't have a Red Color Aptitude, her Elemental Affinity is almost on par with one. My Blue Orchid Faction is definitely the best place for someone so connected with the Water Element like her."
Her name was Zaia Shinsuo, an Inner Sect Elder, just like Hulian. But she had a unique trait that no other elder had. She rarely recruited disciples to her faction, and they were all women. Also, due to the size of her faction, she never fought for resources with the others. It was not that she wasn't confident, it was just that with her numbers, what she already get is more than enough for everyone inside. Perhaps, that was the reason no one ever bothered much with her.
"Since Elder Zaia is interested in that little lass, I have nothing else to say."
The other elder also nodded. As long as her Blue Orchid Faction kept as it is, they are satisfied with it.
Other than recruiting Blue Color talents. The elders would pick their Green Color Talents as well. Some would even take a few Yellow that somehow interested them. Hulian was an excellent example of such an elder. But Zaia only took three girls so far, with Malaka being the third and probably the last.
"Then this Zaia will thank all the elders in advance."
She sat on her chair once more and began to leisurely watch the exam continue.
Finally, with Malaka leaving the test, it was time for Roan to come forward.