"Do you have what it takes to join the academy for the elite?" He roared, his voice making the wind flow wildly, pushing most of the examinees back.
"Stop scaring the examinees," an adult stepped forward, presumably one of the examiner."
"Hmph. The examinees this year look quite useless." The burly man sneered. "However, I'm still willing to give them a chance. I want all of them to attack me all at once, those who can push me back even by half a step, I'll automatically admit to the elite class!"
As the blond-haired man's words sounded, it immediately caused an uproar towards the examinees and his fellow examiners.
Mostly everyone around Raziel seemed to be excited at what was announced, including Arslan. Confusedly, he turned towards him and raised an eyebrow, obviously questioning him.
"Oh right, I forgot you aren't familiar with the academy." He scratched his head. "Well, the academy is split into two factions, one for the mages and the other for knights. Each of a student's status is split into three. Low-class or ordinary rank students, those who are not able to show anything special with them, or in other words, ordinary mages and knights during the three tests of comprehension, aptitude, and ability. Most of the students in the academy are within this range.
The next rank would be the middle-class or Intermediate rank. Students within this rank are those who are above average and can have their own standing within the academy.
The last rank is the high-class, best known as the elite rank! They are considered to be the most talented knights and mages in the academy and the cream of the crop. If you score excellently in the three tests today, then you will be able to join this rank." Arslan excitedly explained.
"Don't you have any courage in scoring high enough to get to that stage?" Raziel asked.
"Err... I think at best, I'd be an intermediate-rank student. Maybe someday I'd be able to join the elite, but as of now, this might be my only chance." As to what Raziel had observed the past few days, Arslan was hard-working and agile as a knight. Raziel believed that Arslan was a capable knight and would be able to maneuver himself in a difficult situation.
As the two boys kept talking, the young knights around them had already prepared to fight the arrogant examiner. All of them had pulled out their weapons and surrounded him.
"Is this really alright? Although I don't believe any of them can really push this guy back, casually giving away this kind is position is still somewhat troubling." From the sidelines, the examiners gathered.
"You should already know how he is. It should be fine, anyone who'd be able to push him back would surely be able to achieve a high score in their ability and comprehension tests. Just make sure he doesn't intentionally lose." One of the examiners said.
Hearing him, the other examiners laughed. "Intentionally lose? I don't think you understand who that guy you're talking about is."
"What do you mean?" The confused examiner asked.
"He's a brawler knight. A knight who fights without a weapon but still is nonetheless as powerful as one who fights with a weapon. Not to mention he's an Expert Knight, meaning that he's at least level 80."
There were different classifications based on levels for mages and knights. Level 1-20 were classified as Apprentices, level 21-40 as Novices, level 41-60 as Intermediate, level 61-80 as Advanced, level 81-100 as Expert. As far as they were concerned, levels above 100 were out of their reach as mere Advanced Knights at this age. It's rumored that the Emperor and his subordinates had surpassed level 100 however.
"An Expert Knight?! No wonder he's so arrogant..." the examiner sighed helplessly.
The higher the level, the more difficult it was to progress. It was then when talent came into the picture. Those who have great talent progress faster and reach a height further than most people could look up to.
The examiners finally decided to let their fellow companion continue on his own plans. If someone could truly at least push an Expert Knight back, then they had the qualification to indeed become an elite student.
However, the real question was... could someone among the examinees really do it?
...
Whoosh!
A rushing student was suddenly knocked backward, flying back and crashing to the ground like a ragdoll, groaning in pain.
"Is that all you got?! I'm disappointed in this year's recruits! Are you sure you aren't here to become a part of the servants?" The blond man mocked, disgust visible in his eyes.
Many of the examinees were already bursting with anger, but helplessness could be seen on their faces. They had all underestimated the weaponless knight in front of them, thinking that achieving an elite status was so easy... how foolish their thoughts were. Even combining all their strength was nothing to the man in front of them, what else can they possibly do to shift the situation?
"Well, if that's all you can show me, then I suppose there's no more point in wasting any more time with useless recruits. Let's end this here and continue on with the tests. Although all of you would most likely be mere low-class students. If it was up to me, I would've failed you all by now." He didn't stop there and kept poking holes in the recruits' weaknesses.
As the blond man turned back and started to walk off, a soothing voice suddenly called out to him.
"Wait."
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw the two boys, Raziel and Arslan standing there. Both boys were charismatic and good-looking people, especially Raziel. Although they had been ignored earlier for not joining the fight, thinking that they were scared, they were still under the eyes of others.
"We haven't fought you yet," Raziel remarked.
The blond man raised his eyebrows and laughed mockingly.
"Did you not just see me beat all of your fellow recruits to the ground or are you blind? What can you both possibly do with your frail-looking bodies?"
Hearing his mocking gesture, Raziel merely showed a smile and didn't seem to mind, the same went with Arslan, just standing there beside him.
Raziel walked forward and unsheathed his sword, pointing it towards the blond examiner. Arslan followed suit and held on to his rapier.
"Don't underestimate us."
Whoosh!
Two silhouettes suddenly appeared in front of the blond examiner, a rapier and sword coming straight for his abdomen and head.
"What?!" Surprised by the sudden outburst from the two, the blond man had little defenses up and could only force himself to grab the sword aiming at his abdomen and bite hard towards the incoming rapier towards his head.
Unfortunately, this action caused him to be pushed by a dozen steps and getting his palms cut. He pushed both weapons away and leaped backward.
"Damned children, how dare you?!" Anger boiled visibly on the blond man's face.
Having been jumped on by children and getting injured by them, how could he not feel humiliated?
"Sorry, we can't take any chances." Raziel pierced his sword at the ground and sat down on its hilt with his arms crossed. "But we did push you back. And as you clearly stated earlier, whoever had the ability to do so will be able to instantly become an elite student."