Chapter 12: The Strength Testing Site
As soon as Fate arrived at the area where the professor-managed mana and strength testing counters were located, he immediately noticed a crowd forming.
At the center of that crowd stood a massive statue—
a stone figure with a single eye carved into its face.
And standing before it was a boy.
The boy looked to be around the same age as Fate.
Curious, Fate approached a nearby freshman who seemed just as new as he was.
"Uh… hey," Fate said, getting the student's attention.
"What's going on here?"
The freshman glanced at the statue before answering.
"This is the strength testing site," he said.
Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added,
"And that guy over there is Kyle, the rumored prodigy of the Ashensteel Family."
"I see…"
The moment Fate heard the name Ashensteel, memories of Vale's explanation resurfaced in his mind.
The Five High Nobles of the Empire.
Kindspring Family — known as the Guardians of the Empire.
Ashensteel Family — a lineage that strictly worships the way of the sword.
Serfort Family — referred to as the Bishops of the Empire.
Astryx Family — the family that governs the Empire's Magic Tower.
Aurevane Family — controllers of the Empire's financial market.
(So one of the Five High Nobles is already here…)
Fate thought.
(I wonder if the other families sent members as well.)
As if answering his question—
Three girls suddenly entered the strength testing area.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The freshmen erupted into loud shouts, especially the boys.
"It's Chloe Serfort from the House of Serfort!"
"Look! That's Lisa Astryx—the rumored rising star!"
"Miss Isabelle Aurevane, please look this way!"
Fate shifted his gaze toward them.
Now, all four children of the Five High Nobles were present.
He carefully observed each of them, silently identifying who was who.
(The black-haired boy is Kyle Ashensteel…)
(The one wearing the pointy hat is Lisa Astryx…)
(The blonde girl must be Chloe Serfort…)
(And the green-eyed girl is Isabelle Aurevane.)
Once the crowd finally calmed down, the instructor overseeing the strength testing stepped forward.
"Alright, everyone," the instructor announced.
"This is the strength testing site."
He gestured toward the statue.
"This stone figure is a Rock Troll.
His name is George, and he will be the one testing your strength and ranking it."
George raised his massive stone arms.
"I'll be casting ten defensive shields," the instructor continued.
"Based on your level, George will determine how many shields you are required to break."
The Rock Troll let out a booming laugh.
"Alright, you greenhorns!" George shouted.
"Who's first?!"
Kyle Ashensteel stepped forward without hesitation, his sword already in hand.
"I'll go first."
George eyed him with interest as he began casting the shields.
"Tell me your level," George said.
"You may use any weapon you want—but no skills.
Only brute force."
"I'm Level 30," Kyle replied calmly.
George nodded.
"Then you'll need to destroy three of my shields," he said.
"I have high expectations for you, child of the Ashensteel."
Kyle took his stance.
George did the same.
With a powerful swing, Kyle struck the shields with everything he had.
—CRACK!
Not three.
Not four.
Seven of the ten magic shields shattered instantly.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
George let out a deep rumble of approval.
"Impressive," he said.
"This deserves an S-Rank.
As expected of the Ashensteel Family's prodigy."
After Kyle stepped aside, George raised his voice again.
"Next!"
One by one, the remaining children of the Five High Nobles were tested.
Kyle Ashensteel — S-Rank
Lisa Astryx — A-Rank
Chloe Serfort — A-Rank
Isabelle Aurevane — A-Rank
Only one remained.
George looked toward the crowd.
"Next!"
That was Fate's turn.
He stepped forward.
Several freshmen stared at him, including the four High Noble heirs.
George looked down at him.
"What's your level?"
"Level 30," Fate answered.
George adjusted the shields accordingly.
"Then you'll need to break three of my shields," he said.
Pausing, he frowned.
"Where's your weapon?"
Fate raised his fist.
"This," he said simply,
"is my weapon."
George blinked.
(This kid isn't serious, is he?)
he thought.
(Even the High Nobles used weapons…)
(Ashensteel and Aurevane used swords…)
(Serfort and Astryx used staffs…)
(Just who is this kid?)
"Suit yourself," George said, taking his stance.
Fate did the same.
The moment came.
Fate threw a single punch.
Nothing happened.
Not a single shield broke.
The crowd burst into laughter.
"Is that it?! HAHAHA!"
"He didn't even break one!"
But Kyle wasn't laughing.
His eyes were locked onto Fate.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Cracks appeared.
Not on the first shield.
But on the ones behind it.
The laughter slowly died.
One by one, the shields shattered—
until only the very first shield Fate had punched remained.
Then—
—BOOM!
The final shield shattered.
George was pushed back several meters.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the area, blowing Fate's hair aside—
Revealing dragon horns.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Even the four High Noble heirs stared in shock.
George broke the silence.
"…Who are you, kid?"
Fate straightened his posture.
"I am Fate Kindspring," he said firmly.
"A Crystal Dragon."
He continued without hesitation.
"And I am the adopted son of Vale Kindspring,
the Patriarch of the Kindspring Family."
The whispers exploded.
"The adopted son of the Kindspring Patriarch…?"
"I heard a rumor about that…"
"So it was true…"
The murmurs spread through the crowd.
The four High Noble heirs continued to stare at him.
Fate felt their gazes—
And responded instinctively.
A powerful aura radiated from his body.
The air grew heavy.
End of Chapter 12