The murmurs surrounding Zion's result gradually subsided.
Most candidates quickly lost interest.
An Epic Rank Cultivation Talent was undoubtedly impressive, but compared to Darius Flamecrest's Legendary Rank, it was no longer enough to dominate the conversation.
Only a handful of officials continued stealing curious glances toward Zion.
The silver-robed examiner raised his hand.
"Group One assessment complete."
"The next group, prepare."
The candidates dispersed from the platform.
Kellan hurried over the moment Zion stepped down.
He slapped Zion on the shoulder with a broad grin.
"I knew you wouldn't embarrass Blue Star Village."
"You almost scared me when that crystal went dark."
Mira nodded, though her eyes lingered on Zion.
"...I thought something had gone wrong."
Zion looked toward the Spirit Origin Monolith.
"So did I."
He genuinely had no idea why the crystal had reacted that way.
The strange darkness...
The violent trembling...
It had lasted only an instant.
Perhaps...
The formation had simply malfunctioned.
Before he could think further, another voice echoed through the hall.
"Group Three."
"Step forward."
Mira adjusted the notebook tucked beneath her arm before standing.
"I suppose it's my turn."
Kellan raised a fist.
"Show them village girls aren't ordinary."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'll settle for passing."
With calm, measured steps, Mira joined the other candidates walking toward the third Spirit Origin Monolith.
Unlike the previous group, there were no famous clan heirs among them.
The assessment proceeded smoothly.
"Common Rank."
"Rare Rank."
"Rare Rank."
"Common Rank."
One after another, candidates completed their tests.
Finally...
The official looked toward Mira.
"Blue Star Village."
"...Mira."
A few nearby candidates glanced at her curiously.
"So she's with the Epic Rank boy."
"I wonder how talented she is."
Mira ignored the whispers.
She stepped before the crystal and slowly placed her palm upon its surface.
The instant Origin Essence flowed into the monolith...
Golden light blossomed throughout the crystal.
The floating runes accelerated.
They spun gracefully around one another before erupting into a brilliant pillar of golden radiance.
The light climbed higher...
And higher...
Until it reached the height Darius had achieved earlier.
The official's composed expression changed.
"Legendary Rank Cultivation Talent."
Silence.
Then...
The hall erupted into astonished voices.
"Another Legendary Rank?"
"And she's from Blue Star Village too?"
"Impossible..."
"Wasn't Blue Star Village supposed to be some forgotten place?"
Even Darius frowned slightly.
His expression remained proud...
But his confidence had diminished by a fraction.
Across the hall, several academy officials quietly exchanged glances.
One Legendary Rank talent could be dismissed as coincidence.
Two extraordinary talents emerging from the same insignificant village...
That deserved attention.
Mira blinked.
"...Legendary?"
She hadn't expected that.
The official smiled faintly.
"Congratulations."
"You possess exceptional cultivation potential."
Mira bowed politely before returning to Zion and Kellan.
Kellan stared at her as though seeing her for the first time.
"...You're a monster."
She laughed softly.
"I think you're exaggerating."
"No."
Kellan shook his head.
"I'm definitely not."
Even Zion smiled faintly.
"Congratulations."
Mira's smile grew warmer.
"Thank you."
"But now..."
She looked directly at Kellan.
"...it's your turn."
Kellan's confident grin immediately froze.
"...Why do I suddenly feel nervous?"
Both Zion and Mira laughed.
For perhaps the first time since entering the Origin Tower...
The tension between them completely disappeared.
Several groups passed one after another.
The Spirit Origin Monoliths continued shining with different intensities as candidates stepped forward.
Low Rank remained the most frequent result.
Rare Rank appeared often enough to earn approving nods.
Epic Rank appeared only a handful of times.
Legendary Rank...
Only twice.
Darius and Mira.
The hall gradually accepted those two names as the brightest talents discovered so far.
Then...
The examiner's voice echoed once more.
"Group Seven."
"Step forward."
Kellan inhaled deeply.
"...Alright."
"It's finally my turn."
He rolled his shoulders as though preparing for battle instead of an examination.
Zion looked at him.
"Relax."
"The crystal won't bite."
Kellan laughed awkwardly.
"I know..."
"But I'd rather fight a Spirit Beast."
Mira smiled.
"Just be yourself."
Kellan nodded before striding confidently toward the seventh Spirit Origin Monolith.
His appearance alone immediately attracted attention.
Unlike the refined nobles...
Unlike the scholarly Mira...
Kellan possessed the sturdy physique of someone accustomed to hard work.
He stood before the crystal.
The official nodded.
"Begin."
Kellan placed his hand upon the Spirit Origin Monolith.
Origin Essence flowed steadily into the crystal.
For several breaths...
Nothing happened.
Then...
The crystal exploded with deep violet light.
The runes spun rapidly before stabilizing into a brilliant pillar that rose high above the platform.
Not as high as Legendary...
But higher than nearly everyone else.
The official announced clearly,
"Epic Rank Cultivation Talent."
A wave of approval spread throughout the hall.
"Another Epic."
"Blue Star Village actually produced three outstanding talents?"
"What kind of village is that?"
Kellan stared blankly at the crystal.
"...Epic?"
The official nodded.
"Congratulations."
"You possess excellent cultivation talent."
Only after hearing the confirmation did Kellan finally recover.
His face split into an enormous grin.
"I actually did it!"
He hurried back almost running.
"I'M EPIC!"
Mira couldn't help laughing.
"You don't need to announce it to the whole hall."
"But I want to!"
Zion smiled.
"You've earned it."
Kellan rubbed the back of his head.
"So..."
"...does this mean I can brag a little?"
Mira answered immediately.
"No."
"...Too late."
Kellan sighed dramatically.
"My dreams have been crushed."
The three laughed together.
Not far away...
Several academy elders quietly watched them.
One elder stroked his beard.
"One Legendary."
"Two Epics."
"All from the same village."
"...Interesting."
Another elder nodded.
"It seems Blue Star Village has given us an unexpected surprise this year."
Far in the corner...
The old man continued sweeping the floor.
His Fate Eyes quietly observed the three youths.
Yet...
His gaze rested longest...
On Zion.
"The greatest surprise..."
"Hasn't even begun."
--
The final group soon completed their assessment.
As the last candidate stepped away from the Spirit Origin Monolith, the silver-robed officials quickly recorded the remaining results before retreating to the sides of the platform.
The enormous hall gradually fell silent once more.
The elderly examiner slowly stepped forward.
His calm gaze swept across the hundreds of candidates.
"I congratulate those whose talents met their expectations."
His voice echoed clearly throughout the chamber.
"And I encourage those whose talents did not."
Several candidates lowered their heads.
Some clenched their fists in disappointment.
Others forced bitter smiles.
The old man continued.
"Cultivation Talent determines the speed of your journey."
"It does not determine its destination."
He paused, allowing the words to sink into every heart.
"I have witnessed cultivators with Legendary Rank talent perish before reaching the Heaven Rank."
"I have also witnessed those with Common Rank talent rise to become legends."
His expression remained tranquil.
"The road of cultivation has never favored talent alone."
Many of the discouraged candidates slowly straightened their backs.
Hope returned to their eyes.
The old man nodded slightly.
"Good."
"You understand."
He turned toward the center of the platform.
With a gentle wave of his sleeve...
The ten Spirit Origin Monoliths slowly descended beneath the floor.
Their golden light faded completely.
For a brief moment...
The platform stood empty.
Then...
The ground trembled.
Deep rumbling echoed beneath the enormous hall.
The candidates instinctively looked toward the center.
Ancient runes began illuminating one after another beneath the polished stone floor.
Unlike the Spirit Origin Monoliths...
These runes glowed with a deep crimson radiance.
They intertwined like countless flowing rivers before gathering into ten massive circular formations.
Each formation was over ten meters wide.
Intricate symbols no one present could recognize covered every inch of their surfaces.
The air itself seemed heavier.
More ancient.
More solemn.
Mira stared at the formations in fascination.
"...These formations..."
"...they're far older."
Captain Roran had told them that Formation Masters could preserve arrays for thousands of years.
Looking at these...
She finally understood.
The old man rested one hand behind his back.
"The second assessment..."
"...will now begin."
Every candidate unconsciously held their breath.
His voice remained calm.
"This assessment concerns your Bloodline."
Immediately...
The atmosphere inside the hall changed.
Many noble youths instinctively glanced toward one another.
Some appeared nervous.
Others looked proud.
Among powerful clans...
Bloodlines were sacred inheritances.
The source of their strength.
Their greatest secret.
One candidate couldn't restrain himself.
"Elder..."
"If our Bloodlines are revealed..."
"...wouldn't that expose our clan's secrets?"
Many others secretly shared the same concern.
The old man smiled faintly.
"It seems many of you have misunderstood."
He slowly raised one hand.
The crimson formations beneath them began rotating.
"Our formations..."
"...cannot identify your Bloodline."
The hall became quiet.
"They cannot determine its race."
"They cannot determine its grade."
"They cannot determine its abilities."
"They cannot even distinguish whether it belongs to a Dragon..."
"...or a Phoenix."
Several candidates blinked in surprise.
The elder continued.
"They perform only one task."
His finger pointed toward the glowing formations.
"They verify."
A puzzled voice rang out.
"Verify... what?"
The old man's answer came without hesitation.
"Whether your Bloodline has truly awakened."
Silence followed.
He continued.
"Across countless planets..."
"The age of awakening differs..."
"But here on blue star you all should have reach the age"
"The awakening itself should have already occurred."
"Our responsibility..."
"...is merely to confirm its completion."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Mira's face.
"So..."
"...the Academy isn't the one awakening our Bloodlines."
The old man nodded.
"Correct."
"The awakening belongs to the Void."
"The verification belongs to the Academy."
Those simple words immediately answered many questions.
Even the nobles visibly relaxed.
Their Bloodline secrets remained safe.
The Academy sought fairness...
Not information.
Among the crowd...
Zion quietly lowered his eyes.
His thoughts drifted back to that endless black space.
The impossible trial.
The mysterious voice.
The Void.
"So..."
"It wasn't simply testing me."
"It awakened me..."
The realization settled quietly in his heart.
For the first time...
He truly understood why the trial had existed.
The Academy could only verify.
The true awakening...
Had already taken place.
The old man continued speaking.
"The same principle applies to Eye Abilities."
"The Academy verifies."
"It does not reveal."
"It does not expose."
"It does not judge."
Several nobles quietly released the breath they had been holding.
One young woman smiled faintly.
"Our clan worried for nothing."
A nearby noble laughed.
"It seems so."
The elder folded his sleeves once more.
"Talent deserves protection."
"Star Realm Academy will never expose secrets entrusted to your families."
His words earned respectful nods from many of the older escorts watching from the audience.
Even Captain Roran smiled.
"This..."
"...is why the Academy has remained respected for countless generations."
The elder's expression gradually became serious once again.
"However..."
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"If someone attempts to deceive the Academy..."
"The formations..."
"...will know."
The crimson arrays beneath the platform pulsed violently.
A pressure far greater than before briefly swept across the hall.
Many candidates instinctively stiffened.
Then...
The pressure vanished.
"As long as your Bloodline truly awakened..."
"...there is nothing to fear."
He looked toward the nearest silver-robed official.
"Prepare the first group."
The officials bowed simultaneously.
"Yes, Elder."
The crimson formations brightened.
One by one...
The candidates slowly rose from their seats.
The Bloodline Verification...
Was about to begin.
The crimson formations beneath the platform glowed softly.
Ancient runes flowed across their surfaces like rivers of molten light, filling the hall with a solemn atmosphere.
The silver-robed officials stepped forward.
One of them raised his voice.
"Candidates will proceed according to their previous groups."
"The procedure is simple."
"Step into the formation."
"Release a small amount of Origin Essence."
"The formation will verify whether a Bloodline has awakened."
"It will reveal nothing more."
The candidates nodded.
Many noble youths visibly relaxed.
Their family secrets would remain protected.
The elderly examiner stood calmly at the center of the platform.
"Begin."
The first candidate stepped into one of the formations.
The crimson runes beneath his feet illuminated.
A faint ripple spread outward before a small symbol appeared in the air.
Bloodline: Present.
The candidate quietly sighed in relief.
The official nodded.
"Next."
One after another, candidates entered the formations.
Some produced the same result.
Others did not.
Bloodline: Present.
Bloodline: Absent.
There were no surprised expressions.
After all...
Not every cultivator possessed a Bloodline.
Many powerful experts relied solely upon cultivation, battle experience, and determination.
The examiner's earlier words remained in everyone's minds.
Talent was important.
But it was not everything.
Soon...
Group Three was called.
Mira stepped forward.
Her expression remained calm, but her eyes quietly observed the formation beneath her feet.
The runes were ancient.
Far older than most formations she had seen.
As she entered the crimson circle, the symbols around her feet slowly brightened.
She released a thread of Origin Essence.
The formation hummed softly.
Moments later...
A line of light appeared above her.
Bloodline: Present.
The result was simple.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Mira stepped out of the formation.
Kellan grinned.
"So you have a Bloodline."
Mira laughed softly.
"I already knew that."
"Still..."
She glanced at the formation.
"It's strange."
"What?"
"It confirms..."
"...but reveals nothing."
Zion quietly nodded.
"Some secrets are meant to remain hidden."
The assessments continued.
The percentage of Bloodline users was surprisingly high.
Nearly half the candidates possessed one.
Some nobles smiled proudly.
Others remained calm.
But no one knew what Bloodline another person possessed.
The Academy kept its promise.
Eventually...
Group Seven was called.
Kellan walked toward the formation.
Unlike Mira, he appeared slightly nervous.
"What if I trip?"
Mira sighed.
"It's a formation."
"Not a staircase."
Kellan scratched his head awkwardly before stepping inside.
The crimson runes lit up immediately.
Origin Essence flowed.
The formation hummed.
Then...
Words appeared.
Bloodline: Present.
Kellan let out a breath.
"I knew it."
He returned with an enormous grin.
Mira looked at him.
"Why are you so happy?"
Kellan crossed his arms proudly.
"Because now I'm officially special."
Mira shook her head helplessly.
Zion smiled faintly.
For a moment...
The pressure of the examinations disappeared.
They were simply three friends from a small village.
Standing together beneath the endless sky of a larger world.
Then...
The official's voice echoed once more.
"Group One."
"Prepare."
The atmosphere around Zion subtly changed.
Several candidates looked toward him.
Even Darius glanced over.
After all...
This was the village boy with Epic Rank Cultivation Talent.
Many wanted to know whether he also possessed a Bloodline.
Darius walk forward with a calm expression.
Origin Essence flowed.
The formation hummed.
Then...
Words appeared.
Bloodline: Present.
He walked back with the same expression. He doesn't seem surprise because the result is already something he knew.
Others belonging to group one also were also tested with the results been either present or absent.
Zion calmly walked toward the formation.
His footsteps remained steady.
The crimson runes reflected within his eyes.
Deep within his body...
The Abyssforge Bloodline remained silent.
Dormant.
Hidden.
As though waiting.
The old man sweeping the floor quietly raised his head.
His silver Fate Eyes flickered for the briefest instant.
Invisible threads spread outward.
Wrapping around the formation.
A faint smile appeared on his aged face.
"Let's see..."
"How much the world can tolerate today."
Zion stepped into the crimson formation.
The runes beneath his feet illuminated.
He released a thread of Origin Essence.
For one heartbeat...
Nothing happened.
Then...
The entire formation trembled.
The moment Zion's Origin Essence entered the crimson formation...
The runes beneath his feet suddenly slowed.
One after another...
The glowing symbols stopped revolving.
A strange silence filled the formation.
It lasted only an instant.
"...Hm?"
The nearby official frowned.
Formation arrays weren't supposed to hesitate.
Before he could investigate further...
The runes resumed moving as though nothing had happened.
Moments later...
Golden words slowly materialized above the formation.
Bloodline: Present.
The official nodded.
"Verification complete."
"You may step down."
A wave of whispers spread through the hall.
"So he has a Bloodline."
"With Epic Rank Cultivation Talent as well..."
"No wonder he remained calm."
Darius glanced toward Zion before looking away.
"So what if he has a Bloodline?"
"There are countless Bloodline users."
"This proves nothing."
His followers immediately agreed.
"Exactly."
"The real competition hasn't even started."
Zion quietly stepped down from the formation.
His expression remained calm.
Yet...
He couldn't shake the strange feeling lingering inside him.
For the briefest moment...
Something deep within his body had stirred.
Almost...
As though the formation had tried to look beyond the surface.
Before it suddenly stopped.
"...Strange."
He whispered softly.
Beside him, Mira tilted her head.
"What is?"
"...Nothing."
Zion simply shook his head.
Perhaps he had imagined it.
Far away...
The old man slowly resumed sweeping the floor.
His wrinkled face revealed nothing.
But beneath his calm exterior...
His heart was anything but peaceful.
"It almost bow to him..."
His silver eyes slowly returned to their cloudy appearance.
"Fortunately..."
"...the ancient formations were never created to expose Bloodlines."
"They only verify their existence."
Otherwise...
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
He glanced once more toward Zion.
"The day the universe learns what flows through your veins..."
"...that day will also become the day countless worlds begin hunting you."
Nearly an hour later...
The final candidate completed the Bloodline Verification.
The crimson formations gradually sank back into the platform before disappearing completely.
The elderly examiner stepped forward once more.
"The Bloodline Verification Assessment..."
"...has concluded."
He looked across the hundreds of candidates.
"Remember."
"Possessing a Bloodline does not make you superior."
"And lacking one does not make you inferior."
"Cultivation has never belonged exclusively to the gifted."
Many candidates instinctively nodded.
Throughout history...
There had been countless experts who relied on nothing except determination.
The examiner continued.
"Likewise..."
"Possessing an Eye Ability is not a requirement for becoming powerful."
"They are rare gifts."
"But they are only one path among many."
His gaze swept across the crowd.
"Star Realm Academy values potential."
"But our resources are limited."
"We cannot nurture every cultivator who wishes to join."
The atmosphere immediately became serious.
Some candidates unconsciously straightened.
Others swallowed nervously.
The examiner raised one finger.
"The Academy's first requirement is simple."
"You must possess the potential to walk far upon the path of cultivation."
His voice echoed throughout the enormous hall.
"Candidates possessing Common Rank Cultivation Talent or higher..."
"...automatically satisfy this requirement."
He raised a second finger.
"Candidates below Common Rank may still qualify if they possess either an awakened Bloodline or an awakened Eye Ability."
The hall erupted into whispers.
"So that's how it works..."
"I knew the Academy couldn't accept everyone."
"What about Low Rank talent without either?"
The examiner answered before anyone asked aloud.
"They are eliminated."
Silence followed.
His words were merciless.
Yet...
No one argued.
Star Realm Academy was the greatest academy in the galaxy.
It had no shortage of applicants.
Resources could not be wasted.
The examiner continued.
"Those who satisfy the minimum requirements..."
"...will proceed to the remaining examinations."
"Those who do not..."
"...will leave the tower after today's assessment."
Several candidates quietly lowered their heads.
Reality...
Was far harsher than expectation.
The elderly examiner allowed a few moments for the crowd to absorb the news before speaking again.
"The next assessment..."
"...will verify whether you possess an awakened Eye Ability."
A faint ripple spread throughout the hall.
Unlike Bloodlines, Eye Abilities were exceptionally rare.
Many candidates had never even met someone who possessed one.
The examiner smiled faintly.
"As with the previous assessment..."
"The formation will reveal only one result."
Eye Ability: Present.
Or...
Eye Ability: Absent.
"It will not reveal the category."
"It will not reveal its grade."
"It will not reveal its abilities."
"The secrets granted by the Void belong to their owners alone."
Hearing this...
Many candidates visibly relaxed.
Among them...
Darius.
Like everyone who had completed an Awakening Trial...
He already knew his result.
He possessed a Bloodline.
But no Eye Ability.
There was nothing to fear.
Not far away...
Zion slowly exhaled.
His thoughts immediately drifted elsewhere.
If the formation only confirms its existence...
Then it won't expose my Supreme Eyes.
That was one less concern.
As for his Soul Ability...
He wasn't worried.
No one had mentioned such a power since entering the Origin Tower.
It was as though it had never existed.
Granny Iya had been right.
Some secrets...
Were never meant to be spoken aloud.
The silver-robed officials stepped toward a new set of formations as countless ancient runes gradually illuminated the platform once more.
The Eye Ability Verification...
Was about to begin.