Free Web NovelChapter 28: Ch 28: First Day [1]
The gates closed, restricting anyone else from entering the fields.
At the same time, a man walked up from the pavilion and stepped onto the stage.
"Good morning, people of the empire." He spoke in a charismatic voice.
But then his eyes which had been sparkling suddenly dimmed. His gaze moved towards the "common" audience, from where the noise was still extreme.
The host clapped twice. The sound that followed were a series of thunderclaps that instantly shut down everyone as they all felt a sense of great danger to their mortal self.
The man at the stage looked satisfied at his own display of power. He cleared his throat as he repeated again.
"Good morning, people of the empire. It’s a great pleasure to have so many people come so far to oversee the test that would define the next generation of our elite soldiers."
He paused, letting the cheers from the crowd to fill the area. Once the crowd went silent again, he continued in that characteristic tone of his.
"Now to all the candidates who have gathered here to participate for this test, I commend your courage and dedication. May the Gods Above be with you!"
Enzo and his group felt completely out of place as every single participant around them placed a fist on their chest and spoke in unison.
"May the Gods Above be with us!"
"Any idea what they are talking about?" Smut leaned in as he asked in curiousity.
"They are worshipping their own gods." Enzo replied.
Smut nodded his head in understanding. "So this Gods Above is our version of the Great Old One right?"
"Something like that."
As the chorus ended, the host continued with the instructions for the entrance test.
"Now that we have done with the formalities, let’s talk about the rules and regulations. Don’t worry, I shall keep it short. We already have a long day ahead."
"This year, the Isikolo Annual Test like the other years, shall go on for a duration of three days. The rules are simple: win ten matches and pass the test. Lose any and go back. Obviously you can try your luck the next year...well, other than the slaves."
His eyes shifted towards Enzo and his group. The others took a brief glance their way as well.
Alyssa looked quite uncomfortable as she slided behind Enzo as if hoping that would truly hide her from everyone.
Enzo on the other hand, felt a migrane split his head.
It was only his first day being in the slave collar and it was already turning out to be disastrous. Just thinking about how he needed to endure such treatment for who knows how long made his blood boil with frustration.
"So without much delay, we officially begin the first day of the entrance test. But...but..."
He made a gesture with his fingers asking everyone to be silent. Then, he pointed towards the massive pavilion from where a group of black hooded ladies stepped forward onto the stage.
"Before that, let us welcome the Bewitchers to our capital. They have travelled from the Citadel to bless all the test centres. So kindly follow them as they pray for you all!"
A serene silence bordering on obsessive devotion spread among the crowd as their expressions turned into awe at the sight of the Bewitchers.
Without a word, they joined their hands in front of them and sank to their knees in prayer.
Enzo and the others were left awkwardly standing as they contemplated if praying alonside everyone else might offend the citizens. Afterall, their faith was different from the people of Windsor, who saw them as mere barbarians, now "chained" and "tamed".
"You four! Why are you still standing? Kneel!"
Immediately, they too sank on their knees, not wanting to attract trouble for no reason.
The Bewitchers formed a pyramidal formation as they started chanting. The hymn was rather pleasing to the ears as everyone fell into deep devotion.
A calming effect spread across the fenced arena as Enzo raised his head slightly to steal a glance at the few nobles sitting comfortably in their seats instead of praying with the ladies.
’Of course, they are an exception.’ Enzo thought in a mocking tone. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Still he didn’t waste this opportunity. He closed his eyes and meditated as he felt a rejuvenating feeling pass through him. The soothing effect which lingered in the air as the Bewitchers sang also healed him.
Enzo guessed it as some passive skill that these black hooded ladies possessed.
As the world around him drowned in lyrics and peace, he summoned his runes as the system materialized in front of his vision.
[Name: ____ (Enzo Riccardo)
Aspect:
Mana Core (Unique): Sphere of the Eight Cardinals [F rank]
Core Trait: Cardinals (0/8)
Total fragments: 380
Core fragments: 193/2000
Physique: Dormant (1/2)
Affinity:
Material Techniques:
Weapon Techniques:
Skills: Mana Vision
Titles: Ninth Aspirant
Affiliations: Blessed of the Blood Moon, Heir of the Goddess of Time, A nameless of the Hermann Clan.
Ultimate: (Aspect yet to be unlocked).]
’What the hell?!’ His eyes widened as he saw the sheer number of fragments left to be distributed.
’S-she gave me these many fragments! Is she insane or what?’
As someone who had followed Thorgar’s journey throughout an entire volume, he knew how hard it was to harvest enough fragments to level up your mana core.
Especially at higher levels where the number of fragments required touched the hundred thousand mark easily.
And here someone was donating them just like that?
’Yeah she definitely is making an investment. Just as I had thought.’
He wasn’t complaining though. Free resources were simply resources at the end of the day.
So he quickly transferred them to his core as he felt his mana core stabilise further, strength seeping into him.
The Bewitchers ended their hymn as they wished everyone luck and gave back the stage to the Host.
"Now that we have received the holy blessing from the holy ladies, let’s move on to the main task in hand." The man then called for a few of the soldiers as they moved quickly, taking a few bowls filled with folded papers.
Moving quickly among the participants, they distributed these papers.
Enzo unfolded his.
999.
He whistled under his breath, impressed at the magnitude of the number.
He checked the papers the other three received and found out he had the highest number as well.
’Well there are atleast nine hundred and ninety nine participants here. That’s no small number.’
"I believe everyone here has been given a token?" His inquiry was met by everyone nodding their heads.
"Alright. With that done, let’s begin the matches. We shall call the numbers randomly and whoever has it shall move to the ring we assign you to."
Since they were at the back of the line, Enzo had to stand on his toes as he saw the layout at the other side of the field.
Eight circles had been drawn on the sandy ground, with eight elders in green robes standing in front of them. They had a number ranging from 1 to 8 marked on their back of their robes to indicate the serial number of the circles.
"Also remember - you only win if after three minutes, you have more points than your opponents or if your opponents surrender. And of course, like every other year, you are not allowed to hit your opponents on their heads or step out of your rings. That’s instant disqualification."
And so with that final set of instructions, the first day of the entrance test began.
