Chapter 23：Assessment Begins (2/2)

'Acolyte level 3'. This time the young man felt his world turn upside down. A fifteen-year-old at Acolyte that too at level 3. This time young man almost had a heart attack. He stood up from his chair in shock. Sam felt quite puzzled from his actions.

”Excuse me, what should I do now.?” Sam asked.

”No- Nothing.” The young came out of his daze and handed a bronze token to Sam. The bronze token has a symbol of Starwood tree engraved on it. Sam took the token and left leaving the young man.

The first-round assessment went very quickly. Sam underestimated the number of eliminated contestants. Sam thought that since rules are not hidden, he felt that not many non-eligible contestants will attend. But they are many who still came to just try their luck. This is because there are special concessions made for special constitutions. But there are very rare. Now, there are only two hundred something people left.

Sam came and joined in the group with the bronze tokens, there he saw someone familiar. It is none other Oliver. The cocky son of the village head.

When Sam saw him, he also saw Sam by coincidence. Sam gave him a smile. Looking at Sam, Oliver immediately broke out in cold sweat. He still remembered the way Sam, ruthlessly dealt with his lackeys, if it wasn't for his father, he would have suffered miserably, just like his lackeys. Both of them are crippled. Sam just made their worthless. One of them can't bear the torment and committed suicide. Oliver didn't want to provoke Sam again. Oliver then turned towards the viewing platform of the city lord. Sam also looked towards same direction and saw someone he failed to notice earlier. The village head of the lava rock village. He is standing behind the City lord, along with four others. These are all the village heads of the other four villages under the city lord. Sam turned towards Oliver again and gave an evil smirk. He really wants to see, how the village head is going to react after he was finished with his son. Then a voice interrupted Sam's thought.

”The first-round assessment is completed. All the candidates with a bronze token are eligible for the second round.” The Principal said as he stood up and walked up the huge stage.

”The second round of the assessment will begin in a few minutes. The second round will take place in the testing grounds of the Starwood academy. The condition for passing the second round is quite simple. You have to survive. In the testing grounds, all of you will be assessed at the same time. The last hundred who will stand are eligible for the next round. There will be ranking in this round. The one who has more points will have highest ranking. In this round the candidates have a free for all royal rumble competition in the grounds.

Along with the candidates, there will be some Level 1 and level 2 beasts in the grounds. Each level 1 beast carries one point. Each level 2 initial stage beast carries 2 points. Level 2 final stage beast carries 3 points.

Other than the beasts in the competition, every other participant is also an enemy. The last hundred to survive will have extra points according to the ranking. The person who ranked in the hundredth place is awarded with 101 points. The candidate in 99th place will have 102 points, then so on so forth. Even if you have killed many beasts and have gained so many points, if you failed to survive till top hundred, the rest of the points will be deleted. So, be careful.

Your lives are your own responsibility. If you are in a life-threatening danger and wish to give up. Crush the bronze token and the hunting grounds formation will protect you. But if you don't do that and continue, your life is your own responsibility. You can use any means except for the external assistance to survive in the competition. If you use external means like inscribed weapons, inscriptions and array discs, that would be tantamount to the provocation of Starwood academy and you will be bearing the consequences.”

Then the Principal turned towards the noble families and said. ”The eligible families from the noble household please come forward and join the group.” Then a group five to eight people came forward from each house-holds viewing platforms. After all the people joined. The Principal again addressed the crowd and said.

”You will be following this Elder to the testing grounds. You guys will be placed in different locations in all of the testing grounds. If another candidate is nearby you will get the signal from your bronze token. The time limit is until dawn tomorrow. May the most qualified win.” The principal said and went back to the viewing platform.

The Elder who is pointed by the Principal gestured all the candidates and took them towards the gate behind the ground. The gate led to the entrance of a majestic looking place, which looked like a city square. There are various buildings. The world behind the gate itself looked like a city. Then the Elder guided them to an entrance which can allow only one person at a time. On both sides of entrance are majestic looking tall walls banning the view inside. The Elder gestured the first person to go through the entrance and the person vanished.

'Teleportation Formation' the thought came to his mind. Then Sam felt confused. Even the lowest quality teleportation formation needs a rank 4 formation master. But the Starwood city only has a rank 2 formation master. How did they get it done? Sam thought inwardly and finally his turn came.

Sam felt a little dizzy when he opened his eyes. He landed on his back as soon as he teleported inside. When Sam looked around all that came into his view are trees. He is in a place like woods. After he stabilized a bit. A voice came in his mind.

”The Second round assessment begins”