Chapter 56：Tower of Will (1/2)

After Principal ended his speech, he gestured to an elder to lead the group to the testing grounds of the academy. All the spectators followed them to the spectator's area provided at the testing grounds. After all of them left the bigshots in the place were guided by the attendants of the academy to the private cubicles to get a better view of the test.

The Elder led the candidates and their supervisors of the six groups and made them take their positions in front of a huge tower. There was a huge plaque written with characters 'TOWER OF WILL'. Sam looked at the ancient looking tower and was in awe about its exquisite structure.

The tower is tall and may be the tallest of all the buildings in city, but nobody was unable to see it when they normally roam in the city for which the credit went to the arrangements of testing grounds.

The Elder turned towards the six groups of people and said. ”This 'Tower of Will' is testing place to know how strong is your will and how strong is your belief in yourself. There are thirty levels in this tower and the higher you go the higher the points you will gain. These points will be added to the cumulative score of yours for the final evaluation of the tournament.

If you are unable to step forward after you reach a certain level, don't be stubborn and learn to back down, when you can. Otherwise the repercussions will be dire and hinder your future development.

The best record for the tower is of 27 levels and that is done by our current emperor, when he came here to test his will especially in this tower.

I wish you all the best.” He finished his speech and gave the position to another attendant who is in charge of sending candidates in to the tower.

The attendant came forward and said.

”The first participants will be Falcon Cliff city.” As soon as he said that all the participants from the Falcon Cliff city came forward. Attendant pointed at one guy among them and gestured him to enter the tower. The first floor of the tower illuminated a little confirming the tower begin testing the candidate.

Soon, the dimly lit first floor began illuminating brightly in white light. The first floor was passed. Now the candidate will be moved to the second floor and the that also illuminated with a dim light. This time ten minutes passed and the second floor also passed. The candidate was moved to the third floor. Seeing that the testing takes sometime the candidates and the spectators started chatting. Sam observed all the candidates from various cities and some interesting info was heard from two people from Mountain lake City which is one of the close neighbours to the Starwood city. He heard two guys talking secretively.

”Hey, do you know why the cultivation levels of the City lord and Principal of the Falcon cliff city are higher?”

”No, I am also curious. Do you know anything about it?”

”Yes, I overheard when our City lord explained to his son just now.”

”Really? What is the reason then?”

”Apparently, Starwood city is like an exiling zone to the dukedom we are part of. The officials of various departments and organisations, who offended their superiors at their early stages of career will be transferred to this city. This city has literally no resources except for that Starwood forest and some other common herbs. So, every big shot in the city from another place, who has beef with the higher ups and were transferred there to stomp on their progress. The opportunities are less and resources are scarce. They said that even the Noble families in that city are exiled branch of a big noble family because of their internal strife. That is why other cities are controlled by a single noble family and there might be at most an extra noble family which are deployed by a big- name noble family to get the resources, but the noble families in Starwood city are different.

Principal added that, if not for the fact they don't have any strong evidence against them to be dealt directly and the organisation can't do it due to their reputation, they might have been already dealt with by their superiors.

So, long ago the upper echelons of various organisation, reached a consensus together discreetly, to send all these people who offended them to this City.”

When the other guy heard this, he was shocked and Sam who heard it discreetly was given more huge shock from the info. Never would he have expected that there would be a city like this where the people who offended their bosses were transferred. He didn't expect that this would be the reason for the higher cultivation base of City lord and the Principal. He thought that the Starwood city might be somewhat impressive or something. But the reason made him almost burst in laughter. So, most of these guys are people who were kicked by their bosses to the curb.

Sam looked at the Principal and City lord who is looking at the tower with a serious expression.

”Hello, Kelly.” His thought process was interrupted by a person's deep and cheerful voice. He turned his head only to see that a young man who is from the Falcon Cliff team greeting Kelly. Sam didn't bother with it and diverted his attention to the tower as the candidate came outside just now.

”Candidate Logan from Falcon Cliff city. Twelve levels passed and failed in thirteenth level.12 Points.” Attendant announced as the candidate came back with a dejected expression.

”Sam.” A sweet voice came from beside him and he saw Kelly calling him. He turned towards her and saw the young man who spoke to her earlier standing beside her with a smile.

”This is Hawk. Son of the Count Falcon. He is my childhood friend.” Kelly introduced him and Sam was a bit surprised. This time he observed the young man closely and indeed found some similarities in facial features between him and the Count.

Hawk extended his hand and said. ”Nice to meet you Sam.” His tone was polite, not like some random young masters he used encounter.

”Nice to meet you too.” Sam also said in a same polite tone. Even though there are no signs of friendly smile on his face like Hawk, his face didn't show his usual coldness and temper or any signs of displeasure as well.

”I heard a lot about you from Howard recently and Kelly also said that you are quite unique. That is why I became curious and came here to meet you.” Hawk said with same smile. Sam didn't feel repulsed by his smile.

”By Howard you mean, Kelly's uncle?” Sam asked. He didn't remember any other guy named Howard which he met with recently. But there was still a doubt as he didn't see any reason for the Artisan tower head to say something about him to Count's son.

”Yes. Howard and my father are friends. Kelly used to live here when she was still a little kid. That is how we became friends. Recently, when Howard came to meet my father, you are one of the main topics they used to discuss.” Hawk explained.