The first trial began with brutal efficiency. Three hundred applicants were herded into a massive testing hall, its walls lined with crystalline devices that hummed with spiritual energy. Each device was a Spirit verification scanner, designed to measure a summoner's core capacity with absolute precision. The minimum threshold was 60. Anything below resulted in immediate rejection.
Jace stood in line, watching applicant after applicant step up to the scanners. Most passed easily, their Spirit stats well above the minimum. A few failed, their faces crumpling with despair as Academy officials escorted them out. The system was merciless, designed to filter out the genuinely hopeless before wasting time on further trials.
Kiri stood beside him, her presence drawing the usual mixture of curiosity and pity. The whispers followed them through the hall.
"That's the three time failure with the wingless Seraph."
"Heard he pulled a Mythic Lion last week. Still got rejected."
"Probably cheated on the registration scan. No way someone like that improved so fast."
Jace ignored the commentary with practiced ease. The Prince's discipline transformed shame into cold determination. Their doubt was his weapon. Their underestimation was his advantage.
The line moved forward steadily. Jace studied the other applicants with analytical precision, his newly active Insight of the Tactician talent providing instant assessment of potential threats. Most were unremarkable, conventional summoners with adequate stats and standard training. A few stood out, backed by wealthy families or minor noble houses, their expensive equipment and confident bearing marking them as privileged.
Then Jace noticed her. A young woman near the front of another line, radiating the kind of absolute confidence that came from never having experienced real failure. Her uniform marked her as already affiliated with a major house, probably here as a formality rather than necessity. Her Spirit aura was palpable even from a distance, significantly above the minimum threshold.
He activated Insight of the Tactician, spending one of his three daily uses.
System: Tactical Analysis
Target: Unknown Female Applicant (Affiliated with Major House)
Estimated Spirit: 180-200
Note: Far above minimum threshold. Likely from established summoner lineage. Tactical awareness: Above average. Threat level: Moderate if confronted directly.
The analysis confirmed what Jace had suspected. This wasn't someone struggling to pass trials. This was someone who'd been groomed for Academy success from childhood, backed by resources and training he could only dream of accessing.
Finally, Jace reached the front of his line. The Academy official manning the scanner, a bored looking man in formal robes, barely glanced at him before gesturing to the crystalline device.
"Place your hand on the scanner. Stand still. Don't try to manipulate the reading or you'll be permanently barred from reapplication."
Jace stepped forward and placed his hand on the cool crystal surface. The device hummed, its internal mechanisms analysing the spiritual energy flowing through his channels. The newly forged pathways, reconstructed through the Phoenix Rebirth technique, carried power far beyond what his original Common Tier infrastructure could have supported.
The scanner's display flickered, numbers climbing rapidly before stabilizing.
Spirit Capacity: 105
The official's expression shifted from bored indifference to mild surprise. He double checked the reading, then consulted Jace's registration file on his tablet. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're the three time failure," the official stated flatly. "Last attempt showed Spirit of 48. You've more than doubled your capacity in less than two weeks."
It wasn't a question, but the accusation was implicit. Stat increases of this magnitude suggested either expensive enhancement materials or dangerous forced cultivation. The official was clearly suspicious about how a debt ridden failure had achieved such dramatic improvement.
"Focused training," Jace replied neutrally, offering no further explanation.
The official studied him for a long moment, clearly debating whether to flag the results for investigation. Finally, he shrugged. The Academy didn't technically care how applicants improved their stats, only that they met the thresholds. As long as Jace hadn't used explicitly forbidden materials or stolen Academy resources, his methods were his own business.
"Spirit of 105. Well above minimum threshold. You pass." The official marked something on his tablet, then gestured dismissively. "Proceed to staging area two for the beast power assessment. Next."
Jace stepped away from the scanner, relief flooding through him despite his outward calm. The first hurdle was cleared. His gamble with the forbidden cultivation materials had been worth it, at least for this stage.
Kiri fell into step beside him as they made their way to the staging area. Through their bond, he could feel her quiet satisfaction. She'd trusted his plan, supported him through the agonizing cultivation process, and now they were one step closer to Academy acceptance.
The staging area was another massive hall, this one designed for beast evaluation. Crystal barriers separated individual testing zones where contracted beasts would be put through standardized power assessments. Academy officials moved through the crowd, organizing applicants by their registration numbers and preparing the testing equipment.
Jace found a quiet corner and settled in to wait. The beast power assessment would begin in an hour, giving applicants time to rest and prepare. He used the opportunity to observe the other successful candidates, cataloguing potential threats and weaknesses.
Most of the beasts were unremarkable. Standard Rare Tier creatures with conventional stat distributions, the result of adequate resources and basic training. A few stood out. An Earth Golem with exceptionally high Constitution. A Storm Lizard with impressive Speed. A Shadow Panther with above average Power. All competent, all potentially dangerous in the right circumstances, but nothing that suggested exceptional tactical awareness or unconventional development.
Then Jace noticed a commotion near the entrance. The crowd was parting, applicants stepping aside with expressions of awe and envy. A small group entered the staging area, moving with the confidence of people accustomed to deference and respect.
At the centre was the young woman Jace had analysed earlier. She moved with practiced grace, her bearing suggesting military training or noble upbringing. Her contracted beast walked beside her, a magnificent creature that radiated power even in its relaxed state.
The whispers started immediately.
"That's Aeliana of House Silverpeak."
"She's already Epic Tier. Why is she even here?"
"Formality. Major houses require their members to officially complete trials even if they're already qualified."
Jace's analytical mind processed the information rapidly. Aeliana of House Silverpeak. One of the four great allied nations. Epic Tier at her age meant exceptional resources, superior training, and significant political backing. She represented everything he'd need to overcome or outmanoeuvre to survive Academy politics.
But more importantly, she represented the descendants of the traitors who'd murdered his family. The Silverpeak Nation was one of the powers built on the corpse of his kingdom, their current prosperity purchased with his family's blood.
The Prince's rage flared, cold and absolute, but Jace forced it down. Rage was useless. Revenge required power, and power required survival. He needed to pass these trials, gain Academy resources, and climb high enough to eventually challenge the system itself.
Aeliana's gaze swept across the staging area, cataloguing the other applicants with professional detachment. For a brief moment, her eyes passed over Jace and Kiri. There was no recognition, no interest, just cold assessment before moving on. To someone of her status, a Rare Tier summoner with a wingless Seraph wasn't worth remembering.
That casual dismissal stung more than any insult. But Jace transformed the pain into fuel. Let her dismiss him now. Let them all underestimate the debt ridden failure and his broken beast. When the time came, when he'd climbed high enough, they'd learn the cost of that arrogance.
An Academy official called for attention, his magically amplified voice cutting through the crowd's chatter. "Beast power assessment will begin in fifteen minutes. All applicants report to your assigned testing zones. Minimum threshold is Power of 150. Beasts below this threshold will result in immediate rejection. Prepare your contracted beasts for evaluation."
Jace stood, his body still aching from the cultivation trauma but functional. Kiri rose beside him, her golden eyes focused and determined. They made their way to testing zone twelve, their assigned location.
The testing process was straightforward. Each beast would be put through a series of physical challenges designed to measure raw Power output. Striking reinforced targets, breaking through defensive barriers, demonstrating explosive strength. The challenges were standardized, calibrated to identify beasts that met the minimum combat effectiveness threshold.
Kiri's Power stat of 290 was nearly double the requirement. With the Royal Stat Floor's 20 to 30 percent performance advantage, her effective Power approached 380. She would pass this assessment easily.
But passing wasn't enough. Jace wanted more than acceptance. He wanted to demonstrate capability that would draw attention, that would position them as valuable assets worth investing resources in. The Academy rewarded excellence, not mediocrity.
"Remember," Jace said quietly to Kiri as they approached their testing zone. "Don't just pass. Show them precision. Show them control. Make them wonder how a supposedly broken Seraph performs like a trained military asset."
Kiri's expression hardened with determination. "I won't fail you, Jace. They'll see exactly what we're capable of."
The testing official for zone twelve, a stern faced woman with the bearing of a veteran summoner, reviewed their registration data with professional detachment. "Jace, registration four seven three. Contracted beast: Wingless Seraph, Rare Tier. Registered Power stat: 290." She looked up, studying Kiri with analytical eyes. "Stat capped at Rare maximum. Unusual for a trial applicant."
"She's well trained," Jace replied simply.
The official nodded, clearly having heard similar explanations countless times. "The assessment consists of three challenges. Strike the reinforced target with maximum force. Break through the defensive barrier. Demonstrate controlled power output against a moving target. Your beast has three attempts per challenge. Minimum threshold for passing is Power output of 150 across all three challenges. Understood?"
"Understood," Jace confirmed.
The official activated the testing equipment. A massive, reinforced target materialized in the centre of the zone, its surface glowing with protective enchantments designed to withstand Rare Tier assaults. Beside it, readout displays would measure the force of impact and convert it to numerical Power output.
"First challenge. Maximum force strike. Begin when ready."
Jace looked at Kiri, their bond pulsing with shared intent. This was it. The second trial. Time to show them what proper training and royal knowledge could achieve.
Kiri stepped forward, her movements fluid and controlled. She didn't rush, didn't waste energy on unnecessary motion. She simply focused, her Seraph physiology channelling power with supernatural efficiency.
Then she struck.
The impact was explosive. Kiri's fist connected with the reinforced target with devastating precision, her Speed stat of 300 translating into velocity that multiplied the force of impact. The target's protective enchantments flared, absorbing and measuring the blow. The readout displays flickered, numbers climbing rapidly before stabilizing.
Power Output: 378
The testing official's eyes widened. She double checked the readout, clearly not believing what she was seeing. A Rare Tier beast had just demonstrated Power output approaching Low Epic levels. With the Royal Stat Floor advantage, Kiri's effective 378 Power was performing like a beast nearly thirty percent stronger than her registered stats suggested.
"That's..." the official began, then caught herself. "That's well above threshold. Significantly above. Proceed to second challenge."
The second challenge materialized. A defensive barrier, glowing with layered protective enchantments. The test was simple: break through it using controlled, sustained force rather than a single explosive strike. It measured not just raw Power, but the ability to maintain output over time.
Kiri approached the barrier with the same controlled precision. She struck once, twice, three times in rapid succession, each blow perfectly placed to maximize structural stress. The barrier held for five seconds, then six, then suddenly shattered under the accumulated damage.
Power Output: 365 (Sustained)
The official made careful notes on her tablet, her expression professionally neutral but clearly impressed. "Proceed to final challenge."
The third challenge was the most complex. A series of moving targets, each one requiring precise strikes at specific weak points. This tested tactical awareness and controlled power application, separating beasts with pure strength from those with actual combat training.
Kiri moved through the challenge like a predator, her enhanced Speed allowing her to track and strike each target with surgical precision. Every hit was calculated, every movement optimized. This wasn't just raw power. This was trained, disciplined combat effectiveness.
Power Output: 352 (Precision)
The official reviewed all three results, her expression carefully controlled. "Average Power output: 365. Well above minimum threshold of 150. Your beast demonstrates exceptional training and control." She looked at Jace directly, assessment in her eyes. "You pass the beast power evaluation. Proceed to the final trial: combat assessment. Report to arena staging at midday."
Jace nodded his thanks and led Kiri away from the testing zone. Through their bond, he could feel her satisfaction. She'd performed perfectly, demonstrating not just strength but tactical awareness. The judges had noticed. They'd seen a wingless Seraph fighting like a trained military asset, and that would raise questions.
Good. Questions meant attention. Attention meant opportunities.
As they left the staging area, Jace caught sight of Aeliana completing her own beast assessment. Her Epic Tier Gryphon had likely shattered all the testing equipment's measurement limits, its power so far above the minimum threshold that the assessment was purely ceremonial.
But Jace didn't feel discouraged. He felt determined. The gap between Rare and Epic was enormous, but it wasn't insurmountable. Knowledge, tactics, and the Royal Stat Floor advantage could bridge that gap, given time and resources.
Two trials down. One more to go. The combat assessment would be the real test, the moment where Jace's tactical genius and Kiri's hidden potential would either prove themselves or fail definitively.
They had four hours until the final trial. Time to rest, recover, and prepare for the fight that would determine their entire future.