At that moment, a series of footsteps echoed from inside the academy.
More than a dozen instructors dressed in black academy uniforms walked through the gates. Leading them was a slightly overweight middle aged man with neatly trimmed golden hair. Pinned to his chest was a silver badge representing the Academy Admissions Committee.
The guard responsible for registration immediately stepped forward.
"Director Harrison."
The middle aged man nodded lightly.
"What happened?"
"There is a dispute regarding the identity of a special recommendation candidate. The registration system indicates that the instructor who recommended him has had her qualifications revoked."
The guard handed over the registration device.
Director Harrison glanced at the information displayed on it.
The moment he saw the name Asher Veuron, the puzzled expression on his face changed instantly.
Although the change lasted for less than a second, Asher caught it clearly.
He recognized him.
Or rather, he knew what had happened between Lina and Cassian.
Director Harrison raised his head, his gaze sweeping across Asher, Irene, and the Valdris sisters before a professional smile returned to his face.
"Lina Veuron had her instructor qualifications revoked long ago. Naturally, the recommendation badge she left behind is no longer valid."
"Ask him to leave."
"Wait."
Irene immediately stepped forward.
"This recommendation badge was officially issued while Instructor Lina still possessed her instructor qualifications. Furthermore, it still bears the academy’s authentication. According to Aegis Gate Academy’s admissions regulations, revoking an instructor’s qualifications afterward should not invalidate a recommendation that has already taken effect."
Director Harrison looked at her.
"And you are?"
"Active C Rank Hunter, Irene Walker."
Irene displayed the Hunter badge she had only recently obtained.
"I was also once Instructor Lina’s student."
A trace of surprise flashed through Harrison’s eyes.
In the past, Irene had merely been a D Rank Hunter with no background, someone he naturally wouldn’t have cared about.
But a twenty two year old C Rank Hunter had already earned the right to be taken seriously.
"The regulation you mentioned does indeed exist."
Director Harrison continued smiling.
"However, this recommendation concerns the disciplinary record of a former academy instructor. Until the investigation is concluded, we have the authority to temporarily freeze the badge’s privileges."
"How long will the investigation take?"
Asher asked.
"Under normal circumstances, about one month."
"The Awakening Examination begins in six days."
"Then I’m afraid..."
Director Harrison spread his hands.
"You’ll have to wait until next year."
This was no coincidence.
Asher was now certain that this so called Director of Admissions was deliberately preventing him from taking the examination.
Perhaps the Valdris Family had already instructed him to do so.
Or perhaps he simply wanted to curry favor with the family that held a seat on the academy’s board of directors.
Whichever it was, Harrison clearly believed that a boy from the Lower District with neither status nor background wasn’t worth taking even the slightest risk for.
"Director Harrison."
Nova suddenly spoke.
Everyone’s attention immediately shifted toward her.
"Article Seventeen of the academy’s admissions regulations states that if the qualifications of a special recommendation candidate are disputed and the investigation cannot be completed before the examination begins, the candidate has the right to apply for an Immediate Strength Assessment."
Nova looked directly at Harrison.
"As long as he passes the assessment, his examination qualifications may be temporarily restored."
The smile on Harrison’s face stiffened slightly.
He clearly hadn’t expected Nova to bring up a regulation that had almost fallen into complete disuse.
"That regulation does indeed exist. However, the Immediate Strength Assessment is far more difficult than the ordinary Awakening Examination. It would be extremely difficult for someone who hasn’t even entered the academy to pass."
"That’s his problem."
Nova replied calmly.
"The Valdris Family is one of the board members of Aegis Gate Academy. If he is driven away today because of an identity dispute related to our family, outsiders may believe that the Valdris Family is afraid of allowing an illegitimate son into the academy."
At her final sentence, Mira’s expression changed slightly.
"How could we possibly be afraid of him?"
"If you’re not afraid, then he should be allowed to take the assessment."
Nova turned to look at Asher.
"If he can’t even pass the assessment, then naturally he has no qualifications to attend the same academy as us."
Asher met her gaze.
Another system notification appeared.
[Target Nova’s affection has increased.]
[Current Affection: 5]
[Current Emotions: Curiosity, Testing.]
Asher’s eyes flickered when he saw the last word.
Nova wasn’t helping him.
She simply wanted to see with her own eyes how capable this suddenly appearing illegitimate son truly was and whether he deserved to stand before the Valdris Family.
But that was enough.
"I apply for the Immediate Strength Assessment," Asher said.
Director Harrison frowned deeply.
But in front of so many applicants and the Valdris sisters, he could no longer refuse. With a dark expression, he could only instruct the instructors behind him to prepare the assessment equipment.
Ten minutes later.
The public training grounds beside the academy entrance.
News of the Immediate Strength Assessment had already spread rapidly. More and more applicants gathered outside the training grounds, eager to see what abilities the suddenly appearing illegitimate son of the Valdris Family possessed.
At the center of the training grounds stood a black testing stone over two meters tall.
Director Harrison stood beside it.
"The Immediate Strength Assessment consists of two parts."
"The first is a basic physical evaluation."
"The second is a combat capability assessment."
"As long as you achieve D Rank in either category, or E Rank Peak in both, you will pass."
A wave of discussion immediately spread through the crowd.
For someone who had already become an official Hunter, such a requirement wasn’t particularly high.
But the vast majority of youths participating in the entrance examination were only F Rank or E Rank. Reaching D Rank before even entering the academy was something only genuine geniuses raised by powerful families could achieve.
"Place your hand on the testing stone."
Director Harrison said.
"Do not attempt to use any temporary enhancement potions. If they are detected, you will be permanently disqualified from applying to Aegis Gate Academy."
Asher walked toward the testing stone.
His right hand slowly rested against its cold surface.
Buzz!
The testing stone lit up.
A wave of mana entered his body through his palm, rapidly scanning his muscles, bones, spirit, and life force.
Several seconds later, the results appeared before everyone.
[Mana Strength: F]
[Physical Strength: E+]
[Mental Strength: F+]
[Life Force: Scanning...]
The moment the first results appeared, many people immediately revealed disappointed and mocking expressions.
"Only F Rank mana?"
"As expected. Just an ordinary person who never received the training of a major family."
"His physical strength isn’t bad, but he’s still far from D Rank."
Mira folded her arms.
The interest on her face quickly disappeared.
"What a waste of time."
Nova remained silent.
She continued staring at the testing stone.
Because the line representing the life force scan had remained frozen for far too long.
[Life Force: Scan Failed.]
[Re scanning...]
[Scan Failed.]
[Target’s life force exceeds the device’s current calculation limits.]
[Result: Unknown.]
The training grounds suddenly fell silent.