Reality

Nathan and his batch of kids had completed their first semester in Asphodel. Today was finally the day for the final exams.

Nathan was extremely grateful that he was able to join Asphodel. After all, in just six months he had learnt a lot. Just the <Hundred Forms of Aries> was enough to justify coming to Asphodel. But in fact, he had mastered the fundamentals of combat which he was always missing and he also got to learn the basics of Origin Theory which would be very helpful when he eventually embarked on the road to cultivation.

The final test was extremely easy for Nathan. Language and Assassination were like a breeze to him and just the fact that he was able to infuse killing intent on his weapon was enough to get in the top spot. But his ranged combat wasn't that great. It was above average but that was about it. Nathan wanted to secure the top spot overall as Julie had told them that the higher they placed, the greater their benefits but he was a little worried that his ranged prowess would hold him back.

Three days later the tests were over and everyone was asked to gather in the biggest hall in Asphodel.

Nathan looked around and immediately noticed that the number of students had gone down drastically compared to the original eleven hundred.

Within a few minutes, the instructors all climbed up the stage but there were a few unfamiliar people standing there as well. Nathan and the others recognized one of the man as he was there on their first monthly test.

The man walked forward and coughed to get everyone's attention. The occasional murmurs immediately died out and the entire hall became eerily silent.

"Six months have passed since you joined Asphodel. Out of the original eleven hundred students, only five hundred twenty remain and one hundred twenty people failed the first semester exams. You were all given adequate resources to train but you still failed. You will not be killed because of your inadequacy since you did follow all the rules and tried your best. But you are no longer a part of Asphodel as of now and you will be transferred to an ordinary military school. You will finish the military course and then serve in the military for at least five years. After that, you will have a free life."

Hearing the man's emotionless and harsh words, Nathan took a deep breath and looked around.

Many people had despair and sadness in their eyes and Nathan understood their feelings. Before coming to Asphodel they had no idea about this place but now they knew that they had got an incredible opportunity in their lives. The longer they could train here, the better they would become in the future but now they had lost it.

The man coughed once again and extended his hand palm side down. Immediately a bright blue circle formed on his hand out of nowhere and it started to enlarge. Within seconds everyone was inside the blue circle and those who failed immediately disappeared from the training hall.

Yes! They disappeared!

Nathan was extremely shocked at the scene in front of his eyes. He had known about cultivators being overpowered from Luo but seeing it first hand made him feel how weak and tiny he was in front of the truly strong people.

"Everyone that joined Asphodel, in the beginning, could be separated into three groups." continued the man nonchalantly as if he had done something insignificant and everyone listened attentively.

"One group contained the nobles on this kingdom who have voluntarily come to Asphodel for training.

Another group contained the people who were carefully chosen from both the kingdom and the wildlands.

And the final group of people were those who had no idea about Asphodel and were picked up just to fill the numbers. You might find it a bit harsh to hear but that is the truth. Those still standing here from that group are the people who worked hard and earned their stay.

But now, as long as you are in Asphodel you are just a first-year student. Your identities do not matter. Your background does not matter. Your wealth does not matter. The only thing that matters is how strong you are right now and how strong you can be in the future."

"For the first semester, you were separated into different classes randomly but now things will be a little different. You have already been categorized according to your strength and weaknesses and for the second semester, we will form a team of five for each of you.

One teacher will be in charge of five teams and by the end of the semester, the team that performs the worst out of the five....

.....will be expelled from Asphodel."

"Wha---"

Exclamations of shock and disbelief sounded everywhere in the hall as the kids soaked the situation on hand.

'Five teams of five, huh. There are still four hundred people left so that's 80 teams in total. One instructor will be guiding five teams so there will be sixteen groups in total. So by the end of the semester, eighty people are guaranteed to be expelled. But is it really so simple?'

Nathan hadn't forgotten about the casualties that occurred during the classes in the first semester.

"So, the teams and the instructors have already been decided. You can find it in front of the respective instructors now."

Nathan went ahead to search for his name under each instructor but he could not find it anywhere. There were a bit more than 400 names so it took a long time for him to go through all of them but he still could not find his name.

"If you do not find your name under any of the instructor please follow me." said the dean again after seeing a few confused faces.

Immediately, twenty five people followed the dean who lead them to a small building near the edge of Asphodel compound.

Berus, Vincent, Julie, Mark and Lisa, five of the instructors were already waiting for them there.

"Alright now that everyone is here. let me clear your confusion." said the dean.

"Every semester the students are evaluated by their respective instructors and few are deemed to be the cream of the crop for the batch."

The dean smiled as he looked at the somewhat excited kids below him and laughed.

"You lot have been selected as the elites from this semester."