Soul Energy Test

As soon as the Testing Crystal lit up with white light, the students got up from their seats and surrounded the front row for a better view. Everyone saw Number One's strength during the Selection and the Soul Energy testing was even more exciting. No matter what results he had, they would become the next gossip between the students.

Even the cocky teen from earlier came up to the front excitedly. He seemed eager to witness Number One's failure but his face soon paled. The early color on the crystal was a good sign but when the yellow and orange light followed suit, he realized his revenge wouldn't come any time soon.

"Nice, just as I thought. You have already reached the rank of a Soul Adept. That was to be expected after we witnessed your Selection results," Darius praised with a nod. "Now let's see how far you can go."

Number One barely heard Darius' words though as his eyes were glued to the Testing Crystal. He looked calm but he was in total shock. His Soul was still ninety percent full yet he already qualified for the final test.

'Does that mean I am already a Soul King?' Number One wondered confused. 'How come I couldn't master a single Soul Art if I have so much Soul Energy? Is my potential this bad?'

It wasn't Number One's choice to only have the Legendary Soul Art at his disposal. He used the money he got over the years to buy himself low-ranked Soul Arts, but he failed to learn them every time.

'Should I lay low then?' Number One thought just when the Testing Crystal turned green.

Number still didn't learn how to lower the power of his Legendary Soul Art but he could at least control his Soul Energy. He already exposed his full strength so it wasn't a bad idea to score lower in the Soul Artist Ladder.

Everyone was already amazed at the Soul Master rank but then the Testing Crystal turned blue and the whole class erupted in ecstasy. Darius has been on his side earlier so that added another reason not to embarrass him in front of the top students.

"That's all I have," Number One announced after the blue color stabilized and withdrew all his Soul Energy. "I thought I can at least reach the Soul King level but it seems like I still have a long way to go."

Number One smiled at Darius and teased, "Teacher, I hope you don't mind having another rival."

"Hahaha, not at all!" Darius burst out laughing and ruffled Number One's hair happily. "Well done boy. To think we have another Soul Grandmaster in the Academy. The Headmaster will jump out of his shoes when he learns about it."

"Does the rank come with special privileges?" Number One questioned casually. He actually expected great news but Darius disappointed him.

"Of course. The higher rank you achieve, the more time you can spend inside our special training rooms," Darius explained as he withdrew a box from his ring. "I was actually supposed to test you by the end of the class but since we are already at it, we might as well finish it."

Darius picked up a small pin from the box and placed it on Number One's palm. "Each Student Badge has a hole in the middle and you can inside this pin inside. The pin determines your current rank and grants you certain privileges inside the Academy. Being a Soul Grandmaster not only lets you spend an hour every day in the Soul Training Room but you also get unlimited access to the Soul Art Library and a free Soul Artifact of your choice. You don't even need to pay for food during your stay in the Academy."

Darius scratched his head and commented, "Actually, I feel like these rewards are too exaggerated. I think Headmaster Blake didn't think anyone under twenty years old can possibly reach a Soul Grandmaster rank."

"Whoa…"

The whole class exclaimed in shock as if Number One received something amazing but he wasn't that excited. The unlimited access to the Library was useless to him while an hour in the training room seemed too little. Only the free Soul Artifact and food seemed like a reward to him.

"What do I get if I reach Soul King rank?" Number One asked curiously as he started to regret choosing to downgrade. "Can I have more hours in the Soul Training Room?"

"Boy, do you even know what you ask for?" Darius asked with raised eyebrows. "Even I can't handle more than forty minutes inside and my body is quite sturdy. The Soul Training Room is also heavy on the Soul since it constantly replenishes your Soul Energy. An hour every day is already plenty."

"I see…" Number One muttered and dropped his idea of showing his true rank. If he needed more time, he could always swindle other students by trading his unlimited Soul Art Library pass.

"Alright, who wants to try next?" Number One changed the subject by lifting the Testing Crystal and it was immediately snatched by the excited students.

The results turned out to be mixed but most landed in the Soul Adept rank with just a few remaining in the Soul Disciple rank. The cocky teen was one of them which brought him another wave of laughs and shame.

Luna was the last one to be tested and she met everyone's expectations by becoming a solid Soul Master. She didn't seem satisfied with the results and she immediately promised him with burning motivation. "Just you wait. I will become a Soul Grandmaster before the Final Test and then overtake you."

"It's nice to have dreams," Number One commented with a playful smile. "You shouldn't compare with me though. Pick a more realistic goal."

"Tsk, said the one who wants to be the best Soul Artist in existence," Luna snickered as she smiled confidently. "Maybe you have a higher rank and a powerful Soul Art but that won't help you in the Final Test. When it comes to Soul Arts mastery, no one ever beat me."

"Soul Art mastery?" Number One repeated with a puzzled look.

"You said it yourself. You only know a single Soul Art which tells me you don't learn Soul Arts fast," Luna pointed out quietly. "If that's really the case, you will find it hard to even pass the Final Test."

Number One was still confused until Darius took over and moved on to the next point.

"Alright, since everyone is tested, let me talk about the yearly Final Test. Since we mainly focus on potential, we will not be testing your battle skills yet." Darius discarded what Number One had in mind. "The Final Test will focus on your ability to consume knowledge and only those who can master a Soul Art in a short amount of time will be able to advance to the main Soul Academy."

Darius smiled and added, "Knowing you are in the top class, I expect all of you to pass."

Everyone nodded as if it was a done deal, except Number One who was panicking inside.

'Fuck…'