CHAPTER 49: SECOND STAGE (1)

It was time for the second stage of the numbered test. Those given numbers from 1201 up to number 4000 were asked to leave the registration hall.

That would be their ranking number until they reach their second year.

Students were permitted to challenge higher ranking numbers for their positions.

After all, Valor Royal Academy believes in the strong.

If one is strong, why shouldn’t they usurp the throne of those weaker than them?

With only a thousand students left in the registration hall. It was time to begin the second stage.

All successors from the supreme kingdoms were strong enough to advance to the next stage.

The rest present were successors from super kingdoms, large-sized kingdoms, medium-sized kingdoms and lower-tier kingdoms.

In Valor Royal Academy, discrimination isn’t allowed.

As a student. You’re not permitted to use your family or kingdom to intimidate your fellow students.

What is allowed is the strong discriminating against the weak. This acts as a motivation factor to boost the weak to strive for power.

The rest who were excused from the registration hall were all taken to their dormitories and shown around the academic buildings.

The staff who brought them here were ordered to show them the rest of the academy.

Now it’s time.

****

There was abrupt silence in the air as everyone waited patiently. Even Caden could feel the tension in the air.

The sounds of footsteps resounded as a masked guard stepped forward. Everyone knew what was to happen next.

"The second stage will now begin" the voice of the masked guard echoed through the air.

Using mana to amplify his voice. It reverberated through the air.

Caden’s lips curled faintly "I guess it’s time" He muttered.

Just then the holographic screen appeared once again. They could see a board displayed on the screen.

A board with forty-eight groups, each group having twenty five students. Students could be seen whispering amongst themselves.

"Silence!" The masked guard’s voice echoed once again. No one could dare whisper in that moment.

The masked guard cleared his throat "There are only a thousand students left in the second stage"

"We’ve broken down the numbers to forty-eight groups and each group consist of twenty-five students each"

"The groups were created randomly so whatever team you have. It depends on your very luck"

The masked guard’s eyes flickered "Now what I’ll explain what this second stage is all about...."

"Just like the first stage.....you’ll be transported into another island filled with demonic variant humans as well"

"But this time.... there’s another purpose of the second stage. On that island, there exist sixteen balls spread across the island"

"What does that mean?" The masked guard asked, his eyes scanning through the ground "It meant only sixteen groups will win this second stage" Caden answered as everyone glanced at him.

The masked guard nodded "That’s correct, a total of sixteen groups will pass this second stage which meant a total of four hundred"

"This remaining groups will be assessed and evaluated depending on their performance and they’ll be given their numbers"

"Now I hope I don’t need to knock you guys out correct?" The masked guard asked, the students nodded.

They wanted to be transported without getting knocked out by whatever was used against them.

The masked guard softly exhaled "Very well then, you have ten minutes to find your team members"

"Once time is up.....you and your team will be transported into a location as a group" the masked guard concluded.

With that, he took a step back.

Allowing the students to freely move around in the registration hall as they could be seen trying to locate their teammates.

But Caden is a different case entirely.

Many were already searching to see if they were Caden’s teammate. He didn’t need to search because they’ll come to him.

The quadruplets were excited for one reason; they were all in the group and Caden as well was grouped with them.

Without wasting time, they made their way towards Caden Ryder. Caden lifted his head to see the quadruplets approaching him.

His lips curled into a faint smile "I guess you guys are in my group correct?" Caden asked.

Prince Hetu nodded with a smile "And I’m glad we’re in the same team, I believe reaching the third stage is guaranteed"

Both Prince Viktor and Prince Kaid stayed quiet. Although they were friendly to Caden, they weren’t as friendly as Prince Hetu.

Prince Hetu even battle sparred with Caden at one point. They’ve already built a bond.

Caden breathed in deeply "But she doesn’t look happy to be in my group" Caden said with a smile.

He glanced at Sumeri who shrugged at his words "Its not that I’m not happy, I don’t just see the reason to be excited"

"You may be strong, I give you that.....but you’re still just a guy, what difference can you make?" Sumeri asked.

Her brothers were stunned at her question. Although they knew Sumeri truly doesn’t have filter.

But they’ve expected her to atleast control herself. Now they fear angering Caden Ryder.

But Caden himself wasn’t triggered by her words. Instead, he could be seen smiling ’You really are the same, Sumeri’ He thought.

Caden softly exhaled "Well I’m aware of that, I’m only just a guy but I’m quite the strong guy if I must say" Caden bragged.

Seconds later, four students made their way towards them. They were those dropped in the same groups as them.

"It seems more are coming" Prince Kaid smiled. The movements of the four students came to a halt, "This should be my group right?" One of the students asked with a smile.

"I should introduce myself properly "The student sighed "The name is Casper, Casper Nova and I’m an A-Ranked Innate Skill successor from a super kingdom"

The quadruplet nodded, they don’t discriminate between super kingdoms’ successors or supreme kingdoms’ successors.

Although they understood the hierarchy clearly. They simply don’t care enough.

The other three students stepped forward as well. Introducing themselves one after the other.

"Juden Creg, that’s my name, B-Ranked Innate Skill successor from a large-sized kingdom"

"Tevon Duren, C-Ranked Innate Skill successor from a super kingdom"

"Martin Martial, B-Ranked Innate Skill successor from a medium-sized kingdom"

Caden observed them to see if the primordial system would bring any notification of them being spies.

But nothing came out. He nodded afterwards.

Within five minutes, the rest in the group had arrived and they all introduced themselves to the quadruplet but especially to Caden Ryder.

Caden Ryder is a famous figure after all. Many wanted to make him their allies no matter what.

It would beneficial to their kingdoms.

’Hmmm, my group’s quite weak don’t you think? Fifteen C-Ranked Innate Skill successors, ten B-Ranked Innate Skill successors and four A-Ranked Innate Skill successors’ Caden thought, he couldn’t help but sigh.

’I wanted to give someone else the leadership position but if I do that, We’ll all fail’

Finally, Caden spoke "It looks like all twenty-five of us are gathered right?" Caden addressed the group and they all nodded.

"I’ll introduce myself....the name is Caden Ryder, I’m sure you’ve heard of that name already"

"I’m a successor from a supreme kingdom. And I’ll be leading this group to the third stage"

"Any complaints?" Caden asked. But everyone else remained silent, Caden awakened an S-Ranked Innate Skill.

Who else is worthy of taking the leadership position if not him?