The second test was about comprehension.

    Looking at the mountain of books divided into different categories, from elements, professions, materials, and general knowledge, Nero took a deep breath.

    Not wanting to risk another imperfection, he didn''t push himself and chose the Tier 0 basic water element.

    Most contestants were only at the Tier 0 realm. The fact that Nero had reached Tier 1 already placed him among the top few.

    It wasn''t that they lacked talent or resources but rather that the Etherium Realm suppressed their growth.

    No one could be born and instantly reach Tier 9 overnight.

    Everyone, regardless of their lineage, could only give birth to a baby with no strength.

    No matter how extraordinary or heaven-defying their talent was, they would still undergo a hundred-year growth period.

    During these years, no matter what method they used, their progress would be at a turtle''s pace.

    Even Mira, who possessed a plane-level physique, was severely suppressed, only reaching the Tier 1 realm.

    This was a fundamental rule Maximus had set when the Etherium Realm was still at the Tier 11 dimension.

    Wanting his people to have the most solid foundation and a deep connection to the Etherium Realm, Maximus enforced this restriction at all costs.

    Soon, as the trillions of children chose their topics, they were transported into an accelerated space where time flowed ten times faster than reality. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    This special place didn''t consume lifespan but energy; thus, no matter how many passed inside, the children wouldn''t grow.

    Looking around, Nero was ready to lie down and rest.

    Having thoroughly studied the water element, there was no way he could fail.

    However, as he looked carefully at the book titles, his brows furrowed.

    "Tier 0 fire element books? How is this possible?"

    He was certain he had walked into the Tier 0 water element section, so how did he end up here?

    Unfortunately, with the test already in motion, there was no turning back.

    Remembering his father''s instructions, he could only grit his teeth, touch the book, and upload it into the Heavenly System.

    Seconds passed, and one Tier 0 fire element book after another was uploaded.

    "No, this won''t work!"

    With the acceleration of time, he had only ten months here.

    With hundreds of millions of books, ten months would only allow him to upload about twenty million.

    That was enough to pass the test, but he couldn''t accept such imperfection.

    With such odds, unless someone had overwhelming luck, even a genius would be lucky to get 1,000 correct answers.

    Sure enough, as the test ended, their scores were tabulated and displayed on the virtual test panel.

    [Test Score Ranking]

    Top 1: Nero – 10,000 ; SSS

    Top 2: Mira – 10,000 ; SSS

    Top 3: Jve – 998 ; A

    Top 4: Keily – 997 ; A

    ...]

    "Not bad," Looking at his score, Nero couldn''t help but nod.

    However, as he turned his attention to the second place, his eyes widened in disbelief.

    "Someone else got a perfect score?"

    Mira? Wasn''t she the prodigy with SSS-level talent?

    "Tsk, what a cheater!"

    For someone to match his score, she had to be cheating.

    And since he had also cheated, he was confident in his deduction.

    On the other side, while Nero was still processing this, the evaluators were in shock.

    First, there had been an SSS-class talent. Now, there was also an SSS-class comprehension?

    Was this the effect of the Etherium Realm''s advancement to the ultimate tier 12 dimension?

    Even the parents watching outside were stunned.

    10,000 questions in an hour?

    Many of them doubted if they could even answer half correctly in such a short time.

    Looking at the results in a daze, the evaluator finally spoke up, leading the children to the final test.

    "The next is the Heavenly Stairs."

    "This is a test of will. The final challenge that will determine your future."

    "I hope all of you give your best and achieve everything you hope for."

    "Good luck..."