The Imperial Academy consists of four departments with each one of them having different kinds of examinations. The Department of Economics is considered the most famous among them with the highest number of applicants. This was logical since many commoners were children of merchants and had some experience regarding trade. The second one was the Department of War, the structure of which was the most complicated since it had many objects that someone had to study. Strategy, Martial Arts, Mana manipulation, Magic, were only some of the subjects that the graduates had to be proficient in. The rest of them were the Departments of Science and Law. Each department had a separate building in which the classes were conducted, but also a dormitory that the students had to reside compulsorily.

*********

Ten days had passed when the day of the examinations had finally come. Countless people started to gather out of the inner area waiting for the guards to let them enter. Naturally, there were strict regulations for someone to be granted access to take the tests of each department. First of all, there was an age restriction. One had to be fourteen to sixteen years old to have the right to enter.

"Alright. I want all of you who have a recommendation to come here. We will test you first. Everyone else, move backward." a knight shouted to the crowd. Several youths started to head toward the man upon hearing his words under the envious gazes of the surrounding people.

"We are lucky that Father Jonas provided us with a recommendation..." Vladimir whispered.

"Probably father asked him in advance back in the Moon Village..." John replied with a smile.

"Alright... Create a line. It doesn't matter who is first or last since you 'll have to wait until we have determined that everyone's information is correct. Then someone will lead you to the Academy!" the knight shouted again and took out a gray stone. The applicants didn't dare to delay and immediately followed his instructions.

With a satisfied expression, the knight sat leisurely behind a table and placed the stone on it.

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"Let's begin!" he said and gestured at the boy on the front to proceed forward. The youth started walking timidly with a letter in his hand until he arrived in front of the man, giving it to him.

"Everything is okay. Touch the stone..." the man said with some boredom.

When the boy did as he was told, the stone started to shine, making everyone who was watching the spectacle dumbfounded.

"You pass... Next!" the knight who was indifferent by the change of the item, immediately said.

The process continued for some time until and the last one with a recommendation had been tested.

"You'll be the first batch of people who'll take the tests..." he announced and turned his face toward one of the guards.

"Ismael, you lead them!"

********

When John and Vladimir arrived in front of the Imperial Academy, they were stunned. They were already surprised by the luxurious houses in the inner area, but what it was in front of them had left them in shock. Four huge towers were forming a square with a fifth one located at its center. The walls prevented them from looking inside but considering the distance between the towers, the place was enormous.

"This place is the Imperial Academy. The towers that you see corresponds to each department with the one in the center being the Department of Educational Administration and Management..." Ismael explained with amusement upon seeing the gazes of the examinees. He then walked toward the guards standing behind the gate, asking them for permission to enter.

"This place is amazing!" Vladimir exclaimed. Some people who heard him couldn't help than nod. It was like a small town inside a city. There were houses, stores, even a small forest. The area was so big that someone could easily be lost if he wasn't careful.

"Alright. My job ends here. You will be guided from now on by people sent from the academy. I wish you all good luck." Ismael said with a smile and started leaving. At least four hundred people were waiting anxiously until two men and two women approached them. They were all wearing similar uniforms with only the symbols on the right side of their chests being different.

"Anyone who is for the Department of War, gather here!" a stern voice sounded.

Similar statements were shouted as John and Vladimir headed toward one of the men., together with others.

"My name is Reis and I am a student here. I will lead you to our tower. Make sure to memorize the road. Please, follow me..." Reis said as he started walking without giving any other explanation to the confused crowd. It was obvious that he wasn't happy with his role as a guide for the applicants. A courageous boy couldn't hold back his curiosity as he opened his mouth with determination.

"Excuse me, Reis, may I ask you about the contents of the tests?"

Reis looked with scorn at the youth as he replied.

"You are not allowed to ask questions here. I will tell you the truth. Among you, only 1% will manage to pass the tests. You are also forbidden to speak of my name again. If you want respect, you have to win it here."

"I am not worthy? I am the son of a Marquess! I don't even recognize your face so you shouldn't be a noble. You must be a commoner!" the boy replied with an angry expression.

"I see... What is your name?"

"I am Gene de Hamilton. As long as you apologize, I will pretend that nothing happened." Gene said proudly.

Reis nodded and opened a notebook that he was holding. He wrote down something and then shouted to others.

"Is there anyone else who agrees with the young man over there?"

Seeing that nobody else dared to answer, a smile formed on his face...

"Not bad...Alright... I declare with my status as an examiner that Gene de Hamilton failed the examinations..." he said happily and continued walking. Most of the people weren't surprised. They had already investigated what kind of place the academy is. Someone couldn't discriminate against others here openly.

"What? Why?" Gene asked with doubt. When he saw that everyone was ignoring him, he thought he would go mad.

"What do you mean? I am talking to you! I know your name. You'll pay with your life for this."

Reys finally stopped and looked back at him with pity.

"The students here are protected by the Emperor himself. If you continue threatening me, you'll force me to arrest you. I have the authority. As long as you apologize, I will pretend that nothing happened."

Some of the people couldn't endure it anymore and started laughing. The giggle pierced Gene's eardrums, making his face red from his anger. He shot a cold glare at his surroundings and talked hatefully.

"You dare to laugh at me. Unless you are all people of the same status as me, I'll exterminate your families, bastards!"

Some of them started to panic since they were commoners, but Reis decided to put an end to this farce. He approached the flustered youth and knocked him out without hesitation. He then proceeded to call some knights to arrest him. The boy would have to answer to the Emperor. He wouldn't be executed since his father's position was truly high, but he would surely suffer a lot.

"Let's continue!" Reis said with an indifferent expression.