An hour later, twenty people stood in the open space.
At that moment, a Treant stepped out from the side door of Fortress Command.
The Treant stood three meters tall, its wooden body a dark brown humanoid form with faint dark gold runic patterns flowing across its surface.
The leaf-like structure at the top of its head was not emerald green, but a deep green that was nearly black, with each leaf's edge glinting with a metallic luster.
Its presence was completely different from any Treant seen before.
It was a sense of pure pressure.
A First-Tier lifeform.
The twenty apprentices straightened their backs almost simultaneously.
The Treant's gaze swept over the crowd, its dark green leaves unfurling slightly.
"By order of Command, follow me."
Its voice carried no emotional fluctuation. Having spoken, it turned and walked toward a building adjacent to Fortress Command.
The twenty people followed in silence.
The building was not tall, only two stories high, and was constructed entirely of a pale cyan wooden material.
Twenty Treants stood in neat rows on either side of the hall.
Each was about two and a half meters tall, their emerald-green leaf-heads swaying slightly. Their wooden bodies were shaped into fluid humanoid forms with long arms and distinct fingers.
Unlike the First-Tier Treant leading them, the presence emanating from these twenty Treants was only at the level of a Third-Tier Wizard Apprentice.
In the center of the hall was a wide open space, where twenty semi-enclosed cubicles were arranged in neat rows.
Each cubicle was roughly three meters square, separated by a translucent, pale cyan film of light.
The lead Treant turned around, its dark green leaves contracting slightly.
"Each of you choose a cubicle."
"There are thirteen tests in total, conducted one-on-one."
"After each test, the Treant will assign a score. The scores for all thirteen items will be summed, and the top five individuals will be selected."
It paused, its gaze sweeping over the twenty people.
"During the testing period, you are not permitted to leave your cubicle. You must not interfere with others in any way. Violators will be disqualified immediately."
"Begin."
As the words fell, the twenty apprentices moved at once.
Ethan walked toward the nearest empty cubicle.
The interior of the cubicle was simple. A wooden platform, a chair, and nothing else.
A Treant stood opposite the platform, its emerald-green leaves unfurling slightly.
In its wooden palm, it held a palm-sized light blue crystal plate, its surface etched with fine, flowing runic patterns.
"The first item: energy absorption rate. Completely absorb this magic stone. Try to use your maximum speed; if you are too slow, your score will be low."
Ethan took the magic stone and held it in his palm. "Thank you."
Seven seconds later, the magic stone turned completely into a gray-white rock, crumbling into powder with a light squeeze.
The Treant's emerald-green leaves quivered slightly as it made a mark on the crystal plate.
"The second item: energy application. Using the energy particles you have channeled, construct the simplest energy sphere at the position I designate and maintain it for ten breaths."
...
Two and a half hours later, the light films of the cubicles dissipated simultaneously.
Ethan, who had long since finished the tests and was bored, rubbed his face and stepped out of the cubicle.
The First-Tier Treant emerged from the depths of the hall, its dark green leaves swaying slightly, a palm-sized pale cyan crystal plate held in its wooden hand.
It came to a halt before the crowd, its gaze scanning the crystal plate.
"The results are out."
Its voice remained devoid of emotion.
"The total possible score is 1,300 points. Ethan Leo, ranked first, with a score of 1,120 points."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
The apprentices who had been looking down at their toes all looked up almost at the same time.
"Atherton Blood-Crystal, second, with a score of 940 points."
A slight commotion spread through the crowd.
A bald young man in a dark red short robe twitched his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the words that had reached his mouth.
A difference of one hundred and eighty points.
Not ten, not twenty, but one hundred and eighty.
"Third place, Vera Ash, with a score of 897 points."
"Fourth place, Cole Iron-Thorn, with a score of 831 points."
"Fifth place, Marcus Shadow-Leaf, with a score of 796 points."
With each name the Treant announced, the atmosphere in the hall grew more oppressive.
The gap between the top five scores was too large.
The difference between first and second was one hundred and eighty points, while the gaps between second and fifth were far more normal.
This meant that Ethan's performance wasn't just a lead; it was a total, crushing dominance.
"The scores of the remaining fifteen will not be announced. Those not selected may return to the living quarters on their own."
The Treant closed the crystal plate.
"The five selected candidates, follow me."
Ethan and the other four followed silently behind the Treant. No one spoke.
What was there to say?
"Oh, sorry, I just performed too well, I didn't expect the score to be so high"?
Or, "Wow, you guys are too weak"?
That would be insane.
Since he had taken first place, he would just keep his head down and stay quiet; there was no need to taunt anyone.
As for the other four?
After being gapped by so many points, what could they say?
"Grades don't equal combat power"?
Or, "The tables will turn one day; I'll definitely beat you next time"?
Wouldn't that also be insane?
At the level of a Third-Tier Wizard Apprentice, no one was that stupid.
When they reached the side door of Command, Ethan found Wizard Jade Blood standing at the entrance.
Seeing Ethan, Wizard Jade Blood's mouth curled into a grin.
She raised her right hand and waved the manual with the dull yellow cover.
Ethan placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly, nodding to her.
Wizard Jade Blood tucked the manual back into her chest and stood there, her lips moving silently: "I'll be waiting for you to come out."
Ethan's mouth twitched slightly as he quickly followed the Treant.
The five of them followed the Treant through the side door of Command.
Inside was a wide corridor, with a Treant standing every few paces along the walls.
At the end of the corridor was a pair of wooden double doors.
The Treant pushed the doors open and stepped aside.
Behind the doors was a room.
The room was not large, about fifty square meters.
The walls were made of pale cyan wood, their surfaces flowing with faint runic patterns.
A crystal chandelier overhead emitted a soft white light, illuminating the entire room.
Directly across from the door was a wide stone desk, and behind the desk sat a Wizard.
He was a middle-aged man wearing a pale blue robe made of a soft material with fine water-ripple patterns flowing across it.
He was of average build with an ordinary face, and his pale blue hair was neatly trimmed, falling to his ears.
His eyes were a lake-like blue-green, and when he looked at people, it was like staring into a pool of stagnant water.
He leaned back in his chair, holding a cup of steaming liquid in his hands.
The Treant stepped forward, the leaves at the top of its head contracting slightly.
"Wizard Sunny Rain, the candidates have arrived."
Wizard Sunny Rain lifted his eyelids, his blue-green gaze scanning the five of them.
"Mm. Mulsang, leave them to me."
"Yes, Wizard Sunny Rain."
The Treant withdrew, and the door closed soundlessly.
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