The Ascension Age - Chapter 23: First Test

On the next day, every team was sent to retake their aptitude test. That’s because the students were still young, so they had a lot of room for development. It wasn’t rare for late bloomers to appear, so the test was retaken every year. That being said, whether the team rule had appeared or not, the rechecking of aptitudes would still happen.

With as many as over 700 thousand students, there were obviously many buildings for each purpose. Naturally, the places where one could retake their Aptitude Tests were plenty. Aire’s group had just arrived at one of them.

“Everyone, line up! There’s no need to rush. We have an entire day to go through it. If you aren’t able to do the test today, you can still do it in the next three days before the classes start.” Outside, the school workers helped organize the students that wanted to take the test.

Aire’s group was just about to enter one of the queues when out of nowhere, Zule’s voice resounded at the front of the queues. “Altina, come here! I’ve prepared everything for you already! You can start your test straight away.”

Altina felt like crying after hearing that. After all, everyone looked at her with dark expressions. They had been waiting in line like everyone else, so why can her group jump forward? That obviously didn’t do well for the fame of her moniker.

“Shut up, Zule! I’ll wait in the queue!” Altina shouted from behind. However…

“If you don’t come forward, I’ll tell your roommates everything you did while you were at the pool when you were five years old. Oh, man! Those were such good memories. I’m sure everyone would love to hear it!” threatened Zule with a playful smile.

Altina’s complexion turned ghastly pale after hearing that, prompting her to dash forward as she shouted, “You dare!”

Without any other choice, Aire and the others could only follow suit. A few minutes later, they were brought to a private room where a few pieces of equipment could be seen.

In the end, Aire couldn’t help but ask Kymei and Sera, “I’m starting to become more and more curious about these two. Are you guys sure they’re not a pair of siblings or something like that?”

Kymei pondered over it for a bit before replying, “Altina insists that they aren’t. However, they’ve always been like that, so I’m not sure.”

Sera had a theory, though. “I think Altina and Zule are lovers. Or at the very least, they have an arranged marriage.”

Aire felt like he had been enlightened, saying in response, “I see! Now everything makes sense. Well, you guys know the old saying. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin.”

Altina was close to exploding in rage already. Though, she still tried to maintain her composure as she said, “I can hear you!”

Unfortunately, Zule also heard it, so he replied, “I can also hear it! To think you would guess our relationship so easily. Indeed, Altina is my brid-”

*Bang!*

Out of nowhere, Altina kicked Zule’s stomach, which sent him flying back as she said with a tone of intense anger, “Who the hell is your bride? I don’t remember such an agreement ever being made.”

Zule, who magically seemed to have no injuries whatsoever, headed back quickly.

‘Is this guy made of metal?’ Aire thought to himself as he was truly surprised that there were no injuries after he was hit with such strength. If it was him, he would be unconscious already.

Stella’s voice then appeared in his mind, telling him, ‘That’s not it. It’s just that his Stellar Riser Level is much higher than anyone here. Unfortunately, with my abilities sealed, I can’t see it clearly since the difference is too wide.’

Kymei and Sera seemed to be used to it, so they didn’t say anything.

As for Zule, he immediately lamented, “Sigh… you don’t know how to have fun at all. By the way, I don’t mind becoming your real fiance if you wish.”

Well, that didn’t make Altina the least bit happy, redirecting the topic back to where it was supposed to be, “Cut the bullshit! So, can we do the test already? If I know you as well as I think, you definitely took these pieces of equipment without telling anyone.”

Zule laughed, not trying to hide it at all as he replied, “Hahaha! As expected of my Altina, only you understand me.” Altina completely ignored him, though.

After that, Zule pointed at four chambers he had prepared for Aire’s group as he started to explain, “These are the Stellar Energy Aptitude Test Capsules. The Stellar Processor will first check your Stellar Riser Level and the Stage you’re currently in. Soon after, it will match it with your bone age. After that, the capsule will start to deliver a lot of Stellar Energy inside. Your objective is to absorb as much as you can during the one minute you’ll be inside.”

“Just one minute?” Aire asked with a hint of confusion.

Zule shrugged his shoulders as he responded, “It can’t be helped. The capsule can only release that much Stellar Energy because it’s being fed through the schools’ Main Stellar Energy Reserves. However, it takes a long time and even more Stellar Energy to gather it. Don’t forget, we have over 700 thousand students, so it has to be enough for everyone to do the test.”

Kymei and the others didn’t waste time and headed straight to the capsules. “Let’s not waste any more time. We all want to get over with it and go back to work.”

Aire could only sigh and enter a capsule as well.

Zule looked at the four of them through the windows in the capsules before saying, “Alright, I’ll start it now. Do your best.” Zule then accessed the terminal on the side before initiating the test.

In less than an instant, Aire heard an electronic voice resound inside his capsule.

-Student ID: 706QTO28B100, Aire Ruehnar.-

-Bone age: Approximately 16 years and seven months.-

-Riser Level: First Stage of the Stellar Body Transformation, Stellar Blood.-

-The test will start in ten seconds.-

-Ten, nine, eight…-

‘Aire, the Energy Blood Flow Assistance can be used anytime you want. Remember, you need a good score to help you get the resources for training. I don’t want to explode with you,’ Stella said just as the chamber was about to release Stellar Energy.

-Three, two…-

Aire nodded as he replied, ‘Fine. Since there’s no way back, I might as well see how I can do.’