Celestial Bloodline Chapter 2: Royal Academy Entrance Test I

Early the next morning. Within a hall adorned with ancient antiques and artworks.

"Come on, we're going to be late."

Neon's booming voice echoed through the hall. Dressed in a dark blue jacket paired with matching trousers, his black hair enhanced his striking good looks.

The previous night, he had been assigned to escort Kyle to the testing Arena, as both Baron Ohan and Ray were occupied with their duties.

While Neon paced impatiently, a hesitant response came from the upper floor.

"Coming."

Moments later, the sound of footsteps descended the stairs. Neon glanced upward, his irritation flaring as Kyle strolled down casually, his face bearing a carefree demeanor.

"Why do you act like you're just taking a stroll? Speed it up!"

Neon bellowed in frustration, and in an instant, Kyle was beside him—unlike with Ray, Neon's short fuse meant he often resorted to physical discipline when Kyle slacked off.

As a (D)-Rank warrior, Neon far outmatched Kyle, who hadn't progressed a single sub-rank since awakening his talent, leaving him defenseless. Consequently, Kyle frequently ended up with bruised eyes from the scuffles.

'Tsk, he always picks on a feeble (F-)-Rank like me.'

Kyle mused silently, shooting Neon a concealed glare of bitterness.

'One day, I'll get my revenge!'

Neon eyed Kyle, who sported a long-sleeved purple shirt and black trousers. Then, the pair exited the residence.

As always, the city thrummed with energy. Narrow streets lined with structures of uniform brick blocks bustled as vendors hawked wares to entering patrons.

While strolling, Kyle's gaze drifted unconsciously toward a vacant dwelling far off.

'I wonder what he's up to since departing the Kingdom?'

A chilly flicker appeared in Kyle's eyes as he stared at the house, vanishing almost immediately.

He scanned the surroundings, noting a vast throng moving toward the city's sole Teleportation Array, much like himself.

'Today, the kingdom's premier Academy is conducting its entrance exam. Even those ineligible to join can observe the trials in the testing Arena.'

Kyle reflected inwardly, his face twisting in bitterness.

'While they watch, I'm heading there to shatter my limbs.'

An hour passed before Kyle and Neon reached the city's western edge, home to the Teleportation Array. It formed a circular pattern on a raised platform, inscribed with diverse runes.

This Teleportation Array enabled swift travel across vast distances in a blink.

Two lengthy queues formed before the Array amid the swelling crowd, delaying Kyle and Neon's turn considerably.

Shortly, a sturdy, dark-haired elder in formal garb neared the pair.

"Where do you wish to travel?"

Neon recognized the elder from prior city departures.

"The Capital City."

After declaring their goal, Neon retrieved a pouch of mana stones from his finger's storage ring and handed it over.

Following gold coins, 'mana stones' served as the secondary currency across Kingdoms. These gems trapped pure mana within natural formations.

Mana stones aided in weapon upgrades, artifact creation, and powering Teleportation Arrays.

Meanwhile, 'Storage rings' functioned as enchanted items, holding vast quantities of inanimate objects in an alternate dimension without adding bulk to the ring itself.

The elder accepted the pouch, verified the count with his enhanced perception, and motioned for them to mount the platform.

"Fine, join that group over there."

Neon acknowledged with a nod and, alongside Kyle, quickly ascended the Teleportation Array, already crowded with others.

The elder moved to a nearby stand mere meters from the Array and positioned several mana stones atop it.

Instantly, the Array glowed brilliantly, and Kyle sensed his innards twisting violently before he vanished with the surrounding group. The following instant, they materialized in a new location teeming with crowds.

Since Kyle seldom ventured out, this marked his initial Teleportation Array experience. Nausea threatened to expel his morning meal, yet Neon appeared unfazed, accustomed to the feeling.

Neon observed Kyle's paling complexion.

"Keep in mind, this is your debut with a Teleportation device, but you're faring better than I did. At least you're holding it down."

Kyle shot Neon a venomous look.

'You're the one who pushed for this trip. Now you're ridiculing me?'

He itched to land blows on Neon's visage, but recognized his futility against him.

'Better to hold my tongue than invite a thrashing.'

Spotting Kyle's furious glare, Neon's grin broadened. He clamped a firm grip on Kyle's shoulder.

"Plotting mischief once more?"

"N..o, absolutely not."

With a derisive snort, Neon proceeded down the crowded avenues. He peeked at Kyle and quickened his pace.

"Never mind, I was going to let you recover a bit, but not anymore. We're running behind anyway, so move it."

Kyle grumbled silently but trailed after. Soon, they reached an expansive zone hosting the entrance test registrations.

Rows of tables and seats aligned neatly, manned by numerous youths in the Royal Academy's blue attire, marking them as pupils.

With droves of aspiring youngsters flocking for the exam, the Royal Academy delegated tasks to students, easing the load on instructors.

After queuing for nearly twenty minutes, Kyle's moment arrived.

He regarded the dark-haired lad at the table with intrigue. The fellow donned a straightforward blue long-sleeved uniform, accented by three crisp white stripes on his chest.

"Hello sir, I'm here to register."

The youth appraised Kyle fleetingly, then dismissed him.

"State your name and precise age."

"I'm Kyle, aged 16."

The youth produced a crystal, instructing Kyle to touch it.

Kyle complied solemnly, the crystal validating his age.

Nodding, the youth tossed a token numbered 1055 to Kyle.

"Second batch for you—take the token."

Clutching it, Kyle departed. He and Neon entered the vast Arena beyond the registration site.

Stepping inside the colossal Arena, Kyle froze at the sight of packed spectator stands overflowing with thousands.

Chatter filled the air as all speculated on the Royal Academy's test format this year, given their annual variations in entrance procedures.

Neon secured a vacant spot amid the masses and signaled Kyle toward the grand stage, where myriad participants already gathered.

Kyle mounted the stage, surveying the sea of thousands with mounting anxiety. It was his premiere encounter with such a multitude.

'If it's like last year's 1vs1 combats to pick elites, how many beatings will I endure?'

Fear quaked through Kyle, prompting a swift head shake.

"For 1vs1 fights, I'll surrender right away. No sense in upholding pride if my limbs snap!"

Eventually, Royal Academy's elder George launched the proceedings with a dull address. Clad in a white shirt and black pants, his black locks framed profound grey eyes.

He served as Vice Principal of the renowned Royal Academy.

The monologue droned on tediously, nearly erasing Kyle's earlier thoughts as he fought off a yawn.

As Kyle battled drowsiness, fellow participants and onlookers buzzed with thrill. Encounters with an (SS)-Rank warrior's stature were rare, especially since Vice Principal George ranked fourth among the East Continent's mightiest humans.

In the East Continent, merely six humans attained (SS)-Rank, cementing George's renown.

".... I feel blessed to behold the prowess of our upcoming generation. This 57th Entrance test of the Royal Academy fills me with hope that the participants won't let me down."

Vice Principal George commenced by voicing concerns over human Kingdoms' futures, noting no new (SS)-Rank achievers in three decades.

He delved into the 'Dark Forest,' a perilous realm teeming with beasts. All Blue Planet inhabitants clashed against these creatures from the 'Dark Forest,' claiming thirty-five percent of the planet's terrain.

Monsters outpowered other species, their ranks mirroring those of humans. Typically, rivals required a higher rank to vanquish them.

Higher-ranked monsters gained command over lesser hordes.

Centuries back, the inaugural (SSS)-Rank 'Monster Lord' arose from the Dark Forest. Leading millions, this 'Monster Lord' wrought havoc, devastating Blue Planet's societies.

Countless Ancient Kingdoms crumbled before the 'Monster Lord' and his legions.

To halt the slaughter of thousands—or millions—races transcended animosities, uniting elite forces bolstered by (SS)-Rank warriors against the 'Monster Lord'.

Through prolonged battles and immense losses, the 'Monster Lord' fell, restoring tranquility to Blue Planet's realms.

Yet, Dark Forest threats lingered. Civilized folk, barred from its depths, methodically reduced monster populations. Ultimately, they founded Academies to groom youths for battling Dark Forest denizens.