Nathan shot a fierce glare at Jon.
"Bastard, you got lucky. I can't go after you right now because Elder Mordgeist is protecting you… but I'll definitely avenge this humiliation in the future."
Jon rolled his eyes.
"Dumbass, why are you confusing your truth for mine? Between us, the only bastard is you."
Nathan was born out of wedlock while Jon's mother was legally married to his father. So what he said was indeed the truth, making Nathan feel deeply humiliated. But he didn't let his anger get the best of him and held back, promising to end his life if he ever got the opportunity in the future.
Jon didn't give a damn about the murderous thoughts swirling in his half brother's head. He walked back to his maid and stood beside her.
"I've never seen you so fierce," Melody said.
"Then you better get used to it," Jon replied. "You'll be seeing this side of me a lot more from now on."
Mordgeist stepped in front of the crowd and, to everyone's shock, pulled out a massive wall of iron seemingly out of thin air.
It was thirty feet tall and was as thick as a tree trunk, yet he carried it in one hand like it weighed nothing. It was an undeniable display of his terrifying strength.
A variety of stars were carved into its surface, giving it a mysterious, almost sacred presence.
He gently placed it down with a muffled thud that echoed across the courtyard before turning to address the curious crowd.
"This is a magical treasure used to determine whether someone possesses a unique physique," Mordgeist explained. "If you don't have one, your chances of becoming a battle master are nonexistent.
When your name is called, step forward and place your hand on it. If it reacts to your touch in any way, it means you possess a magic sea and you will be allowed to proceed to the second phase of the Awakening Trial. Otherwise, you'll be sent home. Alright, let's begin!"
One by one, people stepped up to the wall and pressed their hands against it.
Some were third-generation descendants of the Mountain Clan, while others were outsiders, a term used to define individuals who had promised wealth, loyalty, or favors in exchange for a chance to take part in the clan's annual Awakening Trial.
Whether born into the clan or recommended by its younger descendants, all participants had one thing in common.
They were at least eighteen years of age.
The reason behind it was simple.
Opening the magic sea through the use of an Awakening Stone was an unnatural process.
It placed immense strain on the body and could even cripple someone if attempted before puberty.
Before the age of eighteen, the human body was still undergoing rapid development. Thus, it was unsuitable for bearing the violent energy surge that came with forcibly awakening the magic sea using an awakening stone. It only become less risky for those who had undergone puberty.
Mordgeist announced the result of each participant that took the test.
"Heinrich. Appearance of a false star. Weakest magic physique. No good. Next."
Heinrich's lips trembled and there was an encroaching sinking feeling in his guts. He possessed a unique physique, but it was of the worst kind, the type that was neither cared for nor nurtured by the clan.
Those with a low-grade magic physique could eventually train to become early-stage battle masters.
A decent-grade physique offered better prospects, guaranteeing one's rise to the intermediate stage, with a slim possibility of breaking through to the elite level. As for those blessed with an extraordinary magic physique, their path was far more promising. Not only was reaching the elite battle master stage a certainty for them, but they also stood a faint chance of advancing even further, to the realm of supreme battle masters, a level few ever touched.
It was worth noting that to even qualify as a battle master, one needed at least a low-grade magic physique. That might not sound impressive, but it was already a level above the weakest possible grade.
Although someone with such a physique could only ever reach the early stage, they could still do things most mortals couldn't even dream of. After all, early-stage battle masters stood high above ordinary mortals!
"Greta. No signs. Lacks a magic physique. No chance of becoming a battle master in this life. Very bad. Next."
"Matthias. Lit up one of the two moon carved in the wall. Decent-grade magic physique. Have the potential to advance to intermediate stage battle master. There's even a slim chance of advancing to elite battle master. Good. Next."
For some, the wall reacted. The faces of these lucky ones lit up with hope as it meant they possessed a magic sea and could effectively use an awakening stone to obtain battle spirits and become battle masters in the future!
But for most… the wall didn't react at all. These people walked away with their heads hung low, faces pale from humiliation and despair.
In the Martial World, the status of mortals was pathetically low. Without a powerful clan or a protective background, a mortal could easily become the target of a battle master's wrath at any moment. And when that happened, there were usually no consequences.
A battle master killing an ordinary person rarely resulted in any form of repercussion. Only when the mortal killed came from a clan of battle masters did things become slightly more complicated. Depending on whose descendant had been killed, the offender might be forced to pay a fine. Rarely was one's life demanded in return.
While the test was underway, a scrawny man with dark skin stepped out from the crowd and approached Jon.
Jon recognized him immediately.
It was hard not to recognise an outsider who had clawed his way up to become an elder of the mountain clan through merit alone.
Duncan's eyes narrowed as he stopped in front of Jon. "Why have you brought your maid into the inner courtyard?"