The queue moved slowly but steadily, and eventually Theon found himself face-to-face with a professional-looking receptionist behind a desk made from polished stone.
"Next applicant, please step forward," the woman called in an indifferent tone.
"I need to register my talent for official classification," Theon said, keeping his voice steady and confident.
"Name?" the receptionist asked, her fingers stalled over the keyboard.
"Theon," he replied, deliberately omitting his family name. "I'm registering an E-rank sight enhancement ability."
This had been his strategy during the journey to the city. His current F-rank Ancient God Eye ability was too weak to claim a higher rating honestly, but the combination of enhanced night vision and long-distance sight could reasonably be classified as E-rank.
Night vision and enhanced distance sight were technically two different abilities, and possessing both simultaneously was worth an E-rank classification according to the standards he remembered.
"E-rank sight enhancement," the receptionist repeated as she made notes. "You'll need to undergo practical testing to verify your claimed abilities. Please proceed to testing room seven."
She gestured toward a corridor with numbered doors, and Theon immediately created another quest.
"I need to pass this talent verification test."
[Ding! Quest Created]
[Objective: Pass the Talent Verification Test]
[Reward: Green-Rank Primal Pill]
[Accept Quest? Y/N]
"Eh? This reward is diffenrt. Accept."
As he entered the testing room seven, he saw it didn't have any window at all and was pure white in all directions.
A muscular man in a suit was seated.
"I'm Inspector Marcus," the man introduced himself. "I'll be conducting your ability verification today. According to your application, you claim E-rank sight enhancement with both night vision and distance capabilities. Is that correct?"
"Yes, sir," Theon replied.
"Very well. First test will be night vision capabilities."
Inspector Marcus suddenly turned off the lights in the room and plunged the room into absolute darkness. On the far wall, barely visible text appeared in extremely faint light.
"Read the text on the wall," he instructed.
To Theon's enhanced vision, the darkness was no obstacle at all. The text stood out clearly against the wall.
"The text reads: 'Evolver, Genetic Soldier, Astra Demon Warrior, Fiendgod Warrior, Demi-Gods, False Gods and True Gods. These are the paths to become Gods.'" Theon recited perfectly.
"Excellent. Now for distance testing."
The inspector restored normal lighting and pushed another button on his remote.
The far wall became transparent, revealing a target positioned exactly one hundred meters away. A small object sat on the target, barely visible to normal sight at that distance.
"Identify the object on the distant target," Inspector Marcus commanded.
Theon focused his enhanced vision, pushing his F-rank ability to its current limits. The object resolved clearly in his sight.
"It's a bronze relic coin from killing interdimensional monster in the Primordial World."
"You passed both test." the inspector announced with approval. "Your E-rank classification is verified and approved."
[Ding!]
[Quest Completed]
[Reward: Green-Rank Primal Pill]
[Do you wish to accept now? Y/N]
Of course Theon didn't accept it yet. But was happy when he noticed it.
Primal pills were expensive cultivation aids that could save weeks of meditation and energy gathering. A Green-rank pill was worth approximately ten days of normal cultivation progress, making it extremely valuable for someone at his level.
"Take this, here's your updated ID card.
Inspector Marcus handed him. He saw it contained his name the E-rank talent and other information.
"Congratulations," the inspector said. "You now have the Primal Badge required for all registered Evolver."
Theon exited the building and with Midnight, they headed towards the Academy.
Galaxy Reign Academy was located in the outskirt of Galaxy City.
The campus was enormous, easily larger than many city Theon had visited during his time in the military.
The academy's reputation was legendary throughout the continent. Only the most talented and promising youth gained admission, and graduation virtually guaranteed a position of influence and power in society.
Not to mention resources, access to dimensional zones, combat techniques and rare meditation techniques, he wouldn't receive protection here too.
The main gate was filled with hundreds of other young people waiting in organized lines. Some looked confident and well-prepared, clearly from wealthy families with extensive cultivation resources. Others seemed nervous but determined, probably from more modest backgrounds hoping talent alone would carry them through.
Theon thought for a while before creating a quest.
"I need to become a student at Galaxy Reign Academy."
[Ding! Quest Created]
[Objective: Become a Student at Galaxy Reign Academy]
[Reward: Level Up +1]
[Accept Quest? Y/N]
Theon's eyes widened when he saw the reward. A level up would advance him from his current Level 9 Evolver status directly to Level 1 Genetic Soldier. His strength speed and physique would increase dramatically!
Genetic Soldiers possessed more than ten times the strength, speed, and energy capacity of peak-level Evolvers.
Usually, one would need to accumulate primal energy by either meditating or killing dimensional beasts an acquire dimensional crystals.
"Accept," he said without hesitation.
A student volunteer approached him as he waited in line.
The young man wore academy shirt which was a stylish suit with the academy's badge on the chest.
"Admission documentation and identification, please," the student requested professionally.
Theon who had long since planned to admit here had already gotten the documentations from a General who granted it to him at the frontlines.
The student examined both the document and the ID carefully before nodding with approval.
"Everything appears to be in order. Please join the main group and wait for further instructions. The entrance examinations will begin once all applicants have been processed."
Several hours passed as more and more youths arrived and were processed.
Most seemed to be around his age, though he spotted a few who were clearly older and more experienced and they were even at the early Genetic Soldier realm also. Amongst the youth, Theon was amongst those with weaker strength.
Finally, a academy official appeared and addressed the assembled crowd.
"Attention all applicants!" the official called out, his voice enhanced by his primal energy. "Please follow me to the main examination arena. Your entrance trials will begin shortly."
The group was led through the academy's gates and along wide pathways lined with gardens and training facilities.
Students already attending the academy could be seen practicing various techniques, their abilities ranging from basic elemental manipulation to advanced combat forms that cause massive shockwaves to blast in all directions.
The examination arena turned out to be a massive colosseum that could easily hold thousands of spectators. The floor was covered in matrix patterns designed to contain and measure combat abilities, while the walls were reinforced with defensive crystals that could withstand attacks from high-level battles.
As the youths filed into the arena and arranged themselves in neat formations, suddenly a whistling noise sounded out from the sky.
Instantly everyone looked up, only to see a figure flying down from the skies.
"Boom!"
The ground shook as she landed gracefully in the center of the field.
Theon's was stunned. She was a real Astra Demon Warrior for her to be able to take flight.
The instructor was a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. She wore practical training clothes that showed off her body, her purple hair pulled back in a functional ponytail as the glasses slid down softly down her nose.
The instructor smiled brightly.
"Welcome, potential students, to Galaxy Reign Academy's entrance examination," she spoke.
"I am Instructor Luna, and I will be conducting your practical combat assessment today."
A murmur of excitement and nervousness rippled through the crowd of applicants. Combat assessments were standard for academies.
"The test is quite simple," Instructor Luna continued with a smile that looks very cute.
"Anyone who can withstand three attacks from me will be accepted as a student immediately. No written exams, no background checks, no political considerations. Pure merit based on your ability to withstand my fists. Don't worry, I will only use the strength of a peak Evolver Realm."
Instantly, tbe entire stadium went silent. Even the students who wanted to watch the show was stunned. "Uhm, Instructor Luna, y-you can't do this."
Instructor Luna waved her hand to shut them up.
Many of the youth were instantly excited and relaxed. They were going to pass this stage. Many were at least Level 1 Genetic Warrior, if they can't defeat even a peak Evolver then their lives could be considered useless.
But Theon's face changed slightly. She actually wanted to limit her strength to Peak Evolver realm. It means her comprehension in her skills were very high that it could compensate for the lack of strength!
The first applicant stepped forward eagerly, a young man who radiated confidence and wore expensive shirt and jeans. His strength seemed to be at the peak of the Evolver realm.
Instructor Luna beckoned him forward with a gentle gesture. "Please, attack me with your full strength. Don't hold back."
The young man suddenly clenched his fists and fire erupted from his fist.
A flame based talent.
He took a step forward and then punched outwards.
His technique was polished and powerful, clearly the result of expensive training and high-quality resources.
Instructor Luna waited until his attacks were mere inches away before moving. She seemed to simply step slightly to one side, and somehow all three of his flaming punches missed completely.
Before he could recover his balance, she pointed a finger and tapped gently on his shoulder sending him flying across the arena.
"Next," she called cheerfully, as academy medical staff rushed to tend to the youth.
What followed was a crazy. Teens after teens stepped forward with confidence, only to be defeated so quickly and thoroughly that it was almost embarrassing to watch. Even those at the Genetic Soldier level, who possessed significantly more power than the average Evolver, lasted barely longer than their weaker counterparts.
A few applicants managed to survive her first attack through defensive techniques or lucky timing, and fewer still withstood a second strike. But as the examination continued, it became clear that Instructor Luna fist technique had actually reached the advanced stage. Allowing her to cross realms with those that had barely reached the initial stage.
Then something interesting happened.
A young woman with long black hair and an aura of natural authority stepped forward. Her cultivation seemed to be around the early Genetic Soldier level.
"B-rank Tree Control talent," she announced clearly. "I'm ready."
When Instructor Luna launched her first attack, the applicant raised her hand casually and thick vines erupted from the arena floor, creating a defensive barrier between herself and the incoming strike.
The instructor's blow shattered the first layer of vines but was absorbed and redirected by several backup layers, allowing the young woman to avoid taking direct damage.
The second attack was more intense, but she adapted by creating a mobile defense of shifting plant matter that bent and flowed around the instructor's techniques rather than trying to stop them directly. Her understanding of how to use her talent was clearly sophisticated and well-developed.
For the third attack, Instructor Luna increased her technique noticeably, but the girl was ready. She had used the first two exchanges to plant seeds throughout the area, and now brought forth an entire grove of defensive trees that managed to absorb and distribute the impact across a much larger area.
"Excellent work!" Instructor Luna announced with genuine approval. "You pass. Welcome to Galaxy Reign Academy."
The successful applicant beamed with pride as she moved to join a small group of those who had already passed the examination. Theon counted carefully and noted that out of nearly two hundred applicants, only seven had managed to withstand three attacks so far.
The examination continued, with more failures than successes, until finally Theon's turn arrived.
"Finally my turn."
Theon mumbled as he stepped forward into the arena's center, his hand instinctively moving to rest on the hilt of his military saber.
As he drew the blade, Theon's entire demeanor changed drastically.
At first he looked like a simple youth who simply had some form of training due to the scar in his face.
But the blade was unleashed, he became like a blade itself. Even the wind seem to have their flows divided as Theon pointed the tip of his blade forwards.
His stance became perfectly balanced, his breathing controlled, and his eyes focused with killing intent.
The crowd of watching applicants fell silent as they felt the change.
"Why the hell kind of technique is that?"
"This guy must be crazy strong!"
Even the girl with the Tree Control ability squinted her eyes as the stared at Theon.
Instructor Luna's eyes sharpened with genuine interest as she observed his transformation. "Interesting," she murmured. "A military background, I assume? And that blade technique… it feels like it's reached the Master level. It's truly impressive."
"Thank you for your praise." Theon replied politely.