Lucius was now walking toward the golden pavillion. For the past few weeks, he had already attended numerous classes as he was still curious about Evolists.
Most of them were boring lectures about beast elements, material reactions, and the mechanics of taming. He had little use for this knowledge as he already had a system.
But still, he was interested in what kind of test would be given to him from the best noble academy. Lucius could not help but be excited thinking about it.
"Let's see... just what kind of test will they throw at me?"
Lucius then soon arrived at the Golden Pavilion. He also noticed that there were other 4 students that had already arrived here.
Lucius soon began to look at each one of them, but he didn't scan at them as he didn't need to because it was more worth it to scan beasts.
He immediately found Kaelix Kryndal after looking for a while. His arm was wrapped in bandages where his hand had once been.
Lucius only smirked after seeing Kaelix's current condition and didn't even hide his own face.
Kaelix soon met his gaze and was angry, but still, the moment Lucius took a step closer, Kaelix flinched and stepped back a little as his arm began to hurt.
"Smart"
Lucius then walked past Kaelix without another word and Kaelix could only be frowning after being humiliated by Lucius.
The other three students also turned their attention to Lucius. They didn't speak, but their expressions showed a lot.
Each carried an air of confidence, but their eyes betrayed a hint of unease as they regarded him. Lucius could sense it: the subtle tension, the recognition of a threat.
Lucius only smirked as his gaze swept each one of them.
"So, these are the so-called elites of the Golden Class. Let's see if they're worthy of the title."
Soon, a man stepped out from inside the golden pavilion. He was tall and dressed in a golden robe.
"Golden Class students, you have been summoned here for the academy's midterm examination."
The examiner then began to look at the five gathered Golden Class students.
"This exam will test your skills as Evolists. Your task, as usual, is to evolve a beast. However, given your elite status, the parameters have been adjusted."
Lucius raised an eyebrow as he already anticipated the twist of the test.
"You will each be given a 2-Star beast, and your goal is to evolve it into a 3-Star beast."
"But for you, the evolved beast must possess at least one D-Tier stat."
Lucius, who heard about the requirements, almost laughed.
"D-Tier? That's almost laughable. They're really underestimating me."
The examiner then began to become more serious.
"You will each be assigned a room and a beast."
"The deadline for this test is the end of the day and if you fail to meet the requirements, you will fail the exam."
Lucius didn't really hear the next words of the examiner, as he was already confident to be able to pass the test.
The attendants then began to appear and each of them began to guide each student to their designated room.
Lucius also followed one of the attendants to his designated room without a word.
Lucius' room was the same as the one he had in his residence. Lucius could also see that there was a large steel cage that was located in the center.
He could see the beast that would become his test subject. It was a spider-beast that was as large as a dog.
Its body was also covered with glossy black shells. As Lucius approached, the spider hissed and lassed out.
"This will be your evolution subject and you have until the end of the day to evolve it."
"Good luck."
Lucius didn't spare the man a glance as he kept looking at the spider.
"I won't need luck."
The attendant only smiled after hearing it and left the room, leaving Lucius alone with the beast.
Lucius then stepped closer and looked at the spider. The spider thrashed violently, its legs striking the bars of the cage. Its movements were erratic, driven by pure aggression.
Suddenly, it stepped back and spat a stream of green venom at the bars. The liquid hissed as it made contact, partially melting the reinforced steel.
Lucius only raised an eyebrow as he was impressed by it.
"Not bad"
"You've got some bite."
The spider screeched back in response, its fangs dripping with venom.
Lucius smirked after hearing it, as he was now amused by it.
"I see. You're not docile. That's fine. Docile beasts are boring."
He then stepped back and began to think about something.
"But still, this aggression... It's no coincidence."
"Someone must have been messing with the test and ensured that I get this beast, likely to make my task harder."
"Could it be Kaelix's family pulling strings? Perhaps one of the staff members is in their pocket."
Lucius let out a low chuckle thinking about it. He then smirked and murmured.
"If they think this will stop me, they're sorely mistaken. In fact, they've just made this more interesting."
Meanwhile, the attendant that had just guided Lucius was now meeting with someone in a dark hallway.
He was now meeting with a man that was tall and had a resemblance to Kaelix. The man then looked at the attendant and asked.
"Have you done it?"
The pale attendant nodded quickly and bowed.
"Yes, young master."
"I've given him the poison spider as instructed. It's highly aggressive and nearly uncontrollable. If he tries to release it, he'll die. And if he fails to evolve it... he'll fail the exam."
The young master smirked after hearing it.
"Good."
He then turned his gaze toward Lucius room and smirked.
"This is only the beginning."
"For severing my brother's hand and daring to mock our family, he will pay the ultimate price."
The attendant hesitated for a moment but still tried to ask.
"Young master."
"Are you certain this will work? That man… he's dangerous. I've heard whispers—"
The young master snapped to the attendant and silenced him.
"Enough."
"Do not question my orders. That man humiliated my family. He thinks himself untouchable, but he is just another pawn waiting to be crushed. Leave now, and make sure no one interferes."
The attendant bowed deeply.
"Yes, young master,"
The attendant then left the young master, who was now laughing hard as he mocked Lucius.
"Enjoy your little test." Stay connected through empire
"It will be the last time you look down on the Kryndal family."