The Tale of the Void Emperor
The Tale of the Void Emperor - Chapter 4: Examination

Roaming for an hour, We finally found a good Inn that was not too costly and not too cheap and bad.

It was almost 6 PM, so I started doing my daily exercise right after setting our room in the Inn.

Since The Examination was going to start early at 6 AM, I only did the exercise for 2 hours before having dinner and sleeping, though mike already slept as he only did exercise for 1 hour.

...

...

Athan and Mike both woke up at 5:30 AM and departed towards the Examination avenue, which was a bit deeper into this Thunder-Fire Town. This town was just the periphery of the real Thunder-Fire Valley. The Core of this behemoth faction was deeper.

After Walking for Half an hour in the same direction, We finally arrived at Examination Avenue. The requirement to participate in this examination was very simple. One had to be under 20 years old, and looking around at the avenue, There are around 500 people, all under 20.

In front of us was a big mountain which had 1000 steps stairs and on top of the mountain was a big palace.

We asked around and found out that this was the outer palace of Thunder-Fire Valley.

It was already 6 AM so Examination should start anytime soon and indeed someone descended the mountain, That person calmy floated down from the Palace on top of the mountain.

That person did not completely descend the mountain but kept floating in the air 10 meters above ground level while looking down on everyone.

Looking at the face of the person, He looked like a 30-year-old male.

" My name is Lafurge Tellas, and I will be supervising this examination. The first round is straightforward. You have to reach the top of the mountain by walking on these stairs, simple, right? " Lafurge spoke to the people with a smile as everyone, including I, nodded because it indeed seems simple.

But I also know that simple does not mean easy.

" Alright then, Start climbing now. Those who can not reach the top after 2 hours will be eliminated. " Saying this, Lafurge flew back to the top of the mountain.

Everyone then rushed towards the stairs and started climbing.

Mike and I also made a dash towards the stairs and started climbing.

The mountain was humongous, and the stairs were wide, so there wasn't much friction between the contestants.

But problems started to appear after we climbed 300 steps, Many people were already lagging behind as Mike and I overtook many people.

Though slowly but surely, The stamina we needed to climb each step was increasing, and after climbing every step, It felt like someone was putting a bit of weight upon us, and that weight gets higher and higher as we climb each step.

After passing the 600th step, even though I was starting to feel tired and heavier, Mike was faring worse than me, but we kept climbing after adjusting our pace.

From the initial 500 some people, Only around 100 were moving steadily like us.

After passing the 800th step, only 80 people moved steadily, and mike was having a hard time.

One and a half hours already passed by when we reached the 900th step, Only 50 people were currently moving steadily. With closed mouth and gritted teeth, everyone moved without wasting even a bit of energy.

I was feeling pain all over my body because to climb a step; I needed to muster strength from every single muscle of my body; still, I was fairly confident of passing the 1000th step, but mike...his situation didn't seem that optimistic.

Another thing to notice was that other than Me and Mike, who were 16 years olds; Others were near the age of 20. The others who were around our age had already given up on climbing to the top.

After 25 minutes, 13 participants already reached the top of the mountain, while I was at the 997th step, and Mike was at 993rd, and the other remaining participants were between me and mike.

Surprisingly, none of the 48 people gave up and kept moving at a steady pace, I will be able to reach the top because there are still 5 minutes left before the time is up, but Mike will have to bring out his potential as with his current pace, if he screwed up even a bit, he wouldn't be able to reach the top in 5 minutes.

After 4 minutes, everyone except for mike reached the top, and after passing the 1000th step, I felt light like a feather, but then exhaustion hit me, and I slumped to the floor just like everyone else.

Now only 1 minute's left, and Mike is at the 998th step. Looking at him, I shouted, " Don't Give up, Mike, You can do it, Keep the pace steady, climb the 999th step in 20 sec so you can take more rest to climb the last step. "

Mike's face was red, and his body was trembling. He looked at me and took a step forward while gritting his teeth. He climbed before 20 seconds, so he still has the chance. It's just the 1000th step's pressure is more, so he has to adjust to it before taking the last step upward.

In the Last 10 seconds, Lafurge, who was standing behind us, started to countdown while looking at Mike, " 10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

...

Lafurge stopped the countdown, Because...

" Damn, bro, you did it. I almost thought that I had to train here alone, hahaha " I was really happy, Although it's been just a few days since I've personally known Mike. From the memories, I know that Mike always prioritized Athan on every good thing they came across. Such a true friend is rare.

" Alright, The 50 of you passed the first round, but it's not enough to enter the Thunder-Fire valley, There are still 2 more rounds, But of course, you only need to pass the 2nd round to join the Thunder-Fire valley. 3rd round is not necessary, But..." Pausing here for a bit, Lafurge spoke with a grin, " But don't think that since it's not necessary, then it's not important. It's actually essential if you want to progress fast. The result of the 3rd round will decide your treatment and work allocation in Thunder-Fire Valley. "

I always had one question gnawing on my mind, which seems to be a good chance, so I raised my hand.

Lafurge noticed and said, while looking at me, " Do you have any questions ?"

Nodding my head, I asked, " Can an Elemental Warrior defeat an Elemental Sorcerer? "

Hearing my question, Larufge smiled and said, " I'll make it simple, An Elemental Warrior can not practice and Master Elemental spells because they don't have Affinity with elements, So they have to refine their body using the external elemental energies, BUT...An elemental Sorcerer has an affinity with elements to practice and master Elemental spells which means their bodies can house elemental energies and cultivate Elemental Energies inside their body, allowing them to create an Elemental Sea, which naturally allows them to use Magical Abilities like this... " Pausing here, Lafurge waved his hand, and suddenly, a dense fire started to materialized beside him, taking the shape of a Lion.

*Rawr*

" There are many types of Elemental Arts and spells. Some can conjure such lifelike Monsters. Some can simply be offensive, like Fire rain, Fireball, Lightning Dome. Some can be supportive, like Wings of Fire... " Lafurge once again waved his hands, making The Lion disappear, and a pair of wings appeared behind him.

After a few seconds, Lafurge dissolved the wings of fire and said with a smiling face, " All these things I spoke and I just showed you, can-not-be-done-by elemental warriors. "

Hearing the last part, I felt like banging my head on the wall. The difference between an Elemental Warrior and an Elemental Sorcerer seems so damn big.

" But..."

Returning my attention towards Larfurge who spoke, I thought, ' My butt!!, Why you stopped ? "

Larfurge laughed and said, " But...It's not like you can not become an Elemental sorcerer just because you don't have an Affinity with any element. It's actually straightforward if you want to become an Elemental Sorcerer.."

Damn, this guy once again stopped. I could not my self back and asked, " How? How to acquire an Elemental Affinity? "

" There are two ways to acquire an Elemental Affinity, First way which is also safest way is to eat an Affinity Pill, There are many wonders in the world, and one of them is Elemental Source, For Example, our Thunder-Fire Valley has Fire Elemental Sources and Thunder Elemental Sources, our Alchemists uses these sources to create Affinity pills of Thunder element and Fire Element which can grant Elemental Affinity of Thunder and Fire to anyone who eats them, but sources are scarce, and so the price of a single pill is something that even a veteran Elemental Sorcerer can't afford it, There are only demand and no market for such pills. "

It sounds like even if I spent my whole life gathering money, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Let's hear what's the 2nd way.

" The 2nd way is very dangerous, which is what all of you are going through, The Path of an Elemental Warrior.." Smiling mysteriously, Lafurge continued, " You know, We don't have a Single Elemental Warrior in our Thunder-Fire Valley because there are only two outcomes for those who walk on this path of Elemental Warrior. 1. You die, and 2. You Become an Elemental Specialist who is a more powerful Existence than a general Elemental Sorcerer."

Woahh...

Instantly, Uproar started among all 50 people, and I was also gobsmacked hearing these words, which, besides giving me a shock, also made me excited.

" But..."

Everyone thought, ' Now what's this ' But ' for? '

Seeing everyone turning silent, Lafurge continued, " But, In the last 100 years only 11 people became Elemental Specialist in our Thunder-Fire Valley, They are called Elemental Specialist because, on top of now able master Elemental Arts, Their bodies are also Refined, so it's not that grand thing, Every Elemental Sorcerer can become an Elemental Specialist if they want to while Elemental Warriors either die or become Elemental Specialist. "

The mood of everyone dampened hearing these cruel words, but I was not affected. As long as there is a chance, I will grasp it.