The Genius Evolution Store

”Welcome to the capital city.” Katarina waved her hand.

Auric and Ellia ended up traveling together, so they arrived at the same time.

”Thanks.” Auric waved back. ”How are you?”

”Excellent. Ready for the national selection test tomorrow?” Katarina grinned.

”Yep.” Auric nodded. ”They’re holding it in the stadium?”

”In the stadium. They’re starting at seven in the morning.” Katarina extended her hand. ”Since you don’t intend to stay in the Relesha family or my family, where are you staying this time?”

”I will be staying at her hotel.” Auric pointed to Ellia.

”I’m also going to stay in the hotel.” Ellia nodded.

Katarina simply smiled. ”Very well. I have already arranged the transportation for you. Let’s go there.”

”Okay.”

While walking, Katarina took out her tablet and showed it to Auric. ”By the way, take this. This is the information on the rivals you might want to watch out for. I’ve gathered everything, but there might still be hidden dragons, so watch out.”

”Any movement from the Apocalypse?”

”Not at the moment. After the last incident, it looked like the adjudicators were dealing them a heavy blow. They’re lying low right now. As for the details, I’m afraid you need to ask the one in charge yourself. You have his contact information, right?”

”Yeah, but he’s not someone I’d like to chat with.” Auric shrugged.

”For now, nothing is happening. However, there is still one month left, so we can’t be too sure.” Katarina sighed.

Auric’s expression turned solemn. He was afraid that the Apocalypse would attack again. They had shown how crazy they were when they caused a beast wave or even destroyed a mountain.

There was no telling what they would do next.

Auric whispered, ”By the way, can you apply some makeup or something? Or maybe I should ask for a professional?”

”Depending on the kind of makeup you want,” answered Katarina softly.

”Burning wounds?”

”You definitely need a professional for that one. If it’s just normal makeup that makes you more charming, I can do it for you. Well, I can find someone for you.”

”Can you do that? I’m planning to take the test normally, but I will need that kind of makeup to cover myself. That’s the arrangement with the association.”

”Understood. I can do that.” Katarina nodded. ”Where will the test be held?”

”The capital city.”

”In that case, it won’t be hard to arrange it. Just come one day earlier.”

”Thanks.” Auric winked playfully.

”So, the schedule is the national test. Then, two weeks later, you will take the evolution master test. After you’re done with the test, will we get your unique element upgraded as well?”

”Yeah. Aren’t we supposed to stay here for the next few weeks?” Auric asked.

”All the participants who have passed the national selection will be brought to a special training camp. However, you don’t have to worry about that. Even though it’s a training camp, you can probably sneak out. Besides, they’re going to hold the training camp at Kallarnos University.

”The facility is complete, and the principal has arranged for one building to house all the participants. That’s all I know for the time being.”

Auric just nodded. Katarina actually had so much information that wasn’t publicly available in the city. ”Got it.”

”Then, I will bring you to the hotel and head back to Kallarnos University to deal with some paperwork.”

”Ah, that’s right. What is the situation with your family? Is it alright? You have been asking your family to do a lot for me.”

Katarina chuckled. ”Don’t worry about that. Everything is under control. Besides, once we launch our plan and get the Kleffin Brothers, no one will dare to raise their voice anymore.”

”I see. If you need anything, just tell me about it.”

”I will.” Katarina acted nonchalantly even though the pressure from her family was immense.

After all, she had been asking them to investigate a lot of things, and Katarina couldn’t tell them yet that she had actually submitted to Auric.

But her position in the family was much better than Ellia’s position in her family.

That was why this kind of pressure wasn’t too much for her, even with the added burden of her status as the vice president of the student council.

Besides, she could always owe Auric first and repay him later.

In the end, Katarina drove them personally and bade them farewell. Students from all over the country were arriving one by one.

A lot of them were sponsored by their respective schools because they were determined not to go home.

Kallarnos University opened its gates, allowing the students to enter. The organizers gathered all the participants in the field.

Five people stood on the platform as the sixth person walked to the center.

The middle-aged man raised his hand. ”I am Jacob, the supervisor of the selection test. You may call me Supervisor Jacob.

”Because I want to finish this selection test in a day, I will focus on what needs to be said.

”There are 700 people here who have managed to reach a threshold that we’ve set. However, all of you will be competing for only 100 spots.

”First of all, anyone who intends to participate as an evolution master, please raise your hands!”

A lot of students raised their hands, but Auric remained still. He didn’t come here as an evolution master.

”...” Jacob felt like he wanted to slap someone for not raising his hand, but he couldn’t do it.

As he was instructed, he needed to make sure Auric passed.

That was why Jacob continued with his explanation. ”There will be 10 evolution masters who will join us for this training program, while the rest will have to fight for the remaining 80 spots.”

When they heard the total, someone couldn’t help but raise his hand and ask aloud, ”Why do you only give 90 spots in total? Aren’t there supposed to be 100 spots?”

”Because of a few reasons. The first reason is your age! There are definitely people who are younger than the rest of the participants. They’re able to make it this far, but they’re unable to compete because they’ve just evolved. For this kind of prodigy, it’s only fair for us to give them a chance to participate in the training program.

”The second reason is your performance. There are people whose potential can’t be measured by the standard. So, we will be giving those people the chance as well.

”In other words, even though you have failed, you still have the chance to get the spots. However, don’t take your spot for granted.

”There will only be one person out of every seven who will participate in the training program.”

Jacob had thought of this solution beforehand. There was a chance for Auric not to participate as an evolution master, and he might end up failing if he didn’t compete for that spot. So, he would use one of these ten spots for Auric if he failed.

Anyone could fail, but not Auric, as the president had ordered.

”Those who are participating as evolution masters, please follow Miss Riley to your venue. Anyone who fails the test won’t be eligible to take the test for the warriors, so keep that in mind.”

One of the five instructors moved forward. The middle-aged lady waved her hand with a smile, gesturing for them to follow her.

A lot of students followed her to the venue, leaving around 620 people behind. The competition for the evolution masters was much fiercer, considering the number of participants competing for the ten spots.

Fortunately, Auric didn’t go there, so they still competed for all ten spots, not nine.

Supervisor Jacob continued, ”All right. Now that all of them have left, I will explain about the selection test.

”The test will be divided into three parts. The first test is a test of willpower. I’m sure you know her, but this is Instructor Cleo. She was the person who installed the gravity room in your school.”

A lady in her sixties smiled, showing a kind expression as if she were encouraging them.

”Then, we also have Instructor Ascott, a wind element user. Next to him is Instructor Colt, the fierce military general. The three of them will conduct the first test. All you need to do is to endure their power. They will stop once half of you drop out from the test.

”The second test is insight.” Supervisor Jacob took out a small green bead. ”We’ve scattered a thousand beads across the city. They will be placed in spots you can access without disturbing people or businesses. In other words, on streets or in parks, not inside the stores. If you mess with the businesses around here using this as an excuse, you will be disqualified. Fighting is not allowed either.

”All you need to do is find a bead and scan it with your phone. Once 150 people have scanned it, the second test will be over.

”The first 10 people who manage to find the bead will pass immediately. The remaining 140 people will head to the next test.

”The third test is simple. You will be paired up with someone, and all you need to do is to defeat them. Of course, we will pair you with someone of your rank, but there’s also a chance for you to be paired up with someone stronger or weaker.

”In that case, that is your luck. This will allow us to select 80 people from you. Then, there will be 10 evolution masters. Based on all the tests, we will announce the last 10 people who deserve the opportunity to experience the training program.

”I won’t accept any more questions, so without further ado, let’s begin with the first test.” Supervisor Jacob stepped to the side.

Since there were four instructors left, the one on the left came forward, and she turned out to be a normal civilian.

”Hello, I am Sera. I am here as your host. Supervisor Jacob has said everything that needs to be said, so I will just add in a bit more detail.

”We have set the tests as fair as possible.” Sera smiled. She already knew the reason, even though she couldn’t explain it to the students.

The first test was willpower, so strength didn’t matter. The second test was about tunnel vision. When they were under pressure, they might develop tunnel vision. Those who were able to stay calm and find the beads were eligible for the third round.

The third round might not be fair to some, but most people would be paired with someone of the same level.

That was why Sera explained, ”In the first test, Instructor Cleo will use her gravity element, Instructor Ascott will use his wind element to apply additional pressure, and Instructor Colt will release his killing intent. We will gradually increase it, so good luck, everyone.” Sera winked playfully as the three instructors stepped forward.