After Vanessa, the remaining Commanders stepped forward to deliver their speeches, their voices rolling through the vast coliseum like thunder.
"This exam will test not only your physical strength but your very essence, your willpower, your dedication, and your ability to overcome the impossible. Any act of dishonor, such as cheating, will be met with immediate expulsion. A knight's strength lies not just in their might, but in their integrity".
"Now then, let us explain the trial that lies ahead of you all. The exam this year will be divided into three gruelling parts, each designed to assess your worthiness as a potential future knight".
"The first test will measure your magic output."
All eyes turned as one of the great commanders gestured to the center of the stage, where a monumental slab of black stone stood gleaming under the light.
"That is the Obsidian Rock, also known as the God's Rock, is a divine relic left behind by the old gods for humanity's struggle against the Demonkind. It can assess one's physical and magical aptitude, revealing whether you possess the potential to stand against darkness."
"Each of you will step forward and place your hands on the stone. As long as any one of your stats is [Low (High)] or above, you pass".
The commander gave their instructions, and the exam started in earnest.
One by one, the participants standing on the stage went up to the stone and placed their hands. The rock shone with light before letters started appearing on its surface, revealing their stats.
The crowd watched with eager eyes for a talent to emerge from within the many participants. However, to their disappointment, many of them failed to even rise up to the challenge.
Level-2, Strength- [Low(Low)], Endurance- [Low(Intermediate)], Agility- [Low(Intermediate)], Stamina- [Low(Intermediate)], Mana- [Low(Low)]…
Another disappointment. Some of the knights and commanders of the knight orders could not help but shake their heads. This one was not bad; the participant even had three stats that reached the [Low (Intermediate)] level.
However, these stats weren't enough. To become a member of the knight order, they needed at least one stat in the [Low(High)]. The standard that the Seven Great Commanders imposed wasn't too excessive.
In fact, the bar was placed at the lowest bare minimum of physical level that one needed to at least endure the training of the knight orders. If they can't even do that, there was no meaning for them to even join the order.
One by one, the participants came to the stone and left disappointed and heartbroken after having their dream shattered. The first round of the knight entrance exam was designed to sift through the participants and eliminate the unworthy.
Those truly talented will shine no matter where or what exam they are up against. Many participants with at least one stat in the [Low(High)] level emerged.
Although they weren't extraordinary, they were at least worth grooming. The knights not belonging to the seven great knight orders noted their names.
Suddenly, the crowd gasped in awe, a participant who broke the bar of [Low(High)], finally emerged.
[Intermediate(low)]… the participant had their Strength and Stamina stats in the [Intermediate(Low)] level, surpassing many of the examinees here. Not only that, that person's level was also 3, a gem among the ordinary one could say.
The previously listless expressions of the Seven Great Commanders sharpened with faint interest. Finally, something worth watching.
After that, the stage saw a steady rise in talent. Candidates with Level 3, even a few with Level 4, stepped forward.
Each flicker of light from the God's Rock drew renewed excitement. Those who reached Level 4, with stats touching [Intermediate (Intermediate)], caused even hardened knights to murmur in genuine awe.
Among them, one name stood out, Stark. A young man with an air of confidence and stats that brushed heights few could dream of. Several commanders exchanged appreciative nods.
Wordlessly, they began to mark his name on their lists.
Reinhardt watched quietly, his gaze contemplative. His understanding of the world's power system resurfaced in his mind.
In this world, everyone begins with base stats classified under "Low." Progress came through talent, training, and fortune.
Each rank was divided further: Low, Intermediate, and High. Categories that measured the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
To better understand these stats, Reinhardt related them to physical capabilities and general feats of power from his previous world.
For example, consider the Stats: [Low (Low)]- It is the stat of a physically average person with no training. Can easily lift 40-50 kg (88-110 lbs).
[Low (Intermediate)]- It is the stat of a slightly above average human strength. Can easily lift 60-70 kg (132-154 lbs). Comparable to someone with light athletic training.
[Low (High)]- The peak of untrained human strength. Can easily lift 90-100 kg (198-220 lbs). Comparable to a strongman or elite soldier. Then comes the Intermediate tier.
[Intermediate (Low)]-Strength surpassing most normal humans. Can easily lift 150-200 kg (330-440 lbs). Comparable to ten average soldiers.
[Intermediate (Intermediate)]- Strength far above elite humans. Can easily lift 300-400 kg (660-880 lbs). Comparable to animals like bears or gorillas.
[Intermediate (High)]- Beginning to touch superhuman levels. Capable of crushing small boulders with bare hands or flipping vehicles. And so on, so forth.
Although to make it simple in his head, he only focused on Strength, these factors can also be applied to other stats like Mana, Endurance and such.
In summary, [Low (Low)]: Average human.
[Intermediate (Intermediate)]: Comparable to a bear or gorilla in raw strength.
[High (Intermediate)]: Toppling buildings and flipping vehicles.
From this, it was clear as to why the knight orders and the Seven Great Commanders were impressed by Stark's's performance. Other than him, there were two other candidates who had stats similar to his.
These three were the cream of the crop this year and future knights that every knight order wanted to recruit into their team. Reinhardt was no exception.
Just when he thought that the three would be the highlight of the rest of the tests and there would be no more surprises, his eyes were inevitably drawn to a young man with short black hair and a giant, heavy sword strapped on his back.
Reinhardt's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing instinctively. For the first time that morning, he felt it, an unfamiliar, almost thrilling anticipation.