The Exam Begins

Cyrus stepped into the examination grounds and was met with a colossal coliseum. Marble stands stretched in all directions, forming an imposing ring around the central arena. Symbols from various pantheons adorned the towering columns, while statues of ancient heroes gazed down at the candidates, as if silently judging the future warriors who dared to stand there.

The atmosphere was heavy. Hundreds of candidates filled the arena, some exchanging confident glances, others murmuring about the trials ahead. Most wore refined uniforms, proudly displaying the insignias of renowned bloodlines.

But what caught Cyrus's attention the most wasn't the other candidates—it was the figures standing at the center of the arena.

Lined up in perfect formation were the professors, the vice-director, and the director of Divine Glory. Each of them exuded an overwhelming presence, as if the very air around them bent to their will.

Silence fell as a commanding figure stepped forward.

He was tall, his posture unwavering and regal. He wore a ceremonial mantle adorned with symbols of various deities, its golden details shimmering under the sunlight. His very presence was a force of its own, pressing down on everyone around him, demanding their attention. His eyes were sharp, piercing, as if he could see straight into the souls of those before him.

Magnus Von Daimo.

His name alone carried weight. The director of Divine Glory spread his arms, and his voice thundered across the coliseum.

"Welcome." His tone was steady, powerful. "You stand here today because you possess potential. But do not be mistaken—talent alone will not make you Avatars. Only those who prove their strength, will, and determination will earn the right to remain."

His gaze swept across the crowd, analyzing each candidate. When his eyes landed on Cyrus, a shiver ran down the boy's spine. It was as if Magnus could see something inside him that even Cyrus himself didn't understand.

"The entrance exam will be divided into three stages," Magnus continued. "Fail any of them, and you will be eliminated immediately."

The tension in the air thickened.

"The first trial will test your endurance. We will push your physical and mental limits, for a true Avatar cannot be broken easily. Body and mind must be unyielding."

Murmurs spread through the candidates. Some smirked with confidence, while others looked uneasy.

"The second trial will measure your divine affinity. Each of you holds a connection to the divine, whether strong or weak. In this test, we will gauge your bond and your resolve to push your power beyond natural limits."

Cyrus narrowed his eyes. This could be a problem. His relationship with his personalities—and the gods tied to them—was still a mystery, even to him.

"And finally, the third trial—the moment where you will prove your true worth."

Magnus paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"You will face a duel against a professor."

Silence.

The confidence of some candidates wavered instantly. Others turned pale. They all knew the professors of Divine Glory weren't just instructors—they were veteran warriors, Avatars wielding devastating abilities.

But some smiled.

The prodigies of noble bloodlines. To them, this was just another chance to prove their superiority.

"Those who demonstrate potential, even in defeat, will move on to the next stage. But know this—if you fail to show growth and determination, your journey ends here."

Magnus raised his hand, gesturing toward the professors behind him.

"These are the instructors who will be observing and judging you. They will only intervene in extreme situations."

Cyrus felt the weight of experienced eyes analyzing the crowd. Predators assessing their prey.

A low chuckle echoed in his mind.

"Let's see if you're truly chosen… or just another waste of our time." Nathanos's voice was laced with amusement.

Cyrus took a deep breath. The exam had only just begun, yet he could already feel the weight of judgment pressing down on him.

"Let the trial begin."

The gates to the first test opened.

The candidates stepped into the designated chamber for the first trial. The space was vast, lined with towering pillars supporting a domed ceiling. The polished stone floor reflected the eerie blue flames of torches burning along the walls.

But what truly drew their attention was the man standing at the center of the chamber.

He carried a presence as intense as an impending storm. Tall, bronze-skinned, with wild hair and eyes that crackled like lightning. His very aura vibrated like static in the air, and each step he took echoed like a war drum.

"Welcome, heroes and heroines, to your first trial on the path of an Avatar."

His voice was strong and commanding, leaving no room for doubt.

"I am Fauner Gael, one of the instructors of Divine Glory."

The candidates held their breath. Fauner Gael. That name was not unknown.

"Some of you may have heard of me. Others may not. But know this—I am the Avatar of Indra, Lord of Thunder, and today, I will oversee your endurance trial."

He took a step forward, and the air itself seemed to tremble.

"As Indra's Avatar, I know better than anyone that a true warrior must be as unbreakable as a storm. Your flesh may be cut. Your bones may be shattered. But your will must never falter."

His eyes gleamed like lightning.

"This trial will push you beyond your limits."

Fauner raised a hand and snapped his fingers.

The ground shook.

Some candidates instinctively stepped back as massive stone pillars erupted from the floor, forming an intricate labyrinth stretching in all directions.

"Your objective is simple," Fauner smiled, and something in his expression sent chills down the spines of many candidates.

"Survive."

And with that, the first trial began.