Chapter 17: Trial of Steel

After leaving from the Enlightenment Alliance headquarters, Ian did not completely relax inside. He knew that if he wanted to truly unite the three major forces in the City of Ashes, the Brotherhood of Steel was an inescapable link. He headed straight to the northwest area of the city, where the Brotherhood of Steel's territory was.

Very different from the Enlightenment Alliance, the Brotherhood of Steel's headquarters was surrounded by a huge metal high wall, heavily guarded, and the warriors wore heavy armor and wielded powerful weapons, obviously leaning more towards militarized management.

As soon as Ian approached, he was stopped by a few guards, "Stop, report your identity and the purpose of your visit!"

He calmly replied, "My name is Ian, I heard that the Brotherhood of Steel is conducting a selection for young Exalts, I would like to participate."

The guards looked him up and down, and one of them said in a deep voice, "Hand over your identification, I want to check your identity, lest the spies from the other two forces get mixed in."

Ian nodded and handed over the identification that the Enlightenment Alliance had helped him forge, the name on the original identification was Kane, Ian didn't want to keep using someone else's name, since Kane was already dead let him leave quietly, as long as he didn't run into any acquaintances others wouldn't find out, but in Kane's memory the only acquaintances in the city were his teammates who died with him in the ruins as well as Ron.

The guard took the identification and handed it over to the department specializing in intelligence for investigation, shortly after, the guard returned the document to Ian, "Your identity is fine, I'll take you in now, there will be someone inside to explain things to you, I have to remind you that this is no joke, you could die."

"I'm well aware of that." Ian's tone was calm and his gaze was firm.

"Follow me." Ian followed the guard into the steel fortress before him.

The guard brought Ian into a hall where a large number of awakened people had already gathered, each one looking nervous and excited, clearly looking forward to the upcoming trial.

"It's already here, go to the front and sign up there, hurry up, the selection is about to begin, good luck." After saying that the guard left the hall.

Ian quickly completed the registration, at this time in the center of the hall, a middle-aged man wearing black heavy armor was standing with his hands in the air, his eyes as sharp as eagles, exuding a formidable and powerful aura of awe.

Seeing the crowd gathered, he coldly opened his mouth and said, "Welcome to the Brotherhood of Steel's selection trials. Only the strongest and most resolute amongst you will be qualified to join us and become true steel warriors."

His gaze swept over everyone, his voice was loud and resolute, "My name is Reynolds, I am the chief examiner of this trial, this trial is divided into three stages: the first stage, the bone age test, to make sure that all of you are under 25 years old, the second stage, the combat ability test, you will be grouped together for a head-to-head battle, and the top sixteen will be able to enter the third stage, 

The third stage, and the most crucial of the battle for survival - you will enter a trial site on the outskirts of the Brotherhood, where you will survive and complete specific tasks."

"We, the Brotherhood of Steel, never train the weak, nor do we accept cowards!" He continued, "Those who pass this trial will become the backbone of the future to fend off mutated creatures and guard the City of Ashes. This trial is not only about you personally, but also about the future of the Brotherhood of Steel!"

After hearing these words, the young mutants present had their blood boiling and their aura rising, and Ian also felt the tense and exuberant atmosphere at the scene.

With the man's command, the first stage of the trial officially began.

The first stage of the trial was very simple, the crowd just had to line up and pass the test of the special machine, most of the contestants passed the test, only a few were eliminated for concealing their age.

The first stage ended, Reno looked at the crowd, "A total of 64 people have entered the next round and are ready for the second round of trials, now start drawing lots to choose your opponents, after the draw is over, I will take you to the battle arena."

Soon the drawing of lots ended, Ian looked at the number 13 lot in his hand and silently thought in his heart, "This number is really unlucky."

"The drawing of lots is over, everyone come with me to the battle field." As Reno left, the crowd followed.

On the way to the battle grounds, an oriental-faced player next to him struck up a conversation with Ian, "Brother, my name is Wang Wei, I'm number 15, what's your number, I won't show any mercy if we meet in the first round."

Ian responded lightly, "Ian, I'm number 13, we won't meet in the first round."

"That's fine, go for it, good luck you can enter the third round, we can work together then." Wang Wei seemed to have strong confidence in his strength as well as an optimistic mindset.

Ian followed Reynolds to reach the battle ground, the battle ground was modeled after the Roman Colosseum, it was surrounded by circular steps and in the middle was an open field, two contestants fought in the middle of the field while the rest of the people watched from the surrounding area, which meant that everyone's abilities would be exposed after the first round was over.

Reno's loud voice rang out, "Now start the second round of the trial, the rules are simple, one side surrenders or dies as the end, after all the people fight against each other, the victor rests for the night, and tomorrow the second round will start, and the 16 players who will advance to the third round will be selected."

"Now, start the first match, No. 1 and No. 2 take the field!"

As Reno's voice fell, two figures jumped into the field, and the battle was imminent!