Slashing the Heavenly Pillar (Part I)

Examinee number one was a middle-aged man with scarce hair on his head. He was from the northern side of the Great Western Region and was forty-five years old that year. He had failed seven consecutive Regional Selections and this was his last and final attempt. If he did not pass this time around, he would quietly stay in the north to be an instructor, taking on the role to nurture future generations of Knights.

Seeing the first examinee stepping forth, a young man and lady immediately shouted from the stands, "Daddy, do your best!"

The examinee smiled and waved at them as he walked up to the metal pillar.

The metal pillar was about two meters tall and a meter wide. Its surface was a deep matte black which did not reflect light at all, giving one the feeling of a deep abyss.