I. Arrival at the Imperial Academy
The Imperial Academy of the Aurelion Empire stood like a city within a city.
Its walls were not merely stone—they were engraved with runes that shimmered faintly in daylight. Towers rose like spears piercing the sky. Banners fluttered high above, embroidered with symbols of sword, bow, flame, and star.
Leo stopped his carriage at the outer plaza.
Hundreds of youths had already gathered.
Some stood confidently, radiating spiritual pressure.
Some whispered nervously.
Some eyed others like predators.
Leo observed quietly.
"So this is the place…" he murmured.
He stepped down.
Silver Body concealed beneath calm posture.
Mind clear.
Heart steady.
A tall instructor in blue robes raised his voice.
"All candidates, gather in the central courtyard!"
The voice carried with authority.
The crowd moved.
Leo moved with them.
No rush.
No hesitation.
II. The Teachers' Gaze
Five instructors stood before the gathered candidates.
Each aura was deep and unfathomable.
At least Sixth Realm.
Possibly Seventh.
The leading instructor spoke.
"You have come to test your worth."
His eyes scanned the crowd.
"The Imperial Academy does not accept talent alone."
A murmur spread.
"We test foundation. Knowledge. Stability. Comprehension."
He lifted his hand.
"Follow."
III. The Written Examination
They were led into a massive hall lined with stone desks.
Leo sat quietly.
Scrolls were distributed.
"First test," the instructor announced. "Theory."
The scroll unfurled.
Questions filled the page:
Define the difference between Realm 2 and Realm 3 energy flow.
Explain the formation of an embryonic mind lake.
List three dangers of premature breakthrough.
Describe five recognized weapon paths.
Leo blinked.
He was…
A beginner.
Compared to these candidates, many raised in sects and noble families, Leo's formal education was shallow.
He had discipline.
He had insight.
But book knowledge?
Limited.
He read carefully.
Did not rush.
Wrote what he understood.
Skipped what he didn't.
Across the hall, some candidates wrote furiously.
Others sweated.
Leo remained calm.
"Even if I fail this section," he thought, "it's experience."
His pen moved steadily.
When the gong sounded, he stopped without regret.
IV. Weapon Knowledge
The next hall was lined with racks of weapons.
Swords.
Spears.
Axes.
Bows.
Daggers.
An instructor spoke:
"Identify materials, forging methods, and usage advantages."
Leo walked slowly.
He recognized basic steel.
Basic wood.
But when he reached advanced alloys, he hesitated.
"This blade?" an instructor asked suddenly.
Leo looked up.
"It's folded steel with spirit vein infusion," the instructor said. "Purpose?"
Leo thought.
"Durability… and channeling energy more evenly?"
The instructor nodded once.
"Acceptable."
Leo exhaled quietly.
He wasn't outstanding.
But he wasn't lost either.
V. Alchemy Knowledge
The alchemy hall smelled of herbs.
Candidates were given dried materials and asked to identify them.
Leo recognized some.
Healing herbs his mother used.
Basic energy stabilizers.
But advanced spiritual plants?
He guessed carefully.
Nearby, one candidate sneered.
"Country boy," he muttered.
Leo ignored him.
He wasn't here to impress.
He was here to grow.
VI. The Final Test — Sound Wave Pressure
The final chamber was circular.
Empty.
Instructors stood along the walls.
The leading teacher spoke.
"This is the final elimination stage."
He raised his hand.
"Sound Wave Pressure Formation."
The floor lit up.
A low hum began.
"Only one hundred candidates will remain."
The hum deepened.
Vibrations filled the air.
Invisible waves struck the body and mind.
Some candidates gasped immediately.
Some dropped to their knees.
The pressure increased.
Wind swirled.
Walls trembled faintly.
The sound was not loud—
It was penetrating.
It shook organs.
Disturbed thoughts.
Attacked stability.
Leo closed his eyes.
He did not resist.
He aligned.
Clearing the Mind.
Stage One stabilized instantly.
Then—
Stage Two.
Mind Waves & Frequency.
He didn't fight the sound.
He listened.
He matched rhythm.
The pressure passed through him like wind through a forest.
His Silver Body absorbed physical vibration.
His mind dissolved mental disturbance.
Candidates around him fell one by one.
Fifty.
Seventy.
Ninety.
The hum intensified.
A scream echoed.
Then silence.
The formation stopped.
Only one hundred remained.
Leo opened his eyes.
Calm.
Unshaken.
An instructor stared at him.
"…Interesting."
VII. The Hundred Chosen
"You," the instructor said, pointing across the group, "are the accepted hundred."
Murmurs filled the chamber.
Some laughed in relief.
Some collapsed.
Leo stood quietly.
He had qualified.
Without showing his true strength.
VIII. Toward the Sword Museum
The chosen hundred were led deeper into the academy.
Through gardens.
Past training arenas.
Toward a structure that radiated silent authority.
The Imperial Museum of Arms.
Leo's heartbeat changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
The air itself felt sharper.
Wind whispered differently.
The instructors stopped before the grand doors.
"This museum houses artifacts that have shaped the empire," one said.
"You will observe."
The doors opened.
IX. The Shapeless Sword
Inside—
At the center—
Hovered something invisible.
Distorting air.
A faint ringing echoed.
Not metal.
Not wind.
A tone without origin.
Leo stopped breathing.
His mind vibrated violently.
The shapeless presence pulsed.
Like it had found something.
Within Leo—
The sleeping sword spirit trembled.
Tiny.
Hidden.
Aware.
Leo stepped forward unconsciously.
The air rippled.
A faint metallic whisper echoed.
Ting—
Ting—
Ting—
Other candidates frowned.
"What is that sound?"
"Do you hear it?"
Leo heard more than sound.
He heard call.
Recognition.
The shapeless sword pulsed again.
Wind gathered around Leo's body.
Silver light shimmered beneath his skin.
Instructors stiffened.
"Step back!" one barked.
But Leo couldn't.
Not physically.
But spiritually.
The resonance intensified.
Within his mind space—
The embryonic lake rippled violently.
The mountain-born sword spirit stirred.
The shapeless sword hesitated.
It sensed the other spirit.
Ancient mountain will.
Time-space anomaly.
It was not alone.
It feared revelation.
So instead—
It sent a thread.
A fragment.
Into Leo.
Light entered his dantian.
Soft.
Testing.
Then—
It withdrew slightly.
Not fully awakening.
Not fully bonding.
But choosing.
The ringing stopped.
Silence fell.
Leo blinked.
Sweat ran down his back.
The instructors stared.
"What happened?" one whispered.
Sword Saint Mariya, watching from afar, smiled.
"It has chosen."
X. Hidden Reaction
Far away—
In the Northern Continent—
Rose Smill's eyes glowed faintly.
"The second sword has awakened," she murmured.
Snow fell silently around her.
"So the Southern Continent stirs."
XI. The Calm After
Inside the museum, the instructors regained composure.
"Observation complete," the leader said firmly.
The candidates were escorted out.
But whispers followed Leo.
"You felt it too?"
"That sound…"
"What was that pressure?"
Leo said nothing.
He walked calmly.
But inside—
Everything had changed.