Battle God Exam (Part 1)

The very next day was the Battle God Academy entrance exam. Early that morning, the Saint Sigurd Cain family sealed off the front plaza. Duke Anges gathered his three sons before the Sigurd statue by the gates, and the family solemnly paid their respects to their ancestors before laying out a feast beneath the idol.

Francis watched it all with a detached air. He had only been in this Battle God world for two months and simply couldn’t grasp why the Anges family placed such immense importance on the Battle God Academy exam. It was much like how the people of this Battle God world couldn't truly comprehend the scholars of ancient Huaxia, who journeyed to the capital for imperial examinations.

After intricate ceremonies that stretched from sunrise until well past eight or nine o’clock, Anges finally raised his wine cup and addressed his three sons in turn. “Steve, this year marks your third attempt at the exam…”

Steve suddenly knelt before the Sigurd statue, his expression grim. “If I fail for a third time this year, I shall take my own life before our ancestors as atonement!”

“Good!” Anges nodded approvingly, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Ah, you. Don’t think I don’t know, do you? The first two times, you deliberately threw the fight because your opponents were beautiful women! Don’t you dare do that again this time!”

Steve chuckled awkwardly. A hint of a smile touched Francis’s face too. So, his elder brother had failed twice for *that* reason!

When it was Charlie’s turn, Anges’s expression grew solemn. He hammered his chest in a military salute and declared grimly, “You’ve fought alongside me since you were thirteen, distinguishing yourself in over a dozen battles, big and small—a true credit to our ancestors! Today, do not tarnish the Saint Sigurd Cain family’s formidable name!”

Charlie returned the military salute. “The Saint Sigurd Cain name shall not fall, and Sigurd Saint-Shine shall forever endure!”

“Good! You will surely pass, but your father has one more demand—bring back the championship!!”

“I will not return without victory!” Charlie nodded solemnly.

Anges approached Francis, but before he could speak, Francis preempted him. “No need to say it, I know. The Saint Sigurd Cain family only has heroes who die in battle, never cowards who concede!”

“Mm, good that you know. Be on your way then!”

Three carriages arrived, each carrying one of the young masters onto the road leading to the exam venue—the Palace of Versailles. However, Steve and Charlie’s coachmen were both Fighters, while Francis’s coachman was our simple-hearted Aliza!

Aliza, moreover, would accompany Francis through all procedures of the exam as his Fighter attendant.

There was no helping it; aside from his elder brother, the only people Francis could truly trust were old Foye and this simple boy.

The area before the Palace of Versailles was a sea of people, yet imperial soldiers had set up a perimeter a hundred meters from the main gates, allowing only examinees and their attendants to pass.

Francis helped Aliza disembark from the carriage and handed their admission passes to a soldier for inspection. Gazing at the examinees in the plaza, he couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Aliza, is that an Elf? And a Dwarf? And what’s that dark, squat thing over there?”

In his two months since transmigration, this was Francis’s first time seeing so many intelligent races. Before, he’d only encountered a few Beastkin Warrior slaves in the trade district. But now, in the enormous plaza, discounting attendants, there were four to five thousand examinees, five or six hundred of whom were non-human races.

“My dear brother, watch your tongue. That dark, squat fellow you’re talking about is a Sino Gnome. While they may be rather dim-witted, they’re fiercely proud and natural Fiend Battle Gods cultivation practitioners!” Steve walked over, cutting off Francis’s nonsensical chatter. He then sighed, “Quite a few competitors this year, at least four thousand people. Damn it, did the preliminary examiners go easy on them?”

Francis asked, puzzled, “There were preliminary exams?”

“Of course. To stand here, you must pass at least five prior tests! Oh, but we don’t need to participate in the preliminary exams because we are Titled Battle God Scions. We have special privileges!”

Steve flashed a proud smile, then added, “Have you memorized the exam procedures?”

“I know it all. First, two rounds of tests inside the Palace of Versailles, eliminating two-thirds of the candidates. The remainder proceed to the Saint John Cathedral across the way for the finals!”

Steve said, “Mm, be extra careful. The exams within the Palace of Versailles are overseen by Duke Widener, and it’s highly probable he’ll arrange for you to compete against Kaman. Be sure to concede in time!”

Francis merely curved his lips into a smile, offering no reply.

Steve’s next words made Francis inwardly groan. “Also, if your opponent is a beauty, make sure your concession is heroic, leaving a good impression for future advances. That’s how I…”

Just then, the sound of bagpipes echoed from within the Palace of Versailles. The palace gates swung open, and Duke Widener, Minister of Imperial Rites, strode out.

He raised both arms, his voice resonating deeply. “All irrelevant personnel, withdraw! Examinees, heed the Sacred Canon!”

The soldiers outside the plaza swiftly dispersed the onlookers. Once only examinees and their attendants remained, Duke Widener raised his hands high and, with the rhythm of a chanted poem, melodiously proclaimed the examination rules.

The Battle God Exam comprised five major exam districts, with the Lanning Empire being one of them. All examinees from the eastern Aethelgard Continent were to gather here for the tests. The specific rules of the exam had been jointly decided by Godfather Ferdinand and Duke Widener, Minister of Imperial Rites, though only personnel from the Holy Church of Battle Gods were tasked with grading.

The exam also had two parts: a scholarly test and a martial test. Ultimately, examinees’ scores would be ranked across the three continents and five major exam districts. Only the top three thousand would be admitted. Thus, in theory, even the top-ranked candidate of the Lanning exam district might still fail to enter the Battle God Academy.

Also theoretically, on average, only about six hundred out of these four thousand-plus examinees would ultimately be admitted. This was *after* the five preliminary exams. All things considered, the Battle God Academy’s enrollment examination could truly be called brutal.

“...Such is the Sacred Canon!” Duke Widener lowered his hands, clasping them before his chest, and slowly continued, “Here, I must remind all examinees that you have endured five prior examinations to reach me. Cherish this opportunity. Any cheater will be deemed to have desecrated the Sacred Canon, and will be executed without mercy!”

Duke Widener roared, and the guards before the Palace of Versailles cooperated by slamming their shields, creating an imposing presence.

Amidst the crowd, Steve whispered, “Once inside, listen to the examiners. I won’t be able to look after you! Also, Aliza is a bit clumsy, so don’t let him cause any trouble!”

“Young Master Steve, I may be clumsy, but I won’t cause trouble!” Aliza was very excited, shaking Francis’s exam supplies in his hand and grinning guilelessly. “Young Master said he’d treat me to roasted calf after the exam!”

The nine palace gates of Versailles opened simultaneously, and the examinees streamed in. Francis was not in the same exam hall as Steve. Leading Aliza, he followed the crowd to a secluded palace hall where dozens of rows of tables and chairs had already been set up. Looking at his opponents, there were over a hundred people, and Kaman was conspicuously among them.

*Just as I expected, I’m grouped with this brat!* Francis touched his chest, where, concealed beneath his clothes, lay the necklace he had received last night.

As they took their seats, by a twist of fate, Francis and Kaman ended up in consecutive rows. Kaman turned his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “The disgrace of the Saint Sigurd Cain family, I can’t believe you’ve actually come to take the exam. When it’s time for the martial test, you’d better be extra careful!”

“Who needs to be careful isn’t so certain, now, is it?” Francis smiled, taking a quill and ink from Aliza and arranging them on his desk. Then he instructed Aliza to fan him from the side. “Oh, my dear Young Master Kaman, I’ve just realized you’re rather ill-mannered. Has no one taught you to respect a Knight?”

Knights in the Lanning Empire were more numerous than beggars on the streets, but Kaman was only fifteen and had no noble title yet.

“Hmph, what is a mere Lanning Knight? Once I’m admitted to the Battle God Academy, I’ll be granted a universal noble title recognized across all three continents!”

The two exchanged barbed remarks, engaging in a heated verbal sparring session right there in the exam hall.

“Examinees, no loud talking! Francis, Kaman, you are both Titled Battle God Scions! Maintain proper decorum!” The examiner snapped, halting their argument, and began distributing the exam papers.

Just then, someone tapped Francis on the shoulder from behind. He looked back, but saw no one!

“Hey, look down! I’m a Sino Gnome!”