Rudrean and Aelira stood before two targets in a big white hall filled with test chambers.

Each chamber held tests for five people simultaneously.

"The first test will determine your attack power. Throw your best techniques or spells and deal damage to the target."

The targets were dolls made with exotic materials far beyond what Foundation stage people could break.

One of them launched fine spinning shards of ice like drills that exploded upon impact, as intense ice froze the doll.

[12,390 Attack Power]

"Hoh? Not bad, I suppose." The young man flung his blue hair with a smirk.

Then the next notification was shown.

[Rank 13,293rd in the Foundation stage category.]

"W-What?! That was a perfect 1-star spell!"

Wuzai snorted. "Get out and head toward your next test’s chamber."

The other two also launched their attacks, but they ranked even worse.

’Let’s combine Heavenfall Wind and Phoenix Flame. Boost flame with the wind,’ Rudrean relayed to Aelira.

’Alright.’

Wuzai looked at the duo. "You two start already."

Rudrean stood in a stance with his hands in a clawing style.

Mana surged as his hands began spiraling with wind, and then it lit up in flames.

Whirling flames enveloped his clawing hands, becoming heavier and faster as Rudrean controlled the flow.

Mana also surged through his body, gearing up its parts to execute the next set of extreme physical movements to execute his attack.

1-star Arcane Martial Arts: Two Bites of Infernal Maw, improved with Heavenfall Wind.

In the next moment, Rudrean vanished from his spot as he used a 2-star spell, Flare Chain Acceleration, boosting his speed even more to an insane level in a blink while swinging his hands at the perfect timing, extending two biting, blazing maws from his hands in quick succession that hit the doll.

BOOOM! BOOOM!

The sound spread far and wide.

Wuzai’s eyes glinted. ’That much damage... He also used his physical power fully in that dash and perfectly flowed all kinetic power into the strike. He’s a natural.’

’But his speed was a bit absurd for a Foundation stage.’ Wuzai narrowed his eyes. ’Must be from his Arcane Path.’

[93,370 Attack Power]

[Rank 3rd in the Foundation Stage Attack-Power category.]

The big leaderboard at the center, floating above everyone, which showed the top 10 glorious names of Foundation stage experts with the highest attack power, just had a shift as one name got replaced.

BOOOOOOOM!!

Right then, another loud blast rang as Aelira used Absolute Plasma Spear, but its modified version to boost its attack power with Heavenfall Wind.

She made it heavy, boosted its firepower and heat using Heavenfall Wind, and then launched it faster than a bullet with a projectile-throwing martial art that Isalyn had taught both of them.

[77,922 Attack Power]

[Rank 5th in the Foundation stage Attack-Power category.]

"This is insane. Two spots shifted at once."

"Who are these two? Rudrean and Aelira? Are they from a prominent clan?"

"No idea. First time hearing their names."

Wuzai nodded, a smile plastered on his face that was not there before.

"Wonderful."

’I wasn’t expecting this level of individuals from a no-star planet.’

"Darling, how did you get such a higher score than I?" Aelira jokingly pouted.

Rudrean chuckled. "Well, my attack was more powerful."

"His speed is faster, and speed can be converted into more damage, which is what he precisely used," Wuzai said with a chuckle. "Come on, let’s go to the second test’s hall. It’s time to test your defenses."

"Alright. I think I’ll win in defense." Aelira cheekily smiled.

"Yep." Rudrean smiled. "Your first rune gives you pretty good defense."

"And yours gives you insane speed, and I love it." Aelira winked.

It was clear what she was indicating.

"Ahem, flirt later. Start moving." Wuzai began walking.

"Yes, sir!"

Both of them lightly chuckled and followed him.

They were excited to rank that high in this big place.

[Isalyn: You both are going in with a bang, haha. Get ready to face attention, both good and bad.]

’We are ready for that. And you are also here for us.’ Rudrean grinned. ’We will get stronger faster than anyone.’

[Isalyn: Sigh, so my body is just a tool for you? Sad...]

Aelira burst into laughter.

Rudrean wryly smiled. ’Shit, we got exposed, Aelira. What do we do?’

’Stop it. I can feel Wuzai staring at me even though he is facing ahead.’

Aelira calmed down her laughter, and they arrived at the Defense Test Hall.

Aelira’s first rune gave her 100% control immunity and +500 omni-magic and omni-physical resistance.

All of that applied to all of her skills, be it spells or Arcane Martial Arts.

[123,329 Defense Power]

[Rank 1st in the Foundation Stage Defense-Power category]

"Woah, I got first rank!" Aelira’s eyes widened.

’What the fuck?’ Wuzai was shocked. ’Her defense is even higher than the average Core Genesis.’

He did hear Rudrean say her first rune gave her defenses, but he was not expecting it to be this high. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

’The spell also had two energies related to flame and wind, both with powerful effects and potent magic power.’

Aelira used Cinder Halo: Rotational Blaze Ward, modifying it for full defense while removing its offensive aspects for this test.

Heavenfall Wind also boosted its potency overall due to natural synergy to fuel the flame with wind, empowering its toughness and temperature.

The test was basically enduring attacks constantly as they got stronger, and seeing how long they lasted.

Aelira faced constant attacks from a mystical blue screen formation for 74 seconds, the highest ever-lasting defense before it was broken.

The second ranker lasted for 53 seconds.

But Rudrean took second place using Flame Construct: Crimson Pyrofort.

He did not have a defense boost, but he had an action speed boost, so he adopted an offensive defense strategy by modifying the Crimson Pyrofort with a 2-star defensive spell from the Compendium of Wind Spells called Zephyr’s Storm Warden.

Using the heaviness aspect of Heavenfall Wind, he created destructively blazing constructs that rotated insanely fast in formation, destroying all attacks coming at him until one pierced through at the 69th second and ended the test.

[101,374 Defense Power]

[Rank 2nd in the Foundation Defense-Power category.]

"Let’s go. Two more tests remain. One that will test your reaction speed, and the last one, the most important one, which is about fighting against waves of monsters. This last test will be the sole deciding factor that determines your student category and perks. The previous tests were just for vain glory."

Wuzai looked at them with a smile. "After all, if you can’t use your powers where it matters, it’s useless."