All the entrance examinees immediately signed the papers without even a doubt in their minds.
The lecturers of the Canon Academy were having conversations with each other.
Mrs Candace nodded as she addressed her peers: "The talent pool of this year is out of this world. Even the royal family's Wallace is present. I was the tutor of his sister when she got admitted to the Canon Academy. From what I know, he's mature and humble."
Klein, the old scholar lecturer of the Canon academy, spoke in a horse voice:
"Clair from the House of Holy is also present here. It is claimed that her intelligence could even rival her father and grandfather. She was able to learn all the human continent languages by the time she was 2. When she was 6, she became a grandmaster in the House of Holy's annual strategy tournament. When she was 9, she became the youngest to develop a working model of the lava car."
Mr Brolee, who was half-naked without his upper shirt, laughed loudly: "I don't care about any nobles. Raihaan will join the strength Ascender union established by me. He's shown enough in the Non-Ascender Martial Arts tournament. Raihaan also beat my nephew, whom I had trained"
Suddenly, a young man who had long, luxurious hair with sharp eyes, a long nose, entered the room of the control tower where the teachers were having talks with one another.
Alfred.
Alfred was also one of the lecturers at the Canon Academy. He was the youngest teacher at the Academy, who had only been an Ascender for two years. Though he lacked experience, he made up for it with his ability.
Ability?
Strength.
He was formidable, but he had joined the Canon Academy for some unknown reason. He had a cool demeanour and usually kept to himself ,but when he drank alcohol, he would become an energetic unicorn.
Alfred and Mrs Candace's debates over several research and philosophy topics were known not only by the entire Academy but the entire city. When they started to have debates, it would continue for several hours to even days.
Both Alfred and Candace were infamous for missing their classes. Any students in the Canon Academy would join to see the debates and gain insights.
Klein, the old scholar, asked in a deep voice: "Alfred. Who do you think will be first in the entrance? You were the first in the entrance, which was held two years ago."
Alfred had a stoic expression, his hands pointed up, the countless screens for the entrance exam. The monitor which he had pointed at showed a distinct young man.
The young man looked so chiselled, with wavy hair and broad shoulders. The young man wore a black coat and had a small dagger belt on his side.
Dorian.
It was Dorian.
Alfred pointed at Dorian. I think he will win.
The entire of the teachers in the control room burst into laughter, and the entire room exploded. Everyone was talking about Wallace, Clair or Riahaan, but Alfred pointed to someone who had not achieved anything without attributes.
"Looking at his record, he's the son of Flint Grey. The super-famous businessman from the south. His father is famous for being one of the most powerful men in the kingdom without being an Ascender"
Klein, the old scholar, nodded. He was the only one who didn't burst into laughter.
He asked Alfred: "Flint Grey is a famous businessman indeed. But his son has not achieved anything, and neither has he done anything remarkable. Why do you think he'll be first?"
Even Mrs Candace, who debates with Alfred often, questioned her usual opponent as a worried friend:
"Why Alfred, all other contestants have strengths, experience and knowledge. It is well known that humans, before they become the best of the Ascenders, have achieved something before. The first places in our academy have had such character for countless years. This Dorian Grey, what do you see in him except his handsome face? "
Alfred smiled. His face carried patience and calm.
He spoke in a soft, soothing voice; it was deep and charming.
"Intuition and mainly, his looks"
It was anyone's guess what happened in the control centre.
***
At the same time, Dorian had been analysing the entirety of the space of the Canon Academy. He was analysing the structures, the space and also the entrance takers too.
"The test will now begin, everyone, please enter that building," the director announced.
Just then, even though the director had not pointed or given information about the building, the entrance takers entered the building, which he referred to.
It wasn't all that hard not to notice a huge building shining with golden light and spreading its radiance everywhere.
The building was large. It could easily fit over the 10,000 entrance takers who have come from the east to the west and from the highlands and the mountains. After all the entrants had settled inside the building, a man appeared on the stage.
Alfred.
His young look surprised everyone. Some even felt that they looked older than the staff of the Canon Academy, which they were looking at.
"Welcome, everyone. For your first test, all you have to do is follow me. If you think you won't survive, then please say the words " I fail". A protective shield would be applied over you, and you will be teleported back"
That was all that Alfred spoke. It was as though the entire Academy decided that Alfred would be fit for such a test.
Before anyone could respond, Alfred burst off towards the opposite direction from the building.
The crowd of the entrance takers erupted. All ran towards Alfred, some ran with all that they could, while some used their attributes to catch up.
'Such idiots, all he said was follow me. Why are they racing?'
Alfred maintained a pace that was not too fast, but it was definitely not slow either. He was walking, but he walked fast. Alfred soon led the crowd out of the building, and Alfred walked through the pathways of the Academy.
After walking through some pathways, the pathway soon dug itself into the ground like a snake. The path opened underground.
The underground was very well lit and had enough luminous light, but the ground was mushy and was like a swamp.
"They're going to ruin my clothes, which I just bought for the entrance"
A girl complained.
Several entrance takers were running wild. They were using all of their attributes and trying to reach Alfred, but every time someone came close to Alfred, he would still be ahead, even though he did not increase his speed.
It was bizarre.
Dorian did not run, and neither did he take it as a race, as others were doing so. He did just as instructed.
'To follow this weird guy'
If Dorian wanted to race, he would not even have to use his feet. His attribute could instantly teleport him, but it was a stupid decision if he were to show his attribute right from the start.
Wallace and Raihaan also maintained a medium pace and followed after Alfred. It seemed they too had the same Idea as Dorian, it was to do just as much and not too much. They garnered some followers who were tailing both Wallace and Raihaan.
Who wouldn't want to be close to the most promising individual and benefit?
But, Clair? Where was Clair?
"I fail"
One of the entrance takers said the word. Instantly, he was covered in a veil of protection and he was teleported.
Next to him was the blue-haired tall girl who couldn't be missed if one saw her only one.
She smiled sinisterly.
"The entrance had not even started properly, and she had manipulated one of the contestants to give up." Klein, the old scholar from the control room, shouted