Absolute Cheater - Chapter 487

Chapter 487: Averin Academy XI

The cousins followed the flow of entrants toward the inner grounds where the first test was to be held. The air thickened with spiritual pressure as they entered a vast circular plaza surrounded by towering crystal monoliths. Each obelisk pulsed faintly with runic energy, forming an intricate array at the center—a soul-measurement formation known as the Spectrum of Resonance.

Rows of instructors stood behind the glowing rings, each holding a soul tablet to record results. Floating above them were color sigils representing the levels of spiritual resonance: Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, and the highest—White, reserved for those whose soul resonance surpassed the mortal boundary entirely.

“Step forward when your name is called,” an announcer said, his voice amplified by soul projection. “Place your hand upon the crystal and release your energy flow. The spectrum will read your resonance tier and display your affinity color. False restraint will count as failure.”

The crowd murmured in excitement and anxiety as the first few names were called. Most students managed to light the crystals up to Green or Blue, earning modest nods from the evaluators. A few sparked Indigo, drawing impressed whispers. But when the faint Violet shimmered once for a tall boy in gray armor, the crowd gasped, and his family banner rippled proudly in the stands.

“That’s the son of the Rydan clan,” someone whispered. “They breed lightning wielders. He’s probably guaranteed entry.”

Amanda smirked at that. “Violet? Guess we’ll see how long that record stands.”

“Quiet,” Sylens murmured. “Focus.”

Soon, the registrar’s tone called out again—

“Maxwell Magnus.”

He stepped forward, calm but unhurried. His hand pressed against the crystal plate. For a heartbeat, nothing happened—then a surge of pure spirit current pulsed outward, the formation rings flaring one after another. Red—Orange—Yellow—Green—Blue—Indigo—Violet. The final band shimmered with a steady brilliance before holding.

The instructors glanced at each other, murmuring quietly. A Violet-tier resonance, achieved cleanly and without fluctuation.

The crowd stirred. “Who is that?” “Magnus… never heard of that line.”

Maxwell withdrew his hand with a faint smile. “Next.”

“Sylens Magnus.”

His brother followed, movements smooth and precise. His aura released like flowing steel—quiet but cutting. The crystal pulsed again, slower but deeper this time, stabilizing once more at Violet, only a shade below Maxwell’s output.

The evaluators noted it down, visibly impressed. Two Violet readings in succession were rare.

“Amanda Magnus.”

Amanda strode forward, cracking her knuckles before pressing her hand to the crystal. A ripple of black lightning danced across her wrist, and the formation reacted violently. For a moment the colors blurred together in rapid succession—then burst straight to Violet, lingering with an unstable shimmer of near-white crackles.

Gasps spread through the crowd. One of the instructors blinked. “Lightning affinity… but soul-type fusion?”

Amanda only grinned. “Guess your machines can’t keep up.”

“Lia Magnus.”

The archer twin approached, calm as moonlight. Her aura flowed like a breeze through still water—measured, patient. The crystal glowed softly, the rings rising through the spectrum in perfect rhythm until it reached Violet, its light pulsing in slow waves.

“Sophia Magnus.”

The final twin stepped forward, shield still strapped to her back. She placed her hand gently on the crystal. Her energy rose steady and unwavering, the crystal trembling as it reached Violet, though with a firmer, heavier hue than Lia’s.

When it ended, the plaza had fallen silent. Five entrants from an unknown family—each tested at Violet-tier resonance, their results recorded one after another without flaw.

Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.

“Did you see that?”

“All five—Violet!”

“That’s not possible unless they’ve been trained by a high-domain instructor.”

“But their crest… I’ve never heard of the Magnus family before.”

In the upper stands, where family guardians and sponsors were allowed to watch, Asher stood among the gathered spectators. The wind at that height carried the hum of soul energy from the testing grounds below, and his eyes followed every movement of the five cousins with quiet, focused intensity.

But unlike the rest, there was no nervousness in his gaze. Only calm pride.

Down below, the crystal arrays still glowed faintly from the aftermath of the tests. The murmurs of the crowd hadn’t stopped since the last result—five unknown entrants, all reaching Violet-tier resonance in succession. Even among noble families, that was almost unheard of.

Below, the cousins had regrouped near the edge of the platform. Maxwell exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before grinning. “That should wake a few people up.”

Amanda rolled her wrist, the faint crackle of black lightning dancing along her whip. “Think anyone still remembers that Rydan kid now?”

Sylens’ expression remained composed. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves. The next test won’t be about raw strength. They’ll judge control—and cooperation.”

Lia and Sophia stood together, calm and ready, their posture perfectly aligned. They didn’t need to speak; their focus was absolute.

A voice thundered across the arena, echoing from the projection crystals above. “All candidates who achieved Green-tier resonance or higher—remain in the plaza! You will proceed immediately to the Second Examination: The Resonance Duel!”

The crowd broke into excited chatter. The air crackled with tension and anticipation as the chosen few stepped forward.

Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in concern but in appraisal. He could already read their breathing, their aura flow, the subtle shift of stance as they prepared for what came next.

The first test had proven their potential.

Now came the trial that would reveal their discipline.

And from where he stood, arms crossed against the railing, Asher allowed himself the faintest smile.

“Let’s see,” he murmured, voice low enough to be lost in the wind, “how far you’ve come.”

Below, the five cousins stepped into formation once more, their violet auras flaring as the dueling sigils began to rise from the ground.

The sigils flared to life, forming five glowing circles that encased the cousins. The air shimmered with spiritual resonance as the next phase of the examination began. Across the field, five other circles ignited—each containing their opponents: upper-year academy aspirants chosen to test the newcomers’ limits.

A hush fell over the plaza. The crowd leaned forward, expectant.

The announcer’s voice boomed again, “Resonance Duel—begin!”

The ground pulsed once, and then the arena erupted into motion.