Chapter 42: Bodies, Bodies, Bodies…

The tests were rigorous, but only the initial few required the cadets to be fully nude. They were at least allowed to put their undergarments back on after completing the first few.

They test their flexibility first, having each of the cadets stretch their bodies in unconventional ways for as long as they can while displaying a range of motion.

It is easier for some than others. Titan bloods with larger and more rigid physiques experienced a bit more of a challenge.

It was clear that a timid few expected to be killed for performing poorly. But in the end, the instructor and his students only recorded what they saw and walked away. Filling the air with relief.

Testing endurances to heat, cold, shock, and body trauma came next.

They were tested on how long they could stay upright without showing any signs of deterioration. They weren’t allowed to use aura to protect themselves.

Most only lasted around three minutes before the cold of the metal chamber sent them into shock, or the heat caused them to faint.

These tests were, unknowingly, not designed for someone like Solomon.

He was in the cold chamber for an entire thirty minutes and never showcased a single shiver. However, eventually his body went into a small hibernative state, and he fell asleep standing up.

The heat woke him. It was a different manner altogether.

The test operated in two-minute intervals. If after two minutes, the examinee has not fainted, the heat is turned up.

Solomon’s gear was adjusted seven different times, and his chamber reached well over 180 degrees.

Solomon stood in the chamber, glistening with so much sweat you could think he had just gone for a swim. And yet he didn’t falter.

He only decided to play the failure when he felt his skin beginning to blister. Explaining why it had healed would have taken too much effort, so he dropped to one knee instead and ended the whole thing.

The shock and blunt trauma exams were as expected. Arcs of lightning fell from the top of the ceiling chambers and delivered a series of shocks to the cadets.

Solomon’s markers were around average on that exam. In his defense, he’d never been electrocuted before. He had no defense to it.

It took five shocks before he was on the ground twitching.

The blunt force exams were as barbaric as they sounded.

One of the proctors stepped inside a chamber with an examinee and tied their hands behind their back. Afterwards, they were subjected to a barrage of strikes in their stomach. They were given a choice to continue after every strike.

After ten strikes, if the examinee had not conceded, force was again multiplied.

Solomon was struck fifty times. He only stopped the exam when his rib threatened to crack.

Ordinarily, that wouldn’t have been much of a concern, but the man punching him had fists the size of boulders. He worried about the possibility of his bone piercing through his skin, then healing on its own.

A test of reflexes came next. The cadets were at least allowed to put on their undergarments for that portion.

Dull, wooden daggers were hurled at the recruits by one of the proctors. They flew through the air with the speed of an arrow and left nasty welts on the skin if they were not caught.

The number that cadets who were able to catch them, as well as how long it took them to grab the projectile from the air were both recorded.

Solomon caught every one.

Tests of speed, agility, and strength came next. These were in the form of the standard timed sprint, a long and vertical jump, and attempts to lift a series of heavy metal bars of differing weights.

Solomon had never expected to actually find the examinations fun.

He had never taken the time to study his own physique’s limitations after becoming immortal. The only thing preventing him from truly enjoying himself was knowing the massive amount of information he was sitting on.

While resting between tests, Solomon was approached by someone who would make him forget all of his concerns.

“Are you sure you aren’t using aura in these examinations?”

Solomon pulled his lips away from his canteen and looked over his shoulder.

Initially, he did not recognize the woman standing behind him with a smirk, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t stunned by her.

He remembered the sound of her playful, mocking voice and her dark crimson hair from the gorge. Unlike yesterday, her hair was now slicked back to reveal her face.

Her eyes were almond-shaped and bright golden. They stared into Solomon with an amusement and levity that matched her cheerful voice.

She had a pair of full, dark pink lips that seemed as enticing as they were dangerous.

Solomon was in awe of her. Other than the woman he met at orientation the other day, he didn’t know if he had ever seen someone quite so beautiful.

Or terrifying.

“Heat get to you or something?” Jiaoying waved her hand in front of Solomon’s face to catch his attention.

“…A bit.” Solomon lied. “These examinations are somewhat taxing.”

Jiaoying raised her brow.

“You sure were making it look easy just a moment ago.”

“Of course I did.” Solomon started to take a drink from his canteen again, but paused. “…Sorry. That sounded a lot more arrogant than I meant it to.”

Solomon was usually very arrogant. But he tried not to be that way in front of new people at least.

Jiaoying laughed thunderously as she slapped him on the back. “You’re a funny guy for a big creeper. I’ll have to keep an eye on you while I’m here.”

Solomon was surprised at just how familiar Jiaoying was behaving with him.

Nothing about her actions seemed unnatural or forced. She seemed like a very unguarded person.

It escaped his understanding how someone like that actually managed to secure such a cutthroat position as knight commander of a kingdom like Eirbane.

“So that favor you mentioned… You were doing it for the instructor?”

“Mhm. He was my teacher a few decades ago. Dunno why but he’s gotten lazier in his older years. He brought us all in so that he can take even more work off of himself.”

Solomon tilted his head. “Meaning…?”

“Think of us as advisers for your groups. Our job is basically to make sure you’re all being efficient and-”

“Wait, wait, wait..” Solomon put down his canteen. “What do you mean by groups?”

Jiaoying smiled.

“Oh… that. Well, this school isn’t just trying to raise soldiers, you know? They want commanders too.”

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