Chapter 212. Exams
Tyler emerged into a vast hall with a towering platform at its center. He scanned the surroundings, noticing that others—both children and adults—were streaming in, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension. Although the crowd was thick, Tyler couldn’t spot any of his crewmates. They must have been directed to separate testing areas.
As Tyler waited, a table materialized in front of him, topped with a small holographic projection. The figure in the image was a middle-aged man with stern features, sharp eyes, and a slightly weathered expression, giving him an air of authority and experience. The hologram straightened, and with a calm yet authoritative tone, he spoke, "Hello, students. Welcome to the entrance test. I am Khalid, a professor of Abyss Art."
The figure introduced himself succinctly, then continued, "There will be three stages in this test: the written exam, the practical exam, and the final interview. Only those who excel in the written and practical exams will advance to the final interview. Make sure to do your best."
With those words, Khalid’s image flickered and disappeared. Tyler looked down to see several sheets of paper now lying on the table, waiting for him to begin. He picked them up and glanced at the first page, which outlined the structure of the exam.
The written portion was a rigorous test designed to measure each applicant’s readiness for the academy. The multiple-choice questions spanned various subjects, from reading comprehension and logic to math and critical thinking. The purpose was clear—to assess their knowledge and problem-solving abilities and determine if they were capable of handling the academy’s demanding curriculum.
Tyler found himself smiling as he began to read. The knowledge he’d amassed from Hawk’s books would undoubtedly come in handy now. He scanned the first question:
"When did the Abyss emerge?"
The question reminded him of the long, insightful discussions he’d had with Hawk, where they had covered everything from the historical roots of the Abyss to the nature of its influence on their world. He quickly scribbled down his answer and moved on, his confidence growing with each question.
The exam continued with questions about basic materials and their properties—common ingredients that were used in charms, arrays, and a few inquiries about fundamental technology. Since Tyler had selected Arrays as his specialty in the prior aptitude test, the majority of questions focused on Array mechanics, configurations, and the underlying principles of energy transfer in technology. For someone of Tyler’s skill, the questions seemed unusually straightforward. He raised an eyebrow.