After five minutes of waiting in front of the temple.
Shinu and the rest of the Grandmasters appeared.
The Chosen Ones straightened their backs and raised their chins.
Shinu nodded and opened his mouth, ''Many of you might know, that the real reason for the test was to help the younger generation build connections, but in the end, it always became a competition to decide the greatest genius and the leader of the younger generation.''
The Chosen Ones had sparkling eyes as most of them fantasized about being the leading figure.
Other Geniuses would have no other choice than kneel before the greatest genius.
Most of them had almost looks of obsession.
Since they were born, they have been training for this moment!
In the next week or so, everything will be decided!
Are they destined to be stepped on, or will they be the ones who are doing the stepping?
''Competition isn't always a bad thing.'' Shinu raised his head and saw the glorious moon in the distance, ''Competition can push you past your limits, and this is exactly what is important now…''
The Chosen ones stayed quiet and listened closely.
''Most of you must have heard it by now.'' Shinu walked down the stairs and, with a serious look said, ''Humanity's Hope had died…''
The Chosen Ones grimaced. Most of them watched Abyss matches when they were young and wanted to be like him.
He was thought to be an immortal god, but that belief crumbled apart after news of Abyss's death surfaced.
''Future lies on the shoulders of your chosen ones… The future might not be smooth sailing, but I have faith in you all.'' Shinu's gentle face became severe, ''That's why this Test will be very important, and the difficulty will be increased by a few levels.''
The Chosen ones gulped but felt excited nonetheless.
''Now… First Test shall begin!'' Shinu's words surprised many.
Even spectators didn't expect the test to start so suddenly.
''The first test is to find a duo! Join hands with your fellow Chosen One, and that person will be your partner till the end.''
The Chosen Ones looked startled until they became anxious, and most of them started asking from the person next to them.
Lord turned his head and asked, ''Ichiro, wanna be my duo?''
''Sure,'' Ichiro replied and turned his head towards Lone and Ares, who were a duo as well.
The yard was filled with screams and shouts, but a minute later, everyone had their own duo, except one…
A blond-haired youth with an arrogant look snorted and stood still from the beginning; he didn't even go look for the duo because he thought he could do better alone.
''Oh?'' Shinu put his hands behind his back and looked at the youth, ''The first test is over— the ones who didn't find duos are disqualified.''
The youth looked shocked and soon heard the sound of snickering.
He glared at the people who laughed at him, but they didn't stop laughing and looked mockingly at him.
''Give your ring.'' Shinu stretched his hand forwards.
''This is stupid— why should I get disqualified because I didn't want some useless garbage as my duo?!'' The young man screamed.
''Hmm…'' Shinu snaps his fingers, and the silver ring disappeared from the young man's finger and appeared on top of Shinu's palm.
''Go back to the village, you may enter the different event, where the remaining younger generation members are competing.'' He said and stuffed the ring inside his pocket.
''This is stupid!'' The young man screamed and pointed at the people around him, ''I am ranked 7th in Global Ranked List!''
''Sigh…'' Shinu shook his head and waved his hand.
The young man's body became transparent, and soon he disappeared.
The spectators looked surprised that already one of the Chosen ones was disqualified.
Family members of the disqualified youth looked enraged because of the stupidity of their greatest genius.
Shinu looked at the remaining Chosen Ones and smiled, ''The first test is over.''
Everyone sighed in relief and thought they could leave now and rest, but they were once again stunned after hearing Shinu's following words.
''The second test begins.'' Shinu smiled and sat down on the chair, where tea was already waiting for him.
The Chosen Ones looked shocked that it wasn't still over, but soon serious looks were painted on everyone's faces.
''Everyone, go to horse stance.'' Shinu took a sip of the tea and said.
Everyone in the yard went into horse stance.
Shinu looked at everyone's stance and kept sipping his tea, but soon a surprised look appeared on his face.
He was looking at how good everyone's stance was and wasn't very impressed, but seeing four young men in the back, he was genuinely shocked.
Ares' stance was powerful and focused on strength.
Lone's stance was calm, focused on agility.
Lord's stance was beautiful, without any weak points.
Ichiro's stance was… Unique.
His balance was perfect, and while other young men had slight difficulties not moving, he didn't have that problem.
He was like a mountain, an unmovable object.
Shinu smiled and kept sipping the tea.
An hour later.
Some of the Chosen ones had sweat dripping down from their faces.
Two hours later.
One of the Chosen One's legs was trembling, and their posture worsened with each passing second, but he only gritted his teeth and continued.
Three hours later.
Most of the Chosen Ones were drenched in sweat.
Meanwhile, Ichiro looked relatively calm.
Even Lord was sweating but managed to keep his posture.
Same with Lone and Ares.
''What are you made of?'' Lord asked from Ichiro, who looked like he could keep going forever.
''It has been only three hours. I once had to do this twenty hours because of punishment.'' Ichiro remembered the times when he was quite a rascal and was punished.
At first, he had to stay only for an hour, but it was increased to two hours since he didn't show any sign of pain.
After that he didn't show any pain, and it was increased to three hours.
Ichiro could have acted like he was in pain, but his pride didn't allow it.
In the end, his punishment lasted for 20 hours, and he didn't show even a sign of pain, but he fell unconscious, and the punishment came to end.
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