The Rise of the Black Plain

It was still early in the Dry City when one of the gates of the headquarters of the local army was already full of people waiting outside that place.

The results of the background investigations had come out yesterday. So, today, those able to continue in the selection would take the first day of examination!

More than 7,000 people would start competing today for 2,400 jobs in the army, which would be subdivided into 50 spots for cultivators in the 5th stage of cultivation, 400 for the 4th, 800 for the 3rd, 800 for the 2nd, and 350 for those in the 1st stage of cultivation.

Although Minos wanted to hire as many early-stage cultivators as possible, there weren't enough young people in the Dry City for him to pursue such a goal. For this reason, the number of vacancies for new soldiers did not continue to grow as the stages of cultivation diminished.

But that was just expected. The current population of his city was still tiny, and many children were already either in the army or in the local academy. So, for now, he couldn't fully pursue his goals.

Anyway, for the young people in the 1st stage of cultivation, there would not be a later stage of the exam, as it would make no sense for such a thing to happen... After all, these young people did not have combat techniques, so they could not demonstrate their prowess.

Thus, this group would have to compete only based on their natural abilities, considering talent, Physique, and skill type. Obviously, those closer to level 10 could have some competitive advantage, but that would be secondary.

In the 1st stage of cultivation, even ordinary people can level up every few days, so the level alone would be used as a tiebreaker.

Then, even if people in the 2nd stage already had at least one battle technique, they would receive the same benefit as those in the 1st stage.

The fighting abilities of these young people were meager. Most likely, the fights would not be able to determine the most talented ones.

And even if these 2nd stage individuals already possessed a battle technique, they wouldn't be able to fight the soldiers of the local army. After all, the last selection took place just over six months ago, and those 1st stage kids were all in the 3rd phase now!

Because of all this, it would not make sense to demand these young people fight.

Finally, competitors in the last three groups would not have any of these previous advantages. They would have to pass all the tests, and only those who proved themselves the most adept could succeed.

...

While the beautiful blue sky, without clouds in the sky, lit up that part of the headquarters, where the selection was made, Alina had already arrived in the middle of that crowd.

Alina had gone through the army's information check and saw her name on the published list in the neighborhood where she and her family lived. However, she hadn't been surprised.

As someone born and raised in this place, Alina valued the opportunities given by Minos very highly, never having committed any infractions.

However, even if she was someone complicated, maybe she still hadn't made a fuss. After all, since Minos' arrival in the Dry City, this young woman had wanted to join the local ruler's army.

And for someone with an average talent like hers, Alina had to work hard and constantly train to improve herself!

With that, this young woman would not have time to get into trouble or cause any misunderstanding. All she had at the moment was an overwhelming desire to win and fulfill her dream.

Therefore, her determination was not small!

Anyway, the lines outside that large area in the middle of the city were already starting to form, with several soldiers already giving their directions.

Just as it had happened, these soldiers were handing out passwords to the people already in line while giving entrance to those already numbered people.

The number of competitors was not small, and because of that, it wasn't leaving these people in lines, which could disrupt the movement in the streets.

And in the arena at the back of the headquarters, there was room for most of these people to sit while they wait for their calls. Unlike the previous test, where competitors only gave their identification, in this new part of the selection, they would have their physical characteristics analyzed, along with the resolution of an oral test.

Because of this, the time each competitor would take in this test would be longer than in the previous one.

Anyway, after some time, Alina finally got the number 322 when she entered that arena at the headquarters.

In that place, things were very similar to how they had happened before. There was a set of tents in the middle of the stage at that place, numbered from 1 to 50.

Other than that, the only difference was that there were chairs for the competitors, on the side of each of these tents.

And after walking a few meters, Alina finally took a seat in an empty spot in the stands, not far from the stage.

Given the number she had taken upon entering this place, this young woman had in mind that it would not be long before she was called. At the latest, she would probably have to wait half an hour before her turn.

Anyway, as she rested and waited for her turn, Alina could see that the first competitors were already being called.

"Numbers 1 to 50, come to any of these stalls." An examiner said out loud.

Finally, the first of the long list of competitors began arriving on that stage, eager to start this event.

...

"Young man, you can sit down and pass on your ID." An examiner said as he looked at the young man who didn't even look 15.

Hearing this, the young man immediately handed over his ID and sat down in the chair there while crossing his arms.

Today, three people were in that tent, one behind an array displaying the ID information, another with the physical test array, and an elderly gentleman holding a clipboard.

And after a few seconds, finally, the woman checking the young man's information said in a low voice. "John, 14-years-old, a citizen of the Yellow City, he can continue in this selection."

She, of course, was confirming that this competitor had indeed passed the background check. After all, it wouldn't be so strange if some smart-ass tried to continue in the exam, even without being called up...

And after having his participation confirmed, John finally heard the explanation of the old man who held the clipboard about how the exam would be. "Well, for starters, we'll do a little physical test, which will inform us of your characteristics. But it's no big deal. It's just something like what you did before leaving the spiritual academy. Do you remember?"

"Yea." The young man responded reflexively.

"Good, you should know that this test takes a few minutes to complete, given the low rating of the arrays used in these tests."

And upon hearing that, John nodded his head, indicating that he understood this while paying attention to the man who was still talking.

"OK, since you understand the procedure, we'll start by doing your physical test, and then, while we wait for your result, I'll ask you some questions."

"This... This isn't about technical knowledge, is it?" He asked a little anxiously, afraid of that person's answer.

This young man had not studied at all, as this had not happened in previous selections. So, he was now very anxious to know that he had to answer questions.

Hearing John's unsure tone, the three people standing there laughed for a moment when the woman from before said. "Don't worry, John, this has nothing to do with technical knowledge. These are just questions to determine what you would do in certain situations..."

And hearing that, John immediately let out a long sigh of relief. 'Good thing!' He cheered internally.

After that, his physical test quickly began. Then, the array started to analyze his characteristics, and the young man began to answer the old man's questions.