每次遇到身穿长袍的法师，我都觉得他们有着一种强大的存在感。战士的等级似乎也很高——确实是一个强大的国家。虽然我最初感到很自信，但这段时间的观察让我有些不安。

龙神帝国的武者分为十个等级，分别是见习武者、初级武者、中级武者、高级武者、剑士、大剑士、大地骑士、光骑士、剑圣、战神，从剑士开始又分为上、中、下三个等级。魔法师分为十个等级，分别是见习魔法师、初级魔法师、中级魔法师、高级魔法师、大魔法师、魔法学者、大魔法学者、魔法导师、大魔法导师、圣魔法导师，同样，从大魔法师开始也有上、中、下三个等级。我估计，以我现在的人类身体，应该相当于下级剑士，不过，以我强健的体魄和超强的防御力，说不定也能和下级大剑士相提并论。龙骑士一般都是中阶光骑士（不包含龙），堕天使一般也是下阶光骑士和中阶暗魔法学者，足以和骑乘龙的光骑士抗衡，我现在的实力，不暴走的话，大概相当于下阶大剑士，和他们还差得远，难怪要两千多名巨兽战士和三十多名堕天使，才能和一百名龙战士抗衡。

明天就要考试了，不知道自己能不能顺利考上天都学院，必须不断强化自己的实力，不然我们兽人一族恐怕就没有崛起的机会了。怀着忐忑的心情，我开始了考试前的最后一节天魔诀修炼。

What I didn’t know was that the Dragon God Empire also has its own troubles. Although Dragon Knights are powerful, they are not born with inherent strength like Behemoths. Training a Dragon Knight is extremely challenging, and the Dragon God Empire has invested countless resources and effort to maintain a count of around 100 Dragon Knights. This is also why they avoid recklessly attacking the Magic and Beast nations. If their Dragon Knights were all defeated, they would lose their advantage and would surely be overwhelmed by the Magic and Beast alliance.

I finished my training, changed into a new set of warrior clothing, had a hearty meal, and arrived at my destination—Tian Du Academy.

Upon reaching the academy's entrance, I was stunned. There were thousands of people, densely packed. I had heard that only 300 would be admitted, which meant that nearly one in ten would be selected.

Holding my admission ticket—an engraved wooden plaque with the number "1" on one side (since I registered over a month ago, of course, I was number 1) and the Tian Du Academy inscription on the other—I walked into the academy. The grounds were large enough to accommodate so many candidates with ample space. Since the exam hadn’t started yet, the candidates were scattered around, likely discussing possible exam questions.

A clear voice rang out: “Attention, all exam candidates. Please quiet down and line up according to your number, from east to west, with 50 people per row.”

I quickly looked around to find the source of the voice. It was incredibly loud—who could have such powerful skill? Later, I learned it was a magical broadcast system made from amplification magic stones, which could amplify the sound by dozens or even hundreds of times.

After searching for a while without success, I decided to line up. As number 1, I should be in the first row.

The same voice echoed again: “Attention, all exam candidates. Please quiet down and line up according to your number, from east to west, with 50 people per row.”

This announcement was repeated three times before the lines were properly formed. I counted about 60 rows, totaling over 3000 people. It really was one in ten—Tian Du Academy was incredibly renowned, and even the entrance exam was so difficult. (Almost all high-ranking generals in the Dragon God Empire graduated from one of the four major academies, with Dragon Knights being a symbol of both power and honor. In the Dragon God Empire, Dragon Knights hold significant authority, with even the lowest rank being a Viscount. The three great Marshals, being the pillars of the empire, hold the title of Duke. For a commoner to become a noble, becoming a Dragon Knight is the best option, and the four major academies are the most solid stepping stones.)

“Alright, everyone, please keep a distance of about 1.5 meters from each other.” Soon, all the candidates had lined up as instructed.

At this point, more than 20 people arrived, looking like they were the proctors. It was unclear what we would be tested on.

“From now on, all candidates must remain standing without moving until you can no longer support yourselves. The last 1000 candidates remaining will proceed to the next round.” As soon as this was announced, the entire field erupted in chatter.

“What kind of exam is this? It’s practically standing as a punishment.”

“D*mn, this is the first time I’ve heard of a standing exam.”

“What kind of ridiculous school is this? If I had known, I wouldn’t have come such a long way.”

I thought to myself that this was too easy. Standing still wasn’t a big deal. Well, I’ll just stand.

“Candidates, please be quiet. Standing is a test of both physical endurance and willpower. Regardless of whether you are learning combat skills or magic, having good physical stamina and a strong will is essential. If you are dissatisfied with the exam method, you may leave at any time.”

Impressive. As expected of a prestigious academy. I’ll stand. Despite the commotion earlier, after hearing this, no one was willing to give up, as it would be too embarrassing to quit before even showing their abilities.

At first, everyone felt relatively relaxed, even though it was summer and the mornings were cooler. However, as time passed and the sun rose higher, the temperature on the field began to soar.

Sweat flowed down my face. Although I didn’t feel too uncomfortable, the heat was quite bothersome. Thankfully, I was wearing light-colored warrior clothing today; otherwise, it would have been even worse. I glanced around at the other candidates, and their composure was quite impressive. After over two hours, not a single person had dropped out.

The proctors were divided into two groups, each monitoring for about an hour before switching shifts. At one point, a female candidate made a slight movement and was immediately spotted by a middle-aged proctor. Pointing at her, he said, “You, out.” They were strict—any movement, even a slight one, was not tolerated.

Two hours later, the temperature dropped as the sun began to set, but the lack of food and water, combined with the day’s sweat, made my stomach growl loudly. Not eating wasn’t too bad, but not drinking water all day was quite uncomfortable. By now, over 200 candidates had dropped out, which was less than one-tenth of the total. How much longer would this continue?

Time seemed to pass very slowly. Finally, evening came, with a gentle breeze bringing much relief. Practicing the Heavenly Demon Art had become a habit, so standing was no different. I glanced around; nearly all candidates had closed their eyes, battling their own bodies.

我闭上双眼，开始运转体内的暗气。天魔功第一阶段不外泄，所以不担心被人察觉。我感觉周围的暗气聚集起来，一股凉意从皮肤蔓延到血管，顺着功法规定的路径。那种感觉好舒服，仿佛一天的疲劳都消失了，对食物和水的需求也没有那么强烈了。天魔功也有这个好处。我继续引导它沿着固定的路径，逐渐集中精神，进入冥想状态。

我从冥想中醒来时，已经是早上了。除了有些饥饿和口渴，我的身体感觉很好。我环顾四周——虽然有少数人退出，但所有候选人都显得疲惫不堪，脸色苍白。我深吸一口气，再次闭上眼睛。

到了中午，天气依然很好，太阳高挂天空，但这对我们这些考生来说并不有利。

有了昨晚的经验，我赶紧催动暗气，虽然白天修炼天魔诀效果不如以前，但却有股清凉的感觉，让炎热的天气比前一天好受多了。

下午，考生开始陆续退场，许多人被抬走。太阳渐渐落山，天边的云彩沐浴在美丽的落日余晖中。

“各位考生，辛苦了。第一轮考试已经结束，请各位考生持准考证到监考老师处登记，然后返回休息。第二轮考试在两天后。”结果只剩下1000名考生。所有考生集体松了一口气，一屁股坐在地上。我当然也不例外。虽然我的体力比他们好，但两天两夜一动不动地站着，我的手脚都僵硬了。我坐在地上，轻轻地活动着麻木的身体。

“各位考生请注意，监考老师现在会逐一上来给你们登记，请大家配合。”果然，几位监考老师开始为剩下的考生登记。我第一个递上准考证，说：“我是一号。”监考老师看着我笑了笑，“你挺壮的。”我只是笑了笑，没有回应。

这时，一群穿着厨师制服的人过来了，他们端着铺着布的托盘，还有大桶、大碗和盘子。难道他们是来送饭的吗？

果然，清脆的声音响起：“学院给你们准备了粥和馒头，请大家吃完尽快回来休息。”是美食！我抓住机会，站在队伍最前面，赶紧拿了个大碗舀出一份粥，大口大口地喝了下去。真是太舒服了，我从来没有尝过这么好吃的粥。趁着大家还在聚在一起，我赶紧喝了三碗，然后又拿了一碗，里面有三个馒头放在旁边享用。

肚子饱了，体力也恢复了，想起已经两天了，还没喂黑龙，得赶紧回去，它肯定生我的气了。我回到客栈，赶紧要了饲料，就去了马厩。黑龙看见我，高兴地叫了一声，用大舌头舔着我的脸。“辛苦你了，吃吧，这是最好的饲料。”

处理完黑龙之后，我累得瘫倒在马厩的草堆上睡着了。