The Dawn of the New World

"Candidate, are you listening?" Mendax called out for the second time when the pale man didn't make a move.

Lady Purto harrumphed and waved her hand in annoyance, "Typical. Will it be okay to talk about the rewards later?"

"Huh? Later? Oh, of course, there is no rule against it," Mendax complied surprisingly quickly and moved on to the final step.

"By the power vested in me, I grant you access to the inner Sanctum as a hallowed-" once again he paused to look at the obelisk that shone with a dim light and this time his expression was one of confusion rather than shock.

"-'Follower' of the Nine??" he looked over at Lady Purto's avatar for verification and she indeed confirmed it.

"Yes, that is correct. My master values only hard work so no one will be given an advantage even if they have exceptional roots. Loyalty must be earned!"

Lord Aekor's tentacles squirmed uncontrollably for a very brief moment but he held back.

"Then welcome youngling, you may leave the platform now," Mendax quickly motioned for him to move out before things got out of hand.

"Now who will be next?" he looked at the remaining two, as did everyone else watching.

Once again Hao Xuan tried to step up but Max lept into the platform on all fours like a wild animal.

"Oh me me! Me next!" he said rolling over to the pool in the middle.

Mendax's eyes twitched, "Please stand up candidate!"

"Do I have to~??"

"YES!"

"Ugh, fine!"

Max begrudgingly got up allowing the tentacles to attach to his body. The avatar of Lord Cerritos simultaneously appeared in the sky above.

"Ohh, tingly. I like this!" Max squealed.

Mendax rolled his eyes before snapping his fingers to activate the platform for the third time. While the rings continued to rotate back and forth he moved closer to the merman and some of the other candidates including Hao Xuan.

"There is no need to be disheartened. The mythical ranks are extremely rare and in often cases powerful but that is not always true. As long as you continue to work hard you can catch up to any of them. Even that fool-" he said looking over at Max but when he noticed the values on the rings his mouth fell open.

"T-This cannot be true!" Mendax hollered with no small amount of disbelief.

To which Lord Cerritos emotionlessly responded, "It is. He has been chosen by my master."

"B-But HOW?!"

Mendax could not believe his eyes which only made the other attendants more anxious.

"Lord Mendax, get a hold of yourself!" Lord Aekor's thundering voice brought Mendax back to reality.

"Y-Yes, my apologies to everyone. The examination has concluded..."

With a wave of his hand the new values appeared above the platform.

Physical Strength: 520

Cultivation Level: 1190

Soul Power: 315

One of the shadow Attendants exclaimed looking at the value of the cultivation level, "Almost 1200?!"

Lord Cerritos calmly explained, "He was a gifted individual, a chosen of the Heavens before they threw him aside. That is when my master stepped in. He is most suitable for my house, as you will see."

Before people even had the time to digest everything the values changed and ranks appeared in their place.

Physique Rank: Exotic

Constitution Rank: Mythical

Soul Rank: Exotic

This time even Lord Aekor could not hide his shock, "Another mythical?!"

Lady Purto was also surprised by the sudden revelation but she remained silent.

Back on the island Mendax was ready to pull his hair out. He couldn't even look the other candidates in the eye anymore.

"L-Lets calculate the rewards!"

The obelisks came out and the runes started to light up immediately. The first obelisk lit up all the way, then the second and third. It reached almost 80% of the way up on the fourth obelisk but stopped there.

Mendax turned towards the avatar of Lord Cerritos, "Does the patron wish to offer any sacrifices?"

"No."

"NO?! V-Very well... candidate, you may make your wish."

Max pretended to think about it for a second before meeting Hao Xuan's gaze. He winked at him, "I will go after everyone else has already claimed their rewards."

"That is permitted. Now for the final step," he twisted his hands around trying to read the bright red light waves exuding from the obelisk.

"By the power vested in me, I grant you access to the inner Sanctum as a hallowed-" and when the last bit came through his jaw almost hit the floor, "-'Champion' of the Nine!?"

"A CHAMPION?!"

"How is that possible?!"

Several of the attendants jumped up from their seats including Lord Aekor. He turned towards Lord Cerritos with a puzzled expression, "Please explain yourself, Lord Cerritos. From what I know the current Champion of the 'Sect of Madness' is alive and well."

"He was," Lord Cerritos confirmed before adding, "But my master preferred the boy so he stripped the mark from his flesh."