The test continued with a noticeable change in the candidates movement. What was once a sprint had turned into a walk, as the candidates neared the 50% mark of the river and the first checkpoint. At this point more than half the candidates had been eliminated and just the elites and high leveled remained.
Izana jogged without even breaking a sweat, his movement swift but not too much to stand out from the crowd. Izana was already use to high intensity mana tests done by his grandpa, coupled with his high mana reserves and sage efficiently guiding the flow of his mana, this was like a walk in the park for him.
"To not draw much attention I'll stop at maybe the second checkpoint. " Izana muttered to himself as he continued jogging. While going over his plan and making sure there was no room for error, he heard a familiar ding in his mind.
Reach the final checkpoint of the test first.
Reward: A Special Skill
>
'Shit, A Special Skill as a reward for reaching the wall. Forget hiding I have to Reach the wall first. ' After regaining himself, Izana didn't waste time and increased his speed. This action shocked the people around him but they felt he was doing a last gasp sprint and won't make it, but to the amazement of everyone, Izana reached the first checkpoint and continued forward.
'Damn the force increased but it's still easy for me to handle. ' Izana thought as he continued moving.
Fueled by his power boost other candidates increased speed and kept moving. Some reached the first checkpoint successfully while others didn't.
"Only 1100 candidates made it to the first checkpoint. I wonder whether those that are moving past the checkpoint are confident in their mana or are just greedy. " The veiled lady said as she took a sip from her tea.
And just as she said, many were rushing past the first checkpoint. To them if he can do it so can we. That mentality was the downfall of many of them.
Izana reached the second checkpoint and turned back to look at the crowd. To his surprise, fifty people were about to reach the second checkpoint and a few of them didn't look to be that drained of mana.
"It seems there are some promising people among this set. " Izana muttered as he refocused on the wall. "I will not let you all pass me. I will reach the wall first. " A fire was lit in Izana's heart as he got into a running position, took a deep breath his mana flared up as he moved quickly.
The pressure was two times the pressure of passing the first checkpoint. His mana flared up again and he could bare it again. For the first time since the start of this test, Izana felt a drop of sweat roll down his cheek.
"That kid is about to reach the wall. It seems you called it lady L. " Garam spoke in his usual tone with a hint of excitement as he looked at the veiled lady.
"Those six candidates behind him are going to make it. It seems we are in for an interesting year. Hehe " Lady L giggled as she looked at them with interest.
***
'Shit. This pressure is strong. I can feel a little strain. ' Izana thought as he walked on the lake. 'I can make it. The distance is little now. '
Izana was at the final 10% of the lake. At this point the pressure increasing with each step he took. He turned back and saw six people behind him. The distance between him and them wasn't much just a few meters. Six monsters that could keep up with him a monster in his own right.
"At this rate I'll finish the quest but I can't be complacent. I must be first. " Izana continued walking.
At the 98% Mark, the pressure was intense even for Izana. Each step took a toll on his body but he pushed forward.
To the utter shock of the crowd and the expectations of the examiners, Izana reached the wall and placed a hand on it. Instantly, the pressure on him vanished. He stood tall like a beacon of hope shining in the dark stormy seas. The six special candidates seeing him reach the wall pushed passed their limits and reached the wall placing themselves as the seven pillars of the new set.
Izana looked to his left and right and wondered whether it was a coincidence that he was in the middle of the group.
"This set is filled with promising youths. " Forceus whom have been silent since the test begin finally spoke. He directed his gaze to the seven candidates by the wall. "Give them 2 hours of rest then we move to the final test. " He finally said before burying himself in his thoughts.
"The Seven Pillars huh. " Lady L muttered while looking at them.