"You're lucky this time, at least I still can't trust my cousin, Aaman," Barsha said, lowering her hands again. Barsha turned her gaze forward, where the grand stage for the Heavenly Troops exam was about to begin.

Aji simply smiled and didn't respond. He had met many people over the years, and there were already too many who only boasted at the beginning. Back then, he was a legend; even the mere mention of the name "Pekul Lightning" would make many tremble. It was good to be in a young body like this, Aji felt.

Perhaps not knowing him was one of his strengths now. Back then, he was always proud of his name, but now he seemed like an ordinary person. And that was quite pleasant.

Aji looked at Barsha from behind. Aji smiled slightly. The granddaughter of his best friend was indeed not much different from his old friend, Ganada. Her temperament was always fierce, but they would become good friends if they could match each other in battle.

The woman's body was perfect, certainly capable of seducing many normal men. However, Aji felt normal; he had grown old with age. In fact, he was the only one who had never had a wife in his life. Compared to Yonan and Ganada, both of whom already had grandchildren.

Several people on stage lifted what appeared to be a fairly large steel box. Four people lifted it and entered the stage, where the steel box was lowered into the center of the stage.

The steel box was approximately 2 square meters in size and cube-shaped.

Yarko walked over to the silver steel box. Its 2 square meters were clearly visible to everyone. Yarko stood in the front corner of the box.

"Your first test isn't difficult. Simply scratch this box with all your strength. Use any weapon you have, and if you leave a mark on the box, you've passed the first test."

Everyone listened to Yarko's stern words. Some participants felt this was easy, while others believed it was a trap.

All participants had been marked with numbers on their shirts. Some boasted that they were from the Sword Clan of the Emerald Continent. He climbed the stairs to the stage, carrying a large sword.

His name was Ando, ​​and he asked Yarko for permission to try. Yarko welcomed him, even with an artifact sword. All weapons were permitted in this first test.

Ando took his stance and prepared himself, holding his sword with both hands. He swung it back with full force. A gust of wind collided with the energy surging from Ando's sword. Everyone was stunned to see Ando's powerful attack aimed at the steel box.

Bang!

The energy exploded like a mist. Everyone thought the powerful Ando would definitely pass. How could he not? The power of his attack was so powerful.

The mist began to thin. Ando was still holding his sword, and it didn't even scratch the steel box. In fact, it was blocked by a very thin layer of armor that covered the steel box.

This! This is...

Everyone now understood that, besides the steel being strong, there was a magical barrier protecting the box. In the world of magicians, this is called an array. An array is a power to protect something from attack.

The array was installed on the steel box. The lowest level a mage can create is a level 3 array, the lowest. Some places or cities even have level 5 and 6 arrays installed. Very few mages can install level 7 or higher arrays.

As for the steel box in the first Sky Troop test, it seemed to be a level 7 or higher array. Ando's sword's power was blocked by the array.

"Mr. Yarko, I apologize." Ando withdrew his sword. He looked exhausted, sweating profusely. His energy seemed unable to penetrate the box's shield at all.

"I didn't know the box was covered with an Array shield, and the Array itself is very powerful. If I may, I'd like to try again," was Ando's request. He wanted to unleash his full power.

Yarko smiled at Ando, ​​"Okay, you can try again."

Yarko opened his right hand, inviting Ando to try again. Ando nodded and thanked him.

Ando immediately took a stance. He focused all his energy on his sword, his hands blazing and enveloped in dense energy. Energy swirled around his hands and sword. Like a whirlwind of light energy, Ando drew his greatsword back, preparing to unleash all his energy.

Yarko stepped back slightly, allowing Ando to concentrate. This exam, of course, must produce those who are truly talented to maintain world peace.

Not only strong, but also possessing the insight to anticipate every situation they face. Yarko was confident that the trials planned for the selection of members of the Celestial Legion would reveal individuals ready to bring peace to the world in the future.

This first trial was aided by one of the greatest pillars of the Orpris continent. He was Gonan, a level 8 mage, and he had set up the most advanced level 8 array anyone had ever encountered.

A level 8 array was difficult to penetrate with any force, unless the person possessed powerful internal strength or had a way to break it.

In this world, Yarko thought of his good friend, Gonan. He was a master of magic and one of the most powerful individuals on the Orpris Continent. Gonan set up the array to truly select the right individuals to become members of the Celestial Legion. Gonan contributed to the search for members of the Celestial Legion and served as the main examiner in the first trial.

This time, Yarko wanted to see who would pass this trial. He was truly curious.

An explosion occurred.

Boom!

Everyone was affected by Ando's energy blast, which sent his sword flying with full force. The sword seemed to ignite before it struck the steel box.

That's when a massive explosion occurred, the blast of energy creating a powerful gust of wind that could even knock anyone around. The contestants even felt as if their faces were being hit by the energy sparks from the blast.

Would Ando pass this first test?

Clang!

All eyes were fixed on a large, gleaming object above them. The sunlight reflected off the floating object, dazzling it. The object fell, and the surrounding warriors jumped back to avoid it.

The contestants were shocked. Was that a fragment of Ando's greatsword? Ando's sword broke, and the fragments flew and landed on the Heavenly Force test participants.

What does that mean?

Ando failed. Even Ando's sword, wielding its full power, couldn't touch the steel box, and it broke in two. The contestants then realized how difficult this simple test had become.