The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 211. The Entrance Trials Begin

Chapter 211: 211. The Entrance Trials Begin

Chapter Title: The Entrance Trials Begin

"Alright, all the best," GG said with a reassuring smile as she watched Tyler step into the registration booth.

The door slid shut, and in an instant, his surroundings shifted. Tyler found himself in an empty, sterile white room. A screen blinked to life before him, and a simple prompt appeared:

> [Enter your name]

He typed, "Tyler White," using the virtual keyboard that had appeared below the prompt. As soon as he entered his name, a soft white light swept over him, scanning his form.

> Age: 12.

Tyler’s mouth twitched in mild irritation. He had nearly forgotten that his Life Orb — an invaluable treasure that allowed him to regenerate and appear years younger — made everyone and everything believe he was still just twelve years old. Even his bone age was aligned to this illusion. It was a powerful asset, though one he preferred to keep under wraps.

The screen flickered again, bringing up a new prompt:

> [Select the category you are good with]

A variety of bubbles floated before him, each labeled with a skill: Arrays, Alchemy, Technology, Charms, Blacksmithing, Cooking, and more. Tyler’s gaze lingered over the options before he chose Arrays.

In the blink of an eye, the sterile room around him transformed. Tyler was now standing in a dimly lit cave, its walls lined with intricate array symbols pulsing with faint magical energy. The exit was blocked by a complex formation of interwoven glyphs and barriers.

"Is the test started?" Tyler asked aloud, glancing around for instructions. But no answer came.

In the corner of the cave, he spotted a small, floating cube labeled, "Request any Materials."

"Huh, interesting," he muttered, recognizing the test as a practical array-breaking challenge. The cave was sealed with an elite-level array, which would be a tough obstacle for most, but to Tyler, it was merely a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Picking up the cube, Tyler began requesting materials, his mind already calculating the fastest way to dismantle the array. "Give me Phoenix copper, threads of Silk Spider, dragonflame powder..." he listed, selecting rare ingredients he knew would aid in breaking down the magical defenses before him.

With each material appearing in his hands, he worked swiftly, laying out Phoenix copper filaments in precise geometric shapes, binding them with Silk Spider threads, and sprinkling just enough cave lizardflame powder to weaken the array’s outer layers. With a few more expert moves, he pressed his palm against the cave wall and watched as the symbols faded away, the barrier collapsing in response to his crafted counter-array.

---

Meanwhile, in another part of the booth,

Lily side

Lily frowned as she reviewed the list of categories in her registration booth. "I’m good at investigation... but there’s no option for that," she muttered, eyes darting over the choices. Finally, her gaze landed on Combat. With a shrug, she tapped it.

In an instant, her surroundings shifted to a dark, stone dungeon. The air smelled of damp earth and decay, and a small, floating cube appeared before her, displaying a variety of weapons.

"hmm?" she murmured, scrolling through the choices. Her finger hovered over the whip icon before she selected it. The weapon materialized in her hand, its weight familiar and comforting. As the cube disappeared, skeletal figures began emerging from the shadows, their hollow eyes fixed on her.

Lily smirked. "Weak," she muttered, unfurling the whip with a quick snap of her wrist. With practiced ease, she struck at the oncoming wave of skeletons, the whip crackling with energy as it cut through her opponents. Bones shattered and scattered, and she barely broke a sweat as she cleared the dungeon room.

---

On another place

Silvia side

Silvia smiled as she held her hand over a pool of water, her fingers guiding a small school of fish as they darted back and forth in mesmerizing patterns. She had chosen Tamer, and her test environment placed her by a lake where she was tasked with controlling the water creatures.

With every wave of her hand, Silvia manipulated the fish to dance in perfect synchronization. She could feel her bond with the creatures growing as she guided them into complex shapes and loops, her quiet laughter echoing across the still waters.

---

In the Alchemy department...

Mathilda side

Mathilda stood before a withered plant, her hands deftly mixing ingredients to create a vibrant green potion. She had chosen Alchemy, and her task involved restoring the plant to life.

"Let’s see... a pinch of nectar, crushed rose petals, and..." she murmured, pouring the potion carefully onto the roots of the plant. In moments, the withered leaves unfurled, and the plant sprang back to life, sprouting fresh blossoms. Mathilda grinned in satisfaction as a cascade of colorful petals bloomed before her.

---

Over in Cooking...

Darla side

Darla found herself standing in a bustling restaurant kitchen, faced with a steady stream of hungry patrons. She moved gracefully from station to station, her hands a blur as she prepared dish after dish. Guests were enjoying her cooking, their smiles of satisfaction fueling her determination.

Darla grinned, glad to put her novice-level skills to the test. Though cooking wasn’t traditionally seen as part of the Alchemy , she knew the academy valued all skills. Foods can give buffs and effects to warrior and mage.

---

Across the hall in Healing...

Astrid side

Astrid was in the midst of a battlefield, surrounded by wounded warriors. She moved from one person to the next, her hands glowing with healing light. Though the scene was chaotic, Astrid worked calmly, her skills as a healer bringing comfort and life to each fallen soldier.

With each spell she cast, she closed cuts, mended broken bones, and restored vitality to those in need. It was grueling work, but Astrid was in her element, her natural compassion guiding her hands as she moved through the makeshift infirmary.

---

Back to Tyler...

Having successfully broken through the cave’s array, Tyler found himself back in the booth. A voice sounded above him, calm and automated:

"Your specialty has been recorded. Please proceed further."

Tyler took a step forward, the doorway leading him back into the main hallway. He had deduced that he hadn’t been physically transported anywhere — instead, the entire experience had been a mental trial within a virtual space. This wasn’t a test, per se, but rather a method of recording their skills and categorizing their abilities.

All the things happened in a second in Real world.

Ahead of him, the others were also emerging from their booths, each looking slightly dazed but triumphant.

Tyler and others moved towards another area. The real entrance exam begins...