Seeing me finish the cup of wine, Ao Tuo's eyes revealed a trace of admiration, but the words that came out of his mouth were still unpleasant to hear.
"Of course you dog-headed people want to protect the village, but with just the two of you, one in the early stage of the Demon Spirit Realm and the other in the middle stage … Your bloodline isn't good enough, so I'm afraid it's impossible for you to enter Saad Academy."
His words were cruel, but they were the truth.
The Demon Spirit Realm was only the starting point for applying to Saad Academy. Only by crossing this line would one have the qualifications to participate.
Currently, Dunham only had this qualification, but there was an even more difficult entrance exam waiting for him.
With the dog-headed people's talent, it was almost impossible.
But what Ao Tuo didn't know was that I wasn't a dog-headed person, and Dunham's talent, with my help during this period of time, wasn't something that a normal dog-headed person could compare to.
Of course, I wouldn't say this out loud. As for Dunham, this guy had already made getting into Saad Academy his life goal. With a firm belief, he wasn't lacking in confidence at all.
After hearing Ao Tuo's words, he muttered in a low voice, "I will definitely pass the selection."
Ao Tuo obviously heard what he said. He took another sip and squinted his eyes, "You little guy, why are you mumbling like a mosquito? Speak louder."
After being yelled at by Ao Tuo, Dunham's body trembled and he said loudly, "I said, I will definitely pass the selection."
Hearing Dunham's yell, even with the ferocious Ao Tuo around, the surrounding diners all sneered at the same time. It was obvious that they weren't optimistic about Dunham's future.
Bearman Ao Tuo didn't care. After hearing Dunham's bold words, he clapped his bear paws and shouted, "Good, it's rare for a dog-headed person like you to have such ambition."
The stone table in front of him already had a few cracks on it, so with the force, it instantly collapsed. The food and wine on the table spilled all over the floor.
Hearing the noise, Boss Kyle hastily walked out from the backyard. Seeing that the stone table was broken, his eyes instantly widened and he grabbed Ao Tuo's ear and scolded, "You stinking brat, did you drink too much again?
Hurry up and sober up, or else don't ever think of drinking here again. "
Looking at the broken stones on the floor, Ao Tuo had an awkward expression and could only let Uncle Kyle scold him.
After Kyle calmed down, he picked up the helmet on the ground and prepared to leave.
However, after a few steps, he turned around and said to us, "Kids, are you interested in seeing the world with me?"
See the world?
I didn't know what Otto meant, but judging from his expression, it couldn't be anything bad. It was highly likely that it had something to do with the "preparation for the election" that he just mentioned.
Dunham and I didn't know much about Thadd Academy's examination, so it was good to get some information in advance.
So I made up my mind, called Nam, and followed Otto out of the inn.
After we got out of the door, Ao Tuo asked us lazily while fiddling with the giant axe in his hand. "Brat, do you know where I'm taking you?"
I had already guessed it, so I casually said it out loud.
Hearing this, Ao Tuo's expression was somewhat startled. "Everyone says that you Kobolds are stupid and cowardly, but you're actually quite quick-witted."
He then waved his hand and continued, "You dog-headed people have it tough. Let me briefly explain the situation of Thaad Academy to you."
As we walked, he began to explain the situation of Thaad Academy to us.
According to him, Thaad Academy's annual examination was the most important event in Rock City.
In order to expand its influence and encourage the younger generation to cultivate, the examination would be held in different places in the city every year. The final list of candidates would also be announced for three days.
Since there would be more candidates this year, the mayor decided to set up the venue in the Purple Bamboo Forest in the south of the city. He even built a place for the candidates to rest in. After the examination, all the candidates would move in.
Thaad Academy was divided into five academies: the Medicine Research Institute, the Martial Research Institute, the Cultivation Research Institute, the Research Court, and the Classics Research Institute.
Among the five academies, the Classics Research Institute was the weakest.
Originally, the Classics Research Institute was in charge of punishing students who violated the rules. This year, it had been upgraded to an independent academy.
Although the Classics Research Institute wasn't as attractive as the other academies, it had a large number of ancient books of the Monster race. It was said that the students who studied in the Classics Research Institute would stay in Thaad Academy to teach the other students.
In Thaad Academy, students who were injured would be sent to the Medicine Research Institute for treatment.
Apart from treating injuries, the Medicine Research Institute was also responsible for developing elixirs. Not only would the elixirs be provided to the academy's staff, but they would also be sold in the market.
This was a rule set by the mayor to increase Thaad Academy's reputation.
Once someone in the Medicine Research Institute developed a new medicine, the mayor would reward them.
Compared to the Medicine Research Institute, the Martial Research Institute had a much more arduous daily task. Not only did they have to create sharp and practical weapons for the market and the Rock City Defense Army, but they also had to train their bodies continuously.
Usually, after graduating from the Martial Research Institute, most people would serve in the city defense army.
Otto patted his chest and said proudly, "Back then, I was recognized by the castellan when I was studying in Thadd Academy. After graduation, I joined the castellan's guards and became a commander step by step."
Hearing his words, Nam's eyes were filled with envy. A few days ago in Green Water Village, Nam had heard him mention his ambition. He wanted to enter the Demon Emperor's Guard, which was similar to Otto's identity.
Otto continued to explain the situation of Thaad Academy's branch after that.
The Research Institute was the place to compile laws. The students had to study a lot to perfect the laws of Rock City. After graduation, most of them would become the law enforcers of Rock City or the surrounding towns. They were also officials.
To some commoners, they didn't have high racial talents, so they would stagnate after cultivating to a certain level. At that time, the Research Institute was the best place to go.
Thus, Ao Tuo had purposely explained in detail about the academy. From his point of view, the Research Institute was the most suitable place for Dunham and me.
Lastly, the Research Institute had the highest status and the largest number of students in Thaad Academy. At the same time, it was also the hardest to get into the Academy of Sciences.
The students there didn't pay attention to anything else as they only focused on cultivating.
Most of the academy's resources were invested in the Academy of Sciences.
If the students of the Research Institute could reach a certain level before graduation, the city lord of Rock City would send them to Rapids City to continue their studies. They might even have the opportunity to worship the Monster Emperor.
After listening to Otto's introduction, Nam and I had a clearer understanding of Thaad Academy.
Otto continued to introduce the specific stages of the academy.
The five Academies of Thaad Academy were separated into low, intermediate, and high levels. The new students would stay in the low level to study. After a year, those who passed the assessment would be able to advance to the intermediate level. Otherwise, they would have to stay in the low level to cultivate until they passed the assessment.
As for the high level assessment, it would only be held once every three years.
After advancing to the high level for three years, there would be a graduation assessment. Only those who passed the assessment would be allowed to graduate. Otherwise, they would be thrown into the Mist Forest for three months as punishment.
Among the five academies, the Research Institute's assessment was the strictest. In order to graduate, one had to reach the Monster King's realm.
As for the other academies, they didn't look at one's cultivation. They only looked at the assessment of specific subjects.
After the brief introduction, Otto casually asked, "You two dog-headed brats, which academy do you want to enter?"
Nam wasn't afraid of him anymore. Hearing the question, he replied loudly without thinking, "Of course it's the Research Institute!"
Otto smiled and didn't say anything to discourage him. Instead, he smiled and said, "This isn't a place that you can enter just because you want to. You have to look at the aptitude assessment at the end … This assessment is a secret in Thaad Academy's recruitment. I can't tell you for now.
If you two brats are lucky enough to make it to the end, then you will know. "