The Duke's Worthless Daughter Awakens an SSS+ Guide Core

The moment the massive steel gates fully opened, the three hundred applicants moved forward in an orderly line. No one spoke a single word as they crossed the threshold. Even the most arrogant nobles who had been loudly boasting moments earlier now wore solemn expressions, humbled by the shift in atmosphere.

The immense pressure radiating from the training grounds was enough to remind everyone that this was not an ordinary academy entrance examination. The sheer gravity of the environment seemed to weigh heavily on their shoulders, forcing a tense silence over the crowd.

Merianah quietly walked among the sea of candidates, her pace remaining neither hurried nor slow. She kept her gaze forward but remained acutely aware of everything shifting around her.

She observed every detail of her new surroundings. It was always best to observe first before making a single move. That golden principle had saved her life countless times during the harsh years of the apocalypse.

Rows of military personnel stood perfectly straight along the entrance corridor, silently evaluating every candidate who passed before them. Their sharp, unblinking eyes tracked the movement of the crowd with absolute discipline.

Their crisp uniforms bore the sharp crest of Nexus Military Academy. Unlike the Imperial escorts she had encountered during her journey, none of these soldiers acknowledged noble titles or wealthy lineages.

To them, social status meant absolutely nothing in this place. Everyone walking through those gates was simply another applicant to be tested.

After several minutes of continuous walking, the crowd finally arrived inside an enormous circular arena. The sheer scale of the architecture was breathtaking, dominating their vision.

The structure resembled a colossal stadium capable of easily accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. It felt like an amphitheater designed for grand spectacles rather than a standard testing facility.

Multiple holographic screens hovered high above the open field, casting a steady radiance over the dirt below. These massive displays were continuously updated, showing applicant numbers, examination schedules, and detailed arena maps.

At the center of the vast space stood hundreds of individual testing platforms. Each station was crafted from polished metal and spaced evenly apart to give the candidates room to move.

Colonel Serena Vale stepped onto the central command platform overlooking the entire arena. Her posture was commanding, drawing the immediate attention of every person in the stadium.

"The first phase will evaluate your physical foundation," she announced. Her clear, resonant voice echoed through every corner of the grand stadium, cutting through the low murmur of the crowd.

"This examination does not measure your current strength or training," she continued, her gaze sweeping over the assembled youth. "It measures your raw potential."

Upon hearing those words, several candidates visibly relaxed their tense shoulders. A collective sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the front lines of the formation.

Physical potential sounded far less terrifying than live combat against veterans or beasts. Many believed their innate talents would carry them safely through this initial round.

Serena continued speaking before anyone could grow complacent or lose their focus. Her sharp tone instantly snapped their attention back to the command platform.

"You will undergo three distinct assessments," she stated flatly. "Strength, speed, and reaction."

She raised one gloved hand toward the nearest row of metallic platforms, directing their attention to the cold machinery. The devices hummed with a quiet, dormant energy.

"Each platform contains adaptive military-grade evaluation equipment," she explained. "The machines automatically adjust their resistance and parameters according to each candidate’s unique physical condition."

"Do not attempt to manipulate the results through deception," she warned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The equipment records everything down to the microscopic level."

One applicant raised his hand nervously from the middle of the crowd. His voice trembled slightly as he broke the silence.

"Colonel, what if someone has a naturally weak constitution?" he asked, looking up at the platform.

Serena looked directly down at him, her expression unreadable. "Then the machine will evaluate how efficiently they utilize that specific body."

The young man quickly lowered his hand and stepped back into line, thoroughly cowed by her directness.

Another candidate, emboldened by the exchange, spoke up from the other side of the group. "What if someone’s Guide Core enhances their physical abilities?"

"The suppression field surrounding this arena completely neutralizes active Guide and Sentinel abilities," Serena answered without hesitation.

A faint blue barrier shimmered across the high ceiling as if responding to her words, revealing a dense grid of energy overhead. It cast a cool hue over the entire arena floor.

"For today’s examination, every candidate stands on equal ground," she concluded.

Merianah quietly looked upward at the shimmering ceiling, analyzing the energy patterns. Interesting. That explains why she hadn’t felt the golden Guide Core stirring since entering the testing grounds.

The suppression field wasn’t eliminating her internal power entirely. It was only suppressing its active influence over her muscles and senses, locking it away behind an artificial wall.

Good. I prefer relying on my own hard-earned strength anyway.

"The first one hundred applicants will report to Platforms One through One Hundred immediately," Serena commanded.

Large, glowing numbers appeared across the testing stations, illuminating the arena floor in a grid of light. Merianah glanced down toward the identification bracelet she had received upon entry to check her designation.

The digital display read Candidate No. 27. She looked up and easily located Platform Twenty-Seven a short distance away. With a calm stride, she walked toward her assigned station. As she approached the metallic disk, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"So, the rumors were actually true."

Merianah stopped in her tracks. She turned around calmly, showing no signs of surprise or annoyance at the interruption.

A tall young man wearing an expensive white uniform stood several meters away, watching her approach. His posture was dripping with a casual elegance born of wealth.

His silver-and-gold insignia identified him as a high-ranking member of a prominent noble family. The crest gleamed brightly against the fabric of his coat.

His sharp amber eyes swept over her silver hair before settling squarely on her face. He studied her features as if searching for something familiar.

"I almost didn’t recognize you," he said, taking a step closer.

His smile was polite and perfectly practiced. But his eyes weren’t friendly at all. They held a cold, mocking glint.

"They say you’ve changed quite a bit, Lady Emperion," he murmured, his voice laced with hidden venom.

Merianah searched the inherited memories floating in her mind to place his face. Recognition came almost immediately to the surface.

This was Kaelen Viremont, the eldest son of House Viremont. He was a frequent visitor to the lavish noble banquets her family used to attend.

He was also one of the many young nobles who had quietly laughed whenever Merianah became the subject of public ridicule in the past. He had never openly insulted her, preferring to watch her suffer from the sidelines.

Kaelen folded his arms across his chest, tilting his head slightly. "I never expected to see someone like you at Nexus."

Merianah’s expression remained perfectly calm, completely unaffected by his condescending tone. "Neither did I."

His smile widened slightly at her brief response, taking it as a sign of defensive caution.

"I suppose we’ll discover today whether your courage exceeds your actual ability," he sneered softly.

Without waiting for her to reply, Kaelen turned on his heel and walked toward Platform Twenty-Eight. He moved with the confidence of someone who expected to place at the top of the ranks.

Merianah watched him leave without the slightest change in her demeanor. She didn’t let his parting words affect her internal balance.

Provocation. He is testing my emotional control before the examination even begins.

A childish tactic.

The loud chime signaling the start of the first assessment echoed throughout the massive arena, cutting off all remaining conversation. The platform beneath her feet illuminated with a pale blue light, locking her into the testing zone.

A mechanical, synthetic voice spoke from the central console. "Candidate Twenty-Seven, physical evaluation commencing."