Chapter 15

Just as Jiang Junming was lost in thought, many people began to gather around the venue to watch the Church Academy's test. A believer of the temple walked into the venue and had all the young people, including Jiang Junming, form a line and enter a temple one by one to prepare for the divine power test.

Jiang Junming stopped daydreaming and prepared to give his all for the test. As he focused, he noticed that his sensory abilities had unconsciously improved a lot. He could clearly hear the whispers of the people watching the Church Academy's test from a distance.

"What is the first test?" the onlookers whispered.

"It's an inspection, to see if there are any followers of darkness and evil. Look, Little Price and the others have already gone in."

"What are you so excited about? Little Price is a follower of the God of Justice, how could he fail the inspection? It's said that Little Price can already sense divine power. This test is just a formality for him; he will definitely be admitted to the Church Academy."

"Of course, even if Little Price couldn't sense divine power, Bishop Price of the Dawnlight Church would find a way to get him into the Church Academy."

"What are you talking about! Little Price is a genius of our Moonlight City. It's said that he felt divine power many years ago."

"Yes, he really is a genius. I think even if he goes to the Church Academy, he will stand out there."

As Jiang Junming listened to the onlookers, he watched the test seriously. The first test was called an inspection? The proud and cold young man named Little Price stood on the far left and was the first to enter the temple. Jiang Junming stood on the far right and was the last to enter.

Inside the temple, three priests faced the group of young people. Jiang Junming noticed that the emblems on the hems of their robes were different, indicating they belonged to three different churches. One had the emblem of the God of Light, a symbol of the rising sun. Although it wasn't as intricate as the sun made of various gemstones in the God of Light's holy emblem, it was still lifelike. The priest in the middle had the emblem of the God of Justice and Fairness, a balanced scale with a warhammer, set against a blue shield. The third priest had the emblem of the God of Protection, an iron glove pointing upwards with a blue eye on it. The blue eye, made of some unknown material, seemed to be looking directly at Jiang Junming.

Above the three priests' heads was the holy emblem of the God of Justice and Fairness. It was much larger than the emblems on the priests' robes, with the balanced scale of the warhammer in black, set against a blue shield, appearing solemn and dignified.

From the surrounding people's discussions, Jiang Junming knew that the three priests were Gadain of the Church of the God of Light, Mogerem of the Church of the God of Justice and Fairness, and Komand of the Church of the God of Protection.

Jiang Junming stood on the far right and saw that the priest of the Church of Justice seemed to be talking to Price. The priest of the Dawnlight Church looked kindly at Price, indicating they were familiar with him.

The bishop of the Church of the God of Light, in Moonlight City, had a status similar to that of the city lord, both of whom were figures beyond his reach. Jiang Junming felt a sense of awe as he heard the people around him discussing.

After a few words with the priest, the test began for Little Price. The holy emblem's balanced scale of the warhammer projected a white light onto Price. Jiang Junming saw the light appear and disappear without any abnormalities. This was the inspection? As long as one wasn't a follower of darkness and evil, they should pass, Jiang Junming thought, recalling the anatomy he had reviewed on his optical brain, his heart pounding.

If he failed the other tests, he could just say he couldn't sense divine power, but if he failed the inspection, would he be burned as a follower of darkness and evil? Jiang Junming shivered and mustered all his courage to prevent himself from fleeing.

The light from the holy emblem's balanced scale of the warhammer fell on each young person, appearing and disappearing without any abnormalities. Clearly, the inspection test was not difficult for these innocent young people, and none of them were followers of darkness and evil.

When the light fell on the two young men who had mocked Jiang Junming, he heard the people around him discussing. These two young men were from wealthy families in Moonlight City. The fat one's family traded in grain, and his name was Chatos. The thin one's family sold herbs, and his name was Aired. Both families had donated a lot of money to the church, which earned them the right to take the Church Academy's test.

When the light fell on the young man with a rugged face, Jiang Junming heard the people around him discussing. This young man was the son of the city guard captain, a knight by birth. He was naturally strong, and even ordinary adults were no match for him. It was said that he could also sense divine power and was aiming to become a holy warrior or a guardian knight.

As expected, one by one, the young men were illuminated by the light and passed the test. Soon, it was Jiang Junming's turn, who was standing at the end of the line.

"Where is this young man from?" someone in the crowd asked. The young men before him were either descendants of priests or children of merchants, all wealthy and well-dressed. Jiang Junming, in his worn-out, faded clothes with frayed cuffs and collars, stood out among the group, looking out of place.

"I don't know. I recognize the person who brought him here; he seems to be a believer of the Church of Compassion. His clothes are really shabby; I can't believe he came to the Church Academy's test in them."

"The Church of Compassion? The one that only operates in the West City slums? I heard their goddess's divine power is very weak."

"Weak is one thing, but often even divine magic fails. I think only someone with a mental problem would join the Church of Compassion."

"I know that boy; he's just a young apprentice at the Wild Herb Shop in the West City. Who recommended him to take the Church Academy's test? From his appearance, he must be a recommendation from the Church of Compassion."

"He probably won't even pass the inspection test."

"Really? As long as he's not a follower of darkness and evil, he should pass. But the next test, sensing divine power? If even an apprentice from the slums can sense it, everyone would be a priest."

"Exactly, let's just wait and see the show."

"..."

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