Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 507: Virtual Space [1]

Another hand went up, this time from the back. “In this virtual space… will our powers be perfectly replicated?”

The staff member’s expression sharpened slightly, and their tone shifted. “That,” they said, “is actually the main point I was meant to clarify before leading you to the exam site.”

They let the anticipation build for a heartbeat before continuing. “No—the virtual exam will not replicate your exact current strength. Instead, it will replicate your class. The assessment is designed to test how well you can utilise abilities tied to your class, not the full scope of your personal power.”

A low rumble of discontent moved through the crowd. Several Awakeners frowned outright.

After all, if it wasn’t their current strength being tested, wasn’t that… crippling?

Michael frowned as well. Up until now, he’d been calm about this stage. But hearing that detail made him uneasy. He had no doubt he was strong—but that was under the condition he was in his present state. Strip that away, and he wasn’t as certain anymore.

The staff member pressed on, unshaken by the change in mood. “This exam focuses on adaptability, skill application, and mastery of your class fundamentals. Think of it as a leveller—it places everyone on more even ground so we can see how resourceful you really are.”

The explanation did little to erase the tension in the air. If anything, the weight of the upcoming test felt heavier now.

The staff member let the last line hang in the air for a moment, then exhaled quietly.

“You’ll understand better once the exam begins. For now, please follow me.”

There was no room for debate. Regardless of whether they agreed with the format or not, the Awakeners—Michael included—rose from their seats and trailed after the uniformed guide.

They were led down a wide, sterile corridor lined with reinforced glass panels. Each step seemed to draw the tension tighter in the air until they emerged into a cavernous hall.

Michael’s first thought was that it looked like an auditorium built for a standing crowd—until his gaze swept the interior.

The open floor was gone, replaced entirely by rows upon rows of sleek capsules, each one large enough to accommodate a person lying down. Their smooth, silver surfaces gleamed faintly under the overhead lighting, and the faint hum of their internal systems filled the silence.

The sight stirred a flicker of recognition. These weren’t exactly the same as the chamber he’d used during his Rank 2 advancement, but the concept was close—both designed to isolate the mind in a virtual environment while safeguarding the real body.

The staff member gestured to the capsules.

“Choose any one you like. Once you enter, the system will handle the rest. Everything you need to know about the second round will be explained once you’re inside.”

No one moved immediately. For a few seconds, the hall was filled with the sound of quiet breathing. Then, one by one, the Awakeners began stepping forward, scattering toward capsules of their choice.

Michael lingered only a moment longer before making his way toward one near the middle row—not too close to the entrance, not too far from the central aisle.

From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the Bright Academy trio claiming capsules in a neat row, the martial disciple still wearing that proud half-smirk as if the exam’s restrictions didn’t bother him in the slightest.

Michael’s lips curled faintly—not quite a smile, not quite a frown—as he placed a hand on the capsule’s cool surface.

Time to see what kind of “leveller” this really was.

As for the two youths that approached Michael before?

Perhaps they figured allying didn’t seem like a concept in this round so they didn’t approach Michael.

Michael also didn’t mind.

His mind was preoccupied with what was going to happen next.

Michael settled into the capsule, feeling the cushioned interior adjust to the contours of his body. A soft mechanical hum rose around him as the lid slid shut, sealing him inside.

The interior lighting dimmed to near-blackness, broken only by faint, pulsing lines tracing across the capsule walls. A sterile female voice prompted him to remain still for biometric scanning.

A thin beam swept over his face, followed by a brief wave of cool air washing down his body. When it was done, a lightweight helmet descended from above, settling snugly over his head.

The moment the visor sealed, his vision bled into black.

Then, abruptly—

Michael opened his “eyes” to find himself standing in a lightless expanse. The sensation was weightless, as though the ground itself didn’t exist. His hands and feet were bare, but he was dressed in a loose, plain set of white clothes.

Before he could orient himself, the darkness peeled away, shifting into the clean lines of a white, windowless room.

A glowing panel shimmered into existence before him. It was identical to the one he’d seen when logging in for the college exams earlier.

Without hesitation, Michael completed the login sequence.

The moment his credentials registered, a calm, androgynous AI voice resonated in the space around him.

“Welcome, participant. This round will function under special parameters.”

The voice carried no inflection, but each word was crisp and absolute.

“A random challenge will be generated. You will be competing directly against other participants. For the duration of this round, your level will be set to half of your registered level. All base stats—Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Intelligence—will begin at one hundred. For each leve from your given levell, all base stats will increase by ten, and you will receive ten attribute points to assign as you choose.”

Michael’s brows rose slightly.

“A selection of skills related to your class will be randomly generated. Based on your adjusted level, you will receive points equal to your level multiplied by one hundred. These points can be used to acquire additional stats, skills, or items before entering the challenge space.”

“You have ten minutes to make your selections. If you do not finalise your choices within the allotted time, the system will assign them for you at random.”

As the words faded, a glowing countdown appeared in the air before him.

[Time Remaining: 10:00].