Chapter 179: Graduation Ceremony (3)

The layer of clouds parted way, revealing the landscape below. Jyorta exclaimed at the wonder that had been constructed in such a short time frame. The previous flat ground had been completely terraformed.

There were three distinct regions in the rectangular landscape, divided along its length. The centre region was covered by rock pillars, congregated around one another to paint the feeling of narrowness. There were some wide areas in between but they were a minority.

The region in the east was a body of water, forming a large pond. Tiny shrubs were growing on the surface of the still water, concentrated at discrete locations, numbering few but spanning large areas. The shrubs didn't seem to have any anchors, gently moving across the water surface, spurred by the winds that flowed in the region.

They bloomed with large flowers, with each spanning 20-30 centimetres in size. Since it was morning, they had just begun to bloom, unravelling the large petals, coloured between pink, lavender, and yellow.

Floating islands were spread across the water body, hovering just above the water surface, the gap between them less than 10 centimetres. They were cylindrical in shape, flat in nature, with a radius of one metre, coloured yellow. A faint fluctuation of psychic energy covered them, signifying a fusion of a Relic within its structure.

They seemed to be made from marble, Tier 5 Artifacts hence determined by their colour.

The region in the west was similarly a water body, but one that was murky. It was a swamp, possessing colours of olive green, mixed with dark brown and yellow. The water seemed heavy, lacking any visibility underneath. The surface was covered with bubbles, the ones that burst seeping a faintly pungent odour into the air.

It was apparent from the coloured gas that was released by the bursting bubbles. Also, faint mist escaped from the surface, as if it was boiling, the sounds produced audible to the students seated atop the walls.

Hovering two metres above them were floating islands, shaped like inverted cones, with the top surface being a flat circle, spanning a radius of one metre. Their pointed ends stopped 10 centimetres above the swamp.

There also existed large mounds peaking out of the swamp, their surface rugged but also inherent with a natural symmetry. These mounds were more or less the same size, with the occasional few thrice larger than the rest.

To his left, bordering the rocky region in the centre and the water region in the east was a giant beehive, spanning a height of 60 metres, spreading along the wall, occupying a width greater than 80 metres.

A species of bees flew around the beehive, with each spanning almost 15 centimetres in height. Among them, some spanned almost 30 centimetres in size, their bodies showcasing hardened exoskeleton armours.

They were quite near to Jyorta's seat, allowing him to observe them the first thing when the layer of clouds parted way.

"Spindle Bees!" Jyorta exclaimed, watching some of the Spindle Bees fly up, having noticed the seated students. When they reached the same altitude of where the layer of clouds existed before, they hit a psychic barrier, their paths impeded. After trying to press forth a couple of times, they buzzed and retreated.

Another eye-catching thing was the column of water that made a path across the rectangular ground, flowing in the air without any support, defying gravity. Swimming within them were large fish-like existences, their aerodynamically designed bodies flapping their tails around, causing the water to spill forth the column, soon attracted back after travelling for some distance.

"River Whales!" Jyorta recognised them, having gone through the documents pertaining to them in the Portal the first thing after he returned to the military academy. He researched through all the four Frenzy Beast races that threatened the safety of Marble City, exclaiming at their powers and uniqueness.

The four Frenzy Beast races bordering Marble City were different from most of the other Frenzy Beast races in the world. It was because of their unique Traits, ones that worked equivalent to Skills.

Frenzy Beasts were incapable of being imbued with the Traits manufactured in Marble City. This had been concluded after numerous trials that spanned many decades. But, that didn't mean that the Frenzy Beasts were incapable of gaining Traits.

It was only impossible for them to be imbued with the Traits manufactured artificially. But, they were capable of being born with certain Traits.

This was thanks to the ability of the Frenzy Parasite that caused mutations. After numerous generations, with every generation experiencing certain changes in their genetic material, until finally evolving into a brand new species, they would eventually be born with a Trait.

But, such a phenomenon was incredibly rare, with the number of Frenzy Beast races that managed to pull off such a feat only numbering in the single digits. But, out of them, four such races bordered Marble City.

The Floating Spiders, as their name implied were capable of floating without any aid. The ability to float was instinctual to them, capable of being executed by newborns immediately after birth, just like the ability to breathe.

Once they are imbued with the Frenzy Parasites and as their Tier increases, this Trait of them experiences improvement, almost attaining a qualitative change. Since it was their genetic advantage, they had no limits for growth, developing equally in accordance with their body's development.

The River Whales, on the other hand, were capable of subtly influencing the water around them. This allowed them to fly on land, by making a trail of water that connected with the water body they flew out from. The higher the Tier, the greater the volume of water they could wrap their bodies with, and the longer the water trail they could make.

The Spindle Bees were capable of shooting forth their stingers like bullets. At higher Tiers, they were also capable of imbuing the effects of their Skills in their stingers to produce terrifying effects. Also, once shot, a new stinger quickly grew back by consuming the required muscular energy.

Finally, the Lava Turtles possessed inherently hot bodies, existing at temperatures that other bio-organisms wouldn't be capable of surviving. This effect became pronounced at higher Tiers, becoming a weapon of its own.

The yellow face, spanning a size of 40 metres opened its mouth, "There are 12 Frenzy Beast races here in total: Floating Spider, Spindle Bee, Lava Turtle, Hunter Clam, Shoe Fish, Rigordile, Recrow, River Whale, Ring Worm, Life Leech, One-horn Rhino, and Steel Porcupine."

The yellow face dissolved into a flash of yellow light, soon turning transparent, becoming psychic energy that disappeared somewhere, unable to be sensed by the students.

"There are many troublesome Frenzy Beasts in the list." Jyorta gazed at Haesha, inquiring about her opinion on the matter.

"The Floating Spiders have the terrain advantage, surrounding the Cadets who were dropped in their centre." Haesha pointed at the location where the Cadets charged out, intending to kill the Floating Spiders that charged at them.

But, before they could make contact, the Floating Spiders retreated, using the various bizarrely shaped rock pillars to hide their trails. It was as if they wanted to avoid a direct confrontation and lure their foes into traps.

"The Floating Spiders have the terrain advantage, but the ones they should be most wary of is another species." A voice interrupted their discussion, originating from the seat behind them. Jyorta turned around, surprised at finding Hrita Bone. She had her arms crossed, leaning on the chair, her gaze one of calm.

Hrita Bone nodded once at Jyorta, her previous disdain towards him no longer present. She exhibited a demeanour of acknowledging the other party, though not completely, looking as if she still had many considerations.

Hrita Bone faced Haesha, "The terrain at the centre is filled with rocky pillars. To the east is a large water body while on the west is a swamp. This makes the Frenzy Beasts in the three regions almost unable to interact with one another for the most part. The Cadets can also make use of this point to their advantage but, there is one exception."

"The Spindle Bees," Jyorta guessed, based on the hints given out.

Hrita Bone nodded, "The Spindle Bees are capable of flight. Even though the Recrows are also capable of flight, their mode of attack relies on close-quarters combat. But, the Spindle bees can attack from long range, adding onto their advantage of flight, they will be the worst opponents one can face here."

"But, why are some of the Cadets charging towards the beehive?" Haesha pointed at a small group proceeding in the direction of the Spindle Bees, "Shouldn't they be the most knowledgeable considering they have witnessed 11 Graduation Ceremonies till now?"

"The terrain changes every time. This also varies which race can dominate the region. This time, the dominant ones are the Spindle Bees. The Cadets approaching them must have a plan of action." Hrita Bone said, squinting as she tried to sense their strength, grunting in displeasure, "They have no plan of action. Their overall strength is weak even compared to Tier 1."

"Fear and fluster?" Jyorta wondered, thinking of how he would act if he were to be placed in such a situation. After a moment of thought, he couldn't conclude. As he hadn't even fought a single battle, he couldn't determine the course of action he would be inclined to take.

'Experience matters a lot.' He nodded, listening to Hrita Bone share some of her insights. He trailed his gaze, soon spotting the figure of Rakh Veera accompanied by four other Cadets. They brazenly entered the territory of the Floating Spiders, brimming with fighting spirit.

Rakh Veera was different from the rest, his demeanour and the regal aura he exhibited placed him above everyone, painting him as the prime target for his foes. Detecting the Floating Spiders, he smiled, gripping the spear in his hands.