### Chapter: 260
Inside the arena’s forest.
Bianca was staring at the boy who claimed to belong to the Lacroix family.
Arashizm Lacroix.
The Lacroix family was indeed a clan specializing in hunting down World Erosionists.
The statement he made had even the usually unflappable Bianca taken aback.
“...You came to save Kraush?”
“Yeah, Kraush Balheim is in danger right now. More accurately, it’s like he walked right into danger himself.”
Bianca winced.
It was about Kraush, so she couldn’t just brush it off.
“Kraush Balheim is currently the target of the World Erosionist group, Ixion.”
And then Arashizm dropped the next bombshell.
The target of Ixion, the World Erosionist group.
Bianca had heard about the incident where Kraush was kidnapped by the World Erosionists in the Giant’s Forest through rumors.
The details were unclear, but outwardly, it seemed he got involved while trying to rescue Sigrid.
In reality, Ixion was gunning for Kraush.
They were lucky this ended without any harm.
Had things gone differently, Kraush could have lost his life.
The problem was that Bianca hadn’t heard anything about it from Kraush himself.
‘He probably didn’t want to worry me.’
Bianca knew Kraush’s personality well.
However, despite that, her lips pouted slightly.
Shouldn’t he have at least told her?
“Is the Lacroix family going to help Kraush?”
The Lacroix family was certainly a clan that exterminated everything related to World Erosionists.
So it seemed contradictory that they would say they’d save someone already entangled with World Erosionists.
“It’s more of a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
And unsurprisingly, the Lacroix family had their own agenda.
“We can help him, and he can help us too.”
A glint appeared in Bianca’s eyes.
Kraush was a target of Ixion.
The Lacroix family specializes in eradicating World Erosionists.
Naturally, their aim would be to hunt down Ixion.
What could the target, Kraush, possibly offer in terms of help?
The answer was simple.
“Are you saying you’ll use Kraush as bait?”
That was the only way he could help.
A chilling aura began to emanate from Bianca, surrounding her.
Her emotions were resonating, revealing the hostility of her familiars.
The coldness grazed Arashizm’s arm.
He looked at his freezing arm and lightly stepped down.
Schwoop!
At that moment, a blue shadow erupted from the ground, momentarily obstructing his view.
As Bianca hurriedly attempted to summon her familiar to respond,
Arashizm was already soaring into the sky on a colossal blue shadow bird.
Whoosh!
Just then, a firework shot up into the sky, marking the end of the test.
Though Bianca had many questions lingering for Arashizm,
the firework indicated the conclusion of the exam.
“I’ll talk more later.”
The boy said this, adding one last thing to Bianca.
“And it’s probably best if you don’t mention what I told you to Kraush Balheim. It might have a negative effect on him.”
By the time Bianca looked up at the sky in reaction,
the boy’s words faded away, and her vision blurred.
Moments later, when she opened her eyes, she found herself back in the examination hall.
There were several applicants around, and some had already been sent away midway.
One notable difference was the split between those with two bracelets and those without.
To the left of a central line were disqualified candidates, and to the right were those who passed.
Naturally, Bianca was on the passing side.
As Bianca glanced around, she spotted Arashizm in the distance.
He stood alone in a corner, just like when he first entered the arena.
“Disqualified applicants, please leave the arena.”
In the meantime, the disqualified participants were being guided out by the instructors.
Their faces were filled with dejection, but many seemed to have accepted their limitations.
After a certain number of disqualified participants had exited,
an assistant professor, Kairan, walked out in front of the successful candidates.
“Given the high number of injuries in this second round, the remaining tests will be postponed for four hours.”
Perhaps due to the excessively rough antics of many,
there would be a break during the exam, and applicants promptly plopped down wherever they could.
Everyone glanced sidelong at a singular figure.
The conditions for passing the fourth round were none other than sparring with an assistant professor.
Based on the damage dealt to the professor, one’s rank in the elite class would be decided.
‘I certainly want to knock them out.’
Thus, entering the elite class would undoubtedly come within reach.
“Now announcing the successful candidates from the third round.”
At that moment, the results of the third round were announced.
Kairan showcased a list of names in the sky.
Perhaps because the disqualified participants already had an idea of the outcomes,
everyone’s expression was one of resignation.
None of them were struggling to accept the results.
After the disqualified candidates left, the successful candidates remained.
They exchanged brief glances, confirming each other’s identities.
These successful candidates were essentially the cohort who would share their time at Rahern Academy together.
For that reason, they seemed eager to recognize each other.
“Congratulations to those who passed the third round.”
In front of now thinly gathered candidates,
Kairan walked by with his hands behind his back, delivering his congratulations.
Since these were individuals they would soon see again at Rahern Academy,
Kairan glanced at their faces, adding a warm smile.
“The upcoming final fourth round is, as you know, the selection process for the elite class.”
At Kairan’s words, the applicants’ expressions turned varied.
“Thus, if anyone isn’t interested in joining the elite class, there’s no need to take the fourth round.”
With that statement, Kairan raised his hand.
Leisurely, he looked around and asked,
“If anyone wishes to abstain, please raise your hand.”
The fourth round was essentially an optional trial.
If one didn’t want to participate, they could simply opt out.
But soon, Kairan had to lower his hand.
Because not a single person among them raised their hand.
In fact, their eyes burned with even fiercer determination.
The elite class was essentially a prestigious path.
Belonging to an elite class meant walking among the stars at Rahern Academy, where geniuses congregated.
To progress alongside such individuals meant
they would shine as brilliant stars within the competition-filled Rahern Academy.
Having passed through the unnamed academy’s trials, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all were hungry for ambition.
Hence, no one raised their hand.
“I see your intentions have been noted.”
Kairan didn’t push any further.
If they had come this far with an aim for the elite class, this was only natural.
“Then let me explain how the fourth round will proceed.”
Soon after, Kairan unveiled the details of the fourth round.
Firstly, the fourth round would involve fighting against an assistant professor like last year.
However, this time, there was a new regulation added.
“You’ll be paired with one other individual, and you will spar against the assistant professor together.”
This was a different kind of test compared to the previous 1-on-1 matches.
In the candidates’ eyes, this felt almost like it’d become easier.
But for a few, including Bianca, it was a different story.
Bianca raised her hand.
“Can I ask one question?”
“Yes, of course.”
Delighted to entertain her query, Kairan welcomed her question.
All eyes turned towards Bianca, who stepped forward to inquire.
“When two of us fight, how will scoring be assessed? Will it be scored as a team?”
That was a sharp question.
Understanding the scoring method was crucial for strategizing during the test.
Kairan’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
“No, scores will be assessed solely on an individual basis.”
A murmur rippled through the candidates.
Kairan elaborated further.
“If one candidate excels and knocks down the professor, the score for the other will be lower compared to the one who knocked down the professor.”
In an instant, the meaning of his words sank in, freezing the trainees in place.
When two individuals teamed up, their scores would solely assign individual scores.
This meant that even while in a pair, they would have to compete with each other.
Finally, everyone understood why Kairan had that sinister smile.
The fourth round was essentially a test loaded with malice.
“Well then,”
Kairan began to clap, warming the atmosphere with a bright smile.
“Let’s commence the Fourth Round.”
Truly, a devilishly clever scheme lay ahead.