The Phantom Crystal Beasts active in the combat arena posed numerous challenges for the students retaking the exam; most students couldn't even get past the first minor obstacle, in the end only managing to score between 1 and 8 points based on their performance midway through.
But not everyone was the same; there were always a few geniuses that stood out from the crowd.
"O'Conner, congratulations on passing the first minor obstacle."
In the field, the short-haired boy who always went first in the assessments stood elegantly, still accompanied by the young indigo wolf at his side.
"I didn't expect this guy to have advanced to Sequence 3 already, no wonder he defeated the Phantom Crystal Beast so easily," the students below discussed.
"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself, although the theme is 'bond,' one can only help their partner if they're strong themselves."
"It seems my understanding of 'bond' (strength) is still insufficient," a student said as he pumped himself up.
"That's right, although it's a bit rude, you'll look just like a fool shouting slogans without any strength of your own."
"Ahaha, just wait and see the 'bond' (strength) between me and my partner!"
Ignoring the excited shouts and cheers from the students below, the challenge on the stage had already moved on to the second obstacle.
"Three of them, huh? That does pose some difficulty."
O'Conner bent slightly forward, his hands naturally hanging at his sides, his eyes firmly fixed on the three Phantom Crystal Beasts opposite him; he then suddenly charged forward.
He took the initiative, knocking the swift wolf aside, and then struck the fierce tiger with the palm of his hand, engaging it in a scuffle. At that moment, the young wolf also followed up, joining the battle.
The field was shrouded with flying dust, and after several major skirmishes, the swift wolf crumbled into dust, while the fierce tiger was badly damaged, but the eagle in the sky remained intact, swooping down from time to time.
In the end, both the boy and the wolf were exhausted and defeated by the Phantom Crystal Beast eagle, lying on the field's grass, covered in crystal sand.
"O'Conner, your final score is 17 points."
"Oh, that's the highest score so far, right?"
"It looks like it."
"That's higher than Pawula before, she's made it into the top 10 now."
"Yeah, we have to work hard too."
As the discussions grew heated, it was Hexia's turn to take the stage. Unlike the other students, who found difficulty in the challenge, she pondered whether to let the little snake fight alone or to assist it herself. But if she took action, how much of her strength should she reserve? With her Talent, she could instantly disintegrate the crystal core-made Phantom Crystal Beasts without any difficulty or visual impact.
Hiding her true strength was a necessary skill in life; keeping some cards close to her chest would always be safer. It was also a good opportunity to see how far she could go without using her Talent.
——
Indigo Snake Subspecies
Classification: Primordial Sequence 3 · Sunlit Stone Snake (Superior Dark Silver Level)
Status: Healthy (growing, acclimating)
Talent:
[Antitoxin Serum] (Superior): Has a certain resistance to various poisons, even more so against snake venom.
[Sunlight Snake] (Superior): Under sunshine, its abilities are enhanced to a certain degree.
Ability:
[Sunlit Scales] (Superior): Scales emit dazzling light, capable of injuring many creatures' eyes and causing intimidation.
[Sunshine Gem] (Rare): The gem on the forehead can absorb sunlight and Magic Power more efficiently, thereby strengthening itself.
Skill: [Strangulation Lv.3][Intimidation Lv.4][Sunbathing Lv.4][Scorching Ray Lv.3]
——
"The challenge begins!"
A Phantom Crystal Beast tiger leaped out onto the field, baring its teeth and glaring at a person and a snake not far off, charging towards them.