Aur travelled with the others silently, his white hair fluttering in the wind and his piercing crimson eyes seeming to glimpse through one's soul with just a look, giving him an intimidating vibe. The contours of his clearly well-defined muscles made him even more imposing to the others.
Some of them looked at Aur with a tentative expression, but no one moved to talk to him like Sophia did.
Having emerged from the annual competition with a record-breaking number of points, one could only imagine the terrifying combat abilities that Aur currently possessed, especially considering he had ventured alone into the forest.
The other students speculated that Aur's combat strength must have already reached the tier one wizard realm.
Soon, the second elder paused, capturing everyone's attention. The students' eyes widened as they beheld a grand residence in front of them, filled with guards and a beast guarding the entire place.
Although the residence wasn't tall, it was very large until their eyes could dart off and its unique building with a white colour gave it a luxurious shine
Despite the walls being painted white, there wasn't a single speck of dirt to be found anywhere, untouched by mortal hands.
"Enter," the second elder gestured, casting a glance at those behind him as the guards respectfully bowed before him.
The door of the residence, reminiscent of a royal palace from Aur's previous world, swung open.
The second elder stepped inside, followed by the other students who had aligned themselves with his faction.
Aur's crimson eyes widened as they beheld the luxurious hall, adorned with a brilliant chandelier and numerous unknown creatures' skins hanging on the walls and floors. He could recognize some of them, which only added to his astonishment.
One particular skin, lying on the floor, exuded a terrifying aura—a fusion of a lion's body and a snake's head.
"Reverse manticore, otherwise known as Cantimor," Aur muttered under his breath, surprise evident in his voice.
This creature was a legendary beast of the wilderness, possessing the strength of a tier two wizard. With a powerful body and venomous fangs, it combined the ferocity of a lion with the cunningness of a snake, making it a nightmare for many mercenaries.
The moment these creatures appeared, mercenaries could only hope for a less miserable fate. After all, facing a beast of this calibre was nothing short of a pipe dream for mere mortals.
These monsters were ubiquitous and voracious, capable of consuming anything in their path. With a population of about twenty, they could seemingly appear at random, presenting a true nightmare for mortal mercenaries.
This was a terrifying nightmare for those who made their living in the wilderness!
And now, this terrifying beast lay before Aur, casually put on the floor as a mere mattress just for the display of it like a decoration as if a tier two beast's raw skin was just for the decoration.
If it were outside, people would kill to get their hands on these beasts' skins.
This signified the terrifying status and strength of the second elder.
The second elder casually turned to them, clapping his hands. Instantly, many people wearing academy uniforms appeared, their expressions filled with excitement as they warmly regarded Aur and the others.
"These are your seniors; they will guide you in completing the mission. You will form groups of five, with one of the seniors leading each group to teach and instruct you," the second elder explained casually.
Sophia suddenly raised her hand, causing a slight scowl to appear on the second elder's face, though it vanished in an instant.
"What is it?" he asked in a gentle voice.
The crackling energy mercilessly tore through his wind barrier, rendering it as useless as paper against a raging inferno. Despite a desperate attempt to conjure a shield at the last moment, it was too late; tendrils of lightning managed to seep through, lashing at his skin with searing intensity.
Thud!
The sickening sound of Jacob's body hitting the ground reverberated in the air. He now lay sprawled on the floor, every inch of his flesh marred by blistering burns inflicted by the unforgiving lightning.
"That's what you get," Mia's voice cut through the aftermath, cold and unwavering as she surveyed the scene. Her gaze swept over the others, silently challenging any objections to her methods.
Some wore furrowed brows, while others gaped in astonishment, but none dared to voice dissent. Their silence was met with a nod from Mia, who approached Aur and the other with a warm smile.
"Don't worry; you don't have to be scared of me. I will guide you all as a senior," Mia assured them, her tone now gentle and reassuring.
"Big sister is quite strong. Please take care of me in the future," Sophia stepped forward, bowing her head in deference to Mia's prowess.
"Oh, don't worry. I will," Mia affirmed, nodding her head with a sense of determination, though a glint of something indescribable flickered in her eyes.
Meanwhile, the other seniors regarded her with open hostility, their disdain evident in their glares.
"Are we going to let her go so easily?" one of them questioned, the bitterness palpable in his voice. "Jacob was one of the strongest amongst us. Who here thinks they could beat him so easily? That ruthless... woman won't show any mercy if we face her."
A heavy silence settled over the group, each member grappling with the implications of Mia's display of power.
"Alright, let's fight for the remaining positions," another senior declared, breaking the tense silence.
Immediately, a spark ignited in everyone's eyes, a hunger for victory driving them forward.
And so, they clashed amongst themselves, men and women alike.
After a gruelling battle, five individuals emerged victorious, their triumph evident in their weary but satisfied expressions.
Among them was a woman with green hair, accompanied by four men. Approaching Mia with smiles on their faces, they greeted her warmly, their demeanour inviting and friendly as they acknowledged Aur and the others with equal warmth.
Though their faces exudes warmth, there was a strange sensation in their gazes, flickering with a cold light.
While this feeling was fleeting for the others, Aur, with his sharp perception, distinctly sensed the hint of indifference hidden behind their warm gaze. His crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he pondered this observation.
However, Aur chose to remain silent for the time being, observing the interactions without comment.
As the six seniors, including Mia, gathered, Mia stepped forward to act as the representative.
"Alright, junior students, I will briefly give the mission details now," Mia announced with a smile.
"Okay," Sophia replied excitedly.
Mia's eyes flashed with an amused gaze as she began to speak, "Junior brothers and sisters, you are able to choose any of us as your tutors. However, keep in mind that only five could be selected. If there are more than five people, they have to compete to determine the strongest among them."
Sophia immediately spoke up, "Big sister, I will be on your team."
"Very well then," Mia nodded her head as she looked at the others. "Who among you are willing to be guided by me?"