Chapter 232 - 12: Mo Ning Is the Rookie With the Strongest Leadership in the Last 30 Years

Chapter 232: Chapter 12: Mo Ning Is the Rookie With the Strongest Leadership in the Last 30 Years

The Secret Hall was bustling with excitement.

Velen’s brow twitched, and he shook his head. "Wasting energy like this before the battle has even started isn’t a wise move."

Not three seconds later, the "Copper Head" Apprentice’s face filled with embarrassment.

Anya’s resonant, powerful voice drifted from the Light Curtain. "Members of the Gun and Shield Corps, the Battle Banner Legion has prepared Physical Water for everyone, diluted from [Physical Potions] at a one-to-ten ratio. In a moment, each of you will receive one bottle for free."

She deliberately emphasized the word "free."

This so-called "Physical Water" was, in fact, the most common way for Apprentices to use [Physical Potions].

Although a single gulp of the genuine Magic Potion could instantly restore one’s stamina, many felt that was too wasteful.

Physical Water’s recovery speed was much slower, but it was more than enough for most people.

The members of the Gun and Shield Corps on the Light Curtain all looked surprised and invigorated, while the crowd of spectators began to stir.

For the new Apprentices, paying out of one’s own pocket to buy precious Magic Potions, dilute them into Physical Water, and then distribute them to the team for free was an utterly unheard-of act.

This move undoubtedly boosted morale immensely and made people even more convinced that the Battle Banner Legion had great potential.

Nasha’s "venomous tongue" finally bared its fangs. "Copper Head, when will you learn to stop saying such ridiculous, stupid things and trying to sound smart?"

Velen was already not one for words, and he stood tongue-tied, unsure how to respond.

Nasha mercilessly twisted the knife. "If even a fool like you can think of it, don’t you think people smarter than you would have thought of it too?"

Her sarcasm grew even sharper. "It makes me wonder, is being an idiot one of the requirements for promotion to Third Level Apprentice?"

Velen couldn’t sit still under the mockery, but he was unwilling to leave. He could only frown and ask, "Lady Whip Demon, what exactly do I have to do to get you to shut that damned mouth of yours?"

He knew very well that if he let the Sharp-Horned Whip Demon keep rambling on like this, his name would likely become synonymous with "idiot" throughout the academy.

The best solution was to pay for peace and quiet.

Nasha gave a charming smile. "The Battle Banner Legion’s performance has been so outstanding and has brought us such immense pleasure. Perhaps Mr. Velen would be willing to donate two [Physical Potions]."

Velen gritted his teeth and said sullenly, "Of course!"

For him, this kind of Magic Potion wasn’t particularly expensive, but he was a bit tight on cash recently, so the expense still stung.

Nasha’s smile became even more enchanting. "Such a generous Mr. Velen! Everyone makes mistakes in judgment. You really don’t need to worry about it."

Velen snorted. "That’s not what you were saying just now."

Nasha immediately offered a demure apology. "Mr. Velen, I’m terribly sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you. It was my fault."

Only then did Velen feel a bit better—even if it was an apology he’d paid for, it was better than nothing.

Mansha watched from the side, filled with envy.

She really wished she had that ability to force someone to pay up just to make a problem go away with only a few words.

「A few minutes later.」

The figures appearing within the Mysterious Secret Hall of the Quiet Forest suddenly blurred, as if seen through a layer of frosted glass.

"The trial has begun."

Mansha sat up straight, her lovely, charming face filled with anticipation.

The full name of the underground mine the new Apprentices were about to enter was the "Trial Maze of the 9th Underground Mine," which was why the Apprentices were used to simply calling it the trial.

The Light Curtain went dark for an instant, then lit up again.

A dim, enormous cavern appeared before the three Apprentices. It was over five hundred meters in diameter and at least one hundred meters high.

Several braziers burned fiercely on the cavern walls, dozens of meters high, but the light they cast was faint and diluted by the time it reached the ground.

Visible to the naked eye, hundreds of dark cave openings dotted the surrounding rock walls, like the gaping maws of hideous monsters.

Mo Ning’s clear voice rang out loudly for the first time:

"Battle Banner Legion, heed my command! Everyone, retrieve your High Intensity Flashlights and Anti-Strong Light Lenses! Prepare for battle!"

Mansha was stunned for a moment, then blurted out, "This kid’s really got some tricks up his sleeve! To even think of a method like this!"

The so-called "High Intensity Flashlight" was a lighting device powered by Low Level Magic Stones that could emit a powerful beam of light.

And the "Anti-Strong Light Lens," as the name implies, was a lens designed to prevent one’s eyes from being burned by strong light.

If every member of the Battle Banner Legion had a High Intensity Flashlight and continuously shone it at the attacking monsters, the effect would be like daylight suddenly dawning in the underground mine.

The monsters’ advantage of being well-adapted to the dark would be instantly nullified; in fact, they would be thrown into a massive disadvantage.

Wearing Anti-Strong Light Lenses in an underground mine sounded utterly absurd.

But in this unique scenario, it had become a brilliant tactic.

Velen clicked his tongue. "So many High Intensity Flashlights and lenses... that’s no small sum. Just how many Black Tower Points has this kid saved up?"

Nasha’s beautiful eyes gleamed as she thought, ’A lot. Far more than you could ever imagine. How could a genius who obtained the Golden Pen Badge possibly be short on Black Tower Points?’