Chapter 433 - 139: Just the Beautiful Mentor’s Task (Part 2)

Chapter 433: Chapter 139: Just the Beautiful Mentor’s Task (Part 2)

"The black areas are high-risk zones where you may encounter terrifying Tier Three Peak, or even Tier Four, entities. Candidates are strictly forbidden from entering these zones. Should you choose to enter a black area, you are responsible for your own life and death. The examination committee will bear no responsibility for any consequences."

He paused. With a wave of his hand, countless streams of light flew toward the candidates, materializing into scrolls that landed in their hands. "Additionally, each of you will receive a Shelter Scroll. If you encounter a life-threatening situation, open it. The Scroll will erect a Tier Three-strength shield and simultaneously send a distress signal, at which point an instructor will come to your rescue. But be warned—opening a Shelter Scroll means you are eliminated from the examination, and your score will be finalized at that moment!"

Lynch took the Scroll and weighed it in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.

These rules were almost identical to the ones from the lower-grade final exam he took three years ago. The only difference was the location, which had changed from the academy’s trial forest to this dangerous island.

Recalling it now, everything from back then felt as if it were only yesterday, stirring a sense of nostalgia within him.

"Finally, the scoring rules!" the Archmage’s voice rang out again. "The main monsters on the island are Fishmen, goblins, Gnolls, and various types of beasts and Magical Beasts."

"After killing a monster, you must collect a specific part from its body as proof to be awarded points. For a Fishman, this is its dorsal fin. For goblins, Gnolls, and other beasts or Magical Beasts, it is the right ear. A common Fishman or goblin is worth 1 point."

"An Elite Fishman or Elite Goblin is worth 3 points."

"A Fish Giant or Bear Goblin is worth 30 points."

"A Fishman Warrior, Goblin Warrior, or a common Gnoll is worth 100 points. A Tier Two target is worth 500 points, and a Tier Three target is worth 3,000 points!"

His words sent an uproar through the crowd.

3,000 points... that was a score an average student would have to hunt three thousand common Fishmen to achieve.

Clearly, this scoring system was designed to effectively widen the gap between the top students and the average ones.

The instructors from Hurst Academy looked grim upon hearing this.

Students from the Imperial Capital Academy generally had higher Tiers, thanks to their abundant resources and prominent family backgrounds. There was no shortage of Tier One and Tier Two students among them.

While Silver Moon Academy’s students were slightly weaker on average, their strength lay in numbers. They also excelled at forest combat and teamwork, so joining forces to take down a High Tier target would not be a difficult task.

Hurst Academy was the sole exception. It had been in decline for years, and not only did it have the fewest students, but it also possessed only a handful of High Tier combatants. This scoring system put them at a severe, almost inherent, disadvantage.

And this was only because this year’s class, spurred on by Lynch, had become intensely competitive, resulting in their overall strength being a notch higher than the previous class. Otherwise, they would be at an even greater disadvantage against the others.

"I have a question for Instructor Buddy."

Just as the crowd was murmuring amongst themselves, a clear voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the clamor.

The speaker was none other than Ailendra Moon Language from Silver Moon Academy.

She was once again full of life, apparently having recovered from the shock of hearing about Blackthorn’s death yesterday.

With all eyes on her, she took a step forward, her amber eyes fixed on the Archmage in mid-air, and asked loudly, "How many points is a Tier Four target worth?"

Her question sent another wave of shock through the crowd!

Everyone’s gaze snapped to her, their eyes filled with disbelief.

The students from Hurst Academy, in particular, could hardly believe their ears.

’A student who hasn’t even graduated yet wants to kill a Tier Four entity?’

’Even though she’s already a Tier Three Forest Ranger, and even if she could team up with her classmates, it’s still an incredibly dangerous undertaking.’

’After all, the Archmage already said we’re on our own in the black areas. That means if something really goes wrong, the instructors might not get there in time. It’s not worth taking such a huge risk for a single graduation exam.’

Archmage Buddy gave her a deep look, then announced loudly, "We do not encourage students to kill Tier Four targets; that is far too dangerous. But if a student were truly able to do it... it would be worth 20,000 points!"

"20,000 points!"

The crowd went wild again.

That score was enough to let any student instantly shoot to the top of the leaderboard.

Airendra nodded in satisfaction, the corners of her mouth curling into a feral smile.

A fervent light burned in her eyes, as if she could already see herself slaying a Tier Four target and stunning the entire audience.

Over with the students from the Imperial Capital Academy, however, Karl von Hohenlohe’s expression faltered, and he seemed momentarily lost in thought.

’I thought my strength as a Tier Three Holy Knight placed me at the very top of the graduating class. I never expected this half-elf woman from Silver Moon Academy to be so ambitious.’

But a moment later, he gritted his teeth, a look of determination solidifying in his eyes.

’I absolutely cannot lose to a Ranger from some "Wilderness Academy"!’

"..."

Standing in the crowd, Lynch’s eyes lit up as well.

’A Tier Four is worth twenty thousand points!? In that case, if I kill a Tier Five target... Never mind, I’d better not ask.’

’Who knows if there are even any Tier Five targets on this island.’

’Besides, asking it out loud would be way too conspicuous. It would go against my instructor’s warnings.’

In mid-air, Archmage Buddy’s gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing meaningfully on Lynch, where it lingered for a moment before slowly moving away.

"Instructors from each academy." Archmage Buddy cleared his throat, his voice once again carrying across the entire field. "Next, you may give your students their final instructions and encouragement. The exam... will begin in half an hour!"