Chapter 63 - 64: Preliminary Test!

Chapter 63: Chapter 64: Preliminary Test!

A female student from St. Orlan Academy turned pale and whispered,

"Ten years... might not even be enough, right?"

Someone beside her gave a bitter smile.

"It’s not that it might not be enough."

"For most people, it definitely won’t be."

"No wonder there are so few official members of the High Command."

"This isn’t an ordinary selection process. They’re raising a group of monsters."

Gareth Quinn, however, licked the corner of his lips.

"Interesting."

"Now this feels more like the High Command."

Instructor Garrick Dain continued,

"The Training Camp has gathered the best resources in the entire Aurelian Alliance."

"Top-tier dungeon entrances."

"High-tier skill training towers."

"Class advancement mentors."

"Mental tempering secret realms."

"Special equipment forging facilities."

"And much more."

"Almost everything you can imagine is available here."

The eyes of the crowd lit up.

But Instructor Garrick Dain’s next words quickly brought them back to reality.

"However, most resources aren’t free."

"If you want to use them, you’ll need to exchange High Command Points."

The light screen changed.

Rows of resource lists appeared.

[Thunder Prison Training Tower: 10 Points per Hour]

[Gravity Secret Realm: 8 Points per Hour]

[Individual Guidance from a Class Mentor: 50 Points per Hour]

[Special Equipment Forging Access: Starting from 100 Points]

[Rare Skill Scroll Exchange: Starting from 300 Points]

Instructor Garrick Dain spoke indifferently.

"There are many ways to earn High Command Points."

"Complete training projects."

"Climb the rankings."

"Break dungeon records."

"Complete Training Camp missions, and more."

"But remember one thing."

His gaze swept across the crowd.

"Value every point you earn."

"Before long, you’ll understand just how precious they are."

The crowd grew tense.

Instructor Garrick Dain raised his hand, and the light screen disappeared.

"According to the rules, every newcomer must undergo a preliminary test before entering the Training Camp."

"This will be your first chance to earn High Command Points."

"Your score will range from zero to one hundred."

"Whatever score you receive will be added directly to your points."

The oppressive atmosphere changed at once.

Many people’s eyes lit up.

A high score would give them a strong start and put them ahead of the others.

The students from the Five Top Academies exchanged glances. A competitive spark appeared in their eyes.

"A preliminary test?"

"Perfect. I also want to see which academy has the strongest students this year."

Someone suddenly frowned.

"But is this test fair?"

"Everyone has a different level."

"Some are final-year students, some are second-year students, and there’s also..."

The speaker stopped and glanced at Nathaniel.

He didn’t need to finish.

Everyone understood what he meant.

Nathaniel was still in high school.

Putting him in the same test as university students, many of whom were already in their second or final year, hardly seemed fair.

Instructor Garrick Dain answered calmly,

"The preliminary test will adjust its difficulty according to each participant’s level."

"It won’t judge you by your absolute strength."

"Instead, it will evaluate your overall performance at your current level."

Only then did the crowd nod.

That sounded much more reasonable.

At that moment, Gareth Quinn suddenly grinned.

He turned toward the dozens of students from the Five Top Academies. His gaze was bold and challenging, showing no sign of restraint.

"How about making things more interesting?"

"Today, I, Gareth Quinn, will defeat everyone from the Five Top Academies!"

"Let’s make a bet!"

Gareth crossed his arms and spoke loudly.

"When the upcoming rankings are announced, anyone ranked below me must give me ten points!"

"Anyone ranked above me will receive fifty points from me!"

"If you don’t have enough points, write me an IOU!"

The faces of the students from the Five Top Academies darkened.

"How arrogant!"

"A mere second-year student thinks he’s the best in the world?"

A short-haired woman from Calder Academy laughed in anger.

"Fine! Points are being delivered to our doorstep. It would be foolish not to take them!"

"Today, we’ll teach this ignorant fellow a lesson he’ll never forget!"

"We accept!"

The atmosphere grew tense.

Nathaniel stood at the edge of the crowd and watched.

Instructor Malcolm Rook’s words from before their arrival suddenly came back to him.

All the resources here must be fought for.

Nathaniel slowly stepped forward.

His calm voice rang through the noisy plaza.

"Since everyone is making bets, I’d like to join too."

Whoosh!

Dozens of gazes turned toward him.

When the students saw who had spoken, they were stunned.

A few shook their heads, their expressions filled with disbelief.

A senior student from Westbridge Academy frowned.

"Your name is Nathaniel Beaumont, right?"

"You’re still in high school and haven’t even graduated. It’s already impressive that you have the courage to step forward."

The students from Meridian Academy looked at him with open disdain.

"Your courage is commendable, but strength doesn’t come from a moment of enthusiasm."

"If we bet against you and win, it won’t be much of an achievement."

"If word gets out, people will say the Five Top Academies joined forces to bully a high school student."

Their contempt was clear.

They didn’t take Nathaniel seriously at all.

To them, this was nothing more than a strong group picking on someone weaker.

Nathaniel remained expressionless.

He knew he had to push them a little harder.

He looked at them calmly.

"If you don’t dare to accept, just say so."

"Why make so many excuses?"

"Is this all the courage the Five Top Academies have?"

Boom!

His words struck the pride of the gathered geniuses like a slap.

"What did you say?!"

"You’re getting far too arrogant!"

The black-armored youth from Calder Academy looked furious.

"Fine! Since you insist on challenging us, we’ll grant your wish!"

He laughed in anger and spoke loudly.

"However, we won’t take advantage of you!"

"We don’t want anyone saying we’re bullying a high school student!"

"Let’s change the rules!"

"Anyone ranked below you, Nathaniel Beaumont, will give you twenty points!"

"If someone ranks above you, you won’t have to pay anything!"

"If we can’t even beat a high school student, then all those years of university education were wasted!"

The crowd nodded and agreed.

"That’s right!"

"You don’t have to pay us anything!"

After hearing this, Nathaniel shook his head.

"No need to change the rules."

His expression remained calm, but his voice carried firm resolve.

"Since we’re making a bet, let’s keep it fair."

"If I lose, I’ll give each of you fifty points."

"I don’t need anyone to go easy on me."

The entire plaza fell silent again.

Everyone stared at Nathaniel as if he had lost his mind.

Gareth’s eyes suddenly lit up.

He burst into laughter and clapped his hands.

"Good!"

"That’s the spirit!"

"I like you!"

The students from the Five Top Academies grew even angrier.

"Some people refuse to listen to reason until they suffer the consequences!"

"Since he insists on handing us points, we’ll gladly accept!"

"He brought this on himself. No one can blame us now!"