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Chapter 79 79-The Assessment Begins!
Chapter 79 79-The Assessment Begins!
Chapter 79 Chapter79-The Assessment Begins!
"Big sis, what's the strength of your roommates? Can we bring them into our fold?" Both Mike and Nick were astute individuals.
Their elders had always taught them to rally all potential allies, so even faced with an upcoming test, they hoped to form a team.
Of course, Howard would be the natural leader.
It wasn't just because they'd acknowledged him as their 'big brother', but because they misunderstood Howard's true identity.
In their eyes, since Howard had connections with Daniel, holding tight to Howard's coattails would ensure that the academy's resources would eventually favor them.
Now, their mission was to help Howard clinch the top spot in the test.
From this, it's evident that those from major families aren't as naive as they appear. They all have their little schemes playing in their minds!
Hearing Mike and Nick, Abby replied in surprise, "Roommates? I haven't paid much attention. I'm not sure about their strengths."
"This..."
At her words, both Mike and Nick exchanged puzzled glances, disbelief painted on their faces.
They couldn't fathom someone like Abby who seemed indifferent to her own roommates.
Abby pouted, "I don't know them well, why should I care about them?"
"It's okay; we don't need to worry about them. Our little group is enough," Howard said, fondly patting Abby's head.
He could clearly see that her heart was almost entirely devoted to him.
At that very moment, Daniel's voice abruptly echoed, "Having chatted for so long, I presume you've all settled on your teams."
As his words fell, a brief moment of stunned silence befell the students, followed swiftly by an evident shift in their expressions.
Apart from a select few like Howard, the majority had been entranced by the Dragonhawk, leaving them no time to form teams.
Every student admitted to Holy Abyss Academy was no fool.
They all understood the logic that teaming up would make it easier to pass the tests and survive in the wilderness.
Unfortunately, Daniel wasn't inclined to grant them more time.
He said with a light chuckle, "In that case, proceed to the Valley of Fierce Winds based on your established teams. Those without a team will automatically be considered solo participants. Mentors, please lead the way!"
Wales, Jack, and Tara exchanged glances.
Without granting the assembly of students any additional time to react, with a wave of their right hands, a flurry of bamboo tablets danced through the air, settling directly into the hands of the awaiting students.
Of course, some landed amidst teams, while others found their way into the grasp of solitary students.
Throughout the preceding moments, the three mentors had been keenly observing the sea of students, maintaining a firm grasp over the proceedings.
"Once the bamboo tablet is in your possession, your scores will be determined based on the count recorded on it at the end of the assessment," Wales intoned gravely. "Should you lose the bamboo tablet, your score will directly be recorded as zero!"
Hearing this, a shiver ran down the spines of the students. Those who had failed to form teams felt their spirits sink, their eyes moistening.
With the scoring bamboo tablets already distributed, there was no time left for any last-minute team formations, especially since the tablets had already been bound to teams or individual students.
Consequently, with heads hung low in dismay, the students followed the trio of mentors, approaching the Dragonhawks and subsequently taking their seats upon them.
Just as Howard was about to follow Wales, he was interrupted by a robust voice, "Howard, your squad, come with me!"
At this, Howard, Abby, Mike, and Nick looked up in surprise.
Following the source of the voice, they found the ruggedly bearded Jack waving at them, beckoning Howard and his group to join him.
Respecting Jack's position as a mentor, Howard didn't hesitate. Leading Abby and the others, he headed straight over to Jack's side.
Subsequently, Jack led Howard and his party of four atop the Dragonhawk, which swayed its lengthy tail mesmerizingly.
This particular Dragonhawk was at the forefront, and in an instant, the gaze of numerous students was irresistibly drawn to it.
Especially notable were the students who had awakened the S-level talent.
They had heard rumors of someone within Jano Province awakening this powerful ability, but the specifics remained elusive.
Now, seeing Howard seated prominently next to Jack, many made assumptions.
For a moment, several pairs of eyes, burning with the fire of combativeness, fixed themselves on Howard's back.
Regrettably for them, they had mistaken his identity.
If they ever came to view Howard as an adversary, they would undoubtedly find themselves questioning the very essence of their existence!
The students' astonishment was short-lived.
As soon as they all settled on the backs of the Dragonhawks, the three mentors began speaking.
Following the lead of the primary Dragonhawk, the fleet of creatures emitted sharp, resounding cries.
In no time, they soared into the sky, carrying everyone aloft.
A hum resonated as Jack began chanting. Moments later, a soft red glow emanated from each Dragonhawk, enveloping and protecting the students.
Witnessing the rapidly changing aerial view, Howard's expression subtly shifted. This was his first time riding a flying mount.
In contrast, Mike and Nick seemed completely at ease, devoid of any fear, taking in the sky's beauty.
"Howard," Jack began, breaking the silence. "Daniel told me that during this assessment, you're free to act as you please without any constraints."
Caught off guard by this, Howard momentarily paused, trying to decipher Daniel's intentions.
Mike and Nick exchanged knowing glances, grinning. They believed their speculations were on point.
Why else would Daniel specifically ask a mentor to reach out to Howard?
"In any case, I've relayed the message. In this assessment, I'm merely an observer. Whatever you choose to do, I won't interfere," Jack remarked, his gaze on Howard laden with deeper implications.
He had learned from Daniel about Howard's uniqueness and, naturally, would not underestimate him.
...
The Dragonhawks flew with incredible speed. As Howard pondered Daniel's intentions, the scenery before him transformed. Below, lush and verdant forests stretched as far as the eye could see, blanketing the entire mountain range.
Looking down, it seemed as if an endless sea of trees sprawled beneath them, its boundaries nowhere in sight.
"Loi!"
The distinct cry rang out once again, and dozens of Dragonhawks descended, alighting just before the vast woodland.
Only after ensuring all students had safely landed did Wales, Jack, and Tara begin to speak.
"Ahead lies the Valley of Fierce Winds," Jack announced, "a place teeming with countless canyons and forests, and dangers lurk at every corner. Your objective is to enter the Valley and survive for five days. However, you're only required to remain in its outskirts where the monsters typically are around LV20, which should match the strength of those of you who have recently awakened."
Pausing briefly, Tara added in a gentle voice, "If you encounter monsters above LV30, even if you call for help, your assessment won't be canceled. I'm aware most of you possess valuable treasures, but remember, they are not a reflection of your true strength. I urge you to stay within the Valley's periphery. If you venture too deep and face high-level monsters, being killed before you can call for assistance is not our responsibility."
Hearing such threatening words from someone as delicate and beautiful as Tara sent shivers down the spines of many students.
They fully grasped their objective: merely to survive in the outskirts of the Valley of Fierce Winds for five days.
Of course, this task, for those who have only recently awakened their talents, was challenging.
One must understand that this time, there would be no instructors leading the way or high-level experts aiding them in battles.
They had to rely on their own strength, facing monsters that had honed their skills in the wilderness over the years.
"The assessment begins. Good luck to you all!"
As Jack's words settled, Howard didn't hesitate. Leading Abby, Nick, and Mike, they delved into the Valley of Fierce Winds.
To others, LV20 monsters might be daunting, but for Howard, anything below LV40 was hardly a threat. With ease, he could dispatch them as if cutting through melons and vegetables.
After all, adorned in Legendary-grade and Epic-grade equipment, his attributes rivaled those of a LV40 awakened.
When deploying SS-level and SSS-level skills, even LV50 monsters might not stand a chance against him.
His only drawback was the prolonged cooldown of higher-level skills.
Yet, even with just his basic skills, Howard possessed the might to overpower LV20 monsters.
This was precisely why Daniel had passed a message to Howard through Jack.
He knew that during this assessment, Howard would be an outlier amongst the students.
If Howard could stir up some challenges, it might invigorate his peers, pushing them to urgently elevate their abilities.
No one wishes to be outpaced by their contemporaries by a wide margin.
With Howard leading the charge, the rest of the students, whether they had formed teams or not, cautiously stepped into the forest, clutching their bamboo tablets.
In no time, nearly a hundred students had entered the Valley of Fierce Winds.