"The rules are as follows."
Even though the priests present were already clear on the rules, the High Priest presiding over the order repeated them:
"First, every priest has three opportunities to participate in combat. During the battle, you must fully demonstrate all the divine spells you have mastered and accept the full scrutiny of the proctors."
"The proctors will determine the specific score for the 'Divine Spell Combat Assessment' phase based on your overall performance in actual combat."
"Second, the opponents for this combat assessment will not be designated by the proctors; you must select them yourselves."
"However, please note that the selection is only valid if the other party agrees."
"If you are hesitant in choosing an opponent, I offer a piece of advice: try to choose an opponent with strength similar to your own."
"Because the focus of this assessment is not on defeating the opponent, but on fully displaying your divine spell capabilities through combat."
"Third, before the formal duel, you must also select the alchemy servants you require."
"The number of servants is divided into three options: one, five, or ten."
"The total strength of the servants, regardless of number, remains at the Bronze rank."
"Please choose the most suitable number of servants based on the characteristics and needs of your own divine spells."
"Do you have any objections to these three rules?"
The priests below remained silent.
The High Priest nodded. "Then, begin reporting the number of alchemy servants you have chosen."
Leon did not hesitate and chose one alchemy servant.
Soon, a quite massive alchemy servant, with mechanical arms thicker than Leon's entire body, followed by his side.
These so-called alchemy servants were products researched by alchemists. One only needed to set the corresponding program and place crystals to provide energy, and the alchemy servant could be operated by an ordinary person to complete many tasks that ordinary people could not.
If one chose a single alchemy servant, it would be a giant like the one beside Leon.
With five alchemy servants, their size would be that of a normal human.
And with ten alchemy servants, they would only be the size of a bucket.
Regardless of the number, their total strength was exactly the same; there was no advantage in choosing more.
The reason alchemy servants were introduced for priests to operate in the "Divine Spell Combat Assessment" was partly because of the cooperation between the Alchemists' Guild and the Sacred Light Church, and partly because the manifestation of supernatural power for the priest class was not entirely centered on frontal combat.
The uses and types of divine spells were diverse. Some priests mastered spells that were mostly buffs, healing, or concealment.
If such priests were forced to compete in combat against others who mastered offensive divine spells, it would clearly be unfair.
The inclusion of alchemy servants could offset this unfairness to a certain extent.
Priests skilled in combat spells could attack their opponents alongside their alchemy servants.
Meanwhile, priests skilled in healing or buffing spells could hide behind their alchemy servants, letting them fight while providing healing and combat buffs from the rear.
While absolute fairness was still impossible, what assessment ever had absolute fairness?
Furthermore, the "Divine Spell Combat Assessment" phase was not an elimination system but a scoring system.
If one performed well, even if they ultimately lost the battle, they could still receive a good score from the High Priests responsible for grading.
...
After the servants were selected, the next phase was choosing opponents.
As soon as the High Priest announced the start of the selection, a voice rang out in front of Leon.
"Priest Leon, have you found an opponent? If not, why not choose me?"
Leon looked up and saw a young priest in black and white robes. He had a faint smile on his face, but his eyes betrayed a greed like a hungry wolf eyeing meat.
Leon noticed an exquisite silver pin on the collar of the young priest's robes—the symbol of Belmont Academy.
"Austin, as the chief priest of your academy, isn't picking Priest Leon—who only recently changed classes—as an opponent a bit like bullying the weak?"
Another voice suddenly spoke up.
Austin turned his head. The moment he saw the newcomer, he gave a cold smile. "I wondered who it was. It's Priest Siss from Crawford Academy."
Siss, a priest from Crawford Academy, was not the academy's chief priest.
However, that was because the chief of Crawford Academy was a top-tier genius priest who, despite not having graduated yet, had already reached the peak of the Silver rank and was only one step away from the Gold rank.
That chief had already become a High Priest and was currently receiving guidance from a cardinal.
Therefore, excluding that chief, Siss was currently the strongest priest at Crawford Academy.
Although Siss wasn't the chief, an academy's strongest priest inviting Leon to be his opponent was essentially the same as what Austin was doing.
Siss ignored Austin and looked at Leon. "Priest Leon, I challenge you. You wouldn't... be afraid to accept, would you?"
A very crude provocation.
Leon felt no internal reaction. He turned his head toward another direction.
There, Sylvia from Bemis Academy was also slowly walking over.
"Sylvia. Challenge. Priest Leon."
I see.
A realization flashed through Leon's mind.
He had wondered why so many academy chiefs were seeking him out. It wasn't because he was handsome, but because they thought...
He was a soft persimmon, an easy target!
It made sense. He was handsome, famous, and only a Bronze rank priest.
If they didn't use him as a stepping stone, how could they stand out in the assessment? How could they boost their own fame?
However, the challenges from these academy chiefs suited Leon's intentions perfectly.
He needed a few stepping stones to establish his persona!
Leon turned and looked at Sylvia with a calm expression.
"I accept your challenge."
...
Soon, Leon and Sylvia stepped into a barrier created by a holy relic.
The barrier served a protective role, preventing the aftershocks of their battle from affecting the outside and allowing the holy light power to interrupt the fight if one side fell unconscious or was about to suffer a heavy injury.
Standing inside the barrier, Leon's gaze swept over the Bishops on the stands and Prince Aaron, who sat beside them.
By now, Prince Aaron had abandoned his lazy posture and straightened his back to watch the battle.
"The attention is secured."
The reason Leon chose Sylvia over Austin or Siss was because of the little interlude between Sylvia and Prince Aaron before the assessment, which had drawn the attention of many other priests.
Since he was going to fight and establish his persona, he naturally had to maximize the attention.
Among the several chiefs, Sylvia had the highest beauty value and the most attention, making her the best choice.
"Priest Leon, thank you for choosing me as your opponent."
Sylvia swung the priest's scepter in her hand and said, "While I am sincerely grateful that you gave me this chance to show my strength, I must apologize in advance..."
"I'm sorry, but I will absolutely not show mercy."
Sylvia looked up, her gaze resolute. "Because I have a reason I absolutely cannot lose!"
However, hearing her words, Leon only flicked his eyes toward her and said calmly, "Are you done?"
The determination on Sylvia's face instantly froze.
"If you're done, let's begin immediately."
Leon raised his priest's scepter, and his mental energy poured out of his body like a tide.
A massive Hand of Divine Spells condensed in the air, tightly gripping a dazzling Hammer of Holy Light.
What are you blabbering about with all this self-indulgence?
Keep yapping after you've taken a hit from my hammer!
With a thought from Leon, the massive Hand of Divine Spells raised the holy light hammer high. Like an out-of-control torrent, wrapped in violent winds, it smashed down fiercely toward Sylvia.
Sensing the terrifying power contained within the hammer, Sylvia's expression changed instantly, and a strong sense of crisis surged in her heart.
If she took this hit directly... she would die!
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