Breakthrough

This sentence immediately caught the attention of many students.

A clean-looking youth was currently sitting cross-legged in front of the security booth, practicing his meditative breathing and breathing technique as if no one else were there. He stood in stark contrast to the noisy, chatting students from Boulder Magic Academy.

"He looks about the same age as us; he must be here for the exam too. But he’s not from our school. I wonder which school produced such a talent."

"He’s using this time to cultivate? He didn't work hard usually, and now he's getting anxious?"

"Exactly. He’s just putting on an act. How could anyone possibly cultivate in such a noisy environment?"

"He’s probably pretending to meditate while secretly listening to our conversation, fantasizing about being admired by others."

The students spoke dismissively, not taking him seriously, and returned to their discussion about Radiant Junior Magic Academy.

"Hey, do you know who that person being hunted was? What was his name?"

"My cousin goes to Radiant Junior Magic Academy. If I remember correctly, I think his name was... Jiang Lin?"

"Then I must be careful of that Jiang Lin person once we're in the secret realm."

"Exactly. Anyone who could survive an assassination attempt like that is definitely not someone we can afford to provoke."

The students chattered away, but one figure kept her gaze fixed on Jiang Lin.

She was an exquisite-looking girl. Although not quite as stunning as Anya, she was still a school beauty in her own right. She had emerald-green eyes and wore a pair of delicate earrings. The classmates around her seemed to respect her deeply, their gazes carrying a hint of awe.

This was the top student of Boulder Magic Academy—Lina Greenwood, Level 9, priest class.

Although her class was priest, those around her clearly did not underestimate her because of it; instead, they feared her slightly. Her aura carried a coldness that kept others at a distance.

At this moment, she was staring intently at Jiang Lin, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong, Sister Lina? What are you looking at?"

Another girl appeared, with clear eyes and an equally delicate and cute appearance.

Unlike Lina's coldness, this girl seemed much more lively.

She hopped over and hugged Lina.

This was Eve, a Level 9 summoner, ranked second in her year at Boulder Magic Academy and also Lina's close friend.

For this mid-term exam, the two were teammates.

"This person... seems a bit strange."

Lina pointed toward Jiang Lin in the distance.

"Hmm? What’s strange?"

Eve blinked her large eyes and looked at Jiang Lin.

"He’s just an attention-seeker. My family already looked into the other two schools. There’s no one like him in their top ten! He's not worth worrying about!"

Eve spoke as if seeking credit.

It seemed her family had some influence, going as far as investigating competitors from other schools for their child.

Lina shook her head.

"I’m not talking about his strength. It’s just that the light elements seem very close to him," she said.

As a priest, she had done a lot of research on light magic, making her quite sensitive to light elements.

She frowned and thought hard, seemingly trying to recall something from a book she had read.

"I remember a constitution that’s very similar to this situation, but I can't recall it right now."

"Oh, don't worry, don't worry! With the two of us together, winning the competition will be a walk in the park," Eve said confidently.

"Yeah. Though, I have little experience fighting alongside others,"

Lina retracted her gaze, no longer concerned with Jiang Lin, and replied to Eve.

It was actually a bit strange for her to say that. After all, her class was priest, and the role of a priest was generally focused on support. A priest of her level should have been very skilled at team combat.

Just then, the other two junior magic academies arrived one after another.

Besides the familiar Radiant Junior Magic Academy, there was also Morning Star Junior Magic Academy.

Although the two schools arrived around the same time, Radiant Junior Magic Academy was clearly the center of attention.

After all, thousands of students had personally witnessed the event. Even if the school or the Temple wanted to hide it, they couldn't.

They could only issue verbal orders not to spread rumors until the situation was fully investigated.

But eventually, people would talk, and the orders only temporarily slowed the spread of misinformation.

However, the Temple didn't truly intend to suppress the news.

The event happened in the morning, and by the afternoon, newspapers were already reporting that a Rank-4 knight of the Temple had slain a cultist possessed by an evil god.

In this morning's paper, the incident had even made the front pages in many other cities.

As for the explanation and motive, it was the first cover story Salas had told Jiang Lin yesterday.

...

The grade directors of the three schools led their teams and exchanged pleasantries upon meeting.

"Oh, Director Wills, I heard your school hasn't been very peaceful lately."

The speaker was a silver-haired middle-aged man with his hair meticulously slicked back. He was Director Horn of Morning Star Magic Academy, and he appeared quite amiable.

"For your school to still attend this joint exam after such an incident, your spirit is truly commendable."

Ms. Pova, the grade director of Boulder Magic Academy, also spoke up.

She wore a deep blue mage robe, and her graying hair was tied in a bun. She looked dignified and serious, and her manner of speaking was much more formal than Director Horn's.

Director Wills shook his head.

"Well, this joint exam is a rare opportunity. It’s the first time Boulder City has hosted a secret realm assessment ourselves. Since our school has the chance to participate, we naturally have to seize it."

He represented Radiant Junior Magic Academy and had been present when the incident occurred yesterday.

Recalling his helplessness when facing the student possessed by an evil god, he sighed.

"It's just that the student who was assassinated... although his life isn't in danger, he was heavily injured. I doubt he'll be able to participate in this assessment.

"I heard he usually works very hard and was looking forward to this assessment. It’s a shame he has to miss such a great opportunity."

Horn chuckled.

"Oh, Director Wills, I heard that student was ranked at the bottom of your school. Honestly, he wouldn't have much of a presence even if he participated. He’d probably be eliminated within a day. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise..."

As a high-level leader of another school, Horn had a different social status and naturally knew more details about the event.

Upon hearing this, Director Wills said nothing.

He had been there yesterday and seen the skills Jiang Lin used.

Perhaps other students couldn't tell, since those skills were blocked so easily by Matthew.

But as an adventurer with Rank-3 strength, he could naturally sense the terrifying power and energy radiating from those sword moves.

"Director Wills, your students seem to be in a bit of a commotion."

This time, Ms. Pova of Boulder Magic Academy spoke.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a large group of students gathered near the security booth in the distance.

On the other side.

"Wait, Jiang Lin is here?!"

"Holy crap, wasn't he beaten to death by that secret cultist yesterday?"

"Beaten to death my foot! He was just heavily injured! Didn't you see how many priests were there? It’s hard for him to die even if he wanted to."

"But he sure is unlucky, being targeted by a secret cultist like that."

"I didn't expect him to be cultivating in a place like this, but somehow it feels reasonable. It fits the characteristics of that all-nighter circle of theirs."

"..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, but Jiang Lin remained motionless.

Old Luo, who had just finished his night shift, found the scene a bit strange.

What were these students muttering about? He was just practicing; what was there to see?

He looked again at Jiang Lin, who hadn't budged an inch on the ground.

This kid too—his classmates had arrived, and he didn't even know to get up and rejoin them. No wonder he came here to practice; if he practiced at home, he'd probably forget the time for school!

He walked over to Jiang Lin, intending to remind the young man to get up before he left. However, he didn't expect Jiang Lin’s aura to suddenly shift in the next moment.

From Jiang Lin's perspective, as the final drop of liquid condensed, the small bowl inside him was finally full!

【Level: 3→4】

【Stamina: 8500→9000】

【Mental power: 6300→6400】

At this moment, Jiang Lin no longer hid his aura. It broke through the concealment of 【Breath Concealment】, releasing the magic essence fluctuations belonging to Level 4!

From Level 1 to Level 3, it had taken him three years.

But from Level 3 to Level 4, it had only taken him one week!

An increase in level meant his life level had entered a new stage, and all his basic attributes received a slight boost.

Furthermore, if he completed today’s daily quest, his HP would reach the 9,000 mark!

This was already the minimum level for an ordinary Level 9 melee class.

【Level increased. Detected that host's current mental power level can withstand the nerve reflex speed enhancement. Would you like to receive this reward?】

Jiang Lin hesitated for a moment before choosing 【Yes】.

It was still relatively safe out here. If he waited until he was inside to claim it, he might not have enough time to adjust.

Beside him, Old Luo froze as he felt the magic essence fluctuations coming from Jiang Lin.

Eh? This grade-one student... how is he at the same level as me?

The hand he was about to pat Jiang Lin with stopped in mid-air, then retracted. He asked the students around him.

"Hey, students, which school are you from?"

The student being asked found it odd but replied, "Mister, we’re from Radiant Junior Magic Academy."

"Is that student sitting there from your school?"

"Yes, why?" the student asked guardedly.

"Uh... who is the top student in your school?"

"It's Miss Anya. She’s over there."

As he spoke, he pointed in a certain direction.

In the noisy crowd, there was a group of outliers forming their own small circle. They sat in a ring, some reciting books and others practicing, seemingly trying to seize every second to improve their strength.

Old Luo stared blankly at the scene.

It seemed that practicing anytime, anywhere wasn't just that kid's eccentricity.

"Uh, do you know that kid's ranking?"

Old Luo lowered his voice and asked, just in case Jiang Lin used to be the top student or something.

The student thought for a moment before answering, "He seemed to be the rank-bottom for the whole year before. They said he was the only Level 2 in the entire school.

"But I'm not sure now. After all, it's been a long time since the last monthly exam."

Hearing this, Old Luo’s face darkened.

The rank-bottom had the nerve to say he was number one?

He had wasted his expressions for nothing.

If he had known, he wouldn't have bothered with the kid.

He glanced at Jiang Lin and saw that the boy had opened his eyes, but he seemed to be staring blankly at the scene before him.

Actually, it wasn't Jiang Lin's fault. After the system increased his nerve reflex speed, the whole world appeared to be at 0.5x speed in his eyes, causing his mental power consumption to increase significantly.

At the same time, his 【Chronowalker's Evil Eye】 saw double images of every student in front of him.

It had been fine when there were only two or three people, but with so many, his vision started to get dizzy, especially since his nerve reflex speed had just been enhanced.

Helplessly, he had to temporarily close his right eye, ignoring the effect of the 【Chronowalker's Evil Eye】, and focus on adapting to his current nerve reflex speed.

Just then, a slightly pudgy middle-aged man walked over with a kind smile and asked, "Student Jiang Lin, why are you here? Shouldn't you rest at the Temple for a few more days?"

This person was Director Wills of Radiant Magic Academy.

Jiang Lin recognized his school’s grade director and explained, "Teacher, my injuries are fully recovered and I can fight. I want to battle more people to improve my practical combat ability!"

Hearing this and seeing the sincere look in Jiang Lin's eyes, Wills felt that the words were truly from the heart. This was clearly the effect of 【Pure Heart (Pseudo)】.

He patted Jiang Lin’s shoulder with great appreciation. "Ah, Little Jiang, you're so hardworking. I’m sure you’ll achieve great results!"

Jiang Lin nodded and said calmly, "Yes, then I'll take first place to show off our school's strength."

Wills was surprised by Jiang Lin's words; he hadn't expected the boy to be so confident.

But thinking back to those few sword qi strikes yesterday—even though they were only used once or twice, many things could be inferred from them.

Thinking of this, he pulled a ring from his bag, showed it to Jiang Lin, and said, "This spatial ring has a storage volume of 20 cubic meters. The school prepared it as a reward for our school's top student.

"If you make it into the top ten of our school this time, I will gift you an identical ring in my personal capacity."

Jiang Lin was a bit surprised, but he felt the man was still underestimating him.

"Then if I take first place, do I get one ring or two?" Jiang Lin asked directly.

"If you take first place, in addition to the school's reward, I will personally gift you a high-tier skill," Wills said with a smile.

Jiang Lin secretly calculated in his head.

A spatial ring with 20 cubic meters was worth about 200 gold coins, and a high-tier skill was worth at least 100 gold coins.

With this, he could earn at least 300 gold coins!

Of course, the requirement was that he had to take first place.

Since he hadn't fought Anya at her full power, Jiang Lin wasn't clear about their true combat strength.

But by the time he entered the secret realm, since he had two days, his stamina would reach at least 10,000.

In that state, Jiang Lin really didn't know how he could lose...