As students of Star Rain Academy, they knew a great deal about this forest.
Rarely did a school set a grade assessment in such a dangerous place.
These two days happened to be the time the academy sent out a new batch of graduates for their trial.
According to the requirements, the party members would work together to kill monsters, ultimately earning different points based on the number and strength of their kills.
Only the top fifty percent in the rankings would earn the chance to continue their studies.
The entire assessment lasted for a full month.
Although efforts were made to minimize casualties and the students mostly carried life saving items and were led by a senior, every year there were still a few unlucky souls who lost their lives.
It was no wonder these few people were a bit nervous.
However, the swordsman senior's confidence helped everyone relax.
After all, this was only the outermost boundary. Even if they encountered a strong magic beast, could a Tier 4 senior not protect them?
Which of the students who died each year wasn't a self righteous unlucky fool?
As long as they followed the teaching procedures, it was hard to even die.
“The elimination rate for the assessment is not low. Both luck and strength are important factors. Do not think that just because you are strong, you are definitely safe.”
The senior used his experience as a predecessor to remind his beautiful junior.
Just then, a dark tree hollow suddenly appeared in their sight.
“Hm, a burrow of a ground claw beast.”
Seeing this, the senior immediately looked at his three juniors. “Next, it is up to you. The academy will record the entire battle process, so I certainly cannot help you cheat.”
“Understood, let us try.”
Recalling the description of ground claw beasts in their textbooks, the students immediately took action.
“Sand Mound.”
the female mage released a skill, and nearly a hundred kilograms of stone instantly turned into quicksand, pouring down toward the entrance of the hollow.
A roar immediately erupted from inside the burrow.
Seeing a monster about to poke its head out, the shield warrior immediately charged forward with a roar, releasing a shockwave that blasted it back down.
“Water Stream!”
Liquid was released from the staff, pouring down into the hole.
The sand and water mixed, and then the archer took out a small scroll and threw it forward. It turned into a burst of icy mist, completely freezing the wet sand.
“Now we wait for three minutes,” the shield warrior student said, wiping away cold sweat.
“Well done.” The senior nodded with great satisfaction. “No wonder the mentor said you were the most outstanding students this year. Although you are Tier 3, both your combat experience and coordination are beyond the ordinary. And Carol, I did not expect you to actually master magic of two elements.”
“It is not that impressive, just good luck,” the girl said shyly.
“That is not luck, but true talent. According to statistics, dual element mages within the kingdom account for one in ten thousand of the population. They can reach at least Tier 5 strength in their lifetime and receive preferential treatment anywhere.”
After waiting for a while, they smashed through the frozen sand and pulled out a small, half meter long magic beast that was sealed within.
“A Tier 3 ground claw beast. Once this creature escapes its burrow, it is very hard to kill. Not only does it attack with sharp claws, but it can also release poisonous smoke. Your strategy was very correct. This one should earn you at least ten points.”
Everyone was very excited to hear the senior's praise.
They continued walking deeper into the forest.
Although the group clearly felt that the number of monsters was decreasing, they did not realize the reason for it.
They were steadily approaching the Zerg territory.
I have killed quite a few adventurers lately. I might as well get rid of these people too... Hm?
Just as Xia Jin was about to dispatch a swarm squad, she noticed that the ground the group stepped on had suddenly collapsed.
Subsequently, a horrifying monster fifteen or sixteen meters long poked its head out.
“A sand worm? This is bad! How can there be a Tier 4 creature in this area?”
The senior's expression changed drastically.
As soon as this massive creature appeared, Xia Jin saw it swing its pincers, which were over two meters long, smashing down toward the unprepared archer.
A pure physical attack.
“Is this thing really only Tier 4?”
Although the archer dodged, the sand worm's strike blasted an incredibly deep pit directly into the ground.
The female mage immediately cast Earth Spike, releasing two thirty centimeter long spikes that stabbed into the target's body.
But the sand worm's size was truly too large. Even though the spikes sank in more than halfway, they barely caused any damage.
On Xia Jin's side, because her Queen’s Projection happened to be in the nearby area, she directly summoned a swarm squad and arrived nearby in person.
From a distance, she could see the group fighting this sand worm with great difficulty.
The swordsman senior, who had claimed he would not help, was forced to join the battle because this monster truly exceeded everyone's limits.
Come to think of it, these students seem to know a lot about magic beasts.
She considered it for a moment and decided to save them after all, intending to gather some intelligence about the Kingdom of Clear from them.
“Go.”
With a single thought, the insects crouching on either side of her leaped out.
Rate on N.U.
