Mid-November swiftly arrived, kicking off Fiore Academy’s elimination rounds. The influx of people into Fiore Academy was immense, with a significant portion consisting of students’ parents. The rest were nobles; however, a subtle fraction among these nobles were actually intelligence gatherers from rival academies.
“Why haven’t Yue Wu and his group arrived yet?”
Lucy, standing at the training ground entrance, had watched every other team enter. The sole exceptions were Yue Wu and the priest students, and her anxiety mounted.
“Lucy, please enter. Dean Hootga is waiting for you.”
Modley emerged from the arena.
“I understand.”
With a sigh, Lucy turned and walked into the arena.
Just five minutes remained until the start, yet Yue Wu and his students were still nowhere to be seen at the arena’s entrance.
“Today marks Fiore Academy’s annual elimination tournament. From a multitude of teams, only ten will advance. Each group may consist of a maximum of five individuals, and the rules of the competition are quite straightforward.”
“The first round involves all teams entering an inner dimension. This initial stage is a free-for-all, lasting three hours. There is only one winning condition: accumulate one hundred points to qualify.”
“These points are derived from the badges carried by all participants; each badge is worth twenty points.”
“During the competition, the use of prohibited substances is strictly forbidden. Any violating participant will face immediate disqualification, which will also result in the disqualification of their entire team.”
Lucy stood on a hovering platform, explaining the content and rules of the first round. Despite her professional demeanor, her eyes continually darted towards the various arena entrances.
“One minute left. All participants, please enter the inner dimension in an orderly fashion.”
Hootga stood on another hovering platform. He and Lucy were the appointed hosts for this competition, a role originally intended for Daliena, but which had unexpectedly fallen to them.
“Not too much, not too little. The timing is just right.”
Precisely when only two seconds remained, Yue Wu materialized abruptly in the arena with thirty students. The last group swiftly entered the inner dimension.
“Teacher Yue Wu, you’re late.”
Hootga was deeply displeased with Yue Wu, a teacher habitually late, yet he was powerless against the higher-ups who protected him.
“No, I’m just on time. As for the rules and content, I’ve already briefed my little brats in class.”
Yue Wu looked up at Hootga, pointing to the thirty students behind him, all clad in pristine white robes. He beamed radiantly, as if something wonderful had happened today, radiating pure joy.
“Once inside, remember the task I gave you, understand?”
Yue Wu turned to face the thirty students.
“Yes! We will definitely win back the prize money for Teacher!”
The thirty students replied in perfect unison, their combined voices incredibly loud, reverberating throughout the entire arena.
“Excellent, then off you go!”
“Remember, prize money first! Assaulting opponents comes a close second. Give them a brutal thrashing! If anything happens, your teacher will bear the consequences!”
“Go on, my little brats! Let them witness the astonishing progress you’ve made these past few months.”
Yue Wu turned, pointing a finger towards the entrance of the inner dimension.
“Yes!”
After several months of Yue Wu’s special training, all thirty students had undergone a profound, transformative metamorphosis.
“I think it’s better not to be too heavy-handed.”
Yue Wu suddenly called out to them, offering a final piece of advice.
“Yes!”
After loudly responding to Yue Wu, the thirty students marched with synchronized steps into the inner dimension. Finally, the door to the inner dimension closed.
“Then, let the competition officially begin!”
Seeing Yue Wu and the priest students appear, a wave of relief washed over Lucy, and she promptly announced the start of the competition.
Four massive screens appeared in the center of the arena, guaranteeing every spectator a clear view of the unfolding match.
“Well now~”
Yue Wu walked to the mentors’ exclusive lounge and sat down. To his left were Bruno and Hootga, and to his right, Modley and the perpetually cool Sophia.
“Hmph!”
Bruno emitted a soft huff and turned his head. Seeing Yue Wu always reminded him of that day’s events, which were nothing short of a profound humiliation.
“Teacher Yue Wu, why wasn’t your class at the academy for those few months?”
Hootga was very curious about what Yue Wu had been doing during that time.
“I’m curious too.”
Modley was also very curious; he could clearly sense the change in those thirty students, a stark contrast to their state upon arrival.
“Wilderness special training, and incidentally, I gave each of them personalized mini-training sessions.”
Yue Wu had no intention of hiding it and directly explained what he had done during those months, leaving the other mentors wide-eyed in astonishment.
Although those months of special training transformed the thirty students, the six who underwent the most significant change from Yue Wu’s regimen were Jeanne D’Arc and her companions.
After a month, when they emerged, their temperaments had shifted dramatically, and their magical energies were far more restrained. Even Alicia, known for her spirited nature, had grown remarkably composed.
The introverted Windy Feron, however, remained much the same, yet the only discernible difference was a newfound resolve, her willpower considerably strengthened.
Their Orleans Knights could be said to be set on their destined historical path. It was estimated that it wouldn’t be long before they became the strongest mercenary guild on the European continent, just like in the game.
“The first team is out!”
Not long after the competition began, the entrance to the inner dimension opened, and the first qualifying team emerged. They were priest students, all clad in pristine white robes. Each of them pulled back their hoods, revealing Lyon and his group.
“It’s the Priest Department’s Lyon group! Congratulations on being the first team to qualify!”
The commentator sounded exceptionally enthusiastic, and even the aristocratic spectators began to cheer. The reason was simple: Lyon was a noble, and they were applauding him for that very fact.
“Tch!”
However, Lyon didn’t even spare the nobles a glance; instead, he turned away with undisguised disdain. Yet, the cheers within the arena did not cease because of his attitude.
Prosius: “Lyon doesn’t seem very happy.”
Heraclitus: “Indeed, and Lyon seems to really dislike those nobles.”
Agaf: “Stop overthinking it.”
Cloister: “Lyon, let’s first report to the teacher, then head back to the lounge to rest.”
Lyon: “Mm.”
The five of them walked cheerfully, arms slung over each other’s shoulders, towards the mentors’ lounge.
“Teacher, we’ve successfully completed the mission, and we even broke a record!”
Upon seeing Yue Wu, Prosius’s entire being thrummed with excitement.
“That’s because I, Heraclitus, was there. Otherwise, how could we possibly break the record?”
Heraclitus flexed his muscles demonstratively in front of Yue Wu.
“Both of you, settle down.”
Agaf felt utterly helpless with these two brothers.
“Teacher, we won.”
Cloister stood before Yue Wu. He and Lyon stood there very seriously, both exuding an aura reminiscent of seasoned soldiers.
“You’ve worked hard. Go back and rest; there’s still the second round tomorrow.”
“Nevertheless, I still congratulate you on your victory.”
Yue Wu nodded, a smile on his face.