First in the Core Curriculum, the Second-Round Assessment, the Shadow Beast, and the Shattered Core!

The square.

A powerful wave of energy spread outward from Anton, striking every Wizard before him without distinction.

Bang!

In an instant, the energy structure controlled by one Wizard shattered and dissolved into scattered energy.

Many of the other Wizards' energy structures teetered on the brink of collapse.

Anton had not chosen to start gently and build up. From the outset, he had swept across the field with violent force.

The Wizards who had failed looked grim.

But they had no choice but to accept their defeat.

Quentin was among them.

He ranked among the finest Wizards in Elemental Mysteries, but here, he was just another unremarkable participant.

Still, it could have been worse.

At least he had not come last. That distinction belonged to the Wizards eliminated in the first round.

"Now it's up to Ian."

His gaze turned to Ian in the arena.

The other eliminated Wizards looked toward Ian as well, drawn by his performance in the first round.

When they saw that his energy structure remained stable, many felt the third round would not end so easily.

The energy waves grew stronger and stronger.

The number of eliminated Wizards steadily rose.

In the blink of an eye,

only a dozen or so Wizards remained in the arena.

"This is bad!"

Soren did his best to control the multifaceted structure before him.

When the next energy wave struck,

he fought to keep it under control, but cracks spread across its surface.

Then it collapsed.

"One round is over for me."

He sighed.

Fortunately, his result was about what he could manage. He had not slipped up.

"Only three Wizards outside the Gray Tower are left now."

He looked over. One was Ian, of course. Another seemed to be the roommate who had come with Ian, while the