Hughberlian's Luck

In the courtyard examination hall, the light filtering through the glass dome became increasingly dazzling.

Theresa shook her head, feeling something was off.

How could this young man propose such a plan with such a sunny and cheerful expression?

Of course, judging from his previous exam, he was already no ordinary person.

"So don't worry, I, the little pioneer who abides by the law, won't act against you."

Lanchi smiled and said to Hughberlian.

He felt that teammates should have more trust in each other.

"Indeed."

Hughberlian hesitated slightly before agreeing.

If this guy was really an actor, she probably wouldn't have much of a future in this Royal Capital.

He might not be strong as a White Mage, but as a legal pioneer...

She couldn't say for sure.

There wasn't much time for further discussion.

Following the examination procedure.

Lanchi and Hughberlian were quickly led by Theresa to the Void Gate.

"You two should pay a little attention to Examiner Ferrat Chavenson."

Theresa whispered from the side,

"Maybe I shouldn't say this... but he's a rather strict fellow."

Personally, Theresa thought Hughberlian and Lanchi were two excellent students, so she didn't want them to be treated unfairly.

Although, she couldn't offer any substantial help either.

"Thank you."

Hughberlian nodded, thanking Theresa.

Just knowing who their examiner was was already a help to her.

"Alright, the exam is about to begin."

Along with Theresa's gentle voice, in front of the Artificial Shadow World Activation Terminal, the Void Gate opened before the two of them.

Only this time, the Void Gate displayed a countdown.

Clearly, the examinees needed to enter on time.

Lanchi didn't ask much and stepped into this Void Gate with Hughberlian.

Although he didn't know who Ferrat was, it seemed Hughberlian did. He could just ask her later.

Inside the Void Gate.

Just like last time, it was a pitch-black space where nothing could be seen.

The surroundings were much quieter than the seventh-floor atrium, as if all sound had been blocked out.

The next second, brilliant light illuminated the space, and he felt as if he were in an alternate dimension resembling a time-space tunnel.

Prompt characters appeared before his eyes simultaneously.

Shadow World: Infinite Phantom Canyon

Level: Tier 2

Number of Challengers: 2

Welcome to Phantom Canyon. This map was developed by the Magic Engineering Institute and is a Shadow World specifically for combat training.

The current exam setting is a state where the Shadow World's main objective has failed, and the challengers are in a desperate situation.

You will face a Tier 4 Hunter played by the examiner in a random map. The examiner is prohibited from using Magic Cards but will use spells appropriate to their Tier.

There is no life-threatening danger in the Artificial Shadow World.

After failing in the Shadow World or a candidate is eliminated, they will be automatically ejected from the Shadow World.

Candidates can also choose to voluntarily exit the Shadow World and will be judged as failed.

Note: Based on the evaluation of Candidate 001 Lanchi Wilford and Candidate 002 Hughberlian Aransal in the previous assessment, the difficulty of this exam will be adaptively adjusted.

Note: The initial distance from the Hunter has been reduced to 1/3.

Note: The Hunter's Tier limit has been adjusted to Tier 5.

Mission Objective: Candidates, please cooperate to survive until the time limit ends.

Time Remaining: 29 minutes 59 seconds.

The map for this assessment is: Ilyavin Great Plains.

When the light fully illuminated the area, they saw themselves standing on a vast grassland. Sunlight shone on every inch of the land, warm and bright.

In the distance, the sky was as blue as if it had been washed clean, and a few white clouds drifted leisurely with the breeze. The green grass on the prairie danced in the wind, full of vitality, like a sea of emerald.

"Just how high was your score?"

When Hughberlian saw the "1/3 initial distance" and "Tier 5 Hunter," she couldn't help but ask Lanchi.

But when she finally saw that the randomly generated terrain was "Plains"...

She finally couldn't hold back a little.

She was even so angry she wanted to laugh.

"I don't know. Didn't they say it was artificial scoring this time? They didn't announce it. And isn't the 'Plains' map just for show?"

Even Lanchi was stunned for a moment.

For a moment, he couldn't quite tell if someone had tampered with the randomness for them, or if their luck was truly terrible, or if the person who designed this [Infinite Phantom Canyon] in the Magic Engineering Institute was just a little crazy.

He had long heard that the people in the Magic Engineering Institute at this school were not normal.

Now I'm starting to see a bit of it.

Generally speaking.

These three negative effects, when separate, are still acceptable.

But when they're all added together, the nature changes.

You have to understand that most of the entrance exam candidates are only Tier 2.

Like Lanchi, who just recently reached Tier 2.

Tier 3 candidates like Hughberlian are only a minority.

However.

Whether they are Tier 2 or Tier 3, they are no match for a Tier 5 enemy!

Being caught means the exam is over.

In this vast, endless plain terrain and with the shortened distance, they have no possibility of kiting.

"Heh heh..."

Hughberlian was about to say something, but then felt that anything she said would be meaningless.

These noble lords, who are both "concerned with appearances" and "shameless" at the same time, every one of their high-sounding actions seems particularly ridiculous.

Since the Duke of Aransal disappeared, she has been deeply embroiled in murderous plots, falsely accused, unable to distinguish who wants to help her and who wants to harm her.

Finally, she investigated some clues about her father's disappearance and found a glimmer of hope.

But because of this, she touched upon something deeper.

Even she herself could feel that soon, she would inexplicably die in the Royal Capital.

The only chance of survival she had now was to successfully enroll according to the last arrangement her father made for her before he disappeared—

With the protection of Loren, the High Priest of the Goddess of Fate, no one would dare to commit murder rashly in the Sage Institute.

However.

Those who can't stand to lose.

Ultimately, they won't let her join Iketerite Academy as she wishes.

"You're not running?"

Hughberlian turned her head, slightly raised her eyes, and asked.

She found that Lanchi beside her also had no intention of starting a panicked escape.

"If you drop out now, you'll suffer less."

"That won't do."

Lanchi said helplessly.

"Why not?"

Hughberlian showed a hint of a mocking smile.

Unlike her, whose heart was twisted by anger and killing intent, and who was nearing the end of her rope.

This young man didn't seem to have a reason why he had to pass the assessment.

Lanchi spread his hands and replied:

"If I don't pass, my old man will scold me when I get home."

"..."

Hughberlian thought Lanchi was joking.

But observing carefully.

She found that Lanchi had been like this from beginning to end.

Although he occasionally showed emotions like surprise or confusion.

His deep inner self had never produced any ripples.

It was as if this person's heart rate was always in the state of drinking afternoon tea.