Atop the thick trees, which were approximately the height of a fifteen-story building, the wind howled fiercely as figures swooshed through the air! They were moving so fast that it would be difficult for the eyes to follow them.
These were not examinees who wanted to participate in the entrance exam; they were instructors of the Royal Vermilion Academy, and high-level ones at that! The Awakened with the lowest level here was at level 60!
Because of the nature of the entrance exam, Bridget, along with the other instructors, had allocated countless healers and other utility-type Awakened to carefully observe everything and step in if things got too serious, to the point of an examinee losing their life.
The instructors were well aware that this kind of exam was anything but peaceful. These hot-blooded teenagers wouldn't give up their token without putting up a fight; anyhow you looked at it, there was bound to be casualties.
Fortunately, with their presence, the instructors hoped to reduce these casualties so that an examinee wouldn't lose their life.
Below the trees, near a lake, a black-haired youth with strands of red, dressed in a fit bluish attire, popped out of thin air like a ghost.
"This teleportation can be very disgusting." Nox's face twisted in disgust as he fought the urge to throw up his breakfast. He had been using teleportation back in Cromwell Barony, but this was the first time he had used it in quick succession, which made him feel slightly unwell.
It took only a few seconds for Nox to regain his composure, and his gaze swept through his surroundings. What appeared in his view were rows of thick trunks. However, he was in a clearing with broken trees and large footprints that he suspected belonged to a Beast. Just a few meters away from him, there was a lake with clear water.
As he sensed the thick scent of the forest, Nox couldn't help but comment in a low tone, "This place reminds me a lot of the Luminary Forest."
"Alright, guys, come out!" Nox called out, and the air seemed to hum as countless blue portals popped out, casting shadows on the ground. There were a total of four portals, and from these portals, Fluffington, Solora, Thirteen, and Astralux appeared.
[Some beasts inside the taming space would be nice] Solora hissed, her forked tongue exposed as she stared around with a curious light shining in her gem-like eyes.
[I second that, Solora is right] Fluffington claimed as he stretched his body. It seemed he had been in a curled-up form for too long.
Thirteen and Astralux, though not as vocal as the other two, nodded in agreement as well. In the past years, Nox had developed the taming space, improving it significantly. He had cleared the usual fog and placed more trees to make the place much more habitable for his pets.
'But it seems like I have to make it more like a forest by placing high-tier level beasts. That way, it could also improve their combat awareness,' Nox thought with a serious expression.
At that moment, Nox nodded and looked at his pets as he said seriously, "Alright, we'll do that, but for now, I have a job for you guys."
A job! Whenever Nox said he had a job or a mission for them, it automatically translated to fighting! The eyes of all the pets shone with excitement… even Astralux!
Over the past years, Astralux had been influenced by both Thirteen and Fluffington, and she began to crave battling just like them. As for Solora, she grew up with her three siblings, who were battle maniacs, and thought it was natural for all beasts.
"I'm far behind because of the system upgrade. I want to use this opportunity to level up as well... so," Nox paused as he whispered the rest of the job details.
The level of excitement seemed to have soared to new heights, and with a burst of speed, Fluffington, Thirteen, Solora, and Astralux exploded in different directions, causing a powerful gust of wind to sweep through the surrounding area. The blades of grass were blown into the air, along with dust.
When the dust settled, the only one left in the scene was Nox. A moment later, he began to leave.
"Because of the shared experience points and with the experience I'm going to receive, I should gain some new levels. Now, let's get to work."
A few steps later, a fierce roar reverberated. The aura smashed into him like a crushing wave. The power behind the roar was terrific! The trees shook, and a few were bent into awkward shapes before eventually snapping to the ground with a thunderous sound. A single roar had simultaneously destroyed several trees in its trajectory!
"King tier!" Nox's eyes gleamed as his clothes billowed in the wind as he rushed toward the direction of the beast.
Meanwhile, in another part of the level four dimensional rift, the air was filled with tension as two Awakened, one level twenty-five and the other level twenty-three, faced off against each other.
One of the Awakened was a girl with above-average appearance. She held a staff, suggesting that she was a mage, while the other was a spear-man. In his grasp was a sharp spear that reflected the sun in its gleaming steel.
"Hand over your token, I don't want to hurt a girl!" The boy pointed his spear at the girl. "But if you don't, I'll be forced to use force!"
"Do your worst!" The girl's eyes flashed with defiance. This was her dream, and she had come a long way. She wouldn't go down without a fight, even though her opponent surpassed her in levels.
"Very well then!" The boy sneered as he shot forward, his spear poised for a strike.
The girl also charged forward, the tip of her staff pulsing with a dangerous reddish glow that made her opponent slightly cautious in his heart. However, this was perfectly masked as he didn't want to show any sign of weakness to the enemy.
But just before the two could clash in what would have been a bloody epic fight, a creature with fur as dark as night appeared between them. The two noticed the presence of this newcomer and their eyes trembled! Because of the unexpected entrance, the two hesitated for a bit.
That little time frame cost them dearly!
Claws flashed in the air, and severe pain shot through their bodies as they collapsed. A terrible claw-shaped wound ran from their chests to their stomachs. The two were confused, wanting to speak, but the pain was just too unbearable.
Under their terrified gaze, the black creature elegantly strode forward to the girl with measured steps, as though it owned the forest. The girl held her breath as the creature roamed around her body before eventually picking the token she had carefully kept in her pocket with its mouth.
The beast did the same thing with the spear-man as well before disappearing back into the bushes, as if nothing had happened.
"What... just happened?" The two previous enemies asked each other with dumbfounded expressions. Did they just get robbed by a beast?