Theon had been so focused on his cultivation and training that he hadn't checked his holowatch for academy announcements in over a day.
Quickly activating the device, he scrolled through the message notifications until he found the official decree from the Dean's office.
[URGENT ASSIGNMENT - ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
Issued by: Dean Aldridge
Classification: Mandatory Participation
Due to the dimensional overlap incident in Helium City, all first-year students are hereby assigned to combat duty. Each student must eliminate one Rank 9 Primitive Beast within the F-grade catastrophe zone.
Students must form groups of at most five members. Failure to complete this assignment will result in immediate expulsion from Galaxy Reign Academy.
Departure: Tomorrow at dawn
Duration: Maximum 7 days
Medical Support: Emergency extraction available for life-threatening injuries only.]
"Clever, They solve a real problem while simultaneously weeding out the weak."
Theon murmured under his breath.
But this created several complications for his own plans.
He had intended to take the advancement examination today to officially progress from a normal student to Elite-Grade Student status.
The higher grade would provide access to better resources, more advanced classes, and greater freedom within the academy.
More importantly, it would give him legitimate reasons to be absent from certain activities, making it easier to avoid potential recognition by anyone who might report back to his family.
Quickening his pace, Theon made his way to the Advancement Hall, hoping to complete his examination before the dimensional crisis assignment became mandatory.
The Advancement Hall was a impressive circular building located at the center of the academic complex.
Under normal circumstances, it would be bustling with students attempting to advance their status or retake failed examinations.
Today, however, the hall was nearly empty.
Theon approached the reception desk where a tired-looking clerk was organizing stacks of paperwork.
The woman looked up as he approached, her expression suggesting she had been dealing with disappointed students all morning.
"I'm here for the advancement examination," Theon announced, presenting his student identification badge.
"New Student to Elite-Grade advancement."
The clerk sighed heavily and shook her head. "I'm afraid all advancement examinations have been postponed indefinitely pending completion of the dimensional crisis assignment. Dean's orders came down this morning, no student advancement activities until the Helium City situation is resolved."
Theon frowned slightly. "How long is the postponement expected to last?"
"Depends on how quickly you new students can handle the dimensional beasts," she replied with a shrug.
"Could be a week, could be a month. The Dean was very clear that this assignment takes absolute priority over all other academic activities."
"I see. Thank you for the information."
As Theon turned to leave, the clerk called after him. "If you're looking to form a group for the assignment, you might want to check the bulletin boards in the common areas. Lots of students are trying to find compatible teammates."
Theon was resting on a tree close to the Hall, contemplating what to do. Right now, he could decide to go alone but he was just a level 3 Genetic soldier with combat ability barely above level 6. A rank 9 primitive beast was at least three times higher than his combat ability.
He had no choice but to join a team.
Suddenly, he looked up, he saw a tall girl in a tight skinned dress walking towards him.
Theon turned to look around her. Students typically didn't come here, and it was the same at present. He was apparently the only person around for dozens of meters, and it was for this reason that he chose this spot.
He recognized the girl as Alice and he was immediately embarrassed the moment he saw her. That was because she was the one who shrieked when Theon's talent fixated on her.
Don't tell me Alice is looking for me? Theon looked at the girl walking straight towards him, and in response, he could only raise his head to look at her.
Alice was tall, standing at a height of 1.75 meters. At this age, she wasn't short among men and would stand out among women.
Although she was tall, her body proportions were excellent. Together with her slender body and constant training, she didn't seem too big in size. Her long, slender legs and exaggerated curves gave quite a strong visual impact. She had a primal charm of a feral nature.
While the two of them were in the same class, their status is way different as she seemed to have come from a prominent family.
Alice was clearly here for Theon. It left him perplexed, unsure why she was looking for him.
'Did she want revenge for that time?'
"Theon, I wish to invite you to join my team for the assignment." Alice came before Theon and said those startling words to him.
Theon had a bad reputation within the academy. Because news have spread that he was the son of a general with no talent at all.
It was still understandable If an ordinary student were to team up with him, but for Alice who had a chance of coming top ten in combat assignment test, there wasn't a good reason for her to recruit him.
"Why are you recruiting me?" Theon asked Alice with piqued interest.
Alice and Theon locked gazes. Her eyes were clear and untainted like crystal lake.
"I want to do my best to get a high score on the combat test, so I need a strong teammate. And you have that strength," Alice said calmly.
"Are you sure you are referring to me?" Theon asked with a stunned expression in his face.
Alice's glimmering eyes stared at Theon intently as she said firmly, "From what you did the other day, you're clearly stronger than the rumors. I'm not blind like the others."
"Perhaps I was just overthinking it but if you want me to forgive what you did that day, then you have no choice but to join my team." Alice didn't continue on the topic as she looked at Theon and asked, "So, what's your answer?"