The dust gradually cleared, and Aster Grant's silhouette became distinct under the sunlight.
Lazuli's wings gently folded, her porcelain-white hands slowly releasing from his waist.
Just at the critical moment, as the referee was about to announce elimination.
Without much thought, he leapt directly down from the military beast escorting him back to the city.
Only then, at the last moment, did he thrillingly arrive at the arena.
Aster Grant's sudden appearance left the referee stunned for several seconds, then he announced in realization:
"Contestant Aster Grant has arrived, the match begins!"
As this announcement echoed, the audience erupted into a frenzy, discussions raging continuously.
"How did Aster Grant suddenly appear? He actually came to the assessment!"
"There's going to be a good show; Mason Cheney definitely won't let him off easily!"
"Even though they say Aster Grant got the SSS-Level rating by cheating, his strength is indeed not weak. Maybe he can really match Mason Cheney!"
"Match? What a joke! Didn't you see Young Master Cheney's performance just now? At least Awakening Tier Six strength, do you understand what that means?"
Amid the uproar, Will King's legs turned to jelly on the stage, his forehead covered in a fine sweat.
Aster Grant not appearing originally made him think he could rely on luck to advance steadily.
But unexpectedly...
Aster Grant still made it to the arena, and in such a high-profile manner!
"Aster... Brother Grant..." Will King's voice trembled, "Spare me…"
No matter the rumors outside, Aster Grant was truly a potential SSS-Level contender.
This means Aster Grant's level is at least Awakening Tier Five.
Whereas he...
Out of fear of dying in the Alternate Space, he didn't dare to improve his level there for the past ten days.
This left him at only Awakening Tier Three.
"Don't worry, it will be over soon."
Before Will King could comprehend the meaning of the words, a white streak flashed before his eyes.
"Roar——!"
His Awakening Tier Three Beastbond only had time to let out a miserable cry before crashing to the ground.
"I concede!"
Without hesitation, Will King raised both of his hands, his face turning pale.
Beneath the stage, Mason Cheney's eyes narrowed slightly.
He nonchalantly caressed the succubus's hair:
"Charm, what level do you say your former master's Beastbond has reached?"
The succubus glanced at Lazuli, hesitated a moment, and then slowly spoke:
"Brother Mason, judging from that Beastbond's performance just now, at most Awakening Tier Six."
Mason Cheney's lips curled into a cold smile.
Awakening Tier Six?
In front of his Awakening Tier Eight succubus, it was nothing more than an ant.
The subsequent matches progressed swiftly.
Two hours later, the top fifty students had been determined.
Only those within the top fifty could participate in the second assessment organized by the military.
The entire examination comprised three assessments!
The first assessment was organized by the school, ensuring scores were drawn from the Novice Trial Space and school-level assessments.
The second was organized by the military, similarly scoring the students' performances.
The final assessment would be organized by all universities nationwide, also scoring based on students' performances.
The final comprehensive evaluation and ranking would be based on the scores from these three assessments!
At this moment, these fifty students are about to conduct the school-level ranking assessment.
"Silence."
With the referee's command, the entire square fell silent.
"The ranking match of the top fifty will continue with a draw-for-duel method."
"First round, fifty people draw lots for duels, twenty-five advance."
"Second round, twenty-four draw lots for duels, one gets a bye, thirteen advance."
"Third round, twelve draw lots for duels, one gets a bye, seven advance."
"Fourth round, six draw lots for duels, one gets a bye, four advance."
"Finally, by drawing lots again, the semi-finals and finals will be conducted!"
"Now, the match officially begins!"
The match carried on feverishly, with every contestant striving in their own way to advance.
Some crushed their opponents with superior strength, while others narrowly won by sheer luck.
Yet, Aster Grant's path to advancement became the hottest topic in the arena.
"Is his luck defying heaven itself?"
"Out of three possible byes, he drew two of them himself!"
The audience discussion was lively, with many already dubbing Aster Grant "The Chosen One."
More astonishingly, the two remaining matches involved opponents who were once his rescued teammates in the Novice Trial Space.
"Brother Grant, we concede."
"Without your saving grace back then, we'd be..."
The two teammates didn't hesitate to forfeit, their eyes full of gratitude.
Thus, after four rounds, Aster Grant advanced effortlessly to the top four without even lifting a finger.
Advancing with him were the aggressive Mason Cheney, the capable Bianca Shelby, and the dark horse—Awakening Tier Five Beast Tamer Peter Lawson.
The next morning, Lythos City was in upheaval.
The examination square was packed, not a single gap available, with spectators even occupying the rooftops of surrounding buildings.
"Look quickly! That's President Cheney!"
"The Vice Principal is here too!"
"My god, even the City Lord himself has come!"
In the VIP seats, Lythos City's most influential figures took their places.
Shane Cheney—Mason Cheney's father, the president of Lythos's largest commerce association.
At this moment, he whispered with the Vice Principal, a meaningful smile on his face.
"I heard your son's succubus has reached Awakening Tier Eight?" the Vice Principal asked tentatively.
Shane Cheney modestly waved his hand.
"It's merely child's play. But as for Aster Grant..."
He paused meaningfully, "The SSS-Level rating is truly something to look forward to."
Initially, he thought that the impoverished student whose Beastbond he'd "bought" would have no more days of prominence.
Unexpectedly, after the Novice Trials, he became a sensational figure within Lythos City.
It's just...
How much substance there is within it, he didn't know!
Shane Cheney narrowed his eyes, lightly tapping the armrest of his seat.
He had long since sent someone to thoroughly investigate Aster Grant's background.
"Broken Angel? Ha..." he scoffed internally.
Even if that angel truly regained power, at most it's an Epic Level.
Whereas the succubus contracted by his son was not only of the same Epic Level but had also achieved the Awakening Tier Eight Realm.
With a disparity of two levels, what could Aster Grant have to win?
The Vice Principal noticed the atmosphere wasn't right, hastily smoothing things over:
"Brother Cheney is too modest, let's focus on watching the competition."
With that, he directed his gaze back to the arena.
Currently, the atmosphere on site was so tense it was almost tangible.
Amidst the public gaze, the draw results for the first match appeared successfully on the large screen.
"First match of the semi-finals, Aster Grant versus Peter Lawson!"
As the referee made the announcement, the Awakening Tier Five Beast Tamer appeared onstage with heavy steps.
Peter Lawson looked at Aster Grant, who was calm and indifferent across from him, and his Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously.
"Brother Grant..." he forced a smile more unsightly than crying, "spare me."
...
...