Enod Valley, East of Eden. Its size was just big enough to house a school for teenagers. However, it could still be considered a dangerous location to be in since the normal Spawned Beasts in the area were still as destructive as the wild spawned beasts in Eden, especially for someone who had no experience in cultivation.
Sean, Durov, Valen and Ervin Gillette. These four boys came to the outskirts to train, hoping to make some significant leveling up while practicing their techniques as they prepared for the Annual Gillette Household Academy Entrance Competition.
The sun was already standing in the centre of the barren sky, without clouds to shield it from coming out, as it blazed down hard.
All four of them got off their horses with Sean, stepping forward to take the lead. They took a deep breath as they looked over Enod. "Three days!"
"The competition is our chance at making it into the academy and becoming senior members of the Gillette Household. This training could be our decider."
"This year is different, I'm sure we'll make it."
Every member of the Gillette Household longed to become senior members. Becoming a senior member had its perks such as receiving cultivation resources. Mentorship from senior members and also elevation amongst the Household.
The Annual Academy Entrance Competition was held once a year. With all members of the Gillette Household below the age of 18 having access to compete. Killing and returning with the head of a wild spawned beast in Eden within the scheduled time limit was the criteria for passing the entrance competition leading to greatness.
While the competition was on, whoever turned up with the most spawned beasts head would become the overall winner coming at first place and the prize this year for the overall winner was breathtaking.
Access to the Household library for selection of a new Martial Technique, 3 improvement elements and the best of all. The upgrade element.
The competition during the previous years was tight but this year was surely different.
Under the age 18, Sir Gregory was the one person with the highest level at level 3, bronze rank. He had no competition, aside himself so, taking the overall winner was not going to be a problem to him.
Two figures soon appeared to be approaching where the boys stood. Upon getting closer, it was Maxwell and Constantine. Their throats dried out with cracks on their lips from dehydration. Their whole body was already drenched with sweat dripping from their heads. These two had been running all the way through the journey.
"Ahhh! Bastards, what distance did you run that you are already half dead? How shameful."
"You'd better take good care of our horses while we're away."
After saying that, they tossed the reins at Maxwell and Constantine, giving them a look of disgust. The four made their way into Enod valley.
Maxwell clenched onto his chest as he gasped for breath while trying to swallow his own saliva to make his dry throat wet. He cursed silently at the four. The quest was the only thing holding him back from taking on them.
Luck turned to be on his side when Sean handed over his rein before leaving.
"Crackle,!"
"Congratulations Pla,yer Maxwell Gillette for completing the quest, Take care of horses. Reward: 80 XP added."
He could only smile at himself after the notification tone.
"I've completed the quest so it's time I taught them a lesson."
The distance Maxwell had covered today on a single run was the longest he had ever done in both his past life and this. The run could not be compared to even a marathon. He had little faith in his legs before now but...
Maxwell's anger was when Sean and the others would suddenly stop on the way and then taunt them. He almost lost his cool on several occasions but his other self kept reminding him of the reward that awaited him.
Maxwell lacked the experience or techniques to defend himself which was why he still struggled at his level and didn't go into Eden to kill wild spawned beasts to get XP for himself.
He looked over in the direction the four boys left just now. He rubbed his palms together as he wore an excited smile on his face. "Just looking at this place makes me feel like I am in heaven already. All the XP lying around."
He kicked Constantine who was sprawled on the ground like a dead man. "Stay here and keep an eye on the horses, I'll go get us something to eat."
Constantine rubbed at his eyes with the back of his palms before giving Maxwell a reply. Be careful Sir Maxwell. Sean and the others are already there."
"About that! Nothing to worry about." Maxwell smiled at himself. "I'll take care of them for you." After giving Constantine some instructions, he headed straight in the direction the four boys headed.
Enod valley was like every other forest in Maxwell's other life. Tree roots crossed on each other with thick leaves covering the sky with little sunlight penetrating. It was basically dark inside and anyone could easily get lost inside here.
Just some distance into the dense forest, Maxwell began to notice markings on the trunk of the trees Sean and his crew had made by hacking on them. It was as if they were already making plans for finding their way in case they got lost or were attacked by a wild spawned beast, or maybe if they got separated from each other.
Using these carvings, Maxwell soon located them. As he followed silently, waiting for his opportunity to strike.
"It's as if, someone is following us?" Sean, who was already at Level 6, Bronze Rank turned as he surveyed the area before continuing.
"It's just the pressure, nothing to worry about."
"Right! It wouldn't be that those two bastards left their duty posts to follow us?"
"We'll just have to use them to play wouldn't we?"
"Hahaha..."
Sean,, soon spotted a Spawned beast immediately making a gesture to the others. "There's a spawned beast up ahead."
The four looked together.
A wild boar was just in front of them at a distance with its gray eyes glowing at them as it looked, in their direction,.
Maxwell who was well hidden was surprised at the new event. "The opportunity just came, WOW!" He muttered to himself.
"Let's start building up our mana and get close to it. Once it attacks, we'll strike together." Sean said, laying out his plan to the others who nodded in agreement. They each began to prepare as they clenched their fists.
The boar was a normal Spawned beast and didn't notice the incoming attack as it continued on its path under the forage. The four boys were now very close when its protruding horns were set out.
The boar was to be considered a level 0 normal Spawned Beast, so Sean and the others could easily tackle it.
Just then...
Maxwell needed to utilize the strength of the boar. Only him against the four was a difficult match so he needed the boar as his opportunity to make a one tap kill.
Immediately, Maxwell picked up a small rock, aiming at the boar, he made his shot.
"Tap!"
The rock landed on the side of the boar, sending it into a frenzy. It didn't wait to be attacked as it made the first move by diving at the four with its horn coming out violently.
At the same time, Maxwell let out a horrific laughter. "Hahaha..."
The sound coming from the dark inside the dark forest made the four boys shiver in fear, they turned, around just then.
At this same time the boar rushed at them.
"Watch out Erin!" Sean screamed just in time for Erin to evade the attack. He was now distracted and his mawas na that he was keeping for the attack reduced.
Erin quickly made a run to escape from the others. He didn't care about the training anymore, he just wanted, to escape.
Maxwell seeing his opportunity quickly rushed to activate his Martial Technique.
"Dragon Beast Palm!"
With the darkness as his blessing, Maxwell made his strike. "Bang!"
Erin's face slowly paled as the palms came in contact with his chest. He was seen flying across some meters before landing at the foot of a big tree. Erin's expression grew faint as blood escaped the side of his lip. He died.
"Crackle!"
The notification sound had never been this sweeter in Maxwell's mind.