Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Correction! First Place Goes to Aster Grant!
As Chloe Grant approached, Lazuli obediently bowed in greeting.
In front of her master’s sister, her previously fierce demeanor had long vanished, as docile as a compliant child.
Upon seeing Chloe’s displeased expression, Aster Grant quickly explained the situation regarding the sanctum to Chloe.
"What? The entrance to the sanctum is outside the defense line?"
Chloe exclaimed in shock.
It is known that Draconia has only built its defense line around the entrance to the alternate space.
The area occupied is but an extremely small portion of this space.
And beyond Draconia’s defense line...
It’s incredibly dangerous!
"Absolutely not!"
Chloe rejected it categorically.
With their Awakening Stage strength, going to those places is simply courting death.
However...
Just as Chloe was about to lay out the risks involved and persuade the two.
"Rest assured, their safety is the responsibility of this old man!"
A vigorous voice suddenly rang out.
Orion Winslow stood with his hands behind his back, having arrived at the group’s side at some unknown time.
"Teacher Winslow!"
Chloe’s pupils suddenly shrank, and she quickly paid her respects.
— Orion Winslow!
The seasoned mentor from Aegis Academy, a High Tier Beastbond master!
With his personal assurance, Chloe naturally had no further grounds for objection.
Seeing Chloe’s acquiescence, Orion Winslow took out a luminous blue potion from his sleeve and handed it to Crystal Winslow:
"Nourishing God Potion, it speeds healing."
As the potion was swallowed, Crystal Winslow’s previously pale complexion quickly returned to color, and her damaged spiritual power recovered swiftly.
She exhaled gently, suppressing the peculiar feeling within her, and nodded courteously to Chloe:
"Senior Grant!"
Chloe’s gaze flicked between Crystal Winslow and Aster Grant, a realization flashed in her eyes.
There’s something unusual about the way this Winslow girl looks at her brother!
However...
"The Winslow family’s daughter..."
She sighed inwardly, "With such a noble identity, our foolish boy probably isn’t worthy!"
"It’s getting late!"
Orion Winslow’s wide robes fluttered without wind, and a giant eagle with entirely blue feathers appeared out of thin air.
Its wingspan exceeded ten meters, kicking up gusts of wind.
"The journey is long; I’ll take them ahead of time!"
Chloe watched the silhouettes of the three as they leapt onto the eagle’s back, wanting to speak yet refraining.
Ultimately, she solemnly paid her respects:
"Teacher Winslow, I’m counting on you!"
"Screech—"
With a clear eagle’s cry, the giant eagle soared high, quickly becoming a black dot in the sky.
...
Time flew by, and the one-month assessment period was nearing.
In this trial, the most unexpected was Bianca Shelby’s meteoric rise.
She maximized the succubus’s abilities, leading her team to sweeping victories in the assessment zone.
"Have you noticed? The captain hasn’t been herself this month..."
"Could it be a confession to God Grant that got rejected?"
"Hush! But... looking at her relentless determination, it seems possible!"
Bianca’s cold gaze swept over the whispering team members:
"Idle chatter during the final sprint? Don’t you want to level up?"
This month, she devoted almost all her time to hunting the Demon Clan.
Even the team members were overwhelmed.
Yet, this successfully elevated the succubus’s level back to Awakening Tier Eight!
Finally, before the trial concluded, Bianca successfully broke through to Awakened Tier Nine!
As the teams returned to the assembly point one after another, the entrance was already bustling with activity.
"Young Master Yates from Grakkar should be first this time!"
"Indeed, within this month, Young Master Yates’s level reached Awakened Tier Nine."
"With such strength, who among the young generation can compare?"
Bianca led her team into the assembly zone, witnessing the crowd surrounding a young man in elaborate attire like stars around the moon.
Nearby students from Lythos explained in low voices:
"That’s Todd Yates from Grakkar, currently the highest level among those who’ve returned."
"If only God Grant from Lythos participated... Otherwise, he wouldn’t be first!"
Though the student spoke softly, the people from Grakkar heard him clearly.
The news quickly reached Todd Yates.
The prodigy from Grakkar smiled slightly, the Black Serpent coiled around his neck flicked its scarlet tongue, and slowly approached Bianca’s group.
Being the focus of the assembly zone, everyone’s attention quickly shifted to him.
"Oh?" Todd Yates stopped in front of Bianca, the black serpent on his neck continually flicking its tongue.
"That... God Grant you mentioned?"
He raised his tone playfully, "Is he very strong?"
The student who had spoken earlier lowered his head, completely silent.
But Bianca’s team members were undeterred.
To them, Aster Grant was the strongest.
One young man spoke out:
"God Grant is absolutely strong! At least stronger than you!"
Todd Yates’s smile instantly turned cold.
—Hiss!
The black serpent around his neck shot out like black lightning, aiming its venomous fangs at the outspoken young man.
"Enchanting Eyes!"
Realizing the danger, Bianca promptly commanded the succubus to act.
A spiritual shock hit the black serpent precisely.
The fierce serpent head froze in mid-air, its scarlet tongue hanging limply.
Taking advantage of this, Bianca shielded the team member behind her.
"That’s enough!"
Todd Yates stroked the dazed serpent, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
His gaze focused on the woman blocking his path...
This woman... is extraordinary!
With more people gathering around, he snorted coldly, flicking his sleeve as he turned.
The first place is certainly his!
No surprises possible!
Soon, a military-clad examiner strode onto the high platform:
"Now, we invite Aegis Academy’s overseer to give the final assessment!"
An uproar broke out below.
"What? Have the rules changed this year?"
"Isn’t ranking automatic by level?"
"There’s actually an overseer? I never noticed!"
Bianca remained calm, having already discovered the unseen overseers during the assessment due to the succubus’s powerful spiritual perception.
Therefore, she anticipated the change in rules for this trial.
At this moment, Chloe Grant, dressed in white, gracefully stepped onto the stage.
Her gaze swept across the attendees, her cool voice gradually echoing:
"150th place..."
"149th place..."
...
As she announced the top ten placements, the atmosphere tensed.
"9th place..."
"8th place..."
...
"2nd place, Todd Yates!"
Todd Yates’s pupils contracted sharply, his knuckles turned white.
How is it possible?!
Despite reaching Awakened Tier Nine, he only ended up second?!
Who took first place?
Wait!
He suddenly thought of someone.
Could it be that woman?!
Todd Yates’s expression grew extremely grim.
"1st place, Bianca Shelby!"
Whoa—
The entire place erupted.
"Young Master Yates isn’t first?"
"I thought he was so formidable? Turns out he’s only second."
Veins bulged on Todd Yates’s temples, but he suppressed his anger.
Defeated by a woman?
Utter humiliation!
Bianca stood rooted upon hearing the result.
Her gaze swept over the succubus...
If it weren’t for Aster Grant giving her this succubus, she surely wouldn’t have achieved such a score!
However.
After Chloe Grant finished announcing all rankings, the officer slowly stepped forward.
"Correction, all rankings move up a position!"
"First place—Aster Grant!"
Boom!
The scene exploded again.
"Who is Aster Grant? It seems he’s not even present!"
"Did God Grant not participate in this assessment? How is he still first?"
...
...