Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Farewell, Crystal Winslow!
Finally, after Aster Grant repeatedly guaranteed her, the little girl returned to normal.
For the next two days, Aster Grant rarely took Lazuli out for a leisurely stroll around Lythos.
From the cuisine to the local customs, he let the little girl experience it all.
Until the day when the second assessment began.
Just as Aster Grant brought Lazuli to the gathering square, he saw an unexpected person.
"Crystal... Crystal Winslow?!"
The girl in snow-white attire walked slowly, accompanied by a spirited elderly man.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing Aster Grant, Crystal Winslow’s footsteps slightly paused, a hint of panic flashed through her cold eyes.
Crystal Winslow pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Sanctum!"
The girl’s voice was very soft, and Aster Grant didn’t notice anything unusual about her.
After all, in his impression, Crystal Winslow was always this taciturn.
But Orion Winslow, standing nearby, squinted his eyes.
As the guardian who grew up watching Crystal Winslow, he keenly caught the difference in his young mistress!
His young mistress had previously been focused solely on her Beastbond, never distracted by external matters.
And now...
Orion Winslow’s sharp gaze swept over Aster Grant, pondering:
The young mistress insisted on coming to Lythos...
Could it be just for this boy?!
But upon second thought.
His duty was simply to protect Crystal Winslow’s safety, as for Crystal Winslow’s emotional affairs...
Better leave it to the Clan Leader!
"Now, with over forty days remaining before the Sanctum closes, I plan to first participate in the military assessment, enhance my strength to Awakened Tier Nine before entering."
"So, I want to first join the second assessment organized by the military, and you..."
Aster Grant’s gaze fell on Crystal Winslow.
The original intention of his statement was for Crystal Winslow to make arrangements herself and reunite when the time was right.
However...
"I’ll join too!"
Aster Grant: "???"
Aster Grant was momentarily speechless, opening his mouth to say something.
But seeing Crystal Winslow’s utterly reasonable expression, he only sighed helplessly in the end.
Let her join then.
Given Crystal Winslow’s strength and that deeply concealed elderly man’s protection, surely there wouldn’t be any danger.
Moreover, he couldn’t decide Crystal Winslow’s thoughts.
Thus, he let things be.
Soon, after the acting vice principal finished his speech, everyone assembled and proceeded to the second assessment point.
This assessment was set by the military, located within the Alternate Space.
Its purpose was for Newbie Beastmasters to quickly adapt to the harshness of the battlefield.
Although the military had preliminarily cleared the area of Demon Clan creatures, many students still perished here each year.
...
At the second assessment area.
Chloe Grant stared at the scene in front of her, slightly lost in thought.
Though the military provided the venue for this assessment, each student’s performance would be evaluated by personnel arranged from various universities.
As a talented student at Aegis Academy, she originally didn’t need to participate in supervising such fundamental assessments.
But thinking of Aster Grant, she took the initiative to apply to be an evaluator.
"Chloe, still worried about your brother?"
Her shoulder was lightly tapped, bringing her back from her thoughts by Rose Thorne’s voice.
Chloe Grant turned her head, meeting her close friend’s concerned gaze, she shook her head.
Yet seeing Chloe Grant like this, Rose Thorne knew her friend was just being stubborn.
"Chloe, don’t worry! With such an outstanding sister like you, how can your brother be any worse?"
"Besides, I’m here too!"
"I’ve already talked to the junior brothers and sisters, asking them to pay special attention to Aster Grant’s safety. You can rest assured!"
Chloe Grant looked at her close friend’s concerned expression and nodded gently:
"Thank you, Rose!"
Seeing her friend’s mood improve, Rose Thorne finally relaxed.
Subsequently, she furtively looked around, then leaned close to Chloe Grant’s ear, lowering her voice:
"Actually, not only did I ask them to protect your brother, but I specifically instructed..."
"Even if his performance is slightly lacking, they’d consider giving him high scores."
Chloe Grant smiled wryly upon hearing this: "Rose, there’s really no need for that. I believe he can make it into Aegis Academy on his own merit."
Rose Thorne dismissively pouted.
Aegis Academy isn’t easy to get into?
This is Draconia’s top academy.
Back in the day, Chloe Grant barely met the admission threshold, only truly shining after her Extraordinary Level Awakening of top-tier talent.
And her brother has always been in a small city, the likelihood of him passing...
Less than one percent!
Of course, she naturally wouldn’t voice these thoughts.
"Alright, I need to go to the area I’m responsible for."
Rose Thorne waved her hand but suddenly turned serious:
"By the way, the military mentioned that there were two Extraordinary Level Demon Clan creatures missed during the previous clearance here, Chloe, be careful."
"Mm!"
...
On another note.
After experiencing the familiar dizziness.
The fifty students who passed the first round found themselves in a brand new world.
Ancient trees stretched high, a faint mist lingered in the air.
In the distance, under the military’s temporary command post in the Alternate Space, the flag of Draconia fluttered in the unique breeze.
Previously, when Abel Vance took him, he couldn’t clearly see what the entrance to the Alternate Space looked like.
For Aster Grant, this was truly his first time stepping into Alternate Space officially.
And as soon as their group of more than fifty entered Alternate Space, they caught the attention of many people.
Besides candidates from Lythos, students advancing from several surrounding cities also gathered here.
"This should be Lythos’ team, right? Always the last to arrive."
"Their exam results are always at the bottom, yet they do make quite a spectacle."
"Yes, few students from Lythos pass these assessments, why are we waiting for them?"
In the midst of whispered discussions, Aster Grant furrowed his brow slightly.
"In the past, Lythos didn’t perform well in the assessments, often ranking at the bottom."
"But this year, with you, likely Lythos could take first place in this assessment."
Just then, Bianca Shelby walked over with her team, unraveling his curiosity.
And the succubus beside Bianca Shelby shrank down, lowering her head upon seeing Aster Grant, not daring to act rashly anymore.
During this time under Bianca Shelby’s guidance, she had become much more obedient.
"I probably won’t participate in this assessment."
Bianca Shelby was first stunned, then understood.
Given Aster Grant’s strength, he indeed didn’t need to prove anything through such assessments.
However.
Her gaze shifted to beside Aster Grant...
What a beautiful girl!
Seems like she really suits Aster Grant well!
Although she had anticipated this moment, she still couldn’t hide the disappointment in her heart, she pulled out a stiff smile, tentatively asked:
"And who might this be?"
Aster Grant was about to speak.
"Crystal Winslow!"
Crystal Winslow introduced herself calmly with a cold voice.
After Bianca Shelby nodded politely, she wisely suggested leaving.
Staying here to continue interrupting the two...not good!
"Then we should be going, the assessment is about to start."
She barely maintained a proper smile, but the disappointment in her tone was noticed even by the tardy Lazuli.
The little girl suddenly reached over and pinched Aster Grant’s waist.
It seems her own master...
Sure is unexpectedly popular!
...
...