Fast forward to the present time.
[Ding! You killed the Poison Eye Demon Spider! Experience +18,992]
[Ding! You obtained Poison Eye Demon Spider Core!]
[Ding! You obtained 'Exquisite Amulet' x1]
[Ding! You obtained skill book [Envenom] x1]
[Ding! You obtained...
Gabriel paid little attention to the notifications flashing before him, his gaze fixed on the defeated Poison Eye Demon Spider that lay crumpled at his feet. His heart still pounded with the rush of battle, each beat a reminder of the fierce struggle that had just concluded. The spider's lifeless body twitched slightly, the last vestiges of its venomous energy dissipating into the ether.
He exhaled deeply, the adrenaline gradually subsiding as he took a seat on a nearby rock.
Thunk!
He let out a sigh of relief as the hard rock under him provided a moment of solace. For a moment, he closed his eyes, focusing on calming the storm within. When he finally opened them, he brought up his inventory, eager to see the spoils of his victory. His eyes zeroed in on the skill book and the amulet, their descriptions glowing softly in the air before him.
The skill book [Envenom] immediately caught his attention, but as he read through its effects, Gabriel shook his head. It wasn't suitable for his class; its venomous powers were better suited for someone with a more stealth-based combat style. Without a second thought, he called over Jane, the team's assassin.
"Jane, come here," Gabriel called out, his voice steady yet gentle as he held out the skill book to her.
Jane approached hesitantly, her eyes flickering between Gabriel and the skill book. "I-I don't think I should..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she feared taking something so valuable. "You could use it, or maybe sell it later. I don't want to take something so rare..."
But despite her protest, her gaze lingered on the book, her longing clear as day. Gabriel could see through her hesitation, the desire she tried so hard to conceal.
"Jane, take it," Gabriel insisted, his tone firm but kind. "This skill isn't meant for me. I'd rather see it put to good use than collect dust in my inventory. It's not just a gift; it's an asset to the team. You'll make far better use of it than I ever could."
Jane's resistance wavered, her fingers twitching as she reached for the book.
Fwoosh!
After a brief moment of internal struggle, she relented and accepted it with a shy smile. "Thank you, Brother Gabriel. I... I really appreciate it."
Gabriel smiled warmly, nodding at her. "You don't need to thank me. We're a team, and we need to support each other. Besides, that skill will make you even more formidable in battle."
Jane's hands trembled slightly as she activated the skill book. Shing A faint glow surrounded her as she learned [Envenom]. The new power coursed through her, adding a layer of lethal precision to her already deadly attacks. The description flashed before her eyes—her weapons would now drip with a potent poison, capable of inflicting continuous damage on her enemies. For ten seconds, her strikes would deliver a toxic sting, weakening her opponents with each passing moment.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she envisioned the devastation she could unleash in future battles. In the dense, treacherous forest they were traversing, such a skill could easily turn the tide against the myriad of beasts they would encounter. The only downside was its ineffectiveness against enemies with poison immunity or cleansing abilities, but that didn't diminish the excitement she felt at her newfound strength.
After a brief rest, the team gathered their energy and pressed onward, their path leading deeper into the heart of the mystical realm.
---
Outside the Mystic Realm, at the Stadium
"Did the organizers screw this up? Is this really the Nightmare Mystic Realm? It looks like a kid's play area!"
"That can't be right. Look at the scores on the leaderboard—Green Leaf Academy's team is dominating. There's no way they're in the wrong place."
"Is this the level we can expect from Green Leaf Academy? If so, they've certainly raised their game this year."
The murmur of the crowd grew louder, a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. Every word of the audience's chatter reached the ears of Principal Dalhmer of Green Leaf Academy, who stood at the forefront of the viewing area, his grin wide and unrestrained. His pride in his students was unmistakable, his confidence in their abilities only growing with each passing moment.
"Gabriel, you're exceeding even my highest expectations," Principal Dalhmer mused aloud, his voice tinged with pride. "Soon, everyone will recognize the genius that you are."
Standing beside him, Mr. Hanz, one of the Academy's most respected instructors, couldn't contain his excitement. His eyes sparkled with pride as he watched the screen displaying his students' progress. "It's unbelievable, Principal Dalhmer! With the way Gabriel and the others are performing, we're a shoo-in for the top spot this year! Our Academy is going to make history!"
Mr. Hanz puffed out his chest, his voice carrying over the hum of the crowd. "Gabriel might even become the first martial arts top scorer in history as a supporter! Can you imagine that? A supporter claiming the top rank!"
His voice boomed through the room, drawing the attention of the other faculty members present. Teachers from rival academies exchanged uneasy glances, their irritation growing with each of Mr. Hanz's boasts. Some sneezed as if to dispel their frustration, while others clenched their fists, silently fuming as they listened.
Finally, one of them could take no more. "Why are you so full of yourself, Hanz?" a sharp voice cut through the air, dripping with disdain. "Are we really making such a big deal over a few low-level monsters? The real test hasn't even started yet."
Mr. Hanz turned toward the voice, his eyes narrowing slightly as he identified the speaker. His response was a deep, mocking laugh that seemed to resonate throughout the room. "Low-level? Is that what you think?" he scoffed, shaking his head. "Tell me, was the Poison Eye Demon Spider a low-level monster in your book? Maybe you'd like to claim your students are far superior, then?"
The woman who had spoken, a middle-aged teacher with flamingo-colored glasses, flushed with embarrassment. She was Ru Aram, a senior faculty member from Artic Haiz University, and her face turned a deep shade of red as Mr. Hanz's words sank in. She adjusted her glasses nervously, but the damage was done—her dignity had taken a blow, and her pride was wounded.
Mr. Hanz didn't miss a beat. He stepped closer, his voice low but filled with barely restrained amusement. "Ah, Ru Aram, I should've known. Your school's star team, led by Cho Wei, is currently trailing behind Gabriel's team in the rankings. In fact, they're even falling behind teams like Tigrams and Dave's. So tell me, if these monsters are so 'low-level,' what does that say about your students? Are they weaker than these 'lowly' creatures?"
Ru Aram's eyes flashed with fury, her hands trembling as she tried to contain her anger. "You're twisting my words, Hanz," she hissed, her voice shaking with barely controlled rage. "Stop it now, before you make a fool of yourself."
But Mr. Hanz wasn't finished. He leaned back, crossing his arms as a smug smile spread across his face. "Oh, I'm not twisting anything, Ru. Anyone with a brain can see that our Green Leaf Academy students are excelling, even against these so-called 'low-level monsters.' If they're performing this well now, just imagine what they'll do when the real challenges start. If anything, it's your school that should be worried."
Ru Aram's composure finally shattered. She lashed out, her voice rising in pitch as she spewed a litany of curses, her frustration boiling over into outright rage. Other faculty members from rival schools joined in, their voices raised in a cacophony of indignation, but Mr. Hanz held his ground, his smile never wavering.
------
As the faculty from the different academies engaged in a heated exchange, the tension in the room reached a fever pitch. Mr. Hanz stood his ground, unwavering in his defense of Green Leaf Academy, while Ru Aram and the others from rival schools hurled retorts back at him. The air was thick with rivalry, the atmosphere charged with unspoken challenges and simmering resentment.
Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the cacophony, silencing the room in an instant. Bam! The voice carried an unmistakable authority, resonating like a blade cutting through the noise. "Alright, enough!" The voice boomed, forcing everyone to freeze. The once chaotic room fell into a deafening silence. Every eye turned toward the source of the voice—the principal of Blue Artic Academy, Principal Chen. His presence alone commanded respect, and now, with his words, he demanded it.
Principal Chen was known throughout Sword Province for his calm yet formidable demeanor. His academy's top contender this year was an assassin with the rare talent of [Shadow Lurk], a student who was not only a favorite for the top scorer in this year's martial arts assessment but also a symbol of the academy's prestige.
Chen's gaze swept across the room, his expression unreadable as he addressed the gathered faculty. "Becoming the Sword Province Champion is no easy feat," he began, his voice steady and composed. "Whether it's Cho Wei, our Nan Nan, Gabriel, or any other top performer, they must first ensure that they come back alive to claim it. So stop fussing over such trivial matters! Your behavior is unbecoming of your ranks."
The weight of his words hung in the air, forcing the teachers to reflect on their conduct. Principal Chen's message was clear—this was no time for petty squabbles. The real battle was out there, in the Mystic Realm, where their students fought for survival and glory.
Principal Dalhmer of Green Leaf Academy, who had been observing the heated exchanges with a quiet amusement, now turned his gaze to Principal Chen. He chuckled softly, a sound that was more a release of tension than anything else. "You're right, Principal Chen," Dalhmer conceded with a nod, his tone light but respectful. He then shifted his attention to Mr. Hanz, who was still standing with his chest puffed out in defiance.
"Behave," Dalhmer said, his voice carrying a subtle note of command that left no room for argument.
Mr. Hanz blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in tone. The fierce look in his eyes softened slightly, and he nodded, though his pride still simmered just beneath the surface. The words of his principal, coupled with Principal Chen's stern admonition, had finally brought him back to his senses. The ever-serene demeanor of Dalhmer, even in the face of such tension, was enough to shock the entire room into a state of uneasy calm.
The other faculty members, too, found themselves at a loss for words. Principal Chen's authority, combined with Dalhmer's quiet command, had effectively doused the flames of their argument. Even Ru Aram, who had been on the verge of launching another retort, found herself silenced by the weight of their words.
A few awkward moments passed, the silence in the room thick and palpable. Finally, Principal Chen broke the tension with a simple gesture, turning his attention back to the screen projection that displayed the ongoing battle within the Mystic Realm. His focus was unwavering, his expression unreadable as he watched the movements of his academy's team.
The other faculty members slowly followed suit, their attention drawn back to the screen as well. But the air in the room had shifted—what had been a charged atmosphere of rivalry and hostility was now subdued, replaced by a mutual understanding of the gravity of the situation. They were all here for the same reason, after all: to witness the triumphs and trials of their students, and to see who would emerge victorious in the end.
As the tension in the room dissipated, Principal Dalhmer exchanged a brief glance with Principal Chen, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Though they were rivals in the academic world, there was a mutual respect that could not be denied.
Mr. Hanz, now standing more composed, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He knew that the battle in the Mystic Realm was far from over, and that his students, like everyone else's, still had many challenges ahead. With a final glance at the screen, he allowed himself a small smile, the fire of competition still burning in his heart, but tempered now by the wisdom of his superiors.
The room was quiet once more, but this time the silence was one of anticipation rather than hostility. The faculty members watched the screen intently, their thoughts turned inward as they considered the trials their students would face in the coming hours.
And so, with the faculty's bickering subdued by the voice of authority, the focus returned to where it truly belonged.