The crimson Holy Flame suddenly erupted, evaporating the gray mist within a hundred-meter radius, causing even the air to twist and distort from the heat.
In Aster Grant's awe-struck eyes, a breathtaking figure slowly rose from the flames.
Four wings aflame with Holy Flame fully spread out, each feather shimmering with radiant golden Divine Patterns.
Lazuli's once-clear eyes had transformed into burning golden vertical pupils, like the Flame Empress who stepped out from myth.
Under this divine oppression, the air throughout the entire valley seemed to freeze.
"Woo—"
Three Tier Four demonic beasts let out mournful whimpers, burying their heads deep into the soil in terror.
Even the Bloodthirsty Tiger, an Awakening Tier Five, was no better under Lazuli's pressure.
Its pouncing movement abruptly halted, and its massive body eerily suspended mid-air.
Its crimson beastly eyes contracted intensely, reflecting a silhouette that made its soul tremble.
"Le... Leader, is this Beastbond?"
The youngest member of the team murmured, his voice trembling.
Bianca Shelby subconsciously clenched her hands, her knuckles turning white from the force.
She opened her mouth, her throat dry and sore:
"It... it should be..."
Despite that, even she couldn't accept such an explanation.
But in the Novice Trial Space, there were only them, novice Beast Tamers and magical beasts.
The divine figure was evidently not the latter...
That left only the entirely ridiculous possibility!
She was a Beastbond!
A novice Beast Tamer's Beastbond!
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Lazuli's golden vertical pupils coldly swept over the group of magical beasts lying prostrate.
The Holy Sword in her hand casually swung...
Three crimson sword beams sliced through the void, slicing the three Awakening Tier Four demonic beasts into two halves before they could even wail.
Sacred flames ignited at the cut, instantly reducing the remaining bodies to ash.
"Roar—!"
The Bloodthirsty Tiger let out a desperate roar, unleashing its final ferocity.
Lazuli merely lifted her sword lightly.
"Swoosh!"
The trajectory of the Holy Sword left a scorching afterimage in the air.
The Bloodthirsty Tiger's proud, hardened body was like paper before the power of the Legendary Level Beastbond.
Its pupils remained frozen in terror, yet its body slowly slid along a smooth incision.
"Buzz—"
A basketball-sized azure light cluster rose from the Bloodthirsty Tiger's remnants, slowly merging into Lazuli's brow.
As the last trace of Holy Flame dissipated in the air, the golden Divine Patterns around her receded like a tide, and the four burning wings transformed into flickering stardust.
The figure that had been suspended mid-air gently descended, though her steps were clearly somewhat unsteady.
Even though the "Blazing Angel Form" greatly enhanced her attributes, the consumption was extremely terrifying.
At Lazuli's Awakening Tier Four Level, with all her might, she could only maintain it for about 30 seconds.
After confirming there was no danger, Lazuli slightly turned her head, her gaze shifting to a nearby shadowy area.
Bianca Shelby and the others inadvertently held their breath, their eyes moving in sync with Lazuli's.
What kind of person would own such a powerful Beastbond?
However, when the familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows, everyone froze.
"Aster Grant?!"
Bianca Shelby's pupils contracted sharply, her voice involuntarily rising several octaves.
As the leader of Beastbond Class Three, she naturally recognized this classmate who usually kept a low profile.
Not long ago, she heard this classmate had his Beastbond taken, which made her indignant at the time.
But now...
Bianca Shelby's gaze shifted back and forth between Aster Grant and Lazuli, her brain nearly ceasing to function.
As Aster Grant approached, it was only then Lazuli saved a few acquaintances.
"Oh, Leader, what a coincidence!"
"Co... Coincidence!"
Bianca Shelby's mechanical response.
A student renowned for staying inconspicuous, now standing beside a Legendary Level Beastbond capable of slaying Tier Five magical beasts in seconds.
The dissonance was so strong it made her temples throb.
Aster Grant politely nodded before gesturing for Lazuli to leave.
The remaining time was less than half an hour.
He had to seize this final opportunity to elevate Lazuli's Level to Awakening Tier Five.
Lazuli obediently followed, not forgetting to bow slightly to the group before departing—
This gesture made the squad members collectively gasp.
As soon as Aster Grant's silhouette disappeared into the mist, the squad immediately exploded in discussion.
"Whoa! Leader, did you see? When that Beastbond bowed, I nearly kneeled!"
"Wasn't Aster Grant's Beastbond taken? Why does he seem even stronger now?"
"Honestly, I feel the Epic-level Beastbond Mason Cheney took can't compare to this one at all."
"Well... what if we encounter Aster Grant during the assessment in ten days?" a member weakly spoke.
"Just surrender!"
All five spoke in unison!
...
City Lord's Manor.
Sean Sherman stood respectfully to the side, his gaze slightly anxious.
In front of him, a middle-aged man dressed in a navy Zhongshan suit stood with hands behind his back.
Though the man's mouth held a faint smile, an invisible pressure enveloped the entire hall.
He was the leader of the Southern Military Region, the real head, Abel Vance!
"Mr... Chief Vance, why did you come personally?"
Abel Vance turned, his gaze lingered on Sean Sherman for a moment.
This soldier who once weathered hardships under his command had now become a city lord.
"Just came over from Sylas. They have an A-Level potential candidate this year, not bad."
Though he said that, Sean Sherman keenly noticed a flicker of disappointment in Abel Vance's eyes as he spoke.
As the highest authority in the Southern Military Region, Abel Vance clearly came to inspect each city to seek truly top-tier talent.
Evidently, he had found none.
"Chief Vance, the situation in Lythos this year is likely similar to Sylas."
Before the trial began, he had ordered a thorough review of all participants' data.
Aside from Mason Cheney contracting an Epic-level Succubus, the Beastbond talents of others...
Were unspeakable.
Abel Vance sighed lightly, unable to conceal disappointment in his brows:
"Forget it; the summoning of Beastbonds ultimately depends on fate and cannot be forced."
He adjusted his lapel, "I'll go check out other cities."
"Let me see you off..."
Sean Sherman was about to offer, but the city lord's assistant stumbled in.
"What a breach of decorum!"
Sean Sherman's expression darkened, feeling embarrassed in front of his old superior.
"How have you been taught? Keep calm when facing matters!"
The assistant only then noticed the distinguished figure in the hall, cold sweat breaking out.
But he couldn't care much, his voice trembling with excitement:
"City Lord! Our Lythos... a student with S-Level potential has appeared!"
"What!"
Sean Sherman's voice suddenly heightened, echoing through the quiet City Lord's Manor.
Even Abel Vance, who had a calm demeanor earlier, turned sharply, casting an astonished look.
...
...