The light filtering through the glass dome of the central courtyard examination hall grew increasingly dazzling.

Theresa shook her head, feeling that something wasn't quite right.

How could this boy, with such a sunny and cheerful demeanor, propose a plan like this?

Of course, based on his performance in the previous round, he was no ordinary talent.

"So, rest assured, your law-abiding vanguard won't let you down."

Lanchi smiled as he looked at Hyperion.

He believed that teammates should have more trust in each other.

"Indeed."

Hyperion hesitated slightly but agreed.

If this guy was faking it, she probably wouldn't have a chance to survive in the royal capital.

He might not be particularly strong as a White Mage, but as a legal pioneer...

She couldn't say for sure.

There wasn't much time for further conversation.

Following the examination procedure,

Theresa quickly led Lanchi and Hyperion to the Gate of Void.

"Both of you, pay a little attention to the examiner, Ferat Chauvinson."

Theresa said softly from the side,

"Perhaps I shouldn't say this… but he's a very strict fellow."

Personally, Theresa thought Hyperion and Lanchi were outstanding students, and she didn't want them to be treated unfairly.

Although, there wasn't much practical help she could offer.

"Thank you."

Hyperion nodded, thanking Theresa.

Just knowing who their examiner was, was already a help to her.

"Alright, it's time to start the exam."

Accompanying Theresa's gentle voice, the Gate of Void opened before them, in front of the artificial Shadow World activation terminal.

However, this time the Gate of Void displayed a countdown timer.

Evidently, examinees needed to enter on time.

Without asking too many questions, Lanchi followed Hyperion into the Gate of Void.

Although he didn't know who Ferat was, it seemed Hyperion did; he could ask her about it later.

Inside the Gate of Void,

It was still the same pitch-black space as before, with nothing visible.

The surroundings became much quieter than the seventh courtyard; sounds seemed to be completely blocked out.

The next second, brilliant light appeared, and he felt as if he was in an otherworldly space like a time tunnel.

Prompt characters appeared simultaneously before his eyes.

[Shadow World: Infinite Phantom Canyon]

[Level: Tier 2]

[Number of Challengers: 2]

[Welcome to Phantom Canyon. This map was developed by the Magic Engineering Institute and is a Shadow World dedicated to combat training.]

[The current exam setting will result in a desperate situation for the challengers if the Shadow World's main quest fails.]

[You will face a Tier 4 Hunter played by the examiner in a random map. The examiner is prohibited from using magic cards but will use spells appropriate to his rank.]

[There is no life-threatening danger in the artificial Shadow World.]

[After failing in the Shadow World or if the examinees are killed, they will be automatically ejected from the Shadow World.]

[Examinees can also actively choose to exit the Shadow World and be judged as a failure.]

[Note: Based on the evaluations of examinee 001 Lanchi Willford and examinee 002 Hyperion Alanzal in the previous assessment, the difficulty of this examination will be adjusted adaptively.]

[Note: The initial distance to the Hunter has been reduced to 1/3.]

[Note: The Hunter's rank limitation has been adjusted to Tier 5.]

[Mission Objective: Please work together to survive until the time limit expires.]

[Time Remaining: 29 minutes 59 seconds.]

[The map for this assessment is: Eliven Great Plains.]

When the light fully illuminated, they were standing on a vast prairie, sunlight shining on every inch of land, warm and bright.

In the distance, the sky was azure blue, with a few white clouds floating gently in the breeze. The green grass on the prairie swayed in the wind, full of vitality, like a sea of emerald.

"Just how high was your score?"

When Hyperion saw "1/3 initial distance" and "Tier 5 Hunter," she couldn't help but ask Lanchi.

But when she finally saw that the terrain randomly selected was "Plains,"

She finally couldn't hold back.

She was even laughing in anger.

"I don't know; didn't they say this time it was going to be a manual assessment? They didn't announce it. And is the 'Plains' map really not for comedic effect?"

Even Lanchi was stunned.

For a moment, he couldn't tell if someone had tampered with the randomness or if their luck was really that bad, or if the person who designed this [Infinite Phantom Canyon] at the Magic Engineering Institute was just a little crazy.

He had heard that the people at the Magic Engineering Institute were not normal.

Now, it seemed he was seeing some of the signs.

Generally speaking,

These three negative effects, taken separately, were still acceptable.

But when they were all combined, the nature changed.

Most of the enrolled students were only Tier 2.

Like Lanchi, who had only recently reached Tier 2.

Tier 3 examinees like Hyperion were in the minority.

However,

Regardless of whether they were Tier 2 or Tier 3, they were vulnerable to a Tier 5 enemy!

Being caught meant the end of the exam.

In this boundless plains terrain, with the shortened distance, they had no possibility of maneuvering.

"Heh…"

Hyperion was about to say something but felt that nothing she could say would make a difference.

These "two-faced" and "shameless" noble lords, their sanctimonious actions seemed especially ridiculous.

Since Duke Alanzal's disappearance, she had been deeply caught up in danger, falsely accused, unable to distinguish who wanted to help her and who wanted to harm her.

Finally, she had investigated some clues about her father's disappearance and found a glimmer of hope.

But this had touched upon something deeper.

Even she could sense that she would soon die inexplicably in the royal capital.

The only chance of survival was to successfully enroll in the academy according to the final arrangements her father had made before his disappearance—

With the protection of Loren, the high priest of the Goddess of Destiny, no one would dare to act rashly in the Sage Academy.

However,

Those who couldn't afford to lose,

Would ultimately not let her join the Yggdrasil Academy as she wished.

"Aren't you going to run?"

Hyperion turned her head, slightly raising her eyes as she asked.

She noticed that Lanchi, beside her, also had no intention of panicking and fleeing.

"If we give up now, we can suffer a little less."

"Can't do that."

Lanchi said helplessly.

"Why not?"

Hyperion revealed a mocking smile.

Unlike her, whose heart had been distorted by anger and the desire to kill, nearing the end of her rope.

This boy didn't seem to have a compelling reason to pass the exam.

Lanchi spread his hands, answering:

"If I don't pass, my old man will scold me when I get home."

"…"

Hyperion thought Lanchi was joking.

But upon closer observation,

She realized Lanchi had always been like this.

Although he occasionally showed surprise or confusion,

His deeper emotions never wavered.

It was as if this person's heart rate was forever in a state of sipping afternoon tea.