Artifact Selection (2)

Professor Aisea gave a curt and appreciative nod to the students. It was well in her expectation that they recognized the value of these items.

The special artifacts were game-changing items that could turn a losing battle around. They were nothing short of valuable.

Each artifact in the list could help a team's chances of passing the test significantly.

She put them in there to give the test a sense of unpredictability and strategy.

Otherwise, it would be boring if the test was just students trying to prove who was the strongest through talent.

Aisea Wellsworth hated boring things, more than anyone else. These artifacts would prove well to make the test more interesting.

As a teacher, she wanted to see how the students would approach the test with strong variables in the mix.

She looked at her watch, seeing that it was time.

"Alright, it's time to pick. The order of choosing artifacts would be Seekers first, and Hiders second."

"For the teams in the Seekers group, I already randomized the order of who will be able to choose first among the seven teams. You can rest assured that there won't be any sort of bias in this selection."

Hearing that, everyone shut their mouths up and waited for her to continue. Most of the teams in both groups wore frowns on their expressions, worried about their chances.

The Hider group was especially worried. Since they were last to pick, they would definitely be missing out on the good artifacts.

Bruce's eyes flashed. It all came down to luck in the end.

"For the first group... Team 8!"

At that moment, a student from the crowd bumped his fist into the air. He had an ecstatic smile as he rubbed his nose.

But before he could walk to the Professor, a man wearing a pair of glasses walked up behind him and hand-chopped his neck.

"Don't make a fuss, Gabriel."

The former was aggrieved but ultimately didn't respond to the glasses-wearing student. He sighed and took a step back.

Mathias' eyes flashed, looking at both of them.

However, whether the glasses-wearing student noticed it or not was unknown, leaving the students wondering about his choice.

The student was named Declan Gray, hailing from the Gray Clan. He carried himself of quiet esteem, hiding a silent, but killer confidence in his eyes.

No doubt, Bruce thought as he looked at the man. This person is going to be a formidable enemy, that is if they cross paths...

"Professor Aisea, our team will choose [Ring of Hellfire] and [Necklace of Vitality], " Declan immediately answered, directly looking straight at Professor Aisea. "As for our common artifacts, we'll take TD400 Drones and a general map."

That combination... Bruce's eyes widened slightly. He stared at the glasses-wearing man, changing his evaluation about them.

That man was not just impressive anymore. He was dangerous.

At this moment, Declan silently swept his gaze through the crowd, trying to see any abnormal reactions.

He saw a member from Natasha's team, someone he didn't recognize be slightly surprised. His eyes turned a little serious.

'It seems Natasha has someone good behind her.'

Hearing his choice, Professor Aisea nodded but didn't give any surprised reaction. She snapped her fingers, letting the artifacts fly towards Declan.

Declan caught the artifacts and wore both of them under everyone's eyes. He grabbed Gabriel's neck and went back to their corner.

Professor Aisea saw that it was finished and continued.

"Moving on, for the next team... Team 7!"

Mathias' eyes hardened, looking at Team 7.

However, none of the members of Team 7 paid him any heed. Natasha and Bruce were too lazy to care about him.

Bruce, especially, was too lazy to give the slightest of his attention to the man. He was in no mood to notice every pebble in his road.

What about it if his team was strong?

Natasha looked at Bruce and the others. She gave them a resolute nod and no longer hesitated with her choice.

"Professor, we'll choose [Broken Grimoire] and [Gem of Blessing] for our special artifacts please. And for our common artifacts, we choose grappling hooks and a general map."

Everyone widened their eyes in shock. They immediately looked at Team 12, seeing Mathias' unreadable expression.

"Very good." Mathias quietly spoke, gazing at Natasha directly. "Very good, Natasha. We won't go back on our word, watch your backs... Team 7."

What are you acting tough for? Bruce looked at the man and gave him a middle finger, shocking everyone.

Even Natasha was flustered by his actions, much less the one receiving the insult.

Mathias clenched his fist. He was about to shout, but a hand reached in from behind him, telling him to withdraw.

Seeing who it was, he turned silent. He nodded at the person behind him and lost all of his previous arrogance.

Professor Aisea snapped her fingers once more, bringing the artifacts to Natasha.

Natasha caught the 「Gem of Blessing」gently, afraid it would fall on the ground accidentally and break before they could even use it.

As for the 「Broken Grimoire」Bruce caught it with his hand, the artifact almost landing Natasha's head.

Natasha looked above her, seeing the grimoire in his hands. She was quiet for a moment before revealing a gentle smile. "Thank you."

Bruce stumbled, surprised. He coughed slightly before giving her a curt nod. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

He passed the 「Broken Grimoire」to Noah, letting the man take control of it. After that, both of them returned to their teams.

"Let's go think of our plan," Natasha said, leading everyone. Her eyes are shining with a determined light.

She wanted to pass this test!

***

After them, Team 11 followed, choosing: the 「Harp of Fairies」and 「Gunslinger's Last Stand」for their special artifacts, and a revolver & bullet and a general map for their common artifacts.

After them, Team 12 was next, choosing: the「Banner of Glory」and 「Advanced T-D428 V. 19」for their special artifacts, and a buff scroll and a general map for their common artifacts.

Then... Team 10, chose: the「TotemUS」and 「Sunflare Shield」for their special artifacts, and breathing masks and a general map for their common artifacts.

The last was Team 9, who chose: the「Large Full Recovery Potion」and 「Flurry Sword」for their special artifacts, and explosives and a general map for their common artifacts.

After the Seekers' side finished choosing, the special Support-type artifacts were exhausted and only one special Attack-type artifact remained.

With no choice, the Hiders begrudgingly chose the leftover special Utility-type artifacts that were untouched by the Seekers.

After everyone finished choosing their artifacts, the test can now begin. Professor Aisea rallied up the Hiders group and let them prepare.

"Listen up. There will be monsters in the forest, although few. Be careful on your way—but at the slightest chance your life is in danger, don't worry, you won't die. The VRS device will automatically disconnect your mind from the space."

"Any questions?"

None of the students raised their hands, leaving Professor Aisea satisfied. She nodded and looked at her watch.

"Then... without a further of do, the five-minute headstart granted by Hiders now begins! Go!"

Hearing that, the Hiders gave a glance to the Seekers before immediately running off to the Murky Forest.

Declan's eyes followed a certain team.

Similarly, most of the Seeker groups followed the backs of the teams in the Hiders group. It gave them an idea of where to pursue.

After a few minutes, the timer in Professor Aisea's watch rang.

"The Hiders headstart has officially ended. Seekers, you may now begin pursuing and finding them. Go."

Hearing that, most of the Seekers team didn't hesitate and went running deep into the Murky Forest, following the trail left behind by the Hiders group.

Bruce, along with Team 7, was about to begin their pursuit as well — but before they could even move, someone stood on their paths.

No—not just someone.

It was Team 12.

"I, Mathias Glorious, never break my word." Mathias proclaimed, cracking his neck. He looked at Bruce. "As for you, little guy... I'll kill you!"

The other three behind him didn't interfere. One of them opened their mouth and said, "We'll go on ahead. Hurry up, Latios will stay here and help you."

A tall, thin man with white and black hair stepped out, standing beside Mathias. He was Latios, one of the 10 strongest students in Class 1 - A.

After saying that, the remaining members of Team 12 ran to the Murky Forest.

Natasha eyed the two, assuming a stance. She had a frown on her face as she took out her Black Scythe.

The first challenge they faced in the test... Team 12!!