Artifact Selection (1)

All seven teams on the Seeker side gathered under Aisea's command. They waited for her to speak, staring at her figure.

Without speaking a word, Aisea waved her hand to the air.

Woosh!

A blue, transparent hologram appeared in front of her. She tapped it a few times and seemed to have done something with everyone's mind.

[Virtual Mode: Game Interface Activated.]—!

The students flinched, feeling an onslaught of data suddenly assaulting their minds. Instead of explaining, Aisea opted to just let them see and decide for themselves.

It was more efficient that way.

Some of the students with weak mental strength were still taking their time to digest the sudden stream of data.

However, Bruce handled the sudden influx of information with ease. He was quite experienced with it... thanks to the Cipher.

"Open."

He muttered under his breath, faster than most students. An illusive, transparent hologram appeared in front of him.

The hologram contained the list of artifacts that were still available, including their descriptions and names.

'These artifacts, they're not bad. No, in fact, all of them are great...'

He rubbed his chin as he thought. There were a total of (18) special artifacts, and (36) common artifacts.

For each type, there were at least (6) special artifacts.

[S. Attack-type Artifacts

「Ring of Hellfire」- a ring that can evoke a flaming circle with a 10-meter radius around the user. It consumes the user's mental energy. Cooldown of 1 minute.

「Broken Grimoire」- A torn, broken Grimoire with barely any spells left. It can be wielded by users with strong spiritual ability, given the right sacrifice. Pain and blood are the sacrifices.

「Flurry Sword」- A sword with a thin, light build that is as light as a feather. With its weightless mass and....]

The special Attack-type artifacts were amazing. If they were under the hands of someone competent, they could be especially strong and terrifying.

Each of the artifacts had its specialties, but all the same, they could turn the tides of the battle and be a massive trump card for every team.

Then, when he reached the support tab, his eyes couldn't help but turn solemn. Everybody also took a deep breath when they reached the support tab.

Attack-type artifacts were one thing, but the support-type artifacts were truly, in a sense, a must-have for every student.

The Seekers group finally understood why their advantage was to be able to choose first. It was because the artifacts were too strong!

[S. Support-type Artifacts

「Necklace of Vitality」- As long as worn, the user will never experience fatigue and exhaustion. It also gradually heals the user. When broken, it can never be fixed.

「Banner of Glory」- When placed on the ground, increase the attack, defense, and stamina of everyone in the circle...]

Bruce scrolled down the list and stopped at the last artifact in the list. His eyes widened. This one was a must have!

He looked at Natasha, and the girl was surprised as well. She looked at Bruce and others and gave a nod.

[「Gem of Blessing」- When worn, increase the output of the damage the user gives out (2x) and improve all aspects of physical abilities. Quite fragile in material, when broken, it can never be fixed.]

Bruce's mind immediately worked up. Their team was anything but perfect, although he didn't know the true capabilities of Noah and Penguin, he was sure they weren't as powerful as Natasha...

'...or me,' he added in his mind. Since he won't be able to bring his best to this test, undoubtedly their best chance of passing it was through relying on Natasha.

According to Comma, Natasha was one of the strongest freshmen in the academy. If she had this gem, then she should be able to solo carry them.

"This Gem of Blessing is ours!" A student shouted arrogantly. "Anybody who dares claim it will be the target of our team!"

Hearing that, most of the students were upset. They looked at the person, about to rebuke and mock the student, but...

... They shut up and stifled their anger when they saw and recognized him. Those who were looking immediately averted their gazes.

It was Mathias Glorious, a member of Team 12.

Among the 12 teams, the most spectacular was definitely Team 12. Their full roster was nothing short of terrifying.

In Class 1 - A, there were a total of 10 students who were publicly acknowledged as the strongest in the class.

All of Team 12's members were part of the 10 strongest students in the class. That's why no one dared to argue with him.

Not to mention, Mathias himself was a terrifying individual.

'What's this large monkey saying?'

Bruce thought as he looked at Mathias, bewildered. But he put it in the back of his mind and focused on the situation at hand.

After the support tab was the utility tab, featuring the special Utility-type artifacts...

[S. Utility-type Artifacts

「Advanced T-D428 V. 19」- A colony drone that can produce some drones and even control other drones. It can spot people with its night-vision and extreme sensitivity.

「Lantern of Souls」- A lantern that can guide the user to the direction they want to go without getting lost...]

They were undoubtedly good as well. In fact, with the special Utility-type artifacts it would be no problem finding the Hiders.

The problem was that their effects and usefulness paled in comparison to special Attack-type and Support-type artifacts.

'There's no need for this... We'll just get a general map, wait for 15 minutes, and find the position of the Hiders through the map.'

Turning off the hologram, Bruce looked at Natasha, who was still looking through the lists of special and common artifacts.

"Have you decided what to pick, leader?" He asks, looking at Natasha.

The girl nodded and turned her gaze to Noah. "I assume you have weak offensive capabilities?"

"Oh, forgive me... I'm sorry to have graced your presence with my useles—" Noah felt several strong glares land on him. He coughed awkwardly. "Ah, that is correct. I do consider my offensive capabilities as part of my weakness. But I do have a strong mental ability...."

"How strong?" Bruce asked curiously.

"I am capable of manipulating my mental energy and invoking simple pre-evolutionary spells," Noah admitted honestly.

"Hm?" Penguin's eyes widened. "That means your mind is at the first stage of mental mastery. That's quite impressive!"

Noah dismissed it without a thought. "It's nothing. Anybody in my position would've done better. I'm quite useless for just being able to do this much."

Bruce couldn't help but be impressed by the man's ability to hate himself. There was likely a deeper history as to why the man behaves like that...

But of course, it was none of his business. They were only going to be teammates for this test, after that, they were back to being just classmates.

"Hm, I'm thinking of getting the 'Broken Grimoire' for Noah..." Natasha paused, looking at Penguin and Bruce directly. "... Or, maybe you guys have a better idea? I'm open ears!"

Penguin averted his eyes. "...N-no, I have no objections. I'm fine with that."

"Same here." Bruce nodded. He didn't need any artifacts, and whatever Natasha decided, it was fine. "Don't mind me. I'll agree to anything you say anyway."

'Anything...?'

Natasha froze, thinking of something. But she suddenly shook her head, feeling a bit hot and shameful.

A sudden silence erupted between the group.

Bruce was stunned. Did he... say anything strange? He looked at Penguin and Noah, who were similarly puzzled as well.

"... Ehem." Natasha coughed awkwardly. She turned her eyes away and nodded. "It's decided then, we'll get the Broken Grimoire and Gem of Blessing."