Inside the solemn hall, the powerful mentors were seated. One of them spoke up. "During the interview, mentors choose students, and at the same time students are choosing their mentors. Students and mentors achieve greatness together."
The director, wearing his monocle, held up a list and announced, "When I call your name, please step forward. First up, Xi."
A large, sullen-faced young man stepped out. "My name is Xi Yan, a level six earth system warrior." He flexed, and a solid suit of rock armour instantly covered his body. "This is my current ability. I can summon combat armour."
A muscular mentor sitting on the council nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. I am a level forty-four earth system berserker. How about I be your mentor?"
Xi Yan immediately responded loudly. "I accept."
Soon after, the next name rang out. "Next, Ying Wu."
The director turned to the next file, paused for a second, then called the next person. "Lin Fang."
Lin Fang calmly stood up from the audience, stepping out from the crowd of staring onlookers. He stood before the council, radiating a powerful aura. "Lin Fang. Class, Spirit Farm Lord. Level eight."
The number eight sent a ripple of whispers through the female mentors. "To reach level eight at his age is incredibly high."
However, another one reminded them, "Take a closer look. He's just a farmer."
The berserker mentor then spoke up. "Our academy is meant to train talents for the front lines, not to raise common fodder to be cannon shields. But his preliminary and secondary exam results were outstanding."
The director considered this and then made a suggestion. "Well, since there's a disagreement, why don't we conduct a combat assessment on this child?"
The other mentors nodded one by one in agreement.
The director looked down at Lin Fang and asked, "Seriously, Lin Fang, are you willing? After all, our ultimate goal is to fight the demon race on the front lines. Going to the front lines without any combat potential would be a useless sacrifice."
Lin Fang lowered his head, thinking it over. A combat assessment. But his current fighting skills weren't great, and he had to fight without exposing his necromancer abilities.
After a moment's hesitation, he looked up with a confident smile. "I agree."
A large empty space was quickly cleared in the hall to serve as an arena. Lin Fang stood opposite the berserker master. The master let out a grim laugh, his presence overwhelming. "The test is simple. Last five minutes against me, and you'll prove your combat talent is acceptable."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and a wave of golden energy exploded, creating sharp slashes of light across the space. The nearby students were nearly suffocated by the sheer pressure.
"So strong. Is this the power of a level forty fighter?" one student gasped. "I can't even breathe."
Yet in the middle of this energy storm, Lin Fang simply lowered his centre of gravity. His cold eyes stared directly at his opponent, shocking everyone. "That guy looks like absolutely nothing is wrong."
The master looked at Lin Fang with admiration, speaking magnanimously. "Not bad, kid. Your composure alone has made me see you in a different light. To deal with me, you'll have to use your full power. Attack me with everything you've got."
The pressure from a level forty-four is intense, Lin Fang thought to himself, but for now it's bearable.
Lin Fang stepped back and raised his hand. "Come forth, my servant."
It worked, he cheered internally. Wrapping the undead in natural magic completely hides its dark aura.
From within a brilliant green light, enormous vines and sharp thorns began to sprout, forming a strange, twisted figure. Lin Fang observed his creation, giving a satisfied nod. Besides, this thing kind of looks like a cabbage bear. Who would ever suspect it's an undead summon?
Seeing the overwhelming green aura, the master exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, a rare mutation class. Such dense natural magic." He drew a massive curved blade, smiling with excitement. "This is interesting."
With that, the two charged at each other. The master swung his blade down hard on Lin Fang's glowing green summoned beast. The air itself seemed to rip apart as the weapon sliced through. However, the summoned beast managed to block his attack cold. Two streams of gold and green energy collided violently.
The master let out a huge roar, pouring all his strength into his arms to crush his opponent. The summoned beast was hit repeatedly, letting out heavy thuds as fragments of energy flew in every direction.
The master looked at the roaring beast and thought to himself, What a loyal summon. Any other summon would have been dispelled after taking such heavy damage. He continued to unleash a storm of lightning-fast slashes, determined to break its defence.
Seated in the main chair, the one-eyed director was sweating bullets. Is old Ji trying to be an idiot? he thought.
Meanwhile Lin Fang stood calmly watching, calculating his options. It's an undead creature after all. It feels no pain and knows no fear. These surface wounds can be healed with just a bit of magic.
Seeing Lin Fang still standing strong, the master's expression grew more serious. He had originally wanted to show off for the students, but he never thought Lin Fang had this much talent. It seemed he'd have to get serious.
He looked at his weapon and gave a warning. "Kid, if your summon is destroyed, I'll compensate you. Now, watch carefully. A normal summoner needs to pay a certain price to contract a summon. Once it's destroyed, it's dead. The contract ends."
A blood-red aura exploded around the master. He roared, "Berserker art. Bloodthirst," and delivered a final, devastating blow. Unable to withstand the power, the beast shattered and vanished into thin air.
The master stood in a brilliant golden aura, crossing his arms and laughing victoriously. He turned to Lin Fang, whose head was bowed, his tone pretending to be comforting but full of arrogance. "Having your summon destroyed must be really painful, right? It's best to just cry. I love students who are true to their emotions."