Looking at the black cloud overhead, composed of countless crows that blotted out the sun, Gwendolyn and Ingram's expressions were exceptionally ugly.

  As the elite among Rank 2 Wizard Apprentices, their keen perception screamed warnings. Those were no ordinary summoned creatures; every crow emanated a palpitating, chilly aura, as if hailing from the netherworld.

  Thousands of such creatures gathered together created a spiritual pressure that transcended the scope of an apprentice, feeling more like facing an awakening ancient beast.

  The two exchanged a glance, their hearts sinking to rock bottom.

  No one expected that Pierce, who had always kept a low profile, held such a table-flipping trump card in his hand.

  The most terrifying part was... during his life-and-death struggle with Silas, he hadn't even used this power!

  Thinking of this, a wave of bitterness surged in their hearts.

  Silas didn't lose unjustly. In the face of absolute power, the so-called genius was nothing but a joke.

  Seeing the black cloud slowly pressing down, as if about to unleash destructive thunder, Gwendolyn decisively gave up her last struggle.

  "I yield!"

  She shouted loudly, her voice carrying a trace of helpless resignation. "Just as you said, all points go to you!"

  Ingram's expression fluctuated, his hand gripping the Shadow Blade tightening and loosening. Finally, he sighed as if accepting his fate, bowing his head in silence.

  At this point, further resistance would only lead to pointless injuries. Not only would he fail to keep his points, but it might also affect the subsequent trials. Rather than that, it was better to cut his losses decisively.

  Only when the light on their bracelets dimmed and all points were transferred to Pierce's account did he snap his fingers lightly.

  Snap.

  In an instant, the sky-filling dark cloud turned into a black torrent, like tired birds returning to their nests, scrambling into the thick mist beside Pierce.

  When the last crow merged in, the black mist churned and reformed into the small, exquisite, and harmless-looking Mistfeather.

  Gwendolyn watched this scene with some envy.

  A King-tier familiar with dual talents, possibly even possessing phantom traits... Even with the backing of the Gu Family, it was hard for her to contract such a top-quality creature.

  "How did you contract it?" Gwendolyn couldn't help but lean forward, curiously examining Mistfeather, who was preening its feathers nonchalantly.

  "Luck," Pierce answered concisely, glancing at the girl with a look reserved for rare creatures.

  Having just been robbed clean, she could strike up a conversation with the robber as if nothing happened. This personality... should it be called free-spirited or heartless?

  In comparison, Ingram, who walked away with a dark face without saying a word, had the reaction of a normal person.

  Seemingly guessing Pierce's thoughts, Gwendolyn smiled nonchalantly. "No need to be so wary. The first place in the trial is yours anyway. Since I cannot get that unique quota, the remaining points are meaningless to me."

  Pierce was slightly stunned, then understood.

  For Gwendolyn, who came from one of the five major Wizard families in Aurora City, the conventional rewards for the top ten—contribution points and enchanted items—were merely icing on the cake.

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  What these second generations truly cared about was only the single quota to enter the Realm of Truth.

  Just then, a shrill beast roar came from the distance.

  As if signaling something, more beast roars followed, rising and falling like waves from all directions, evoking images of hundreds of frenzied beasts.

  Gwendolyn turned her head sharply, looking in the direction of the sound—it was the direction Silas and his group had fled.

  Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, then she looked at Pierce with a strange and playful expression.

  "I wondered why you let Silas go so magnanimously just now... So the real killing move was hidden here."

  Pierce adjusted his cuffs calmly, his tone unwavering. "Do not spread rumors. Do you have evidence proving it has anything to do with me?"

  Gwendolyn pouted. "I am not the Enforcer Squad; why do I need evidence?"

  "Forget it. I could not stand that guy's arrogant face anyway. Whether he dies or not is none of my business."

  She waved her hand and turned to leave without dragging her feet, her retreating figure looking exceptionally dashing.

  "Bye-bye. See you at the academy, No. 1."

  Watching the young lady storm off, Pierce shook his head with a chuckle.

  This girl... is too spontaneous to be a gloomy spellcaster.

  He glanced once more at the dust rising in the distance, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth, and walked away in the opposite direction without looking back.

  Mercy? That is just an epitaph for the dead.

  Ten thousand meters in the sky, aboard the Floating Leviathan.

  The three Wizards stared at the concluding scene in the water mirror, silent for a long time.

  Finally, Aylmer broke the silence.

  "What do you think?"

  Eusace chuckled, tapping his scepter lightly. "Solid strength, ruthless nature, and decisive action. Finally, a decent seedling among this year's freshmen."

  Guthrie also nodded with a smile. "Indeed excellent. Whether in spellcasting techniques or battlefield control, he is likely the most outstanding apprentice in the last 50 years."

  He paused, then mused, "It is a pity he practices the academy's General Basic Meditation Technique. If he could advance to an official Wizard with a high-tier meditation technique, perhaps he could truly break the monopoly of the Bloodline Families on the younger generation."

  Eusace sneered disdainfully. "What is so hard about that? Just give him a high-tier inheritance."

  "Without a suitable reason, those old fogies will definitely interfere. A Bloodless obtaining a high-tier inheritance touches their bottom line."

  "Then find a Wizard to take him as a student," Guthrie said indifferently. "A teacher passing knowledge to a student is perfectly justified. Then, those stubborn fools will have no excuse to object."

  "That is a good idea."

  At this point, both fell silent. Whether it was Guthrie, who majored in Necromancy, or Eusace, who specialized in Elemental Evocation, their paths were unsuitable for Pierce, an apprentice who showed extremely strong Omniscience and Analysis traits.

  Thinking for a moment, Guthrie spoke slowly.

  "I actually have a candidate."

  Aylmer said plainly, "Speak."

  "Pierce is currently responsible for tending magic plants in Mowen's garden, and it is said he has a talent for alchemy and potions." Guthrie said meaningfully, "Let Mowen take him as a student; surely that eccentric old man will not refuse."

  Aylmer's eyes moved slightly, a trace of approval flashing in his starry eyes.

  "I leave this matter to you."

  During the last 3 days of the trial, Pierce lived an unusually peaceful life.

  After receiving the massive points from Silas, Gwendolyn, and Ingram, his total score soared to a terrifying 34,000+.

  This number was almost the sum of the points from the 2nd to the 10th place.

  With this huge sum, he was firmly seated on the throne of first place and naturally did not need to work hard hunting barbarians.

  Seeing the despairing gap on the leaderboard, those apprentices who originally wanted to find Pierce for an easy pick immediately gave up. Are you kidding? Even the three great geniuses failed; would they not be out of their minds to go seek death?

  Thus, Pierce completely lived a leisurely reclusive life.

  Every day, apart from his unshakable meditation and breathing exercises, he took the Myriad Flower Fey out to collect various rare materials. Occasionally teasing the pouting little guy, life was extremely pleasant.

  In contrast, the other apprentices were not so lucky.

  As the trial neared its end, the island's ecology completely collapsed. Sensing the approach of death, the barbarian tribes became increasingly crazy. They counterattacked at all costs, making many Rank 1 apprentices suffer unspeakably.

  In the end, most Rank 1 apprentices hid, daring not to show their heads, fearing they would become the cushion for the barbarians' dying counterattack.

  Even the remaining Rank 2 apprentices began to band together, struggling to withstand waves of assaults.

  Time flew.

  Finally, the sun set on the 7th day, and the trial ushered in its final chapter.

  With less than 1 hour before the teleportation array opened, thousands of apprentices had gathered on the white sandy beach at the edge of the island.

  Except for those unlucky ones whose rankings were stuck at the edge of the top 50 or the elimination line and were still fighting for their lives in the final moments, the rest were basically gathered here.

  When Pierce appeared on the edge of the beach in his iconic black robe.

  Swish!

  Thousands of gazes instantly focused on him.

  Awe, jealousy, curiosity, fear...

  At this moment, he was undoubtedly the sole center of attention.