Chapter 674: Giving the Non-Specialist a Spotlight
Without exception.
After forcing these demon soldiers into their second rage phase, their overall attributes and combat power increased by 200%.
Many students, who initially displayed dominance, found themselves at a disadvantage during this second phase.
Facing the relentless assaults of the demon soldiers, numerous students began to struggle with their defenses.
The mentors watching the students falter could only shake their heads in disappointment.
"This year's cohort from the Sacred Continent is subpar!"
"Faced with just the second rage phase of the demon soldiers, they're already losing ground. If the demon soldiers reach the third, fourth, or even fifth rage phase, wouldn't they be utterly decimated?"
One mentor, observing the various scenes on the screens, sighed with visible disappointment.
The scenes displayed were of students from the Sacred Continent, considered exceptional talents.
Most were around 20 years old.
As previously mentioned, due to the academy's unique nature, not all students were young.
Some were in their 30s or 40s.
However, these older fourth-tier Professionals were mostly those who had entered from outside the Sacred Continent, placed here to acclimate to fighting abyssal monsters in preparation for battle.
Generally speaking.
These "old warriors," aged 30 to 80, typically spent only a year at the academy before being assigned to battlefields based on their performance.
Unless...
These older warriors experienced a "second spring" during their studies, showcasing talents surpassing the younger generation. Otherwise, they would mostly serve as low-level squad leaders in regular knight orders.
The under-level-100 students from Claran Academy would become the ground forces on the battlefield.
To put it bluntly...
They were cannon fodder.
If you could survive on the battlefield as cannon fodder and earn merits, then that would be your skill.
At present.
As the dean of the Sacred Academy, Bai Yuechan naturally focused her attention on the younger, more talented local students.
But the results were less than satisfactory.
"However, Orphelia and Xili are still performing impressively..."
"They've already forced a Level 121 advanced demon soldier into its third rage phase!"
"And even against the demon soldier's frenzied assaults, they remain composed and in control!"
"These two should be able to successfully advance to Blue Tier students!"
"After all, they hail from noble families of the Holy City. Orphelia, I heard, has been trained in swordsmanship and combat techniques by a Level 170 Sword Saint since childhood."
"Xili was also personally mentored by a Level 170 Archmage in magical combat theory, techniques, and experience. He even received training at the Mage Tower."
"It's not surprising they can handle the demon soldiers so well, at least ensuring not everyone falters..."
At this moment.
A mentor responsible for training these two prodigies spoke with great satisfaction.
The other mentors nodded in agreement.
"By the way, let's switch to the non-specialist's screen."
"Almost forgot about him. Regardless, he did win a one-versus-three battle. Let's see if he can perform well against the demon soldiers."
Some mentors, curious about the non-specialist path, instructed the staff to switch screens.
They couldn't help it...
They had spent years in the Sacred Continent, working in career education and weathering countless challenges.
Yet this was the first time they'd seen someone take the non-specialist route!
No profession!
Could this path truly lead anywhere?
However, the fact that this person had reached Level 100 as a non-specialist outside the Sacred Continent suggested they had some skills.
This piqued their curiosity, making it essential to witness this in action. It was also a chance to observe the non-specialist's combat style.
It's worth noting that even at Level 100, a non-specialist cannot use order-level skills due to the lack of a profession.
This inherently puts them at a disadvantage, lacking a critical trump card.
So, how would they handle it?
"Now that you mention it, we should indeed give the non-specialist some screen time."
"Let's see if he's just a clown seeking attention or if he truly has strength."
Many mentors nodded in agreement.
"Alright then..."
With so many esteemed mentors making the request, the staff wasted no time.
They quickly switched Ling Zhan's combat screen to the holographic display.
Soon...
In a corner of the large screen, a frame flashed, and the screen labeled with the number 9999 appeared.
9999 was Ling Zhan's student number at the Sacred Academy.
The full name of this world-renowned institution was Asar Academy, also known as the "Holy City Academy."
This academy housed numerous colleges.
The Sacred Academy and Claran Academy were just two of them.
Other colleges focused on technological research, auxiliary professions, spatial transmission, magical theory, and other profound subjects. These were generally lower-profile, with fewer students.
At present.
When Ling Zhan's screen finally appeared.
However...
It displayed only a scene of dense, white, icy mist!
Nothing of the demon soldier mystic realm could be seen from the screen!
"Huh?"
"What's going on? Why is the screen just a white haze?"
"Is the camera malfunctioning?"
The crowd was puzzled.
Just then.
Boom!!
The previously foggy screen suddenly shook violently!
At the same time, a deafening explosion resounded from the feed.
Simultaneously...
"Roar!!"
The unmistakable roar of a demon soldier echoed loudly from the screen!
Next...
The sound of violent collisions and brutal melee ensued.
Then, the next second...
"Awoooo!"
The crowd widened their eyes.
This cry clearly sounded like a pitiful dog yelping after being harshly kicked on the street!
This...
Was this the cry of a demon soldier?
The mentors exchanged baffled glances, their faces full of confusion!
What on earth was happening on the non-specialist's screen?
Finally.
After nearly ten seconds.
Under the puzzled gazes of the mentors, the icy mist on the screen finally dissipated.
Then...
What unfolded before everyone's eyes was a frost-covered, scorched cavern!
The ground was riddled with craters, and the shapes of these craters...
Clearly indicated where the demon soldier had been slammed into the ground!
The demon soldier...
Wait!
The demon soldier!
Where was it?
Everyone finally reacted, hastily scanning the screen for the familiar crimson figure.
Then...
They found it, tucked into a corner of the cavern!
However, what they found was only the severed head of the demon soldier, its eyes wide open, seemingly filled with unresolved fury and disbelief!