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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nDew with bright reflections dripped from mellow leaves onto the damp soil. Dense mist shrouded the gray forest and scattered light dispersed in the forest. Dire wolves wandered in the forest, while huge Spiders spun their transparent webs among the trees. The forest was like a dangerous labyrinth dreamscape.

nIn the sky, a Wyvern shrieked as it flew close to the trees. Within the reflection of its dark eyes, a few Beetlemons were running towards a huge fortress on a forest path.

nThe Wyvern extended its wings, and its shadow swept across the surface, covering the Beetlemons and the huge fortress.

nAfter passing by the fortress, the Wyvern dove vertically down along the walls. When it reached a certain height, the Wyvern adjusted its body and resume flying forward. The Wyvern disappeared from view, leaving a luminous plant and a dark underground tunnel in sight.

nIn the tunnel, various Beetlemons, Hades Horses, and enormous Giants were busy traversing.

nBehind the Wyvern, a semi-circle magical curtain engulfed a huge cave that could hold a forest and a fortress.

nThe magical curtain blocked all light rays and shimmered with a magical glow.

nAfter going through the magic curtain and following the forested path was the fortress.

nIn a building on the side of the fortress, Liches were manipulating Skeleton Soldiers, lifting various items, using Mana to raise bone walls, and creating flames using magical effects.

nA large music box made of bones was playing sinister music.

nThis was originally the Preparation Hall for the Specter College graduating Training Grounds. It was now disguised as an ancient battlefield by various props, bone walls, and special effects illusions. With the sinister music, the Preparation Hall had become a frightening entrance to the Stronghold.

nA square door made from rocks was placed in the Main Hall. White magic rays filled the entire square door.

nThis was the entrance to the graduating Training Grounds. That Teleport Portal was connected to 150 sealed graduating Training Grounds.

nOn the side was a dark-robed Lich with his skeleton palm pressed on the stone Teleport Portal. There were a form and a feather pen floating by his side.

n“There is no problem with Training Ground No. 150. Prepare to proceed.”

nThe floating feather pen started writing furiously on the form.

nNoises were heard in a corridor leading to the Main Hall, and a group of Liches in student cloaks was led by a tired-looking Lich whose body was emitting dark smoke.

n“Professor Bacon!”

nThe Lich who was checking the Training Ground entrance walked forward and bowed to Bacon respectfully.

n“Brainiac? Haven’t you graduated? Didn’t you report for work at the Eternal Fire Dungeon?” Bacon asked in astonishment.

n“The headmaster recommended me to Eternal Fire Dungeon to gain exposure. With experience in a huge Dungeon, coming back for a Professorship is much easier. But I prefer staying in the college and working as a teaching assistant. To obtain a Professorship requires a long time. Also, Dungeon work isn’t suitable for me as it consists of punching the time card daily, getting paid at the start of the month, and currying the favor of superiors. There is no research work. Instead, it’s summoning Specters for the Dungeon Lord or repairing Magical Items. That’s not what I want. I want to learn new knowledge and Mana skills and experience new things!”

nBrainiac was embarrassed and said to Bacon, “Professor Bacon, don’t call me Brainiac. The other students were just teasing me.”

nThe student Liches that were behind Professor Bacon started whispering to each other.

n“Is he Brainiac? The one with the highest score in a thousand years?”

n“I heard his results were legendary. A hundred years of curriculum and he only used fifty years to complete it all.”

n“Impossible! Fifty years to graduate?”

n“And he was the top student in school.”

n“He was a genius since young.”

n“He’s a rare genius of Specter College.”

nThe whisperings became louder, and Bacon gave a dry cough. The students kept quiet and stared wide-eyed at Brainiac.

n“Since you decided, work hard. You are the brightest student that I have taught, and I have high expectations for you.” Bacon patted Brainiac’s shoulder and looked at the decorated Main Hall behind him.

n“Are all this arranged by you? Hmm, not bad.”

n“Professor, I don’t understand why our graduating research has such strange decorations and sinister music. When the students are taking the examination, isn’t it better to have silence for better focus?” Brainiac asked, puzzled.

n“The explanation is quite complex. This is the request of the Devil Lord who helped us solve the graduating research problem. He isn’t a simple Devil Lord since he is able to sacrifice a few tens of thousands of Goblins. Such a powerful Devil like him having a special craving is understandable. Restrain your curiosity in order to avoid unnecessary trouble,” Professor Bacon reminded him.

n“I understand, Professor Bacon,” Brainiac replied, but he was still full of curiosity.

n“Students, hurry through the portal and prepare yourselves in the Training Grounds. Follow the dialogue schedule given to you and take note of the items in these two days’ training. They are all graded, so take note.”

nProfessor Bacon shouted and guided the students to the rooms so that they could use the designated Teleport Portals to travel to the Training Grounds.

n“Professor, the combatants from Eternal Kingdom are here,” A Lich came from the other side of the corridor and said.

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