Time always flew when one was having fun, and there was only a short period between the final assessments and result announcements. Everyone was thrilled and cherished their last few moments in the training camp.
There were still 30 minutes before the instructors would announce the final results when the students started to gather in the assembly area. They watched the exciting montages of this year’s training program on the screen and discussed among themselves anxiously.
“I’m so nervous! Whether or not I make it to the top 225 will depend on this.”
“I heard that the instructors will announce the top 225 first.”
“I’ve benefited a lot from the training program. I’m very fortunate that I had the opportunity to get to where I am today. I am utterly satisfied and proud of myself. I’m just more interested in who will place first this time.”
“Speaking of which, this year’s best graduate should be…”
…
Many were curious about who would place first, while another group was more interested in A-110 and A-066 because the group had set up a bet between the two.
The two groups were excited to hear the results so they could enjoy the extra food tickets they would win from their bet and eat more training camp delicacies.
The students spoke among themselves until only five minutes were left before the announcements. The teachers and instructors who participated in the second and third phases lined up neatly before the students. Then they put on severe expressions and sat upright on the stage.
When it was time for the announcements, the teachers and instructors did not say a word. Instead, they cast their gazes onto the big screen. The screen displaying the montages stopped instantly and turned pitch black.
Then the serial numbers of the top 225 appeared on the screen in bold golden fonts. They were the students about to receive their graduation certificates. The students who were excited became ecstatic.
“Wow, my serial number is on the screen!”
“Yes! I finally got the graduation certificate I’ve been dreaming of!”
“All my hard work finally paid off after a month of suffering. It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure.”
“I can return to my school with dignity now!”
Of course, some were happy, and some were disappointed.
“I placed so low on the rankings. Why? I worked so hard but still couldn’t get a graduation certificate.”
“I’m just not fated to attend any of the top 20 universities in the country.”
“I don’t know how to face my hometown elders now.”
…
The students lamented their rankings when the screen changed again, and the top 125 appeared on the screen in golden fonts. They knew the instructors would soon announce the most outstanding students’ rankings in this year’s elite training program.
When the top ranks appeared on the screen one at a time, the students gave a warm applause.
A moment later, 50 flashing numbers appeared on the screen. The assembly area cheered and applauded even louder. Some sharp-eyed students exclaimed in surprise when they saw B-666 appear in the top 50.
“B-666 is still in the top 50? I thought he could only get 79 points for the final assessment.”
“Yeah, not to mention what he did during the third segment of the final phase. His squad was the last to return. There’s no way he got a full score.”
“It’s impossible to get into the top 50 with just 79 Points!”
…
Some students discussed this matter when an anticipating scene appeared on the big screen. The words “First place in the second and third segments” appeared.
The students froze when they saw those words. Everyone held their breaths and stared at the screen without blinking. Amid everyone’s anticipation, the screen displayed the final results.
“B-666. Beast training, 20 points. Beast-taming, 19 points. Total in the second segment: 39 points.
“Scouting mission, 10 points. Ambush mission, 20 points. Final mission, 30 points. Total in the third segment: 60 points.
“Grand total—99 points.”
The students were in an uproar when they saw Moss’s serial number appear on the screen. They became even more restless when they saw his scores.
“H-How is that possible?”
“Yeah, B-666 gave up on the ambush mission, and Flying Wolf gave him zero points.”
“B-666’s squad was the last to return in the final mission, which means they didn’t score well timewise. B-666’s squad only fought Stubborn Donkey Mice, which isn’t even difficult.”
“What’s going on here?”
…
Arthur and Drake’s teammates were even more puzzled. They had already prepared to celebrate.
They would have accepted it if one of their team members claimed first place. However, Moss had claimed it, which was hard for them to accept because they had excluded Moss from the upper echelon.
Then a penetrating voice sounded from the podium, “Students, please settle down.”
The students quieted down when they saw Flying Wolf on the podium. Flying Wolf cleared his throat and looked at the students below the stage. He said clearly, “I would have the same thoughts as you if I hadn’t witnessed B-666’s performance with my own eyes. I will explain why B-666 scored full points in the final assessment.”
Moss’s performance had indeed shattered Flying Wolf’s expectations. Otherwise, he would not have believed that a knight would surpass a swordmaster or dark warlock.
Now that Flying Wolf was willing to explain Moss’s situation, one could tell Moss’s performance was enough to convince Flying Wolf himself.
“During the final segment, the Guardians chose to face Stubborn Donkey Mice. Although they aren’t the strongest of the four Magical Beasts, the Guardians faced more than 150 of them!”
Flying Wolf’s explanation caused a commotion among the students.
“More than 150 mice?! That’s an alarming number! Still, the amount does not matter, but the destructive power is the most crucial point of the mission.”
“You’re right. I can fight more Magical Beasts than that, so why does it matter how many the Guardians faced?”
While the students discussed, the screen showed the Guardians’ performance in the final mission.
Flying Wolf’s expression did not change, even though he heard the students’ discussions. Instead, he looked at the screen and said, “I’m sure you can all see B-666’s excellent leadership, decisiveness, combat ability, and team spirit during battle.
“Still, the supervisors would not give them full marks because they were the last to return to the rendezvous points.”
The big screen changed again, showing Team 016 leading more Stubborn Donkey Mice toward the Guardians alongside Explosive King Cobras. Instantly, the assembly area was in an uproar.
“Wow! There were even 100 Explosive King Cobras?! That is no laughing matter!”
“The cobras’ poison is potent, and they are extremely agile. Those are Magical Beasts no one wants to come into contact with.”
“Why are there cobras there too?”
“W-Wait? Is Team 016 diverting their trouble to the Guardians?!”