“Every tactical backpack contains one smart watch, three compressed energy bars, and one Safety Sphere.”
General Marcus Hale’s voice carried across the open field.
“Check your equipment carefully.
If anything is missing, report to the platform immediately.”
The candidates quickly checked their backpacks.
Everything was accounted for.
General Hale nodded and stepped down from the platform.
It was currently 8:40 a.m.
There were only twenty minutes left before the Combat Examination officially began.
The tension that had filled the open field gradually eased.
Students began talking among themselves.
“Does anyone need a tank?
I have a D-rank Enhancement ability.
I can handle defense and provide decent damage.”
“Our team needs someone with a control-type ability.
I have a C-rank Spiritual ability that can interfere with a beast’s thoughts for a short time.
Anyone interested?”
“We’re missing a heavy damage dealer!
Anyone with a D-rank or higher offensive ability can join us.”
Voices came from every direction.
The Combat Examination did not prohibit students from forming teams.
In fact, teamwork could significantly improve survival chances.
However, there was an important disadvantage.
The points earned from a beast killed by a team were divided equally among all team members.
As a result, the efficiency of team hunting was much lower than fighting alone.
Most powerful candidates therefore preferred to operate independently.
But the appearance of a Horned Rhino near the examination area’s outer region had changed things.
The candidates now realized that this year’s examination might be much more difficult than usual.
Some students who had originally planned to fight alone began looking for teammates.
“Kael.”
A gentle voice suddenly came from beside him.
Kael turned around.
A young woman wearing a silver-white combat suit was standing there.
The suit was tightly fitted to her slender figure, while her fair face carried a warm smile.
It was Emily Foster, the class representative of Grade 12, Class Five.
“Have you joined a team yet?”
Kael paused.
Emily continued with a smile.
“If you haven’t, you can join ours.”
“We’re still missing someone who can provide additional offensive support.
Your lightning ability would fit perfectly.”
Emily was one of the most popular girls in Class Five.
She was attractive, polite, and had a gentle personality.
She was also genuinely kind.
A long time ago, Emily had learned that Kael had lost both of his parents.
After that, she had quietly helped him several times during school activities and everyday life.
She had never made a big deal about it.
In fact, she had always tried to make sure he didn’t notice.
But the original Kael had been extremely sensitive and withdrawn.
He had noticed.
He had even secretly wondered whether Emily had feelings for him.
But the current Kael understood the situation differently.
Emily wasn’t interested in him romantically.
She was simply kind-hearted.
And because she knew he was an orphan with an E-rank ability, she wanted to help him survive the examination.
Kael sighed inwardly.
You’re too kind.
But you really need to learn how to read the situation.
The Combat Examination involved genuine life-or-death combat.
No team wanted to carry a weak member.
Although Emily had invited him with good intentions, the other members of her team would naturally feel uncomfortable about it.
Kael glanced toward them.
As expected…
The expressions on the faces of Emily’s teammates had already become awkward.
They couldn’t openly reject their captain.
But none of them wanted an E-rank Awakener slowing them down.
Kael shook his head.
“Thanks, Emily.”
“But I’m going to enter the examination area alone.”
Emily looked surprised.
“Are you sure?”
Kael nodded.
“You guys should stick together.”
Emily hesitated.
She clearly wanted to persuade him.
But after seeing the determination in Kael’s eyes, she realized he had already made up his mind.
“All right.”
She sighed.
“Then be careful.”
“I will.”
Emily turned and walked back toward her team.
The other members quietly exchanged relieved looks.
They had no authority to question Emily’s decision.
But allowing an E-rank Awakener into their group would undoubtedly have reduced their overall hunting efficiency.
The moment Emily left, Liam Carter leaned over.
A mischievous grin appeared on his face.
“You actually rejected Emily’s invitation?”
“Do you know how many guys in our class would sell their souls for that opportunity?”
Kael rolled his eyes.
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“You know what Emily’s like.
She just likes helping people who are weaker than her.”
Liam raised an eyebrow.
“So you knew?”
“I thought you were convinced she secretly liked you.”
Kael shook his head.
“You’re hopeless.”
Liam laughed.
Then his expression became slightly more serious.
“Anyway, are you really planning to enter alone?”
“This year’s examination looks difficult.”
He glanced toward the ruined town.
“With an E-rank ability, fighting alone could be dangerous.”
“But…”
Liam grinned.
“If you really need help, you can call me Big Brother.”
“I’ll reluctantly take you under my protection.”
He dramatically ran a hand through his hair.
Kael stared at him.
Then he laughed.
“Do you honestly think I need you to protect me?”
Liam’s grin disappeared.
Kael crossed his arms.
“Let me tell you something.”
“I’m not the same person I used to be.”
“The old Kael is gone.”
Liam blinked.
Kael’s expression suddenly became exaggeratedly confident.
“This time, I’m aiming for the top spot in Westhaven Province.”
“If you’re willing to call me Dad, I’ll generously carry you into the provincial top hundred.”
Liam stared at him.
Then his mouth dropped open.
“The provincial champion?”
“You?”
He burst out laughing.
“Where did you learn to brag like this?”
“I never realized you had this much confidence.”
He shook his head.
“If Evan Hayes were here, he’d laugh himself sick.”
Kael sighed dramatically.
“People these days.”
“No one believes the truth anymore.”
“Society is declining.”
Liam rolled his eyes.
The two continued joking around.
Neither of them knew that Kael’s ridiculous claim wasn’t entirely a joke.
Time passed quickly.
Soon…
9:00 a.m.
The examination had officially begun.
Clang!
The massive gates surrounding the ruined town were pulled open.
Hundreds of soldiers stepped aside.
General Marcus Hale returned to the platform.
His voice immediately rang across the field.
“The 2037 Redhaven City Combat College Entrance Examination…”
“Officially begins!”
“Candidates…”
“Enter the examination area!”
The moment his final word fell—
More than 1,400 candidates moved.
“The examination has started!”
“This is my chance!”
“I’m going to make the top ten!”
“My target is Westhaven Superpower University!”
“Let’s go!”
Students carrying swords, spears, shields, daggers, and other weapons surged forward.
They rushed into the ruined town like a flood.
Kael was swept forward with the crowd.
He pulled the Obsidian Spear from his back.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
Then he charged into the ruins.
From a distance, the ruined town looked like the mouth of a gigantic abyss.
One candidate after another disappeared inside.
Within minutes…
The massive crowd outside had almost completely vanished.
The examination was also being broadcast live.
Military personnel immediately activated the surveillance systems installed throughout the ruins.
“Activate all ruin cameras.”
“Deploy the tracking drones.”
“Begin the live broadcast.”
Every year, the Combat Examination attracted enormous public attention.
Schools watched.
Teachers watched.
Government officials watched.
Families watched.
Even younger students were allowed to watch the examination as part of their preparation for future years.
The battles of the strongest candidates were especially popular.
Within moments, thousands of cameras hidden throughout the ruined town activated.
More than fifty military drones rose into the sky.
They quickly began tracking the candidates who were already considered potential stars of the examination.
Large images appeared above the military compound.
The live feeds displayed different sections of the ruined town.
Teachers and school principals entered the viewing area.
Officials from the Education Department also took their seats.
The examination had truly begun.
The ruined town was enormous.
Although it had once been a small settlement, the examination area covered a vast territory.
More than 1,400 candidates entered at once.
The entrance became crowded for a brief moment.
But as everyone moved deeper inside…
The crowd quickly dispersed.
It was like dropping thousands of water droplets into the ocean.
Each candidate gradually disappeared into a different part of the ruins.
The Ferocious Beasts also behaved intelligently.
They had survived in the wilderness long enough to recognize danger.
When they sensed the sudden arrival of more than a thousand humans, they didn’t immediately attack.
Instead…
They hid.
They waited.
They observed.
Teams moved in different directions.
Solo candidates did the same.
Everyone began searching for their first target.
Among the candidates, one person moved far faster than the others.
Ethan Blake.
The Gale Sword.
The moment he entered the examination area, he activated his ability.
Wind Spirit Gale.
A powerful current of wind surrounded his body.
The resistance of the air around him dropped sharply.
Then…
Whoosh!
Ethan shot forward.
His speed was comparable to a cheetah.
In the blink of an eye, he had already disappeared deep into the ruins.
Kael chose another direction.
He held the Obsidian Spear in one hand while walking through the abandoned streets.
At the same time, he activated the smart watch on his wrist.
A faint blue glow appeared.
Then a virtual screen projected itself into the air before his eyes.
A line of text appeared.
Please authenticate your identity.
Kael wasn’t surprised.
Technology on Blue Star was far more advanced than the technology of his previous world.
Virtual displays were already common.
He raised his left hand.
Then pressed his thumb against the screen.
Fingerprint authentication in progress…
A moment later….
Authentication successful.
Candidate: Kael Veyron
School: Rivergate High School
Grade: 12
Class: Five
Examination Number: 2037-2147849
Kael looked at the information.
Two small panels appeared in the upper-right corner.
The first displayed his personal score.
Name: Kael Veyron
School: Rivergate High School
Class: Grade 12, Class Five
Score: 0
The second showed the current city ranking.
Redhaven City Combat Examination Ranking
1st – Ethan Blake – 7 points
Rivergate First High School
2nd – Ryan Cole – 5 points
Rivergate First High School
3rd – Marcus Reed – 4 points
Rivergate First High School
…
874th – Kael Veyron – 0 points
Rivergate High School
Kael couldn’t help shaking his head.
“As expected of First High School.”
“They’ve already started collecting points.”
The students from that school were clearly experienced.
Kael closed the ranking panel.
Then he selected the map.
A three-dimensional map of the ruined town immediately appeared.
The examination area was roughly circular.
Different colors marked different regions.
Green — Outer Region
Yellow — Middle Region
Red — Core Region
Dark Red — Inner Region
A small white marker represented Kael’s current location.
It was positioned near the edge of the green zone.
Kael looked toward the deeper regions.
“There should be quite a distance between here and the Core Region.”
He adjusted his route.
“Then I’ll head straight toward it.”
There was no reason to waste time in the outer area.
Kael began walking deeper into the ruins.
He hadn’t gone far when something suddenly blocked his path.
Kael stopped.
A creature stood several meters away.
It was roughly the size of a leopard.
Its fur was completely black, as dark as ink.
Two vertical pupils glowed a pale orange.
Its claws were stained with dark-red blood.
Sharp fangs protruded from its mouth.
Despite its terrifying appearance, the creature was strangely beautiful.
Kael immediately recognized it.
“Shadow Cat.”
He had studied the Ferocious Beast Compendium thoroughly.
The Shadow Cat was one of the most common Ferocious Beasts found in the wilderness.
But common didn’t mean weak.
Far from it.
Shadow Cats were dangerous predators.
They possessed incredible agility.
Their claws were razor-sharp.
Their teeth could easily tear through flesh.
Their bite force could reach several thousand kilograms.
Many inexperienced candidates had died at the hands of Shadow Cats.
Kael stared at the creature.
The Shadow Cat stared back.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then….
Grrrrrr…
A low growl emerged from the beast’s throat.
It had sensed a human.
Fresh blood.
Fresh meat.
Its pupils narrowed.
Then its limbs suddenly tensed.
BOOM!
The Shadow Cat launched itself forward.
Its speed increased rapidly as its hunger took control.
It crossed the distance between them in an instant.
Three meters.
Two meters.
One meter.
Then it jumped.
The Shadow Cat raised its claws high.
Its target….
Kael’s head.
Whoosh!
Its claws slashed downward with terrifying force.
A direct hit would be fatal.
Ferocious Beast claws were comparable to alloy weapons.
If those claws connected with Kael’s head, his skull would be crushed instantly.
The Shadow Cat seemed to anticipate the kill.
A strange, almost human-like excitement appeared in its eyes.
But…
In the next instant…
A black blur flashed.
Pfft!
The Obsidian Spear shot forward.
Its spearhead pierced directly through the Shadow Cat’s throat.
The creature’s body froze in midair.
Its claws stopped just inches from Kael’s head.
Kael’s expression remained completely calm.
With a single precise thrust…
The Shadow Cat had been killed.
Blood erupted from its neck.
The lifeless body fell heavily to the ground.
At the same moment, the Deep Blue System appeared in Kael’s mind.
[Shadow Cat killed.]
[Unranked Ferocious Beast.]
[Ability Points +3.]
Kael looked down at the fallen beast.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
His first kill had come.
And more importantly…
His first Ability Points had arrived.
The real hunt had begun.