A Fallen-class creature was absolutely brutal.
Tristan knew firsthand just how dangerous one was. The Vein Eater in his family’s dungeon had nearly ripped him in half, and he had only survived that encounter through environmental exploitation and sheer luck.
Looking around at his makeshift team, the reality of their situation was grim. Tristan couldn’t see any major noble house crests, which meant they were all freshly awakened most likely, with lack luster equipment.
An encounter with the Minotaur wouldn’t be a fight. It would be a slaughter. An immediate team wipe.
Tristan just prayed no one in this room was foolish enough to propose a plan to actually challenge the beast. In the past playing Flamecrest Legacy, he had made countless attempts to defeat the Labyrinth Minotaur for the massive essence drop it provided, only to realize every single time that it was mathematically futile.
The absolute highest rank he had ever managed to achieve before reaching this stage of the game was the Tempered rank, playing as Alexander. But even then, Alexander’s unique skill, [Obelisk], just wasn’t enough. It was a powerful Dominion-type skill that summoned a physical stone monument, granting a massive AOE strength and mental buff to himself and his teammates. Yet, even with that buff, the Minotaur had crushed his party into paste.
’This time though’ Tristan thought, his fingers brushing against his leather satchel.
He quickly shook his head, physically discarding the thought.
’No.’
This was his final playthrough he couldn’t risk a glory hound route and get a horn in his chest. Well, Tristan actually doubted that the academy would let people die but he didn’t want to test it.
Survival and securing his admission were the only things that mattered.
Tuning back into the room, Tristan found that Oliver had already stepped up to the center, confidently and naturally positioning himself as the leader of the group.
"Listen up," the northerner commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If we want to pass, we need structure. I’ll take the front."
To prove his worth, Oliver briefly detailed his capabilities. His unique skill was [Counterweight], an Ascension-type ability that allowed him to temporarily decrease one physical attribute to proportionally increase another, sacrificing his raw strength to double his speed, or vice versa. He also casually patted the intricately embroidered pouch on his belt. A spatial storage bag. He unslung a high-quality steel polearm from his back, leaning heavily on it.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed slightly. By volunteering to be the vanguard and revealing the storage bag, Oliver had seamlessly positioned himself as the most valuable member of the team and the one who would physically carry all the essence stones they collected.
’Sleezy set up to betray hmm’ thought Tristan with a smirk.
The other members quickly followed suit, disclosing their abilities to the group.
Ella, the eternally optimistic girl from the West, had a Conjuration skill that allowed her to create and loosely control sand golems. Rowan, the quiet boy, possessed a Perception skill that drastically enhanced his physical senses, making him an ideal tracker. Lily, the nervous girl with the staff, could generate thick, localized fog.
When it was Tristan’s turn, all eyes fell on him.
"I’m not much of a fighter," Tristan lied smoothly, leaning back against the cold stone wall. "My skill is purely cognitive. It allows me to perform hundreds of mental computations in a matter of seconds. I can break down spatial geometry and solve complex puzzles almost instantly."
Oliver stared at him, his eyes practically screaming his disbelief. As a fellow northerner, Oliver definitely knew the rumors that the youngest Verneuil was a mundane, talentless failure. A sudden, highly convenient Awakening of a genius-level cognitive skill sounded like absolute garbage.
But the others didn’t know the rumors. Ella clapped her hands together, looking visibly relieved.
"That’s perfect!" Ella beamed. "The proctor said there were puzzles for points. We have a dedicated solver!"
Unbothered by the lie, Oliver swiftly drafted a formation.
"Ella, you’ll keep a sand golem manifested at all times. It acts as our meat shield to tank any attacks or trigger traps," Oliver instructed, pointing his polearm. "Rowan, you’re the scout. Keep your ears peeled for traps and the Minotaur. I will act as the main strike force right behind the golem. Tristan, Lily, you two take the rear guard. Keep your eyes open for any puzzle mechanisms on the walls, and don’t get separated."
It was a surprisingly solid, and decent formation for a group of strangers.
Just as Oliver finished dictating the marching orders, a heavy, mechanical clunk echoed through the chamber.
The thick stone doors blocking the corridor fully retracted into the ceiling. The scent of damp earth, stale blood, and ancient dust wafted into the holding room.
The exam had officially begun.