The training camp did not have any remarkable scenery, but there was a lot of vegetation. Along the way, Mill went to the ginkgo tree where they had met.

The two were silent along the way, and Mill was the first to speak when they sat down. She blushed as she said, “The final assessment is tomorrow. Are you nervous?”

“No, I’m all right,” Moss answered smilingly, but he was doubtful.

‘Did Mill drag me here just to ask if I’m nervous?’

“Well, I am. Will you be sad if I die?” Mill blurred her eyes as she asked faintly.

“That won’t happen with me around,” Moss’s reply was brief, but he did not hesitate.

Mill became teary-eyed when she heard Moss’s words. She muttered, “Moss, I’ve been paying attention to you since the professional competition. I used to think you were a cold and arrogant person.

“But as time passed, I found that you were more optimistic and determined. I noticed the knight’s spirit coursing in your veins and started admiring you more and more. I want to work hard alongside you and make breakthroughs to make myself stronger.

“But two days ago, when we saw a student die, fear took root in my heart. I just wanted someone to talk to today.”

Moss pondered and responded, “Of course. Everyone will be afraid when faced with death, even me. But when I think of the hundreds of thousands of people who will need our protection in the future, something more substantial will replace that fear.”

Mill looked at Moss’s profound expression and instantly felt encouraged. “Thank you for that, Moss. I feel much better now.”

“No problem, Mill. It’s my honor to be your confidant. Thank you for trusting me,” Moss said with a genuine smile.

Seeing that Mill was feeling better, Moss looked at his watch and said, “Let’s go and eat, or there won’t be any food left for us.”

“Y-You go ahead. I’ll sit here by myself for a while.”

Moss waved his hand and turned around to leave.

Mill sighed as she looked at Moss’s leaving figure. She blushed and muttered, “It seems I’m not courageous enough to tell him. Still, I must follow in your footsteps.”

…

The atmosphere in the Magical Beast territory was ever-tense. The 400 elite training camp students felt its familiar ambiance when they arrived.

To minimize casualties and ensure the students’ safety, almost all of the training camp’s instructors—55 of them, went along.

There were 48 squads, and each squad had an instructor that would watch the entire process, follow the squads in real-time, and record the students’ performance on video.

Two deputy chief instructors were mobile invigilators responsible for patrolling the 12 assessment areas. The remaining five instructors would collect and sort the video footage they received from the 48 instructors.

The five instructors also acted as substitutes to replace any instructor who encountered accidents.

…

It was 9:00 am, and the students had almost completed their preparations when Red Spider gathered them for a preamble.

Her expression was no longer cold. Instead, her eyes brightly glinted as she said with anticipation, “Students, after putting in countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears, you have finally arrived at the final assessments! I believe in your abilities to complete this test.

“Rest assured that each squad will have an instructor each this time, unprecedented in the previous training programs. I won’t say too much since you’ve all come prepared. I trust you will all do your best during this final test!”

Seeing that Red Spider had roused the students’ emotions, Flying Wolf raised his arm and thundered, “Let’s go!”

Then the 48 squads headed toward the 12 assessment zones simultaneously. Meanwhile, the number on the countdown cards had changed to 7 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The Guardians and their cooperative Team 016, alongside Team 043, chose to face Stubborn Donkey Mice, so an instructor led them into Zone 2 of Zone 1 and 2.

The Stubborn Donkey Mice were more rampant in these zones. Moss and his team chose these beasts because they came in large numbers and preferred to attack in groups.

It benefited the Guardians’ usual fighting style because they had experienced dealing with 200 Terrifying Monitor Lizards and 50 Brutal Brown Bears in Black Panther City’s three-star Mystic Realm.

Although the Lightning Rabbits and Poison Illusion Frogs also attacked in large groups, the frogs possessed a relatively potent spiritual power. Resembling the Bewitching Demon Fox, the frogs used their spiritual power to activate their poison skills. It was a significant disadvantage to squads with smaller numbers.

Meanwhile, the Lightning Rabbits were the fastest among the four Magical Beasts, and it was the most challenging for a squad to control.

However, the Guardians did not want to face the Evil Rhinoceros, even though they were a good choice, considering they had sufficient data about them.

But since everyone understood how Evil Rhinoceros behaved, most would want to fight them, making it a highly contested target. Also, the rhinoceros came in small numbers, and the Guardians would have a good overall score.

The Guardians noticed that the other two most capable students in the training program had chosen the Evil Rhinoceros and Lightning Rabbits, so they began to discuss.

“I can’t believe Team Duke is being so conservative. They chose the Evil Rhinoceros!”

“They probably did well in the scouting and ambush tests, and that’s why they chose the rhinos.”

“I think they chose the rhinos because of the experience they would gain. That’s another safe guess.”

…

“Team Arthur was particular about their choice.”

“Yeah, the speedy Lightning Rabbit doesn’t stand a chance against Arthur’s ultimate skill—Weakening Ray.”

“It seems Arthur isn’t such a simpleton after all.”

…

After walking around for five minutes, Moss stopped and squatted. He observed his surroundings and said lowly, “Maintain formation. Each team member should define their duties.”

Alan was the first to nod as Moss continued, “Alan, you’re in charge of the team’s supplies while coordinating with us to set up defenses. You must also support our attacks with your potions.

“Bass, you handle the long-ranged attacks and survey the surroundings. Baylon, you’re in the close combat and defense department. Coordinate with Team 016’s leader and me with your water element attacks. Mill, you’re in charge of magic attacks and control.

“Leave the rest to me,” Moss nodded and continued, “If we come across the Stubborn Donkey Mice, we should observe them and look for the right opportunity to strike. Okay, let’s proceed with the first part of our battle plan.”

Then Moss gestured to Harry, Team 016’s captain, and moved forward.

The Guardians’ first part of their battle plan was similar to the other teams’, which was scouting. However, the Guardians had done a lot of research and homework on the Stubborn Donkey Mouse before they came for their final assessment.

Then they searched for traces of the mice’s tracks based on their research. Ten minutes later, they finally found something noteworthy.

“Captain, there are traces of Stubborn Donkey Mice living around here,” Baylon whispered solemnly and pointed toward 11 o’clock.