"Classmate, you're making it very difficult for me to handle..."

"If we're talking about seniority, you've only been in school for less than two months, and you haven't attended a single class at your academy."

"But none of that really matters. What's crucial is that your task experience is insufficient."

"To advance to the second grade, you need to complete at least 10 D-level tasks."

Shenxiao, Nuwa Academy's third-floor assessment area.

An elderly female teacher adjusted her reading glasses perched on her nose, looked again at the documents Lin Yi submitted, and shook her head.

Lin Yi: "But teacher, I have completed an S-level task and an SS-level task..."

"No, to advance to the second year, what's required is D-level task experience. Your S-level and SS-level tasks don't count."

Looking at this stubborn and pedantic female teacher in front of him,

Lin Yi was at a loss for words.

Without being able to advance to the second grade, there was no way to compete in Shenxiao's Ten Elites in the arena.

But he didn't have the time to complete a total of 10 D-level tasks now.

Just as Lin Yi was contemplating whether to seek out Lan Ruoxi for some possible solutions,

the female teacher in front of him adjusted her reading glasses again and said, "If you are unwilling to do 10 D-level tasks, there is another path you can choose."

"Which is to participate in the upgrade trial."

Lin Yi was taken aback.

Then mentally exclaimed, "Damn."

This is what Nangong Ling mentioned before, participating in the trial.

Lin Yi had always thought that completing 10 D-level tasks was part of the trial.

Now it seems that doing tasks is one way, and directly participating in the trials is another way.

After all, the record of task completion shows the student's capability.

Since the task record was insufficient, directly participating in the trial could also prove strength.

"Trial!"

"I'll enter the trial!"

The female teacher looked up at Lin Yi and continued, "The trial is definitely more challenging than completing 10 D-level tasks, are you sure?"

"I'm sure!"

"Then follow me."

A few minutes later.

Lin Yi was brought to an underground space.

"Second-grade upgrade assessment."

"He's your responsibility now."

The female teacher handed Lin Yi over to another stern-looking old man that seemed just as aged but full of spirit.

Then she walked away without looking back.

"Lin Yi, right? I've heard about you."

"I also have the Lin surname, just call me Mr. Lin."

Mr. Lin took a puff from a cigarette and introduced himself to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi respectfully greeted him with a bow.

"This is a training ground converted from an underground warehouse, formerly filled with combat puppets made by the country's top craftsmen."

"These combat puppets have all been retired and phased out from the front line."

"Adhering to the principle of utilizing waste, craftsmen from our academy repaired them, and their performance can reach about fifty to sixty percent of the previous state."

Mr. Lin pointed at a distance.

Lin Yi saw rows of combat puppets of varying sizes and weapons.

Some of these combat puppets even vaguely resembled professional fighters from afar.

Following Mr. Lin further down,

Lin Yi heard the clashing sounds of metal against metal.

And saw the brilliance of magic and skill lighting up.

The large underground training ground was sectioned into separate smaller assessment areas.

At the moment, dozens of people were being assessed.

Around the edges, a few hundred students without tasks were watching on.

"Now, the greatest role of these puppets is to help you students with insufficient task experience and unclear capabilities to assess strength."

Lin Yi turned solemn.

Argued, "Mr. Lin, I'm not lacking in task experience, I have one S-level and one SS-level task experience..."

Mr. Lin waved his hand, took a deep drag on his cigarette,

Then ground out the cigarette butt on a combat puppet made of refined steel, continuing, "I know, I told you I've heard about you."

"But don't blame Mr. Wu for not giving you a nicer attitude."

"Do you know how the older generation of tutors and scholars at Nuwa Academy evaluate you?"

Lin Yi was puzzled, "Uh, I don't know..."

"A thing lacking the spirit of a priest!"

"All you know is fighting and killing all day!"

Lin Yi: "..."

Blame me!

If it weren't for the perks of Nuwa Academy, I wouldn't have even joined this academy...

"Alright, no more unnecessary talk."

"Go in."

As he spoke, Mr. Lin brought Lin Yi to an open assessment area and pulled out an employee card from his pocket.

He swiped it by the edge.

Then swiped Lin Yi's student card, indicating for Lin Yi to enter the assessment area.

"Nuwa Academy, first-year, Lin Yi."

"The assessment is about to begin, please stand in the designated area, do not move around."

The assessment area announcer read out Lin Yi's name.

Lin Yi stood firm, quietly waiting.

But evidently, considering Lin Yi's current fame, the moment this name was read out,

instantly, quite a few curious Shenxiao students crowded over.

"Whoa, it's Lin Yi?"

"Something's not right! Wasn't he just enrolled?"

"No way, it's really him!"

"Less than two months into school, how is he eligible to directly participate in the upgrade assessment?"

"Does he have enough credits??" A series of exclamations erupted.

Very soon, almost all the spectators from other examination areas flocked to where Lin Yi was.

"Lin Yi, you're now participating in Nuwa Academy's second-grade upgrade assessment."

"This assessment is divided into two parts."

"In the first part, as an accompanying personnel escorting a team of 10 experts into a dangerous area, under the high-intensity attacks and interference of puppets, please ensure the safe completion of the archaeological excavation mission with all expert teams."

"In the second part, as an elite practitioner, in a complex international battlefield, you need to protect 30 injured refugees and help them evacuate safely."

After the requirements of the two assessment stages were explained,

Lin Yi had a clear understanding of the assessment content.

It seems Nuwa Academy's assessment core is about protection.

Maximizing the survival and operation of allied targets.

Lin Yi's vision blurred,

The next moment, the entire assessment area transformed.

It became an underground ruin, filled with countless statues, shrines, and some artifacts that seemed to hold great research value.

Simultaneously, 10 characters with their names displayed in green refreshed around Lin Yi.

These characters were also combat puppets but set as friendly targets.

All names displayed as: Protected Target.

This seemed to be a kind of holographic projection combined with real scene technology.

In truth, it felt incredibly immersive.

"Intruders detected!"

"Execute annihilation protocol!"

The next moment, loud alarms blared in the entire ruins.

At four or five entrances of the ruins, groups of combat puppets appeared with red names displayed!

Once these puppets appeared, they began attacking in waves.

"These precious artifacts have the power to change the future of humankind!"

"Buy us time! We must take them out!"

One of the "Protected Target" spoke to Lin Yi, then all 10 targets dispersed, each heading toward the artifacts and statues they were assigned to study.

This marked the official start of Lin Yi's assessment!

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