256: Chapter 256 The First Round Ends

Boom, boom, boom—!

The hourglass representing one hundred years had completely run out.

As a soul-stirring drumbeat echoed from the void, all the examinees from various academies still striving to clear stages in the tower were instantly jolted awake.

A gentle force enveloped everyone and ejected them from the tower.

"Wait! Give me five more minutes, I'm just about to figure out the solution!"

"How did time pass so quickly? I've only just passed the twenty-second floor. Damn it, I hope I'm not at the bottom!"

"..."

Many examinees seemed still immersed in their previous research, subconsciously muttering in frustration.

"The time for the first round of the examination has ended."

The host of this event, the Elf Clan Grand Sage, lightly tapped the void with his staff. Instantly, a complex magic circle formed in the sky, scattering specks of pale green light that drifted toward the examinees.

Zhang Huaiyuan felt a surge of life-giving power enter his body, and his weary frame was instantly revitalized.

Even his mind felt a cool sensation, bringing immediate relief.

"Is this the power of Rune Magic? The effect is even comparable to high-level potions exchanged from the association."

Zhang Huaiyuan thought to himself, curiously observing the magic circle in the sky while basking in the magical power.

It took a full half-hour before the magic circle slowly dissipated.

"Thank you, Great Sage."

After regaining their composure and feeling fully recovered, everyone immediately bowed to the figure on the high platform.

"There is no need for such formalities. Next, I shall announce the results of the first round."

With a wave of the Elf Clan Grand Sage's staff, a Golden Ranking List descended from the void, clearly displayed before everyone.

Holy Light Monastery, Total Points: 275. Rank: 1.

Time Book House, Total Points: 274. Rank: 2.

Leviathan Laboratory, Total Points: 267. Rank: 3.

"Just one point short!"

"What a shame! If only I had cleared one more floor!"

"Yeah, I made a mistake on the twenty-first floor. Otherwise, I could have saved at least a year and maybe cleared another floor."

Seeing the rankings, the members of the Time Book House showed looks of annoyance and began to blame themselves.

Especially Talix, who had always considered himself the academy's top student; his expression changed instantly as his gaze swept over the individual scores below.

1st Place: Zhang Huaiyuan, Time Book House, Floor 41, Points: 40.

2nd Place: Saintess Jiang Nian, Holy Light Monastery, Floor 40, Points: 39.

3rd Place: Casper, Leviathan Laboratory, Floor 33, Points: 32.

4th Place...

"This... this..."

"What's wrong, Senior? Huh? Junior Zhang, Floor 41?!"

After following Talix's gaze to the name at the top of the list, their eyes widened in disbelief as they looked at the figure they had originally thought would be a burden.

"Damn it, it's all my fault!"

After seeing the results clearly, a look of pain appeared on Talix's face.

He noticed that aside from the top three, the highest floor reached was the thirty-first.

However, the Holy Light Monastery had three people at that level, while the Time Book House only had Fang Qingran.

In other words, if he had successfully broken through the 30th floor, they would have at least tied for first place with the Holy Light Monastery.

"Damn it, it's all my fault, all my fault!"

Talix, who had always considered himself the best in the academy, felt immense self-reproach.

The person he thought was just there through connections had actually taken first place, while he, who claimed to be the academy's best, hadn't even made it into the top tier.

In a sense, he was the one who had been holding the team back!

"Senior Talix, you did your best, and you spent a lot of time helping us solve problems."

Seeing this, many people hurried to comfort him, and even Fang Qingran spoke softly:

"That's right, don't put too much pressure on yourself. With a peerless genius like Junior Zhang around, there's still a chance, isn't there? Besides, this examination was indeed difficult. Junior Zhang even helped me pass the 30th floor, and it took him less than a day."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Talix was stunned, and his heart filled with even more regret.

Out of a sense of pride, he hadn't used his chance to ask for help, and combined with the time he wasted helping the other seven in the final hours, he hadn't been able to break through the thirtieth floor.

"Exactly, Senior. There's still the next round and more opportunities. Let's just do our best together."

Zhang Huaiyuan also spoke up.

"Junior Zhang, I..."

Hearing this, Talix suddenly looked up at the smiling youth before him, feeling increasingly guilty.

"Junior Zhang, I'm sorry. I used to speak ill of you behind your back."

"Me too. I'm sorry, Junior Zhang..."

The others also lowered their heads in shame.

"It's fine. If I were in your position, I would have thought the same."

Zhang Huaiyuan waved it off.

He knew they bore no ill will and hadn't openly mocked him; they were just concerned about the academy's performance.

Setting aside the discussions on this side...

On the other side, the Holy Light Monastery team was equally shocked.

Someone actually managed to catch up to Her Highness the Saintess!

"Oh... it's that guy who gave me the Virtual game login device back then. He's actually that amazing!"

The girl holding a staff, surrounded by the crowd, looked toward the Time Book House camp with interest.

Although the Blessings of the Gods were greatly weakened in this world and she hadn't actively triggered her Divine Power of Fate, it still represented the domain of the gods!

To think someone could catch up using only their own strength!

"With such talent, he must be the peerless genius Grandmaster mentioned... Oh... I've been spotted."

While lost in thought, the girl suddenly noticed a gaze from the other side. Instead of looking away, she offered a bright smile.

"She's a formidable opponent."

Zhang Huaiyuan also gave a slight smile and nodded, but he became increasingly vigilant.

Although he had luckily taken a slight lead in the first stage, the second stage would be a real battle. He didn't have much confidence when facing such an opponent.

"I'll just do my best."

...