Global Necromantic Specialist

The students returned one by one, and the principals observed them with a mix of pride and anticipation. It wasn't just about the students' safety—it was a quiet competition among the schools to see whose students performed best.

So far, the levels ranged between 10 and 13, with not a single student reaching level 14. The principals exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued about the students who had yet to return.

"Where are Jeny, Marsh, and Kevin?" David, the principal of No. 1 Middle School, asked with a trace of worry. As the evening deepened, his usually calm demeanor began to falter. "They should have been back by now. Did something happen?"

Just as the sky was about to darken completely, three figures appeared in the distance. Relief washed over David's face as he muttered, "Finally."

A gentle breeze accompanied the detection techniques cast by the principals, who were eager to gauge the trio's progress.

[Kevin, Level 12, Knight of Sword and Shield]

[Jeny, Level 15, Elemental Mage]

The principals gasped in unison, their surprise evident. Reaching level 15 meant Jeny was almost guaranteed admission into Xia Jing Academy. With such a strong foundation, she stood an 80% chance—perhaps higher if her performance in the exam was consistent.

Lastly, they turned their attention to Marsh.

[Marsh, Level 16, Necromancer]

A collective intake of breath echoed among the principals. Level 16? That was extraordinary. Marsh had outpaced all expectations, surpassing even Jeny. His progress was almost unheard of in such a short time frame.

"They must have been running dungeons tirelessly," one principal speculated. "Look at Kevin's sword and shield, and Jeny's staff—they're Goblin King weapons. But collecting a full set of equipment with such low drop rates must have taken an incredible amount of luck."

"Or skill," another principal murmured, marveling at their efficiency.

As the trio approached the city gates, David called out, "Once you enter the city, wait by the transport vehicles. We'll head back to school together once everyone has arrived."

Kevin, ever the lively one, responded with an enthusiastic, "Got it, Principal David!"

David couldn't help but chuckle at Kevin's energy, his earlier worries replaced by pride. For him, this was a resounding victory. With Marsh and Jeny potentially entering Xia Jing Academy, No. 1 Middle School had solidified its reputation as a breeding ground for excellence.

---

The students gathered in the transport vehicles, returning to school as night fell. David addressed them once more, his tone warm but firm.

"The fact that you all made it back safely is the most important thing. Remember, tomorrow is the big exam. Get a good night's rest, and meet on the school grounds in the morning. From there, we'll head to the test center together."

The test center was not located in Xihai City but in Jianghai City, the provincial capital. Unlike Xihai, a mid-sized city, Jianghai was a sprawling metropolis—a hub of activity and a symbol of advancement. Every year, the provincial capital hosted the final exams under the supervision of Shenxia Empire's top examiners.

---

That night, Marsh remained true to his routine. While others rested, he meditated, fully recovering his mental strength and entering a state of peak readiness. His 100 skeleton warriors, each with four-dimensional attributes of 5,000 after a twentyfold increase, stood quietly in his summoning space. Combined with his powerful skills, such as Soul Flame and Corpse Burst, Marsh was confident in his ability to excel.

The next morning, Marsh arrived at the school playground, where a buzz of excitement filled the air. Kevin spotted him first, waving enthusiastically. "Marsh! Over here!"

Marsh acknowledged him with a slight nod. His reserved nature often made it difficult for others to approach him, and his necromancer profession only added to their hesitation.

Soon, Jeny arrived, drawing a crowd of students eager to greet her. Despite her usual cool demeanor, she walked directly toward Marsh. "Feeling ready?"

Marsh nodded. "Yes."

Jeny smiled. "Then I guess I'll see you at Xia Jing Academy."

"Of course," Marsh replied softly.

---

Once all the students had assembled, David stepped forward. In his hands were small, shimmering objects. "Each of you will receive a teleportation stone. When activated, it will transport you directly to the test center in Jianghai City. You can either crush it or channel your spiritual energy to activate it."

His expression turned serious as he continued, "I'll say this one last time—your safety is the top priority. Do your best, but don't take unnecessary risks."

With that, the students began activating their teleportation stones, vanishing in flashes of light. David waited until the last student had gone before using his own teleportation stone.

---

The test center was a vast, open square, bustling with students from cities across Jiangning Province. The light of teleportation stones shimmered constantly as thousands of candidates arrived. Each city's candidates were grouped into designated areas, creating a patchwork of eager faces and nervous energy.

As the last of the students arrived, the air grew still. All eyes turned toward the center of the square as a colossal tower descended from the sky. Its presence was overwhelming, exuding an aura of power and mystery.

"The Trial Tower is now open!" boomed a voice, resonating through the square like thunder.

The massive doors on the first floor of the tower creaked open, revealing its shadowy interior.

"Candidates, listen carefully to the exam rules," the voice continued, stern and commanding. "You are not permitted to communicate with others or seek assistance. Violators will be immediately disqualified."

The crowd fell silent, the weight of the announcement settling over them. Marsh's eyes remained fixed on the tower, his resolve unshaken. This was the moment he had been preparing for.

The trial had begun.

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