Chapter 218: Subduing Corrupted Beast! (2)

The creatures selected for the students were restrained by special equipment that limited their movements and prevented them from unleashing their full strength. The arena was also equipped with protective barriers and emergency systems that would activate if a participant’s life was threatened.

Even so, watching a student attempt to subdue a corrupted beast was far more exciting than watching two people trade blows.

After all, the audience wanted to see how the participants would handle the danger in front of them.

And they were about to find out.

Several instructors had already begun discussing the next round among themselves.

"What kind of corrupted beast do you think they’ll bring out?"

"Probably a lower-class one. Both participants are still low-ranked, so there’s no reason to introduce something too dangerous."

Another professor agreed.

"That would be the sensible choice. A beast with excessive aggression would be inappropriate for a match between students of this level. Someone has to step in case of danger as well."

Although the rules had changed to accommodate the difference between a Sentinel and a Guide, they didn’t believe that this would make much difference to the outcome.

"Jayden still has the advantage. Even if the beast is relatively weak, a Sentinel is better suited to subduing it through force."

"That’s right. A Guide can interfere with a corrupted beast’s aggression, but it depends on the strength of the Guide’s ability. With Kane’s purification value and rank, I doubt he’ll accomplish much."

One of the professors glanced at the arena, where Jayden was already standing confidently.

"Jayden should win this round."

No one disagreed.

Their attention eventually shifted to the final round, which would feature Aisha.

However, there wasn’t much interest in discussing her.

What could a D-rank Guide with the lowest purification value in the academy possibly accomplish?

Even if she had managed to perform well during previous exercises, the professors didn’t believe she could change the outcome of the duel.

Corwin’s team had already secured two victories.

Unless something unexpected happened, the result was already decided a long time ago.

Aisha listened to the announcer explain the rules as she studied the arena.

She remembered this kind of test from the memories she had inherited from the original Aisha Novalis.

It was a traditional assessment designed to determine whether students were suitable for missions inside contaminated zones. Rather than relying solely on their theoretical knowledge or combat performance, the students were given an opportunity to demonstrate how they would respond to an actual corrupted beast.

Of course, the academy didn’t release them into a real contaminated zone.

The creatures were brought into a controlled environment, and the students were given a limited amount of time to demonstrate their abilities.

Aisha remembered that the original owner of this body had once participated in a similar assessment.

Unfortunately, it hadn’t gone well.

The moment the corrupted beast was brought before her, she fainted on the spot.

That incident had earned her another humiliating nickname: the fainting, useless Guide.

Aisha couldn’t help but find the memory amusing.

It was certainly embarrassing, but she didn’t feel particularly affected by it. The original Aisha had cared too much about what other people thought of her, and that was one of the reasons she had ended up in such a miserable state.

Fortunately, Aisha had little interest in maintaining that reputation.

She had more important things to worry about.

Beside her, Sabel had finally calmed down enough to sit with her.

Her eyes were still red, and the bandages around her hands were stained with blood. However, she had stopped punching the wall and was now watching the arena with a gloomy expression.

Neither of them spoke.

They waited for the corrupted beast to appear.

Then—

RUMBLE!

The ground suddenly shook.

The violent tremor caught Kane and Jayden off guard, forcing both of them to adjust their footing to avoid falling.

A deep mechanical sound came from beneath the arena.

The center of the stage began to split apart, revealing a massive opening underneath. A circular platform slowly rose from the depths, carrying a metal cage that rattled with every movement.

The entire arena fell silent.

Something was inside the cage.

Its body was long and covered in purple scales, while two enormous heads moved restlessly from side to side. Its green eyes gleamed beneath the bright lights, and its forked tongues flicked in and out as it tasted the air.

The creature’s appearance alone made several students recoil.

Then its aura spread across the arena.

A suffocating pressure swept through the arena, forcing even some of the weaker students to grip their seats.

Sabel flinched.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the beast, and tears began to gather in them again.

"Kane won’t win this," she muttered. "None of us would."

Aisha didn’t immediately respond.

Her attention remained fixed on the stage.

The metal cage was gradually lifted away, leaving the corrupted beast restrained by a thick metal ring around each of its two necks. The rings were connected to heavy chains embedded in the platform, preventing the creature from leaving its designated area.

Even with those restraints, it was difficult to ignore the dangerous aura it emitted.

The announcer waited until the beast had settled before introducing it.

"Today’s test will feature a two-headed serpent-type corrupted beast known as the Verpent!"

A holographic display appeared beside the creature.

[Corrupted Beast: Verpent]

[Type: Serpent]

[Class: C-Rank]

[Abilities: Venomous Fangs, Constricting Tail, Corrosive Miasma]

The announcer continued describing its abilities.

"The Verpent has two heads capable of launching simultaneous attacks, while its tail can deliver powerful strikes and restrain its opponents. Its fangs contain a highly corrosive venom, and its body releases energy capable of interfering with the mental stability of nearby Sentinels!"

The audience grew even more excited.

"Although the academy has restricted the beast’s movements, participants must still exercise caution. Any student who loses control of the situation may immediately surrender, and the academy’s emergency system will intervene if necessary."

The announcer raised his hand.

"Both participants will be given fifteen seconds to demonstrate their abilities. The first participant will attempt to subdue the beast using Sentinel abilities, followed by the Guide, who must demonstrate the effectiveness of their guiding power!"