"I guess we are in the same team again, Emery." The red-haired girl spoke casually as her eyes fixed on Emery's face, seemingly ignoring the suspicious look the person standing beside him threw at her.
The two just separated yesterday, but Annara's current appearance looked so much different than the last Emery saw her. She had cut her long hair so short it only reached her necks and she was also beautifully dressed.
Even though not really an heiress like Silva, the girl did like to show off her status coming from an elite group. The dress, the jewelry, the perfume; the whole outfit Annara was wearing right now quickly made Klea frown.
It didn't take long for the Egyptian queen to stare at her with a cold gaze, and for her to reply back with a mischievous grin.
"You must be Klea. Nice to meet you." Annara spoke in a friendly tone. "Emery has told me a lot about you."
It was only moments later that Klea responded in an indifferent tone. "Did he really? I hope he didn't give you too much trouble."
"Trouble?" The red-haired girl spoke those words in an exaggerated tone of surprise. "Who? Emery? No, of course not. He's a perfect gentleman"
Hearing that, Klea glanced at Emery for a moment before replying, "Did he now?"
Annara gave Emery a mischievous smile before saying "Actually he was a little bit more than just a gentleman, he can be such a… wild beast!"
The words quickly made Klea pissed "What is that supposed to mean!"
The red-haired vixen gave Emery a look before saying "I mean his wolf form of course, what else?" The girl chuckled a little and this quickly made Klea even more irked.
From the sideline, Emery's heart beat fast. That red-haired girl probably still has resentment for him leaving her during the mission last time. If he didnt do anything, this problem in front of him might get even worse than him not participating in the mid-test.
"Ehem!" Emery quickly stood between the two of them to prevent further sparks,
"So Annara, let's focus on the mid-test. How much have you heard?"
As Emery spoke, the red-haired girl looked toward him with a mischievous smile, "Nope! I haven't been briefed about it as well."
On the other hand, the senior staff seemed ready to give the briefing, hence the situation quickly became under control - for now at least.
Even though Klea was not happy she couldn't be in the same group as Emery, she was satisfied enough to see Emery could still take the mid-test. When the senior staff started the briefing and she saw what was being displayed, she became even happier, because Emery was going to the same planet as her.
There were three calamity stage planets that had been selected for the mid-test, so the participating acolytes would be divided into three different batches. Of course, the division of the batch was done randomly.
[Planet Andora]
The mission clearly explained they were coming to sweep and completely clean up a planet that had been in a calamity stage. The term 'calamity stage' here actually translated to 'on the verge of extinction'.
In addition to the official staff and crews of the Magus Alliance deployed for this occasion, the academy would send thirty to forty groups to each planet, of which each group consisted of 20 people.
Each group would then be assigned to a certain location, with urther objectives that needed to be completed while they were at the location.
With more objectives received and completed, naturally one would receive more points, which would certainly determine their ranking in the mid-test. Moreover, the division of points was further divided into two categories: individual and group.
This mid-test was an example the academy prepared to let the acolytes know what it was like to be on a real mission. With that goal in mind, the participating group format would naturally follow the normal configuration for field mission - working in a group with a chosen leader.
Since this was an exam, a certain minimum number of points of course had to be achieved in order to be considered passed, or there would be a risk of failing the academy and not graduating.
"Do you finally understand, Emery? This is why I am emotional. You being in a small group of three is absurd. Not only will it be difficult for you to complete objectives and earn points, you… you will be in constant danger."
When she heard Klea's words to Emery, Annara interrupted the conversation.
"You don't have to worry too much, girl. I'm pretty sure the third member of our group is a privileged acolyte as well. This way, it's actually better because we don't have to worry about those weakling acolytes dragging us down."
Annara, once again, received a piercing glare from Klea for her words. In response, the red-haired girl just flashed a mischievous smile at the latter again.
Emery, on the other hand, focused his attention on the data the senior staff displayed about the planet he was about to head to. Besides its abnormal calamity situation, the planet was an ordinary [L type planet] with plants, trees, rivers, sea, etcetera. This meant there would be a lot of natural energy at his disposal, which was good for him.
As for the creatures that roamed the surface of the planet, there were quite a few that were displayed in the data.
There were apparently millions of them, from low stage to high stage with the occasional appearance of magical creatures. In addition, it was written that not all creatures living on the planet were in the database.
On a side note, the acolytes were allowed to bring whatever equipment they had. However, the way and how the artifacts were used would have an effect on the final score. For example, bringing an army of powerful machines or weapons of mass destruction would naturally lead to a large number of points deductions.
As for the duration, the mid-test would be held for 10 days straight and would start 15 days from today.
After seeing all the data, Annara commented, "Our current headmaster is quite an interesting person, huh? To even think of sending acolytes to real life battle, I guess war changes many things."
Klea, who was clearly still worried about Emery, grabbed his arm and said, "We have to plan to meet and help each other, like last time in the game."
Emery held her hand and nodded his head, but they both knew such a task would not be easy, as the scope was an entire planet and each of them would definitely be given different objectives.
"I'm sure there is a way. The Kaleos and Harlights, we can all work together. I will talk to them about this matter."
Hearing Klea's words, Annara seemed to be a little skeptical of the idea. Combined with the small smirk on her face, the two were about to get into another argument, which Emery stopped just in time.
While stroking the hand of Klea, who was irritated, Emery said. "Don't worry, Klea. We will think of something. We still have time, after all."
Now that Emery only had 15 days to prepare for the mid-test, one thing for sure was that he must successfully breakthrough to rank 9. For that, he believed he needed those [Spirit Foundation Pill] to help him.
With Emery's objective being at the Hyperion privilege planet, the two had to once again be separated.
Annara smiled at Klea and said, "Don't worry, I will look after your boy here."
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