Chapter 429: Misha's Trial (Part 1)
"It's quite lively here."
Summer Night Autumn Rain looked around. Nearly 300 players had gathered on this small open ground, most of whom were spellcasters with an average level of six.
The Isthalia notice board clearly stated that Dragon Pact Sorcerers required at least level five in the Sorcerer class.
Of course, many elite adventurer teams sent by prestigious guilds had also shown up, equipped with top-tier gear and carefully organized to help their Sorcerers complete the class advancement.
Royal Authority, Sword Pavilion, Mechanist Cult, and Magic Coin—renowned guilds—had all dispatched their best teams, determined to secure a Dragon Pact Sorcerer spot.
The chatter among players was noisy as the elite teams began strategizing and preparing.
Naturally, most of them were just goofing around.
"The guild leader said that this advanced class slot is limited, and [Royal Authority] must claim one!"
"This is the only spellcasting advanced class currently available, and its power cannot be underestimated."
"Brother Kuangchao already said that we have to get this slot. One of the guild's top players needs a furnace that exceeds 1,000°C—you guys are expected to become walking heaters."
"Damn, the guild's leaders are getting crazier. Last time, that [Gene Master] asked if I wanted to join a cross-species breeding experiment. I asked him what my role would be, and he said: the test subject."
"Reforge the glory of the mages; it's our duty!"
"Wait, isn't this about Sorcerers? Only mages are called Archmages, right? Whatever, they're both spellcasting classes, close enough."
"Isn't Witch Sister here this time? What? She prefers the Wild Sorcerer path instead? Damn."
"."
The "Five Fireball Cult", which Summer Night Autumn Rain belonged to, wasn't exactly a guild—it was more like a spellcasting enthusiast club without much influence.
"Still… I'm not without teammates."
"Roar—"
A roar echoed through the sky.
"What the hell?"
"There are wyverns here too?"
"No, it's that bastard Mantou!"
"Last time, he fined me fifty copper coins and locked me up for two days!"
"Why is he everywhere? Damn it!"
Two wyverns flapped their wings in the sky, roaring as they circled before slowly descending.
Players quickly scattered as the wyverns landed one after the other, stirring up clouds of dust.
"Cough, cough!"
"What a flashy entrance!"
Amid the players' complaints, Mantou and Singo leaped off the wyverns' backs, making a grand entrance through the billowing dust.
Mantou, full of confidence, declared:
"The strongest always arrive last!"
"Autumn Rain, we're here!"
"Hmph, with our four-man pro team assembled, this little advancement quest should be…"
"Wait… where's Battle Maniac?"
Everyone then noticed a brawny man on the wyvern's back—the top barbarian player, Born Battle Maniac.
However, his condition didn't look too good.
Battle Maniac had his eyes shut and was clinging tightly to the wyvern's back with his muscular arms, squeezing it so hard that the creature cried out in pain.
"Isn't this the Black Slave Four-man Squad?"
"Why is one of them sleeping?"
"Ah, the energy of youth—falling asleep as soon as the plane takes off."
The imposing aura Mantou and Singo had just established vanished completely, and the onlookers couldn't help but laugh.
Mantou scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
"Haha, it seems Battle Maniac gets motion sickness. Just a moment, please."
Mantou walked over and patted Battle Maniac's shiny bald head.
"Battle Maniac?"
"Wake up. We're here, and everyone's watching."
Battle Maniac opened his eyes and wobbled as he jumped off the wyvern, sheepishly wiping his polished head. "Sorry, guys. Old problem."
Even Summer Night Autumn Rain couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. "Battle Maniac, next time, let's just take a train and walk the rest of the way."
The four finally gathered properly.
Mantou once again crossed his arms and stepped forward, reciting his pre-prepared lines with forced bravado.
"Hmph, with our four-man pro team gathered, this little advancement quest should be a piece of cake!"
But as the saying goes: Strike while the iron is hot, but cool it too much and it loses its spark.
Mantou's enthusiasm had already dwindled, lacking the energy from before, causing the nearby players to burst into laughter.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Did anyone ask you?"
"Isn't that Mantou with 9 Charisma?"
"Mantou, stop showing off and go edit your videos."
Singo patted Mantou's shoulder, sighing, "Stop embarrassing yourself. I've seen plenty of show-offs, but you're the worst."
Summer Night Autumn Rain said helplessly:
"Alright, let's get down to business."
Hearing this, Battle Maniac also approached.
Summer Night Autumn Rain took out a map and said to the other three, "I've done thorough preparations this time. I even obtained inside information from the Magic Department."
She pointed to a massive fissure in the distance.
The area was filled with scorching white steam, and the ground was covered with flowing molten lava like rivers.
Bubbles continuously emerged, releasing gas, and the air itself seemed on the verge of igniting.
This was the only entrance to the Tower of Blighted Flame—the Lava Cavern—and the starting point of the trial.
"First stage: The Path of Burning."
"The area is filled with lava, extremely high temperatures, and poisonous volcanic gases. Without at least 7% Red Dragon bloodline, it's nearly impossible to pass. You'll need heat resistance potions and breath-holding elixirs."
However, as Summer Night Autumn Rain glanced at her three teammates, who were covered in Red Dragon traits, she chuckled and shook her head.
"Well, these shouldn't be a problem for you."
"Next, the monsters…"
"Steam Bats: Small bats that exhale high-temperature steam, creating scalding rain. They explode upon death."
"Magma Golems: Large elemental magical beasts with immense strength. They can hurl large, burning sulfur chunks."
"Fire Lizards: Capable of spitting flammable mucus, resembling small wyverns without wings."
"Fire Elementals: They look like burning flames…"
"."
Summer Night Autumn Rain continued explaining in detail as the other three listened intently.
In the distance, however, came wails and the sounds of sizzling and explosions.
"What the hell—"
"This place is too hot!"
"My clothes are on fire!"
"I can't breathe! The air here is toxic!"
Not all players had access to detailed information. Most solo players were blindly trying their luck.
Listening to their cries, Summer Night Autumn Rain smiled contentedly. "Let's go. Seems like we already have people scouting the path for us."
"The sound of flames burning…"
"Is truly music to my ears."
She smiled sweetly.
But this smile sent chills down Mantou's spine.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Mantou thought, "As expected, pro players usually have some hidden quirks."
"Tsk, I knew it. Autumn Rain seems like a gentle girl on the surface, but deep down, she's a ruthless one."
"Battle Maniac goes berserk in fights, and Singo's just a total lunatic."
"Sigh, I guess I'm the only normal one on this team."
Mantou let out a long sigh, applied Precision Oil to his sword, and followed them.