Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Ezra! You Really Deserve It!
The reality of the situation was indeed as Ethan had described, Charles faced the fourth-level Beast Master in the Trial Tower without summoning a mystical beast.
This time, the injuries he sustained were slightly less severe than before.
When the surrounding white mist cleared, Charles returned to the real Trial Tower.
All of his injuries had vanished, replaced by a sense of mental fatigue.
However, there was still some exciting news, the information prompt in front of him displayed:
[Unknown Combat Skill (1) in mastery, progress 35%]
[Unknown Combat Skill (2) in mastery, progress 20%]
Not only that, but through these several battles, Charles could feel that his practical experience and skills had improved a bit, making him stronger than before!
Counting the time, it was already around eight in the evening. Charles didn't have time to think about anything else and hurried to the stone wall at the center of the Trial Tower, beginning his comprehension of the third combat skill!
Outside the Trial Tower, many people were staring at the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Charles. After waiting for a long time, there was still no sign of him coming out.
Someone spoke up, "Is Charles still not out? Is he continuing to challenge the fourth level of the Trial Tower?"
"How is that possible? He has already challenged the third level continuously today. His mental state is probably affected, he must still be in front of the stone wall!"
"That's true. He's still a new student, he wouldn't choose to continue challenging, right? If he fails, he could be out for a long time. It's not worth it."
As these people were discussing, Charles's information appeared again on the large screen outside the Trial Tower!
Everyone quickly looked up, and many gasped, "What the hell? Is he really challenging again?"
"Is he that reckless? If he fails, he'll waste a lot of time recovering!"
"That's so arrogant. The fourth level has a Beast Master of the same rank and another one of a higher rank teaming up, plus the battlefield environment is advantageous for them!"
"Exactly! Defeating a higher-ranked Beast Master at the third level was impressive enough. Just adding one more of the same rank at the fourth level makes it even harder!"
Amidst the doubts from the crowd, only Ethan wore a smile. He understood Charles's strength, and it seemed everyone had forgotten that Charles's mental power had already lit up half of the testing crystal!
Passing the fourth level should be no problem!
Beside him, Camilla, Zachary, and Aero all noticed the smile on Ethan's face. Camilla curiously asked, "Teacher, do you think Charles can pass the fourth level of the Trial Tower?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Ethan replied, "Of course he can. Charles is no ordinary student. If nothing unexpected happens, his future achievements will definitely surpass mine!"
Hearing Ethan's decisive answer, Camilla showed an expression of admiration. An eighth-level Beast Master is a top-tier combat force in any country within the Abyssal Depths, earning the respect of countless people!
Meanwhile, Zachary and Aero stood frozen in place, contemplating Charles's future and the gap between them and Charles, unable to suppress a bitter smile.
In the spirit of youth, among geniuses, it's natural for everyone to be proud and competitive. But facing a monster like Charles, they could only bury their unwillingness deep in their hearts.
Inside the fourth level of the Trial Tower, Charles remained vigilant, surveying his surroundings.
This time, the battlefield was set on a snowy plain, where the soft, thick snow created deep pits with every step, making the environment no different from a swamp, which would affect his speed.
However, the good news was that Max had ice attributes, providing some advantages in this environment and slightly offsetting his disadvantages.
Without hesitation, Charles directly summoned Max, mousie, and Mia.
Max didn't show any reaction, but as soon as mousie appeared, it shook all over and jumped into Charles's arms, trembling with fear.
Charles didn't have time to comfort it and immediately assumed a fighting stance. In the distance, two Beast Masters emerged in the snow, accompanied by seven ice attribute mystical beasts!
One was a fourth-level Beast Master, and the other was a third-level Beast Master!
In an instant, Charles thought of the most suitable tactic for the current situation: to let Max, mousie, and Mia distract the third-level Beast Master while he faced off against the fourth-level Beast Master and four mystical beasts.
This approach was risky but was the most suitable plan for comprehending the combat skills.
The battle unfolded in an instant!
In the icy landscape, various attack skills flew through the air, and from time to time, ice attribute skills sent snow flying into the sky, creating a beautiful yet dangerous scene.
Max, Mia, and mousie coordinated well, especially Mia, who managed to hold off two of the enemy's mystical beasts in this environment, buying time for Charles.
Meanwhile, Charles wielded his long knife, constantly dodging the attacks of the fourth-level Beast Master in the snow.
In this white environment, the darkness cloak was somewhat restricted, which meant that Charles's combat abilities were being put to a greater test.
Fortune and misfortune interdepend, and under these circumstances, the combat skill that Charles had comprehended from the stone wall was rapidly transforming.
Ten minutes later,
Charles's right hand still firmly gripped the long knife, while his left arm hung limply at his side, having been broken by a sneak attack from one of the enemy's mystical beasts!
A sharp pain radiated from his arm, and this pain felt just as real as it did in reality. Yet, Charles's face showed no expression at all.
After waiting for a moment, the swirling snowflakes transformed into a white mist.
The familiar scene reappeared, and his broken arm healed completely.
However, Charles's body suddenly swayed, and he struggled to maintain his balance.
After several accumulated injuries, even his mental strength was starting to wane.
It seemed that he would have to wait a bit longer for the fifth level of the Trial Tower, in his current state, failure would mean a lengthy recovery period.
Charles was still clear-headed enough to recognize that it wasn't worth it to waste time out of impulsiveness.
Taking a deep breath, Charles shook his slightly dizzy head and looked at the information prompt before him:
[Unknown Combat Skill (1) in progress, 60% mastery]
[Unknown Combat Skill (2) in progress, 45% mastery]
[Unknown Combat Skill (3) in progress, 25% mastery]
All his efforts were worthwhile. He still recalled the [Break the Enemy's Marksmanship] that Zachary had used, it had piqued Charles's interest since it could directly enhance a Beast Master's combat ability. Who wouldn't want that?
Moreover, if all went well, with some additional time and effort in the future, he could at least acquire three combat skills!
It was getting late, Charles had spent quite a while in the Trial Tower, and it was time to leave.
When Charles stepped out of the Trial Tower and into the night, he felt a bit disoriented.
It was already late at night, yet outside the Trial Tower, there was a massive crowd, with countless eyes fixed on Charles. From time to time, murmurs and shouts erupted:
"Man, you're amazing! Wow, I've never seen such a talented person!"
"This isn't talent, he's a monster! Monster Charles!"
"Yeah! Monster Charles!"
"I give up, bro, you're way cooler than I am!"
Charles was still somewhat unaccustomed to being surrounded by people. He hadn't expected that simply seeking to vent his bad mood in the Trial Tower would attract such a crowd.
Were these students not busy with training at night? Charles wondered to himself.
At that moment, Ethan approached with a starry-eyed Camilla beside him. He asked, "Charles, I have a question for you. How many figures did you see on the stone wall?"
Looking into Ethan's curious and expectant eyes, Charles scratched his head. There were still many onlookers nearby, and he didn't want to create another stir or shock.
"I saw about fifteen figures." Charles thought for a moment but decided to say half of what he really saw. He wanted to keep a low profile.
He had been drawing too much attention lately, and it was starting to affect his life.
"What! Did you just say fifteen figures?" Ethan's eyes widened, and he instinctively exclaimed.
Charles immediately realized he might have said too much and thought, "Uh-oh, I should have said less, now I've caused a commotion."
Sure enough, when the crowd heard Ethan's shout, they erupted in excitement again.
"Fifteen? Is that for real? I've struggled to comprehend even two figures!"
"Two is already impressive. I only have one and don't know when I'll finish!"
"A monster! He's not even human. Wait, are we really the same species? How can the gap be so huge?"
"He must be lying! How could anyone comprehend fifteen figures?"
"If you can't do it, don't doubt others. Charles is a monster!"
As Charles listened to the murmurs, he felt no guilt at all, he had indeed only seen fifteen figures!
Before the situation could escalate further, Ethan grabbed Charles and rushed toward the dean's office.
When they arrived at the office, Jamie was brewing tea and looked nervously at the flustered Ethan, asking, "What's going on? Is someone attacking the academy?"
"No, no, it's not that, Dean. This guy Charles comprehended fifteen figures from the stone wall in the Trial Tower!" Ethan reported hurriedly.
Jamie, after hearing this, nonchalantly took a sip of tea and said, "Four or five figures, huh? That's about what I expected."
Suddenly, Jamie realized something was off.
If it were only that many, Ethan wouldn't be making such a big fuss!
He set his tea cup down and asked again, "How many? What did you just say?"
"Fifteen!" Ethan's answer was straightforward and clear.
Jamie plopped down in his chair, looked up at the ceiling, and shouted, "Ezra! You damn thief! You stole my apprentice!"