Soon enough, after all the youths had received theirs, the vice principal said,
"This is a monitor device to guide you through the test. If you have any questions, study it. The rules and instructions are inside, and your rank will also be displayed according to your performance."
---
Vice Principal Evans Tamar looked around as he gave his final explanation:
"The trial will commence behind this metal gate." He pointed at the metal gate behind him as he continue "After passing through it, you will see a swirling portal rifts.
Going through the rift will teleport you to different areas of the trial dungeon. If you're fortunate, you might land in a safe zone. If you're unfortunate, you may find yourself in a dangerous place where there are traps or strong monster, unless you're 'rescued' quickly, you could die there.
Mind you, inside there are ten 2-star monsters. So, study the rules well once you're in there, it might just save your life."
With that, he announced loudly, "The 0289 Eden Domineer Academy Trial begins!"
Crraackk! Thud!
As if waiting for this very moment, the massive metal gate slowly opened with a deep metallic groan.
The moment it opened, no one waited for further instructions, as they all surged forward. Just as Morca was about to enter, a system notification drew his attention. He turned his gaze to the left and saw the figure of a young girl in a black hooded cloak stepping through the portal gateway.
"She's here too? And she's even broken through…?" Muttering this, Morca stepped into the portal as well.
---
Morca appeared at the mouth of a cave, concealed behind what looked like the massive trunk of a tree.
The trunk was dripping with a gross, green saliva-like substance. Instinctive scream for him to move, Morca moved and just in time.
A huge head slammed into the ground where he had just stood, sending leaves and green slime flying. Even Morca was pushed back several steps.
When he looked at the source, he was stunned.
In the place he'd just been standing, stood a monstrous head that looked like a mix between a crocodile and a bull.
It had two curving-horn, that's a feet long at the sides of its head, and its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth and dripping gross saliva, each at least eight inches long.
Its body, which Morca had mistaken for a tree trunk, was covered in thick black-gold scales and exuded an eerie aura.
These was a Bull Horn Crocodile that live in a swamp area and its huge red eyes were fixed on Morca.
He could feel the creature's murderous intent. Without hesitation, he summoned his blade, Avoc.
They clashed. The impact sent Morca flying.
"This is a 2-star monster… How unlucky. I ran into one of the ten the vice principal said about right from the start. Worse is, its defense is insane," he muttered, steadying himself on the other side.
He glanced at the spot where he'd slashed the beast—only a scratch.
"Alright then. Let's fight."
They clashed again. The beast knocked Morca away repeatedly with its bulky frame. Its sharp claws swiped at his head, trying to rip him apart.
Morca ready himself. As He countered with a cross slash. Immediately as the clash meet, The impact was so strong that it sent the Bull Horn Crocodile crashing into a tree, which splintered under the blow.
Morca seized the moment, landing on the monster head and he slashed at it, but again, he only managed to leave a scratch.
"If I can't pierce it… how can I kill it?" he thought grimly.
Though the Bull Horn Crocodile wasn't as powerful as the Vampiro Royal monster, it had exceptional defense, making it nearly impossible to fatally wound it.
The Vampiro Royal Monster, on the other hand, had extraordinary control over its bodies and could reshape them at will, but they were vulnerable in defense aspects.
That was why Morca could cut the Vampiro down easily, adding that it couldn't move after being paralyzed by his left eye.
The Bull Horn Crocodile turned and swung its massive tail at Morca, who dodged it with ease. Enraged, the beast charged, trying to gore him with its horns, but truly did it know that decision would cost it dearly.
As the horn was about to pierce him, Morca swiftly sidestepped. That's when he saw it, an injury under the beast's massive head.
"Ah, got you," he smirked, backing away to bait the monster into lowering its guard.
Unaware of its exposed weakness, the Bull Horn Crocodile charged again.
Morca had drawn up a precise plan to take it down. He was actually enjoying the fight, because it was helping him to sharpen his control over his Core Formation Stage, especially using the Breathing Blood Codex technique.
Earlier, he had tested the technique and was surprised by how easily he could circulate his blood and absorb surrounding mana.
Through the battle, he discovered something: when his heart pumped faster than the surrounding mana flow, the the surrounding mana would supplement his core, refining it which makes him stabilize his cultivation to another level.
"If only I could break through without needing to go to the Unique Domain… maybe I could reach the peak of the Bronze Core Stage in the trial ground."
The thought made his chest ache, he now understood the flaw of being unable to break through without entering the unique domain.
Just as the Bull Horn Crocodile was about to ram him again, Morca's figure disappear, as he had activated his unique skill: Blank.
The Bull Horn Crocodile looked around, confused. Morca's presence had completely vanished leaving no trace.
Then...
Slash! Screech!
Buahhh! Thud!
It happened fast as a clean slash followed by a piercing screech echoed through the air, like a hot knife pass through butter. The Bull Horn Crocodile gave a final fierce cry before collapsing, its massive body twitching, then falling still. dead!
Morca reappeared beside it, banishing his blade. Using his unique skill, Oblivion Blade, he struck three more times before severing the monster's head.
He dug out its core, a fist-sized orb radiating a strong silver energy, this is the core of a 2-star monster. After looking at it a few seconds, he stored it. Then he looked around, surveying the area. The place was surrounded by a mountain range and dense trees. The ground was damp, and the cave ahead was well-hidden.
He stored the massive body of the Bull Horn Crocodile too... it might fetch a good price or have value at the academy. Since Its scales were strong enough making it the ideal material in forging armor.
Just as he was about to into the the cave, a beep sound came from his wrist device, the one given by the vice principal, which drew his attention...