Yang Cheng had been busy the past few days.
After being threatened by a certain tyrant then rushing their first lieutenant to the hospital. He also had to deal with various matters afterwards.
For example, being interrogated by the investigators assigned by the Militia for that incident. And then testifying on how his senior officer was injured that evening.
He had also tried convincing the female lieutenant that the 'inspector' was absolutely a bad guy. He then stsrted warning his internet friends to beware of a Tier 1 lightning Tyrant.
He had also been keeping in touch with Cadette Ling from time to time, haha.
Anyway, their platoon had lost most of its core members that day. Even the impervious Captain Marg was declared missing-in-action.
Then he learned a few days ago that Lt. Alshura was relieved of her duties indefinitely. He was of course puzzled by this development. How come the sole survivor of that incident gets to be punished instead?
He tried asking about this to his seniors. But there were not much a simple cadet was allowed to inquire about.
Whatever the reason may be, without their prominent leaders, the platoon had been very much disbanded. And so his internship was put on hold for now.
That was why Yang Cheng decided to push through his career as a university student in the time being. The good thing that happened during that incident was that he was able to gain an inspiration from it. He even jumped out of joy when he realized this.
No, no, no. Officer Pailong was still in the hospital because of that. He must not let anyone know that he was happy because of it. Or else people might misunderstand.
Still, he was able to breakthrough because of the inspiration he had. He was now a Tier 2 Mage!
How hard was it to succeed in a breakthrough? Very difficult!
Yang Cheng had been cultivating at the peak of Tier 1 for a year now. And yet he could still not find that one final push. He did not expect that a literal flash of inspiration was what he needed.
He now had the requirements to become a fully-fledged Inner Student of the University of Saint Benevolent!
That was why he decided to participate in the Border Run this time. Although he should have stayed in the Outer part for a few more months, he decided otherwise. He had a feeling that his much awaited chance was today.
Strike the iron while its hot. Was what they would say.
But alas, the path towards cultivation was tough. There was no way a Mage that only had a breakthrough recently could challenge the event on his own.
That was why he decided to team-up with his classmates in the general courses he was taking. They were in fact just discussing the rules which they heard from the emcee.
But then the Dean had announced the start of the event. They then heard a commotion coming from the other side of the crowd.
"You hear that? Some Tier 1 students dared to participate in the Border Run this time."
Jet Song said. He was around 180 centimeters tall and had a slim build. He has short thin hair and narrow eyes. His Main Class was Scout.
"Hah! They should just focus on their cultivation instead!"
Carl Baxter hummed. He crossed his arms and dismissed the commotion with disinterest. He was around 174 centimeters tall with a fit body structure.
On the other hand, Yang Cheng was curious on who were the cause of such disarray. How could they dare to invade this gathering of Tier 2s when they were of a lower realm?
His classmate seemed to have noticed that his interest was piqued. Jet smiled and suggested,
"Shall we join the chase to teach those losers a lesson?"
"No need. Let's just focus on finding the dungeon entrance. If what the Dean said is true, the number of participants that could enter will be limited."
But Carl rejected the idea. He had probably noticed that although most of the participants were irked upon hearing that Tier 1s were present here, some had not taken a move.
They were most likely considering the option that Carl had chosen too.
And thus their team of three had decided to move on the opposite direction from the commotion.
However his classmate with short curly hair said while walking,
"Besides, we can't bully those Tier 1s. Or else who do you think will be next on the pecking order?"
Carl then glanced towards Yang Cheng. He sneered but did not say anything further.
"Oh? Oh! That is correct though, haha! So troublesome."
Jet was puzzled at first. But he then got what those words meant. He was now staring at the same direction.
And that same direction was towards Yang Cheng. He rolled his eyes from noticing this. But he could not refute them.
If those Tier 1s were taken out, the next ones to be targeted would be the Rookie-level Tier 2s.
Yang Cheng shuddered on the idea of facing more than a thousand students.
But then Carl glanced at Jet next. He said,
"I'm also referring to you, idiot."
"Screw you, I'm already at the Adept-level!"
"Hah! Do you think that's good enough? They have to eliminate close to half of the entire participants. Adept-level is not that impressive."
"Oh yeah? Then Mid-level is not that impressive too!"
"What did you say?"
Jet snapped back at Carl. The two then began bickering with each other.
Yang Cheng was not sure if he should laugh or cry. He was starting to consider whether his decision was wrong or not.
Well at least this two classmates of his let him join them despite his current level. They were not that bad now that he thought about it.
And fortunately no one else overheard their conversation.
Anyway, they were able to find a dungeon entrance. This was thanks to Carl who had participated in the Border Run for the third time now.
He was now familiar with the approximate locations of the entrances. 'They tend to build over things,' was what he confidently said.
But they were currently in a pickle.
"Hah! Hu-hah!"
Carl yelled as he kept on punching through the air. This seemed weird at first glance. But he was actually trying to gain access to the entrance.
Apparently, showing your qualifications to become a Tier 2 was the key to entering the dungeon.
They had gotten this information from someone Carl knew. He did participate on the event for a couple of times. He had met promising students before. And they had given him some 'pointers' that could help him succeed this time.
"My skills don't work!"
Carl said in frustration. He was panting heavily from exhaustion.
Jet looked frustrated as well. He was aware of what his classmate was trying to do. He exclaimed,
"How could that be, those punches were at Tier 2!"
"Could it be the perk?"
"How's your status in learning it, Carl?"
"… I focused on upgrading all my skills first."
Carl considered another possibility. But he then felt down when Jet inquired about it.
His Scout classmate then suggested after a few seconds,
"What if we recruit a participant who could use the Tier 2 perk?"
"But there's no way such a senior participant would help us for free."
Carl was reluctant to accept it. But Jet persuaded further,
"We have no other choice. How else can we enter the dungeon?"
"Can I try?"
Yang Cheng spoke up. But Carl raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. He harrumphed,
"You? A rookie trying to gain access? Are you making fun of me?"
"That's not my aim. I just want to try-"
Yang Cheng tried to explain his side. But Jet cut him short. He quickly said,
"Why not, Carl? Wouldn't it be amusing to see him fail?"
His classmate with short curly hair grinned upon hearing the suggestion. He then said,
"Alright. But if you fail, and I'm sure you will, you must plead for a senior participant to help us enter the dungeon."
"…I accept."
Yang Cheng agreed reluctantly. In the end, he decided to focus on what he wanted to try. He closed his eyes. He channeled the energy within his soul.
The qualifications to become a Tier 2.
For him it was neither the power of the new skill or the potential of the new perk. But rather the basis that enabled him to succeed on his breakthrough.
Four-Fold Skill Combination!
When he joined the Trogan Militia, the image of the captain he was once assigned to had inspired him to learn the way of the flames. He dreamed of becoming one of the most prominent fire Mages in the country since that day.
But when he saw that certain 'inspector', his understanding of what a Tier 1 could do was toppled over.
The image of a tyrant who did not allow any defiance in his sight have overthrown his reasoning of what was considered strong. That even a Basic Mage could be capable of such feat.
Bad guy or not, that 'inspector' had shown him a new path.
Furthermore, it was not a far-off dream like what he had with the Captain. Instead it was a goal that even someone like him could try to achieve. He was inspired to dream closer and aim higher after that incident.
"Electro-Fire Ball!"
A fireball in his right hand. A surge of electricity on his left hand. Yang Cheng combined the two different forces to produce an attack that was greater than their sum. This was the answer that he had found within his self.
He had decided to take the path of cultivating dual elements!
Boom!
The twin elemental attack had collided with the dungeon entrance. His two classmates were dumbfounded upon seeing this.
They then looked at their surroundings nervously. Such a flashy attack would surely attract the attention of other participants.
True enough, students on the nearby vicinity was now rushing towards them. Some were even cursing at them while running.
But there was no need to panic.
Because the dungeon had acknowledged Yang Cheng!
"Let's go!"
He quickly took a step forward. His two classmates each grabbed his shoulder. They were also allowed to enter since they were with him.
The scenery before him began to change. At last, they could finally start the event.
Let this be the start of my epic journey!