"Looks like the rumors are true!"
Ron's face also showed excitement. He said, "This year's Spring Hunt Trial, the Academy did invite the Red Knight Myrcella."
In place, Sauron's face revealed contemplation.
This year's Spring Hunt Trial seemed to be particularly valued by the Holy Splendor Academy, inviting even the Red Knight Myrcella. The reason was unknown.
Five days passed quickly.
In the Revival Season, on the twelfth day of the first month.
In the distance, the sun rose, and rays of light shone on the earth. The snow and ice gradually melted, making the ground somewhat muddy.
Outside the royal city, in the birch forest.
The day of the Spring Hunt Trial arrived as scheduled. In an open field, hundreds of young boys and girls, dressed in uniforms, gathered under the guidance of Academy instructors.
At the forefront was Myrcella, with fiery red hair.
Next to her was a middle-aged man wearing Holy Splendor Academy's leather armor. His expression was gentle as he looked at the group of students.
"It's an honor to have Myrcella join us in this year's Spring Hunt Trial!"
"As for the rules of the trial, I believe there's no need for me to say much. As your instructor, I sincerely hope that each one of you can achieve good results!"
"Now, I declare that the Spring Hunt Trial has begun!"
After a simple opening statement, the middle-aged man announced the start of the Spring Hunt Trial.
The students entered the birch forest one by one. Here, they would engage in a day-long hunting expedition. Based on the rank of the prey, the students would be arranged accordingly. Those with outstanding achievements would receive rewards from the Holy Splendor Academy, while the bottom ten would face expulsion.
Under such rules, the students felt some pressure.
Sauron remained calm in his place.
Having already been promoted to Knight, the Spring Hunt Trial posed no pressure on him. However, this trial had a different purpose for him.
Sauron turned his head and looked into the distance.
There, Amos was looking over, a cold smile on his face, and his eyes revealing undisguised malice towards Sauron.
After entering the birch forest, the students moved towards different directions.
The entire forest was vast, providing enough space for hundreds of people to engage in the hunt. However, the outer prey was scattered, and the deeper they went, the more dangerous it became.
"Sauron, are you sure you won't join us?"
Beside him, Ron spoke, having made a prior arrangement to team up with several commoner students for the hunt.
Ron also wanted to invite Sauron, but he was rejected.
"Forget it."
Sauron shook his head and said solemnly, "You know about my father's situation. Being with me might put you at risk."
"Don't worry; I have my own plans."
Hearing Sauron's words, Ron hesitated slightly.
"Alright, take care of yourself." After a while, Ron sighed, and, urged by a few companions, he moved towards a direction to begin the hunt.
In place, only Sauron remained.
"Next, let's begin!"
Sauron's eyes flickered slightly as he walked briskly towards the front. Soon, he dispersed from the other students, approaching the depths of the birch forest.
In the forest, Sauron slowed his pace.
The surroundings gradually became more complex, with tree branches and withered vines entwining on the ground. Not far away, a bald vulture was perched on a tree.
Swish!
Sauron bent his bow, placed an arrow, and swiftly shot it. The arrow hit the bald vulture on the branch almost instantly.
Flapping!
The vulture, hit by the arrow, emitted a strange cry and fluttered its wings, falling from the tree. Sauron approached and stepped on its neck with one foot.
"Fifteen?"
Sauron bent down and found an iron ring on the vulture's claw, engraved with the number fifteen, representing the point value of the prey.
This was the rule of the Spring Hunt Trial.
Although the birch forest was outside the royal city, it did not belong to the wilderness. Years ago, the Holy Splendor Academy had cleared the area, eliminating all large magical creatures. The remaining wild beasts had limited danger, making it an ideal trial ground for the Academy.
Now, every wild beast in the birch forest had an iron ring.
The number on the ring represented the danger level of the wild beast. The higher the danger, the higher the point value.
Every year's Spring Hunt Trial was ranked based on points by the Holy Splendor Academy.
The higher the ranking, the more rewards the students received. Under these rules, all students participating in the Spring Hunt Trial spared no effort.
After dealing with the vulture, Sauron put away the iron ring.
Then, he stood up and left, continuing his hunt in the forest. Relying on his precise archery techniques, he killed several prey within half an hour.
At this moment, Sauron was about to enter the deep part of the birch forest.
In a clearing, he killed an Azure Wolf with a single arrow. Just as he was about to take the iron ring, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
The next moment, the sound of splitting air!
Sauron's figure moved sideways, and an arrow pierced the ground. The tail feathers trembled slightly. Not far away on a tree, a student regretted missing the shot.
"Finally arrived?" Sauron's heart moved.
Amos appeared in the surroundings, walking out with three other students, surrounding Sauron. Malice was evident in their expressions.
"How about it, Young Master Sauron?"
Amos sneered, looking at the Azure Wolf's corpse not far away. He faintly said, "It seems like you've had good harvest, huh?"
Sauron remained expressionless.
"Attack!"
Amos showed a hint of killing intent in his eyes, and without any more words, he, along with the other three, rushed towards Sauron, wielding their swords.
Swish!
At the moment the four attacked, Sauron also drew his cross sword. His movements were swift and fierce, like a ghost. He pierced one of the enemies through the chest with a single sword.
Amos' complexion changed. However, before he could react, Sauron had already struck again. The cross sword cut through the air, severing another student's throat.
"How is this possible?"
Amos turned pale, and an inexplicable expression appeared on his face. A hint of mockery flashed in Sauron's eyes. Ignoring the astonishment of the others, he leaped into the air and stabbed another student in the heart.
Chi!
The cross sword pierced through flesh and blood, and the student let out a miserable scream. His face showed a bewildered look, seemingly not realizing that he had already breathed his last.
"Damn it!"
At this moment, Amos looked pale. There was a trace of panic in his eyes, but he still roared loudly and pounced on Sauron.
Swish!
Sauron swung the cross sword, and it clashed with Amos' weapon. A harsh sound echoed as they exchanged blows. Sauron's eyes were indifferent, and his movements were calm.
Amos, on the other hand, became increasingly flustered as he felt the pressure from Sauron's attacks.
Swish!
Sauron suddenly moved, and his sword struck Amos' shoulder. Blood spurted out, and Amos let out a scream.
Amos fell to the ground, defeated.
The other three students also lay on the ground, their lives taken by Sauron's swift and precise swordsmanship.
Sauron looked down at Amos, his eyes indifferent.
"The difference between us is not in strength alone."
After dealing with Amos and the others, Sauron continued his hunt in the birch forest.
In the deep part of the forest, he encountered more powerful magical creatures. Using his precise archery and excellent swordsmanship, he gradually accumulated more points.
As time passed, the sun began to set.
In the evening, the students gathered again in the open field outside the birch forest.
Myrcella, the fiery-haired Red Knight, stood at the forefront, her eyes filled with brilliance.
The middle-aged instructor also looked pleased.
"Let's announce the results of this year's Spring Hunt Trial!"
The instructor's voice echoed in the open field.
The students held their breath, waiting for the announcement of their rankings.
Myrcella smiled, her eyes full of confidence.
Sauron remained calm, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
The results would be revealed soon, and the rewards and punishments awaited.