The next day, Lu Jun tidied his appearance and went to the Beast Arena.
The so-called Beast Battle Competition involves summoning department students using their summoned creatures to challenge all the freshmen individually, determining the distribution of resources.
Conflicts between the summoning department and other departments have a long history. Dimensional mages are rare in number, yet the resources they occupy are equal to those of larger departments like fire, water, and wind, which inevitably creates imbalance.
Thus, Dean Xiao waved his hand and initiated a challenge. If the summoning department freshmen could consecutively defeat 100 challengers, they would gain full resources.
If defeated by the other departments, half their resources would be stripped away.
As a result, every freshman enthusiastically participates, fighting for their own interests. Bloody incidents are not uncommon.
Over time, the Beast Battle Competition has become the most significant event in the Azure Campus. Many senior students from the main campus come to watch, and standout individuals often become the future key figures of the academy.
Held annually, the competition is even broadcast online through media, drawing substantial traffic.
Curious ordinary people interested in the academy's inner workings and casual mages often tune in, with tens of thousands watching simultaneously.
Such scenes of human mages battling monsters are rare, perhaps only comparable to the Venice Competition held every four years or the Hunter King Competition held every ten years.
Currently, civilian communication devices cannot live-stream in the wild. Any hunter knows that turning on a phone in the wild immediately emits magical waves, alerting monsters and practically inviting death.
For the same reason, the authorities cannot track the frequent malignant killings occurring in the wilderness—there's no evidence after death.
However, military technology has some capabilities. In the coming years, these will gradually become civilian-use, opening new economic opportunities. Lu Jun even considered entering this field to make money in the future.
Returning to the main topic, Lu Jun was determined to win this Beast Battle Competition. Beyond securing resources, his ambition extended further. As a rare curse-element mage, his fame had already spread. Obtaining substantial resources would only add to his success.
Previously, he had used the curse department's resources to handle materials from the Black Church. If he could acquire the summoning department's resources, it would be a huge boost.
Lu Jun also harbored a bigger ambition: to replicate Mo Fan's feat a year later by seizing all departmental resources for himself, ascending to the Three-Step Tower, and possibly reaching intermediate peak levels rapidly.
Soon, he arrived at the Beast Arena.
This grand structure was more magnificent than a football stadium.
Usually used for major competitions, today, its duel grounds had transformed into a massive, enclosed barrier cage known as the "Beast Cage."
The Beast Cage was surrounded by tiered seating, densely packed with rows upon rows of seats, capable of accommodating around 10,000 people. Such a colossal arena could only be built by a wealthy institution like Pearl Academy.
Students had already started entering the arena. From lunchtime onward, queues formed, creating an atmosphere of excitement.
By 3 p.m., the arena was packed with students. Bright young faces and fair-skinned young women filled the seats, their eager gazes fixed on the stage.
Meanwhile, drones equipped with advanced military technology began filming. These high-tech, stable, dynamic capture devices offered high-definition footage, a luxury only Pearl Academy could afford.
Lu Jun couldn't help but feel envious.
The Beast Battle Competition hadn't even started, yet the live stream was already flooded with bullet comments. Judging by the viewership, fan engagement was incredibly high.
"Doesn't anyone work? Sigh... Pearl Academy's Beast Battle Competition is great, but the timing is unpredictable. It's on a weekday this year, so I can only sneak a few peeks while slacking off."
"Same here!"
"Same here!"
"Get real. This is a top academy training elite mages. They can't turn a freshman trial into a nationwide entertainment event. That would be putting the cart before the horse."
"Besides, the bloodiness and horror of monsters are too much for many people with weak nerves. If they opened it to mass promotion, parents would start filing complaints."
"True, this niche format works well. Only people in our circle know about it."
"How many of you watching are mages like me?"
"Haha, I'm on the city monster-hunting team."
"I'm with the city guard..."
"Wow, are you all mages? I'm just an ordinary person... trembling here."
"So boring. There's no commentary. When does it start? Suddenly, I realize those game commentators weren't useless—they at least bantered to keep us entertained."
"You don't get it, bro. You need eyes to see beauty. Look at the elite academy girls—those legs, those faces! Damn, so jealous!"
More repetitive comments followed.
The academy's official teachers, while monitoring the recordings, chuckled at the amusing bullet comments.
By now, Lu Jun had arrived at the designated location. As one of the 100 challengers, he went straight backstage and didn't need to sit with the audience.
Due to his fame, sitting in the audience would undoubtedly cause a wide empty circle around him.
His registration was handled directly, with no need for qualification assessment. He immediately secured a spot.
When Lu Jun reached backstage, he saw the 10 students from the summoning department and the 100 from the combined departments.
The crowd fell silent, showing respect and awe as they stepped aside. Among them, Dongfang Ming and Ding Yuming didn't move, merely observing Lu Jun.
Unbothered by being the center of attention, Lu Jun confidently declared, "I'll go first."
The supervising teacher, Gu Han, hesitated momentarily before nodding in agreement. Next to him, the healing department's beautiful teacher, Ruan Ya, smiled approvingly, saying, "This year's freshmen are impressive and spirited."
Her words sparked dissatisfaction among other arrogant geniuses present, though they hesitated to confront Lu Jun directly. Instead, they watched coldly, hoping to test him.
On stage, Dean Xiao began his speech, his tone calm yet resolute:
"If your sole ambition is to become a mage respected by society, earning a substantial salary and enjoying a high-quality life... then I must responsibly tell you that you're in the wrong place."
"Mages graduating from Pearl Academy must have the ability to change the world and the mission to protect humanity as heroes."
"If anyone here seeks only the former, we can provide you with a graduation certificate and a letter of recommendation right now. You can go live that life. But don't occupy a precious spot at Pearl Academy. Wealth and fame we do not lack; what we lack are hearts eternally pursuing supreme magic!"
This belief defines the academy. The students it nurtures are all capable of reaching super-tier levels.
The students present were fired up, their youthful faces flushed with determination.
In the live stream, comments flooded in:
"Well said! College students should strive to revitalize humanity and fight against monsters!"
"Dean Xiao is unparalleled!"
Dean Xiao's speeches, different each year, often inspired reflection and were highly popular online. The public loved him.
[For additional chapters....
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123]
Also can you guys a leave Review and maybe few Power Stones