57 versus 75!
"Ethan, don't forget about prosperity and riches!"
"Exactly! This [Hall of Heroes] is perfect for you!"
"Ethan is a genius. With the [War Enthusiast] contract backing you, you've got a much better starting point than the rest of us!"
The group surrounding Ethan was loud, full of flattery. They seemed very pleased with themselves.
From the sidelines, Lucian watched with a faint smile.
This "Ethan," whose full name was Ethan Force, was one of the few students in class who had accepted an investment contract.
Unlike the standard rare-quality Heart of Lords most students had, Ethan's Heart was of blue quality. Combined with his preference for battles, it made him an ideal candidate for the War Enthusiast Guild, which provided him an investment contract.
As a "talent," Ethan received initial training resources. However, rules limited how much a guild could provide. At most, the War Enthusiast Guild may have helped him secure a few rare and well-priced buildings to start with.
However, after his first arrival in the Void, the guild must have resourced him further, explaining his current brashness.
"Pfft, it's just self-promotion. What's so impressive?"
Alex—now sitting near Lucian—bluntly criticized.
Lucian shrugged indifferently, responding lazily, "It's just noise."
In truth, Lucian viewed these investment contracts as little more than traps. Those with ambition and pride wouldn't agree to them, but there were always people drawn to short-term gains or unwilling to work hard.
As the discussion carried on, one of the students exclaimed, "Hey! Group A looks really strong!"
"True! Lucian, you're in Group A, but the rest of us are in Groups B and C!"
"Wow, is this what they call strength-based selection?"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. He had kept a low profile, so why was he placed in the strongest group?
[Hero Force]—the measure of a Lord's strength—was something he had meticulously hidden. No out-of-control display should have exposed him.
Oh well.
He wasn't particularly concerned. Winning the simulation didn't matter to him.
The others chatted amongst themselves, some teasing Lucian.
Meanwhile, a muscular teacher with a booming voice announced, "First round match-ups! Group A: 3 versus 1, 1 versus 3. Group B: 8 versus 8, 2 versus 2! Group C: 36 versus 36, 6 versus 3!"
A total of ten pairs stepped onto the field for the opening round.
Immediately, twenty Lords were surrounded by clouds and transported to the vast platform divided into combat zones. Each duel was clearly visible to students and teachers.
Lucian glanced over.
The matchups in Group C were the weakest, with heroes like "Militia Captain" or "Ditch Digger's Boy" duking it out.
The fighting was crude but intense.
Group B was a bit better. Some Lords used extraordinary tactics.
A mage hero launched fireballs.
Another summoned a heavy exoskeleton armed with electromagnetic weapons.
One Lord transformed into a cultivator and unleashed a dragon-shaped energy attack while blasting a dramatic battle theme through speakers.
These matches were lively and entertaining.
Lucian's gaze shifted to Group A, where the most serious battles were taking place.
The Group A Lords were clearly well-resourced. Some were affluent, others lucky, and a few were outright elites.
Soon, the matches ended.
Each teacher assigned scores based not only on wins or losses but also on performance, creating a more comprehensive evaluation.
One of Lucian's classmates, Chen Grace, had just finished a grueling match.
Her hero was a cultivator with wind-speed-enhancing "True Words" on their legs. The strategy revolved around exhausting the opponent until the last moment, when victory was secured.
"Congrats!"
"Grace, nice work!"
The group offered warm congratulations.
Grace waved her hand modestly, saying, "Honestly, farming Lords like me don't stand a chance against hardened fighters. That opponent had clearly been through many battles."
The group bantered, guessing match outcomes.
Lucian, however, found the simulation increasingly dull.
Even the wealthier Lords lacked the means to challenge him.
With his golden legendary heroes and tenfold attributes, Lucian could obliterate the competition.
The difference between 200 Constitution and 2,000 Constitution was astronomical. A mere breath could shatter opponents.
Lucian's Thoughts Are Interrupted
Feeling bored, Lucian turned his gaze toward Lady Mistdream, who was seated regally above the clouds.
The red-clad beauty sat in a floating chair, her presence exuding eternal grace.
Lucian couldn't help but focus on her. Activating [Godstream Meditation], he pictured her form in his mind.
Suddenly, her voice rang directly in his thoughts.
"Do you think they're weak?"
Lucian's eyes widened in surprise as he looked around.
Lady Mistdream remained seated on her floating chair, her gaze seemingly elsewhere.
But there was no mistaking it—the voice belonged to her.