Chapter 163: Absolute First

The outstanding performance of the Thornflower Sprite and the Flame Guardian in the team battle made even the Hundred-Eyed Specter beside Janna Roland eager to jump in.

"You have more important things to do."

Watching the dwindling number of participants in the team battle, Janna, who had rehidden herself within the Mirror Illusion, quickly flapped the Emerald Butterfly Wings on her back and flew toward the nearby bush.

"Plant Vision—"

Chanting a spell, and under the dual exploration of Plant Vision and Mental Perception, Janna quickly found the Apprentice Shadow Wizard hiding in the bush.

Once again, it was the classic trio combo of Spore Parasitism + Vine Bind + Soul Lash. For those who were already hiding due to the Subconscious Deception spell or injuries sustained in the brawl, Janna didn't even need to exert much effort.

With the Hundred-Eyed Specter covering her, she silently and swiftly harvested the Nameplates.

"Master, that stench is coming again."

Her movements flowed like a wandering dragon, shifting and flickering.

Just as Janna's figure ghosted through the bushes, the voice of the Celestial Finch suddenly echoed in her mind.

"How does it compare to the last times?"

"A bit weaker."

The stench mentioned by the Celestial Finch naturally referred to the curse contamination within the Secret Realm.

Calculating the remaining time in the Secret Realm, Janna deduced that this was likely the final wave of curses for this examination.

"Finally reaching the final zone..."

Accompanied by a gust of wind laced with an earthy scent, a large swath of pale purple mist quickly spread in the surroundings.

Just as the Celestial Finch said, the curse contamination that had just reached the core area was far less potent than that of the outer rings.

If normal apprentices had the Rotfruit, they could still hold out for another thirty minutes without much issue.

However, for those who no longer had any Rotfruit and whose bodies were already on the verge of collapse, this final wave of curse contamination became the last straw. Amid wails and cries, they one after another chose to exit the Secret Realm.

"Good opportunity!"

With the Purifying Power of the barrier maintained by the Celestial Finch, Janna remained completely unaffected.

Watching the Nameplates fall like rain, she immediately activated the level 29 Wizard's Hand to swiftly snatch them up.

"Silver Mirror, over there!"

A sharp Soul Scream burst from Janna’s mouth, her long whip condensed, and coordinating with the Hundred-Eyed Specter's Short-Range Teleportation, Janna—at full power—launched a devastating sweep to seize Nameplates with overwhelming force.

"Senior, I’ll be taking this Nameplate."

Under Janna’s precise control, the verdant Wizard’s Hand rapidly split into several slender hands no larger than ordinary palms.

Like green butterflies flitting through the bushes, in just a blink, the Nameplate that had just fallen before Hugh Stone was securely caught by one of the miniature Wizard’s Hands.

"It’s alright, do as you please."

Looking at Janna smiling in front of him, and at Vivian Rose and Maro Heigel standing at her sides, subtly forming a protective stance, Hugh Stone realized with a bitter smile that he had unknowingly become the last one standing alone in the nearly deserted Secret Realm.

"Janna, take these."

As the curse’s power intensified, the number of participants in the Secret Realm had dropped to around ten.

Most of those who remained had reserves of Rotfruit and had reached the peak of Second Tier Wizard Apprentice.

Vivian Rose and Maro Heigel, for example, had only managed to persist this long due to Janna’s deliberate assistance.

"What’s this supposed to mean?"

Seeing Vivian hand over roughly one hundred and fifty Marsh Arrow Frog tongues, Janna’s brows furrowed slightly.

"Exactly what it looks like—don’t worry. Even with these, I won’t make it into the top ten.

Rather than let them go to waste with me, I’d rather give them to you."

"Vivian, is this your first day knowing me—"

"I don’t care. This time, you have to listen to me!"

Before Janna could even respond, Vivian, unusually resolute, shoved the items into Janna’s Wizard Robe and quickly activated her Nameplate.

"You must take first place—"

The abruptly cut-off voice still echoed in Janna’s ears.

Staring at the soft bundle of Marsh Arrow Frog tongues in her robe and the Nameplate Vivian had left behind on the ground, Janna’s downcast eyes revealed no visible emotion.

"Foolish—"

"Did you think that without these, I couldn’t get first place—"

Since Janna and Vivian had met in the Secret Realm, their interactions had actually been few.

Other than a brief conversation when Janna had helped purify Vivian’s curse for free, she had been entirely focused on collecting Nameplates, without any time for distractions.

Precisely because of Janna’s attitude, Vivian had started to think about how she could help Janna without being noticed.

After thinking it through, Vivian realized that, with her current strength, trying to help in secret was simply unrealistic.

So she gave up on subtlety and acted directly.

From Vivian’s perspective, Janna’s fixation on her ranking in the Three-School Joint Examination was likely driven by the generous post-exam rewards and the academy’s future resources.

And as the Rose family’s eldest daughter, what Vivian had in abundance was resources.

"Miss Janna, it’s been an honor to be your teammate this time."

After Vivian’s departure, Maro Heigel also gave a graceful bow, saying no more. Under Janna’s gaze, he slowly activated his Nameplate and left the Secret Realm as well.

"Honestly, that wasn’t necessary—"

Looking at the Nameplate Maro Heigel left behind, Janna, feeling the gesture in her heart, used Wizard’s Hand to solemnly collect the two Nameplates on the ground.

"Looks like Miss Janna’s charm is far greater than I imagined."

Watching the increasingly dense poisonous miasma around them, Hugh Stone, his face tinged green, let out a heartfelt sigh.

"Actually, I’m quite strong too—senior, want to test it?"

"Haha, better not—"

Letting out a dry laugh and seeing Janna’s knowing smirk, Hugh Stone raised his shield and looked toward the few remaining Blackbone Grove apprentices still hanging on.

"Tough luck for you all—"

"Whooosh—"

The vortex reversed, the tide surged.

About ten seconds later, with a burst of intense silver light, and after forty-eight long hours, Janna finally returned once again to the Mercury Space.

"Looks like the first place in this examination has already been decided—"

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