Draconic Pets Evolution System

Chapter 49 The Latecomers and the Trial

"Run faster, Ryuk! Or we'll really be late!" The alarmed yet confused voice of Quinn echoed in the background as he turned his head. About 15 meters behind him, none other than Ryuk was running forward, his breath puffing out in heavy clouds.

"What the hell!"

"I am running as fast as I can!" Ryuk roared back, glaring at Quinn's disbelieving face with an annoyed click of his tongue.

But he wasn't annoyed at Quinn—he was annoyed at himself.

Quinn didn't even seem like he was running at his fastest speed, yet Ryuk was failing to catch up even after using all his strength to run.

The air slapped against Ryuk's face, and he could clearly feel the difference in his current speed, which must have improved significantly thanks to his stats.

Yet, even after leveling up, he still couldn't catch up to Quinn!

"How... how are you even... so... so... fast?!" Ryuk panted.

"Aren't you the... weakest fallen genius... around?"

Ryuk asked, stepping up his speed as he finally managed to get within arm's length of him. Quinn was running so fast, yet his face remained casual, and his glasses didn't even seem close to falling off.

"Well, you humans seem to be slower than normal," Quinn said with a smirk. "And we Fallen Angels have wings too."

Ryuk turned to look at Quinn's back and saw two small golden wings flapping wildly. However, Quinn wasn't flying.

"While mine are too weak to fly, flapping them no doubt boosts my speed. But still, I should be the slowest genius here," Quinn explained as they both kept running.

"The next time, your punishment will be going through the training twice without a rejuvenating bath," Kieran said, his voice cold and fear-inducing. Finally, he directed his attention away from Ryuk and Quinn.

"The training today remains the same as it has been since the start of the week. However, with the appearance of a newcomer, I will go through it one last time," he announced.

Ryuk rose to his feet, listening attentively.

"Outside this this ground, exactly 50 kilometers away, you will find the first test: the Sky-Shard Mountain Climb. It is a near-vertical mountain infused with Apex energy that emits a draining field. This test is designed to measure your physical strength, endurance, and ability to resist Apex energy interference.

"After you finish the climb, you will immediately face the second test: the Infernal Rope Walk, a suspended tightrope bathed in fans of Apex energy and hanging above a chasm filled with molten lava and energy. Balancing on the rope requires precise physical control and mental focus.

"The third and final test is the Shadow Run, a labyrinth shrouded in total darkness and filled with Apex energy constructs in the form of shadow beasts. To pass the test, you must navigate to the exit without being caught or incapacitated."

"All of these tests must be completed within a maximum time frame of 7 hours, or you'll be forced to restart and try again—over and over until you complete them within the time limit," Kieran explained.

Ryuk's heart turned cold.

"Of course," Kieran added with a smile, "you need not worry about damage sustained. At the end of each test, you will find a rejuvenating bath waiting for you, where you can refill your energy and heal your wounds in seconds."

"So feel free to go all out—don't be afraid of suffering terminal or permanent damage."

"I guess if you fall into the lava, there might not be much hope for you, though," Kieran added, his sinister grin widening as he glanced at Ryuk, whose expression froze in horror.

"Alright, that's all. I'll be waiting for you guys at the other end," Kieran concluded.

The next instant, a vortex of darkness appeared in front of him, and he stepped into it. The vortex closed, leaving the students in silence.

Then, without hesitation, they all began racing toward the exit.