<h4>Chapter 80 Chapter80-Howard Makes a Move, Two Astonished Onlookers</h4>


    The three mentors sighed in relief after all the students entered the Valley of Fierce Winds.


    Maintaining their authoritative facades in front of the students was taxing.


    "Goodness, what''s the story behind that Howard?" Tara suddenly remarked, "Going by his records, he only awakened an F-level talent. How did he get admitted with such premium privileges?"


    "Mr. Wales," Tara looked towards Wales with a light chuckle, "I recall thatst year, Talor, with his S-level talent, was denied the top-tier privileges when he applied. Yet this year, you approved it for Howard. It seems somewhat inconsistent."


    Talor was, in fact, Tara''s younger brother.


    After Wales had rejected Talor''s request for the highest-grade privileges, resentment naturally brewed in Tara''s heart.


    And now, seeing Howard, with just an F-level awakening, receive such prestigious treatment, her irritation was palpable.


    "It''s Daniel''s request, don''t ask me," Wales said, closing his eyes briefly, keen to change the subject. "For this assessment, who''s going to monitor them?"


    "I will go," Jack replied with a grin, "It has been a while since I stretched my legs. Perhaps I will encounter some worthy prey."


    "I think I should handle it," Tara countered, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Given how much Daniel values this Howard, he must possess something exceptional. I will keep an eye on him, and carefully evaluate whether someone''s judgment might be off."


    Casting a cold nce at Wales, Tara gracefully sashayed into the woods.


    However, almost the moment she entered, her figure became ethereal, disappearing from the sight of both Jack and Wales.


    "Goodness, Wales, you were quite bold back in the day, daring to decline her brother''s application," Jack remarked with a teasing tone. "After all, her brother did awaken an S-level talent. Why were you so firm in your rejection?"


    "His talent was of a supporting nature, notbative genius. Why should I have agreed?" Wales retorted with a mock scold, "You old rascal, keepughing at my expense and see if I don''t give you a piece of my mind."


    Jack erupted inughter, then squinted towards the dense woods, murmuring, "With this situation, Tara will undoubtedly have a poor impression of Howard. Do you think she might take action against him?"


    "Not likely." Wales shook his head, "After all, she''s a mentor and understands the boundaries. Moreover, once she witnesses Howard''s performance, she might end up guarding him instead!"


    "Oh? You have such confidence in Howard?" Jack expressed genuine surprise.


    Even though Daniel had informed him about Howard''s peculiarities, he wasn''t entirely convinced.


    If it weren''t for Daniel''s distinguished status and his history of mentoring numerous prodigies without ever being wrong, Jack wouldn''t be as amodating towards Howard.


    It couldn''t be helped; Howard''s apparent F-level talent made it difficult for some to believe he possessed such capabilities.


    "Let''s wait and see,"


    A hint of purple shed deep within Wales''s eyes.


    ...


    Deep within the heart of the forest, Howard, Abby, Nick, and Mike quickly found themselves separated from the other students.


    The Valley of Fierce Winds was truly vast.


    The thick foliage concealed the path, obscuring one''s vision. A slight misstep in direction, and students would easily lose each other.


    Fortunately, the initial parts of the forest seemed devoid of any monsters.


    By the time Howard''s group traversed through the dense foliage and spotted signs of a trail, everyone caught their breath, vigntly scanning their surroundings.


    The existence of a path meant signs of life - either people or wild beasts had passed through here.


    Howard looked around and realized that the foliage here wasn''t as thick as before.


    It appeared as though it had been trampled upon, revealing a makeshift pathway. On either side, the bushes and towering trees bore some crimson fruits.


    This was the moment when the profound knowledge of prestigious families came into y.


    Nick nced upwards, noting, "These are Redberries, fundamental herbs. They can be used to concoct basic HP potions, or you can eat them directly. They heal and restore HP, though the effect isn''t particrly pronounced."


    "The Valley of Fierce Winds has various monsters. Near Redberries, it''s usually Goblins or Kobolds!"


    Mike smirked, "I hope it''s Kobolds. Goblins are too varied and notoriously vengeful. If you kill one, a never-ending stream of them will seek revenge. Besides, defeating a Kobold yields more points than a Goblin, and even the materials gathered from them fetch a higher price when sold."


    Howard shrugged, a yful smile touching his lips. "s, it''s not up to us which monsters we run into. Let''s keep moving!"


    As he spoke, Howard grasped his Soul Nurturer. Both Abby and Nick brandished their weapons.


    Mike chuckled softly, "I''ve mastered the Stealth Skill. Allow me to scout ahead."


    "Excellent!" eximed Howard, his face lighting up with delight.


    The reason he teamed up with his two roommates was not only because of their backgrounds but also because of their sses.


    Having a warrior acted as a shield, while an assassin served perfectly as a scout.


    As the old saying goes, ''Know thyself and thy enemy, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.''


    With an assassin yer scouting ahead, their strategy against monsters would be much more efficient.


    Mike''s form started to fade, blending seamlessly with his surroundings.


    Meanwhile, Howard, Abby, and Nick stood their ground, constantly surveying their environment, wary of any monster ambush.


    It wasn''t long before some distant bushes rustled, revealing Mike''s figure.


    A look of jubtion crossed his face, "Found some monsters. Kobolds! There aren''t many, and they''re scattered. We can take them down one by one."


    "Well done!" praised Howard, "Lead the way!"


    Nodding in agreement, Mike took point, guiding Howard, Abby, and Nick forward.


    In a short while, through the foliage, Howard and hispanions saw a flicker of firelight.


    Sensing this, the group grew more cautious. Peering ahead, they distinctly saw a campfire illuminating the area.


    Seated by the fire was a Kobold, a massive axeid next to him. Before him was a pot, heated by the mes, seemingly steaming something within.


    Beyond this lone Kobold, six others patrolled the vicinity, reminiscent of sentinels.


    They circled the area and asionally nced back at the pot near the campfire, their mouths practically watering.


    After observing intently, Howard whispered, "There are seven Kobolds in total. One sits by the fire, the other six are moving in what seems to be a set pattern. Every so often, one goes into a concealed corner. We need to strike them down during that window of opportunity."


    "But if, after being taken down, they don''t return to their patrol, won''t that alert the other Kobolds?" Nick couldn''t help but voice his concern.


    In a game world, this wouldn''t be an issue. Each monster has its territory and wouldn''t care if another was alive or dead.


    But this is a digitized reality!


    Howard chuckled, "That''s the n — to alert them. After taking out one Kobold and drawing the other five, I will unleash my AOE skill, obliterate them, and then deal with the Kobold by the fire."


    Pausing for a beat, Howard continued, "That Kobold with the unique weapon, capable ofmanding the others, must be the BOSS."


    "Check out the stats of the regr Kobold. See if we can take it down in a single strike!" Mike and Nick, not ones for indecision, immediately agreed.


    In the next moment, under the Divination spell, the Kobold''s attributes materialized into a panel, appearing before Howard and the others.


    [Kobold]


    [Level: 20]


    [Tier: tinum]


    [Description: An evolutionarily iplete Kobold. Though it possesses a humanoid body, its head remains canine, indicating limited intelligence.]


    [HP: 7800/7800]


    [Attack Power: 770-912]


    [Defense Value: 500]


    [Skills: Kobold Charge, Bite Combo]


    "A tinum-grade monster?"


    "Hiss... A LV20 monster with such attributes? That''s insanely powerful!"


    Even Mike and Nick, hailing from prestigious families, furrowed their brows upon seeing the stats of this LV20 monster.


    The Holy Abyss Academy wasn''t filled with fools. They knew many students from influential families bore precious artifacts, hence the high difficulty of the test location.


    As for the average students?


    They either yed it safe, teamed up with top-tier students, or... rose to the asion on their own!


    After all, every student epted into their ranks had potential. It just depended on whether they were willing to take a risk.


    And should any real danger arise, mentors like Wales, Jack, and Tara weren''t just for show!


    "I have a control skill. When the timees, you all unleash everything you have got. We should be able to take it down," Howard said


    He had previously faced monsters with tens of thousands of HP, said calmly, leading Abby, Nick, and Mike closer to the Kobold nearest their hideout in the shrubbery.


    The Soul Nurturer silently radiated its light. Howard, always ready with his skill, kept his eyes locked onto that Kobold.


    The moment the Kobold stepped into the blind spot of itspanions, Howard swung his wand.


    The Frost Arrow Spell was cast, and a shimmering arrow, formed entirely of icy cold, whizzed through the air, striking the Kobold squarely.