That very day, an instructor quietly submitted a complaint to the vice headmaster, reporting that the newly arrived instructors of Class D were neglecting their duties and had not shown themselves for several consecutive days.

Looking at the complaint letter on his desk, the vice headmaster felt his scalp tighten.

A faint sense of unease rose in his heart.

Could they really have run into frauds?

But on second thought, throughout the countless years since the founding of the Skyvault Consortium, the number of powerhouses who had obtained a High God-level golden token with demigod-level strength could be counted on one hand. Every single one of them was a truly astonishing genius.

In the end, the vice headmaster chose to remain still and gave John the greatest degree of trust.

On the fourth day.

The instructors of Class D finally appeared.

The students were not surprised at all, because tomorrow would be the grand competition.

John offered no greetings. His gaze swept across the three students before him, and he spoke in a calm tone.

"Do as I say."

"I guarantee that every one of you will advance."

The three exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion.

Just then—

Swish, swish, swish!

Three mountains of radiant items suddenly crashed down out of thin air.

Boom!!!

The heavy impact shook the ground with a rumbling roar.

"What... what is this for?" Rein’s eyes widened.

The three small mountains before them were all piled up from High God-level items. Potions, scrolls, armor, weapons—layer upon layer of them, flashing with all kinds of light.

John explained indifferently.

"One pile per person."

"Inside are Berserk Potions, Bloodburn Potions, and all kinds of enhancement potions."

"There are also defensive items, offensive items, various blessing scrolls, complete sets of equipment, and weapons."

"Each of you getting several thousand pieces will not be a problem."

"Even if you simply smash them with items, you should be able to smash a few Class A students to death, right?"

After hearing this, the three students were completely stunned.

This...

Was this allowed?

Teacher, you are not playing by the rules at all!

...

The competition officially began.

According to convention, challenges usually proceeded step by step from the lower classes upward. Class D would challenge Class C, the winners would then challenge Class B, and finally, they would attempt to reach Class A.

But this time, Rein skipped every intermediate step.

"I want to challenge any member of Class A."

He stood on the competition stage, his back straight. His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable certainty.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted.

"Since when did Class D become so arrogant?" A Class A student widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

"He looks quite confident. Who gave him that courage?"

"Has this guy gone mad? He dares to challenge our Class A?"

The Class A instructors were also full of confusion.

"Rein used to be quite well-behaved. Why did he suddenly become like this?"

"He must have been led astray by that new teacher. The teacher is arrogant, so the student follows his example. Like teacher, like student."

"He is simply a tumor. After this grand competition, we must have the vice headmaster drive them away. I am ashamed to be associated with people like that."

"Exactly. If they do not leave, then we will!"

"Since Rein has issued the challenge, let him understand what a true gap is. Garian, you go."

"Yes, Teacher."

The match began.

Garian of Class A slowly walked onto the competition stage, his expression composed.

He glanced at Rein opposite him, the corners of his mouth carrying a relaxed smile.

"Rein, it is still not too late for you to admit defeat. I have never been gentle when I strike."

"Try me," Rein smiled and replied in an indifferent tone.

"Very well, then let us try."

Before Garian’s voice had even faded, his figure had already vanished from where he stood.

In the next instant, he appeared right in front of Rein. His fist, wrapped in whistling energy, smashed straight toward Rein’s face.

At that moment—

"Garian, you’re finished!"

Rein shouted loudly.

Rumble!

Countless items activated at the same time.

Light flickered. The enhancement effects of various potions stacked upon him layer by layer—Berserk Potion, Bloodburn Potion, agility enhancement, shield protection...

One layer of light after another exploded from the surface of his body.

Immediately afterward, dozens of High God-level offensive items triggered at the same time, transforming into a dense torrent of items that poured toward Garian.

"I..."

Garian’s eyes widened as he looked in disbelief at the overwhelming waterfall of flowing light crashing toward him.

The torrent of items instantly swallowed him.

When Rein withdrew the items, Garian was already collapsed on the ground, completely unconscious.

"I won! I really won!"

Rein clenched his fists, his chest rising and falling violently.

The watching teachers and students reacted half a beat late. Then, chaotic discussions erupted.

"Where did he get so many treasures?" a student shouted in confusion.

"That is not the point, all right? This is cheating!"

"Exactly! How can external items be used in the grand competition? If this continues, everyone will just get a pile of items and smash people with them!"

"Rein cheated!"

The expressions of the instructors from the various classes also turned ugly.

"Rein cannot be declared the winner. This will set a terrible precedent."

"A true powerhouse should rely on real ability, not on piled-up external objects."

The instructor leading the opposition turned toward the referee seats and the two vice headmasters, raising his voice.

"This match was unfair!"

"It was dishonorable as well! It cannot prove that Rein’s strength surpasses Garian’s!"

"I strongly recommend that Rein’s qualification for the competition be revoked! He is cheating!"

Soon, more voices joined in.

"Never in the history of the academy’s grand competition has such an outrageous precedent appeared! His qualification should be revoked!"

"I second that! This was not a fair match!"

"If this continues, the entire atmosphere of the academy will be ruined!"

The two vice headmasters frowned deeply and exchanged a glance.

This matter was indeed somewhat troublesome.

Just then, a calm voice rang out from within the crowd.

"There is no rule in the academy’s grand competition that prohibits the use of items."

"Besides, what the grand competition tests is the students’ real combat ability. If they encounter enemies on a real battlefield in the future, will the other side show mercy because of the word ’fairness’?"

"Clinging rigidly to old rules is what truly misleads students."

The speaker was John.

His voice was not loud, yet it caused the noisy scene to fall abruptly silent.

Only then did the instructors present suddenly remember.

The rules truly did not restrict the use of items.

However...

"Then Garian should also have been given treasures of equal value for it to be fair!"

"Rein launched a sneak attack. He has no martial virtue!"

"I think Teacher John was the one who taught Rein to do this! Those treasures were given by you as well, weren’t they?"

John sneered.

"Fair?"

"When has there ever been fairness in this world?"

"The victor is king. As long as you can survive, whatever method you use is correct."

"Can you expect your enemies to give you a chance to breathe just because of ’fairness’?"

The entire venue fell silent.

The instructors looked at one another. Although they felt that something was wrong, they could not find a reason to refute him.

After a long while, the right vice headmaster spoke.

"The result of the match is valid."

"Rein! Victory."

"Advanced to Class A."

"The competition continues."

Since the vice headmaster had made the decision, even though the instructors still felt unwilling in their hearts, they did not dare say anything more.

Their expressions, however, were uglier than the last.