Heaven's Greatest Professor

"We\'ll conduct this combat test in three parts," said the nitpicky man, one of the elder examiners. "First, you\'ll face cursed creatures in the untamed section of this dungeon. We\'ll divide all twenty of you into five groups, with each elder leading a group. Professors and instructors will also accompany each group. Please step forward when your name is announced."

To his relief, the nitpicky elder didn\'t call his name for her chosen four. Instead, the charming woman, who looked too young to be an elder, selected him. She also chose Gene De Rossi, another spell-sword, and a shield warrior who was most likely the tallest woman Warden had ever laid eyes upon. Even with the memories he lost, he didn\'t think he had seen a woman taller than him.

Two other professors or instructors joined as helpers. Warden found June had joined the elderly woman as a helper. With the party of seven ready, a portal manifested before them.

"The professors first," the charming elder ordered, "then the contestants."

Warden noticed Gene\'s expression, a mix of overwhelming curiosity and apprehension. Anyone could tell he lacked experience. He now wielded a two-foot-long staff with an emerald gem glowing at its head.

"Come on, mate," Warden nudged him before they received a reminder to step in. The other two contestants had already entered. Gene nodded as he jumped into the portal, followed by Warden.

The new environment wasn\'t a vast expanse of nothingness but rather a thick wilderness with an acidic scent in the wind. There wasn\'t any light other than what they had brought with them. Surrounded by thick-rooted trees that were wider than they were tall, the environment had a nasty edge to it.

"You guys have two hours to impress me," the charming elder said, pulling a chair from her spatial cube to sit down. "You can choose to team up or go alone; all I want is results."

"But, Elder Vess," interrupted the female professor, "you\'re supposed to take them with you, and—"

"And here I am," Elder Vess smiled primly. "I\'m here to test the candidates, not to babysit them." She turned to the four of them. "Decide among yourselves how you\'ll progress on this test. Just for your information, there are only two professors with you, so if you decide to divide into more than two groups, it will be impossible for them to do their job properly."

"How are you going to calculate contributions?" the spell-sword, a handsome youth in his early twenties with trimmed blond hair, asked.

"Results, like I said," Elder Vess replied.

"So if I were to hunt down the most creatures on my own, I\'d get the best result?" the blond guy asked.

In response, Elder Vess smiled. Her smile was enigmatic, which could mean anything. Unfortunately, the blond youth failed to see that.

"I\'ve decided to go solo," he declared to them and turned towards the two professors. "I don\'t mind if you decide to follow the other three."

The female professor frowned and turned to the other three. "What about you lot?" she asked, her tone carrying a challenge that suggested she expected obedience despite asking for their opinions. "Does anyone else want to go solo?"

"I\'m a defensive warrior," stated the only woman of the four, an impressive figure standing taller than anyone else. She wielded a huge shield in one hand and an armoured gauntlet in the other. Standing close to seven feet tall, she gave the impression of possessing some rich giant blood in her veins. She was already taller than Warden by a few inches, while little Gene barely reached her bosom.

"Going solo would be playing to my disadvantage," she explained and then turned to the two. Even though she stated this, it was clear she would manage fine either way if they decided not to group up.

"I feel the purpose of this test isn\'t just to show our combat power," Warden added. "I have no problem with teaming up."

The two turned to Gene for his decision.

"Um, let\'s go together," Gene said timidly.

"Great," the professor responded. "Devlin, follow that brat; don\'t let him get killed early. I\'ll take care of the rest."

As the two parties separated, the professor introduced herself. "I\'m Professor Manala, of the mage class, silver rank," she announced. "Since Elder Vess decided to give you free rein in the test, I won\'t impose any unnecessary guidance. I\'ll merely accompany you and offer assistance where needed."

"We\'re under your care, Professor Manala," the tall woman, addressing the group, said. "I\'m Jez\'arin, my class is [Shield Maiden]. I can defend against blows from any Iron rankers."

"Warden," he introduced himself simply. "A warrior with destructive power. I believe I can eliminate any iron-rank creatures."

"Um, I\'m an [Elementalist]," Gene said hesitantly. "I don\'t have much combat experience, but everyone says I\'m strong. Oh, you can call me Gene."

Warden had no doubts about that. They all introduced themselves and shared information about their strengths as they moved into the wilderness to complete the test.

It appeared they didn\'t have to move long to encounter their first prey. Their movement seemed to have alerted the creatures in their slumber as soon over a dozen stone golem-like creatures crawled up from the ground.

"Form up," Warden shouted, likely the quickest to notice the change after the professor.