SSS Grade Saint Knight - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Clearing the Abyss-level Dungeon! Generous Rewards!

TL: Etude Translations

“Masterful war axe techniques and formidable four-dimensional attributes.

The combination of the two forms Zhou Yi’s uniquely sharp melee combat style…”

Finally witnessing Zhou Yi’s close-combat prowess, Song Qi, the Weapon College Dean, had her eyes light up with admiration.

She was a woman in her thirties, with eyes as clear as the stars.

“Exactly. Although the last few axe strikes were unskillful, they displayed flawless exertion technique and broke through the defense.”

Furthermore, they were astonishingly precise, striking almost the exact same spot repeatedly. Without such precision, it would have been impossible to shatter the Bear Monster’s Earth Elemental Armor so easily.”

A Weapon College instructor nodded in agreement.

If such a scene had unfolded with a scion of a prominent family who had undergone combat training since childhood, it might have been understandable.

However, Zhou Yi came from a humble background in a small town.

To reach this level required extremely arduous self-training and unwavering determination…

“Beyond close combat, his spells and support buffs are equally impressive.”

“And that aspect wasn’t displayed during the college entrance examination dungeon.”

“It seems Zhou Yi didn’t waste his month at Tempest Mountain Range. On the contrary, he made remarkable progress.”

One instructor praised him.

Initially, when the group heard in a meeting that Zhou Yi, at the critical juncture of reporting as a special admissions student, had gone to Tempest Mountain Range,

they all thought he was squandering his time.

But now…

He had proven them wrong!

At the time, Wu Mang, the War College Dean, had been particularly vocal in his criticism, expressing extreme dissatisfaction.

Yet now, he seemed more excited than anyone else.

“Spells, melee combat, and support—Zhou Yi indeed covers all aspects of the Saint Knight profession. However, this is merely a superficial advantage.”

“When his level increases further, trying to master all aspects will require an enormous amount of skill points.”

“In the end, he might manage to cover everything but will inevitably be mediocre in all areas, unable to excel in any.”

An Elemental College instructor voiced a different perspective.

The others did not refute this.

It was, indeed, a valid point.

Every professional could learn numerous skills, but selecting which skills to focus on and forming one’s unique style was an essential art.

The school even had a dedicated course called “Skill Point Allocation Strategies” to teach students how to make such decisions.

The purpose was to help students learn to prioritize and develop their own distinctive characteristics when acquiring skills.

If a student indiscriminately learned all available skills,

their skill levels might stagnate at LV4 or LV5.

In the end, they might have a wide array of skills spanning all domains, adaptable to any situation.

But this would result in mediocrity across the board.

Such a professional would eventually earn the nickname “jack-of-all-trades.”

“This is indeed a problem…”

Wu Mang nodded slightly.

At present, it wasn’t a major issue since everyone was at low levels, and skill points spent unwisely weren’t a significant loss.

However, if this continued at higher levels, it would become a serious problem.

“After the New Student Competition ends, I’ll have a personal talk with him.”

Wu Mang spoke slowly, already treating Zhou Yi as if he were part of his college.

“Hehe, Dean Wu, Zhou Yi hasn’t chosen which college to join yet.”

“Let’s wait until he makes his choice. The respective college dean can have that conversation then…”

Song Qi chimed in with a light laugh.

Her voice was melodic and pleasant, but her words carried a clear implication.

Zhou Yi, we at Weapon College want you!

“Exactly!”

“Let’s wait until Zhou Yi chooses his college before making further plans.”

The Elemental College Dean, Zhou Huayang, also nodded in agreement.

“……”

Wu Mang was speechless.

To make their colleges more prestigious,

after the New Student Competition, each college’s deans and instructors would scramble to recruit students.

As the provincial top scorer of Suhang Province, Zhou Yi naturally had the highest priority and was the center of competition.

Initially, Wu Mang thought his only rival would be the Weapon College.

But now, even the Elemental College wanted to get involved…

“Dean Wu, Zhou Yi’s talent in elemental magic is not insignificant. Joining our Elemental College would suit him perfectly!”

Zhou Huayang seemed to see through Wu Mang’s intentions and didn’t deny it, opting to lay his cards on the table directly!

Zhou Yi, the Elemental College wanted him too!

“Tsk tsk, it seems all three major colleges are vying for Zhou Yi.”

“This is quite the rare scene…”

The surrounding instructors were visibly astonished.

Although disputes over new students occurred every year, they typically involved instructors.

Rarely did college deans personally intervene.

Yet now…

Zhou Yi was enjoying the attention of three deans!

“And no wonder. They even unlocked an Abyss-level dungeon for his group.”

“It shows they highly value his potential, so it’s natural they’d compete for him.”

One instructor sighed in admiration.

This year’s freshmen were destined to be different from those of previous years…

…

In mid-air, thirty projection screens merged into one large display.

At this moment, nearly all the freshmen had reached the final stage of the dungeon.

The difference was that most were still battling the terrifying Bear Monster Leader.

Only the screen on the far right, Zhou Yi’s, showed him mopping up the remaining Bear Monsters.

With the Army Breaker Battle Axe glowing with divine light in his hand, Zhou Yi’s tall and slender figure darted through the Bear Monster horde.

Each swing of his war axe claimed the life of a Bear Monster.

The flames raging across the hall and the occasional bursts of lightning filled the entire screen with dense elemental energy.

“Holy Storm, Light’s Punishment, and Holy Light Cross…”

“I’ve identified most of Zhou Yi’s skills, but I still don’t recognize that fiery halo behind him. What skill is it, and what effect does it have?”

Blue Star was vast, and the number of skills professionals could learn was as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Upon discovering Zhou Yi using a halo skill he had never seen before, Wu Mang searched the Saint Knight skill library at Suhang University for a match…

To his astonishment, he found nothing!

“Based on my observations, that fiery halo behind him likely amplifies fire damage.”

“Whenever his Holy Light Cross channels fire elements, the halo emits unique fluctuations, strengthening the gathered fire elements significantly…”

“Still, I don’t recall seeing this skill before.”

Zhou Huayang, who had been observing keenly, interjected with interest.

As a Third-Transfer Mage, he could sharply perceive elemental energy fluctuations.

Naturally, he deduced the specific capabilities of the skill.

However, even with his deep research into elemental skills,

he couldn’t discern the origin of Zhou Yi’s fiery halo.

“That is the Saint Knight’s exclusive divine skill, Holy Flame Halo. It’s no wonder you aren’t familiar with it.”

At some point, a tall man had appeared behind the group of instructors, speaking in a deep voice.

When the instructors turned to see him, they were momentarily surprised, even the deans.

They quickly realized who he was and immediately greeted him respectfully:

“Principal Wang!”

“Good day, Principal!”

If Xu Yuzhou had been present, he would have instantly recognized this imposing man with his square face and natural air of authority as Wang Hui, a former participant in the National Assembly…

…

Inside the Dungeon

With the Bear Monster Leader defeated, the morale of the remaining Bear Monsters plummeted.

Though the Bear Shaman and Bear Wizard, two Gold-tier elite monsters, tried to rally the Bear Monsters for resistance,

Zhou Yi’s swift and decisive attacks wiped them out, alongside the rest of the horde.

At the same time, a notification sounded.

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have cleared the Abyss-level dungeon. Your completion time of 12 minutes and 16 seconds sets a new record, earning you an SSS-Rank evaluation.]
[You are now the new record holder for this dungeon.]

[Clearing statistics concluded. Reward distribution begins…]

– [Congratulations! You have gained 13,212 experience points.]
– [Congratulations! You have gained 25 free attribute points and 25 skill points.]
– [Congratulations! You have acquired a B+ tier skill book: Hammer of Repentance.]
– [Congratulations! You have obtained the equipment: Totem Stone Pillar (Gold☆).]
– [As the record holder, you have unlocked an achievement talent.]

[Choose one of the following three talents:]

1. Focused Aura (A-): Increases your neural reaction speed by 30%, with a 30% chance for uninterrupted skill casting.
2. Swift Advance (A-): Upon entering combat, your movement speed steadily increases, up to a maximum of 50%.
3. Steadfast Guardian (A-): When using a shield as a weapon, your physical and magical defense increase by 30%.