Chapter 495: The Sky Ripped Open, but the Joint Exam Must Go On
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 495: The Sky Ripped Open, but the Joint Exam Must Go On
By now, Tan Han had already led the group out of immediate danger. Even with their protection spells active, everyone looked utterly disheveled.
Only when they felt they were reasonably safe did they collapse onto the ground, casting aside any concern for their image. After such a desperate struggle against the brink of death, the moment they relaxed, their strength vanished, leaving their minds filled with nothing but lingering fear.
"Is everyone okay? Did we leave anyone behind?" Tan Han asked once she caught her breath.
It was fair to say she had pushed herself to her absolute limit in that short span of time. It had required the decisiveness to make a call, the means to guide the crowd, the spells to shield everyone, and a reckless sort of courage.
Although the girls who had stayed with Tan Han weren't lacking in abilities, very few had been able to react in that first critical moment.
Even with their spellbooks, not everyone could maintain their composure under a sudden threat of death. When nerves are frayed and emotions spiral out of control, it’s difficult to trigger a defensive spell instantly.
A spellbook was a tool, not an instinct.
Fortunately, everyone was safe for now.
Leaning against a piece of volcanic rock, Tan Han propped herself up and instinctively scanned the group.
When they had escaped the ash zone earlier, her flying broom had been carrying three other people besides herself. It was a severe overload, but they’d had no other choice in the moment.
Flight-type spellbooks were rare and expensive. Because they were functional items with low cost-performance, most witches who earned their flight license chose to buy a flying broom rather than rely on spells.
Seeing everyone looking like they’d just escaped the jaws of death, Tan Han felt a pang of guilt. Although the volcanic anomaly had nothing to do with them, it had given them a visceral understanding of just how terrifying their upcoming task would be.
Before the others could even catch their breath to respond, Tan Han answered her own question.
"No one’s missing. Thank goodness... whew... let’s rest here for a bit." Tan Han brushed the fine volcanic ash off her clothes. Even she hadn't been spared by the overwhelming disaster.
The suffocating sensation of that pervasive ash felt like it could return at any moment.
However, they had flown out against the wind, so they didn't have to worry about the ash cloud chasing them for now.
As they recovered, many began to vent their fear and adrenaline through hushed conversations. After surviving such a catastrophe, a sense of aimlessness began to creep into many of their eyes.
"Sister Tan Han... what do we do next? This joint exam... is it really going to continue?"
"The exam isn't over yet, so of course it is." Tan Han nodded toward the girl beside her.
The girl’s name was Xiao You. Everyone called her Xiao You. During that harrowing moment, her reaction speed had been impressive; she had managed to pull two companions out of danger by herself.
Xiao You was one of the first friends Tan Han had made, though they didn't hang out often. Compared to her, Tan Han spent more time with Minian and Hettie—sisters she had fought alongside during the exchange competition. Naturally, their bond was closer.
"But..."
"I know everyone is shaken after what happened," Tan Han said, pulling out her phone and scrolling through a flurry of messages. "But I want to tell you all: the joint exam isn't over. Even though this was sudden, at least it wasn't the worst-case scenario, right?"
"No, Sister Tan Han, we know the exam is still on. Just tell us what to do next. Even if we have to blow up the volcano again, I’m with you!"
"Yeah! That was way too intense. We only struggled because we didn't have time to prepare. If it happens again, we’ll be ready!"
"Exactly. Victory is right in front of us. If I don't get to blow that volcano up, I’m going to feel cheated."
The girls began to chime in one after another, their complaints replaced by renewed resolve.
In a situation like this, the support of her followers was more healing to Tan Han’s heart than any healing potion could ever be.
After thanking them, Tan Han took the opportunity to organize the information she had gathered. It took her a moment to sift through the various group chats to understand the current state of affairs.
The volcanic anomaly had covered nearly half of the Main Island in ash. So far, no one had reported seeing flowing lava, which meant the volcano hadn't truly erupted. The situation likely wouldn't get much worse.
There was also good news in the chats. Most of the main teams from the Witch Academy had avoided the ash cloud. News from Ninglan Qiuyue indicated that the Afuhemi Forest Elves had been caught in the ash; whether they could make it out safely remained to be seen.
Tan Han suspected they were finished. Having experienced it firsthand, she knew exactly how treacherous that environment was.
Just as Tan Han was about to share this information, another violent anomaly erupted.
Everyone froze, stunned by the sight. The entire world seemed to lose its color for a split second, flickering with static like an old television set.
Everything before their eyes trembled as if the world itself were about to collapse. The source of the disturbance was high above.
Steadying their minds, they looked up. The sky had been torn open, a massive rift gouged across the heavens, piercing through the world from top to bottom.
Through that rift, they could see a beautiful yet deadly starry void. Every twinkling star pulsed with a dangerous light. As the rift expanded, it looked as though it might swallow the entire Bobapus Archipelago in the next heartbeat.
"What... what is that?"
"This... this couldn't be the work of another teaching assistant, could it?"
The terrifying phenomenon forced questions from their lips, as if they were asking the world itself, hoping for an answer that didn't exist.
The rift tore through the lingering volcanic ash, creating a vacuum in the sky. Then, like a rising tide, a surge of black shadows poured down from the tear.
The moment Tan Han saw those entities, her eyes widened. Memories from the distant past surged back.
"Those are... Abyssal Demons! Dammit..." Tan Han blurted out, unable to stop herself from cursing.
The last time she had seen or heard of Abyssal Demons was during the Nightmare Incident at Ninglan New City. She never expected to encounter them again during the joint exam.
Back then, they had been in Ninglan New City as dream consciousnesses and hadn't paid much attention to the lesser demons. But the Nightmares... just a few of them had toyed with them effortlessly. Their strength had been overwhelming, leaving a deep, lasting impression.
"What Abyssal Demons?"
Clearly, some people here hadn't experienced the Nightmare Incident and had no concept of what Abyssal Demons were.
"They’re a terrifying race from outside our world. We encountered them back in Ninglan New City. I think I mentioned it... the Nightmares we talked about are just one type of Abyssal Demon," Tan Han explained quickly.
After the events in Ninglan New City, she had researched them extensively. They were a horrifying race whose reach had already extended into this world. From what she understood, the Lesser Demon Academy and the Necromancy Academy were actually branches of the Abyssal Demons.
Others who had been at Ninglan New City also realized the gravity of the situation as their memories resurfaced.
"How... are these Abyssal Demons everywhere? Where are the mentors? Aren't we in the middle of an exam? There’s no way they haven't noticed something this big!"
"Yeah... where are the mentors?"
The realization brought a bit of confidence back to their panicked faces. But even now, not a single mentor had appeared. Not even a patrol teacher. The silence was starting to make them feel a hollow sense of dread.
Surely nothing had happened to them too?
Just as the atmosphere was turning toward panic, a figure appeared not far from them.
"Sorry. It looks like I’m a bit late?"
I appeared via a teleportation spell. Seeing the girls looking so lost and shaken, I spoke up to get their attention.
"Xiao... Sister Xiao Han!" someone recognized me and shouted excitedly.
"It’s Teaching Assistant Xiao Han!"
"It’s fine, you can call me Sister Xiao Han," I said with a wave of my hand, my gaze sweeping over the group. "I got held up by a few things. I know you’re all panicking, but please, try to stay calm."
"Stay... stay calm? Sister Xiao Han, how can we not panic when something like this happens?"
"Exactly! Sister Xiao Han, are you here to announce the end of the exam and take us out of here?"
The moment I finished speaking, they swarmed around me with questions.
"Alright, settle down. The reason I was delayed was because I went to ask about exactly that. The Academy says the situation is under control. The joint exam will continue. Forget about it being canceled for now."
As soon as the words left my mouth, the disappointment was visible. Many looked shocked, feeling the decision was utterly irrational.
Before they could start protesting, I spoke first.
"Don't question the decision. This event was indeed an emergency, and many of the Academy's mentors are already taking action. However, these monsters aren't actually that strong; they are well within your ability to handle. The powerful ones have already been picked off by the mentors. You have nothing to worry about." I explained patiently.
In truth, these little demons were easier to deal with than they imagined. First, their strength definitely didn't reach the Transcendent level—Transcendent Abyssal Demons wouldn't be trapped by a False World. Furthermore, as outsiders entering the Main World, they were subject to the Bad Luck Curse, making them even easier to kill.
Sister Bai was right. These Abyssal Demons had tried to take advantage of the Main World's integration to make a big move, hoping to harvest the flesh and soul essence of the Main World's inhabitants.
But they certainly hadn't expected their plan to be intercepted from the start. The little demons they brought along were now trapped in the False World, serving as nothing more than consumables for this exam.
When the demons trapped in the False World died, they wouldn't exit safely like the examinees. They would die permanently within this Great Witchcraft space, just like the original monsters.
Amidst the chatter, I spoke again.
"By the way, please spread the word to the others so we don't have unnecessary panic. Um... that’s about it. Good luck. I’ll be helping you out in my own way."
Having said my piece, I prepared to leave. There was no point in staying; if they kept pestering me with questions, I wouldn't know how to answer anyway.
After all, this was the mentors' mess. Asking me wouldn't change anything.
"Wait!"
"Hmm?" I paused. If it had been anyone else, I might not have stopped, but the voice belonged to Tan Han. I turned back to her, my expression neutral. "Any more questions?"
"I wanted to ask... does killing those demons... count for points?"
"Oh~ that’s a sharp question. I’m actually not sure. But... if you really have the ability to wipe these demons out, I’m sure the Academy will reward you. If they don't... I’ll personally petition the mentors on your behalf." I raised an eyebrow. I hadn't expected Tan Han to ask that.
While I didn't have a definitive answer, the fact that she asked showed she had accepted the situation.
So, I didn't mind dangling a carrot in front of them. I’d see if I could make it a reality later. Given the circumstances, I doubted the Academy would be stingy with compensation.
The group watched me leave, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. Some were frustrated that the exam wasn't stopped despite the danger, while others marveled at how much things had changed...
"Alright everyone! Since the exam is continuing, then we continue! So what if they’re Abyssal Demons? Those bastards were so arrogant when they bullied us in Ninglan New City. Now, it’s time for payback! Let’s show those disgusting freaks exactly who they’re messing with!"
Tan Han’s passionate speech quickly rallied the group’s spirits.
They had felt uneasy because of the gap between the sudden crisis and their expectations. But now that they had accepted reality, Tan Han’s words gave them a new drive.
Revenge for Sister Tan Han!
Whether they had been at Ninglan New City or not, they were all willing to take up the banner of revenge and swing their blades at those disgusting monsters until not a single one remained.
Just like they had done to the original monsters of the Bobapus Archipelago.
As for me, I left that area and headed elsewhere. The Academy hadn't notified us teaching assistants about the Abyssal Demon attack, and it wasn't mentioned in the rules. That meant that in the face of such an emergency, I was free to act as well.
Though I wished I could leave the False World to see what a clash between Transcendents looked like, that level of power was still beyond my reach.
I was a little worried about Sister Bai, but then I remembered that for these Abyssal Demons, the Witch Academy had deployed so many Transcendent Witches, including her. Nothing... should go wrong.