The resource battle of Luminara Magic Academy was held once every year and was the academy's most grand and prestigious competition.

  This year's resource battle was even more spectacular than ever before.

  The battlefield for this resource battle was once again set in a stretch of rolling mountains in the western outskirts of Aetherlan City.

  Aetherlan City covered an extensive area. Besides the bustling main city, there were many uninhabited regions around it.

  Five hundred kilometers away from the city center lay the Shadow Mountains, home to all kinds of magical beasts.

  Although Aetherlan City was the core territory of human forces, traces of magical beasts could still be seen everywhere.

  Humans had tried to mark out their spheres of influence, but they could never completely prevent magical beasts from roaming their lands.

  In fact, no one really made much effort to do so.

  After all, the number of magical beasts within human territory was limited, and most were weak, posing little real threat.

  On the contrary, these beasts could serve as excellent practice targets for young mages, allowing them to hone their combat skills and become familiar with magical dueling techniques.

  The Shadow Mountains were one such area where magical beasts gathered. The mountains were shrouded in black mist year-round, and a faint miasma lingered in the air.

  Though the miasma was not deadly, it disrupted a mage's perception of magical power and made it highly unsuitable for humans to live there for long periods.

  For magical beasts, however, the dense forests and abundant food sources made this place a rare sanctuary.

  It was precisely for this reason that the area had been chosen as the battlefield for the resource battle. It tested apprentices' combat skills as well as their adaptability and survival abilities.

  At this moment, above the outskirts of the Shadow Mountains, Berton hovered in the air over the dense forests.

  Around him floated a number of the elders from Luminara Magic Academy.

  Berton's gaze swept over the sprawling mountains below. He addressed the elders,"This year, the battlefield for the resource battle is set in this area.

  From the outer mountains to the central valleys, this is the competition zone. No one may exceed the boundaries."

  "At that time, all the heads of the major noble families in Aetherlan City will come here to witness our academy's competition."

  "We must ensure the fairness and justice of the event, while also demonstrating the prestige of Luminara Magic Academy."

  "Beyond the boundaries of the resource battle, the safety of the spectators must also be strictly guaranteed. Arrange sufficient personnel to guard the perimeter. Absolutely no accidents can occur."

  The elders all nodded in agreement."Rest assured, Headmaster. We will carry out these tasks properly. Nothing will be overlooked."

  These were words Berton spoke every year, and in all these years, no serious accidents had ever occurred.

  After all, this area was still within Aetherlan City's territory, the home turf of human mages.

  Although the Demon Tribe occasionally tried to eliminate talented humans, they would not be foolish enough to act at such a grand event.

  The resource battle was not only a major event for Luminara Magic Academy but also for all of Aetherlan City.

  At that time, the Governor's mansion and the major noble families of Aetherlan City would gather here.

  They came both to support Luminara Magic Academy and maintain their mutual relationships, and also to scout for promising young mages.

  If they could recruit talented apprentices into their own factions, they would gain formidable strength for the future.

  The earlier a promising talent was discovered, the sooner one could begin planning to recruit them.

  A person who had already grown in strength and fame was often difficult to bring into one's fold.

  But a genius who had not yet matured, with limitless potential, had limited horizons and relatively pure intentions. Recruiting such a person was far easier.

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  "Elders, begin setting up the protective magic array!"

  Seeing no objections from the elders, Berton immediately flipped his hand, and a translucent white crystal sphere appeared out of nowhere in his palm.

  This was one of the academy's treasured relics, capable of activating a large-scale protective magic array.

  Berton tossed the crystal sphere into the air. It spun rapidly, faster and faster, gradually radiating streams of light from its surface.

  In an instant, the light expanded outward, forming a massive luminous net that enveloped the entire Shadow Mountains, creating an indestructible protective barrier.

  Even after completing this, Berton still felt somewhat uneasy.

  He circled the Shadow Mountains, carefully inspecting every corner, probing for abnormal fluctuations. Only after confirming that everything was stable did he finally feel at ease.

  ...

  Three days later, the resource battle of Luminara Magic Academy officially began.

  The previously desolate, mist-shrouded outskirts of the Shadow Mountains suddenly became lively.

  Countless people had gathered, all assembled on the viewing platform built by Luminara Magic Academy.

  Among them were not only the academy's apprentices but also freelance mages from various regions.

  Most of them were of low power and could not participate in the resource battle, yet they did not want to miss this annual magical event.

  At the entrance of the resource battle field, Berton stood beside the gate, his gaze slowly scanning every apprentice entering the battlefield.

  Only after nearly ninety percent of the participating apprentices had entered did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

  His greatest concern had been that Allen might ignore his advice and forcefully come to participate in the resource battle.

  Fortunately, even now, Allen had not appeared. It seemed the boy had behaved, restraining his impulses.

  The resource battle did not limit the number of participants. Anyone carrying sufficient entry resources could join.

  However, most apprentices had self-awareness and understood their own strength.

  Those who had not reached Ninth-tier Senior Mage would only bring shame upon themselves if they rashly entered the battlefield, unable to seize any resources.

  After repeatedly confirming that Allen was not at the entrance, Headmaster Berton finally relaxed completely. He turned and ascended the viewing platform to preside over the opening ceremony of the competition.

  At the very moment Berton's figure disappeared from sight, a figure slowly approached the entrance of the resource battle field. It was Allen.

  He looked at the guards stationed at the entrance and asked,"Is this where registration and entry for the resource battle takes place?"

  At the entrance, two women stood on either side, responsible for checking the apprentices' entry resources and guiding them into the battlefield.

  Seeing Allen, both women showed a flicker of surprise. They recognized him as Berton Headmaster's core apprentice.

  One of the women explained to Allen,"Allen, this is indeed the entrance to the resource battle.

  "As long as you display your entry resources and they meet the requirements, you may enter the battlefield."

  Allen immediately raised his hand, pulling out the entry resources from his storage ring and placing them on the table beside the entrance.

  Seeing the considerable amount of resources on the table, one of the women stationed at the entrance said,"Allen, you may enter the battlefield now."

  "The resource battle will last for three days. The exit will reopen only after the three days are over."

  "Once you step into the battlefield, you must remain there for the full three days. Leaving or entering at will is not allowed, so please take note."

  Allen lightly nodded, his gaze sweeping across the viewing platforms surrounding the battlefield.

  The platforms were stacked in layers and filled with spectators. From a distance, they resembled the stands of a coliseum, buzzing with noise and excitement.

  Besides the apprentices participating in the resource battle, nearly all the non-competing apprentices of Luminara Magic Academy seemed to have gathered here.

  The academy had tens of thousands of apprentices, but only around five hundred dared to register for the resource battle.

  After all, the battlefield was extremely dangerous. Without sufficient strength, participating recklessly would only result in loss and humiliation.

  Allen did not linger at the entrance. He immediately turned and stepped into the protective magic array that enveloped the battlefield.

  After he left, the two women guarding the entrance exchanged puzzled glances and whispered to each other.

  "I thought Allen was only a Fifth-tier Senior Mage. Why is he participating in the resource battle?"

  "And I heard he usually keeps a low profile and never cares about competing for resources. Why would he voluntarily register?"

  "It seems the rumors were false. He says he does not care about resources, but in reality, he must care a great deal. Perhaps he does not want to be called Max-Level Trash forever and wants to take this opportunity to prove himself."

  After a few whispered comments, the women suddenly remembered their duty. They quickly took out their record books and carefully noted down Allen's participation details.

  On the viewing platform, Berton had just taken his seat, accompanied by several of the lords of Aetherlan City's noble families.

  They all turned slightly, smiling, and bowed lightly to Berton with respectful and flattering tones.

  "Berton, you seem even more vigorous than before."

  "After several days, your magical power has improved remarkably. It is truly admirable."

  Berton smiled and raised his hand in response, giving a slight nod to the noble lords beside him.

  These were the top figures from Aetherlan City's noble families, each holding considerable influence and controlling abundant magical resources.

  Although Berton disliked their overt flattery, he could not ignore the proper ceremonial etiquette required by the academy's relations with these families.

  Before the audience, several large crystal viewing mirrors were arranged. Their surfaces glowed white, engraved with intricate projection runes.

  These crystal mirrors transmitted real-time images of the battlefield, allowing everyone on the viewing platform to see every detail clearly.

  After all, the battlefield was vast, with continuous forests and thick mist, making it impossible to see deep within.

  These crystal mirrors were crucial for spectators, presenting every struggle and contest for resources in full view.

  At this moment, the resource battle had not officially begun, and the apprentices on the battlefield were still finding places to settle.

  Only one crystal mirror, dedicated to recording the participants' information, displayed line after line of text, listing each apprentice's name, magical power level, and status.

  While Berton and the noble lords chatted, discussing the potential of this year's participants, a fresh set of characters suddenly appeared on the mirror, standing out prominently and instantly drawing everyone's attention.

  "Allen, Fifth-tier Senior Mage, Headmaster's core apprentice!"