With the conclusion of the first Ambush Trial, all examinees were promptly returned to the staging grounds.
Above them, a silver-hued holographic leaderboard expanded across the skies, synchronized across all provinces of the Starlink Federation.
[Round One – Global Rankings]
Ryan Blackwood (Emberflame Province – Scorchfire High): 700 points
Arwen Leize (Heavenlight Empire – House Leize): 600 points
Silvia Flare (Scarlet Dawn Sector – Flare Consortium): 500 points
Though all three had achieved perfect core scores, Ryan had finished significantly faster, securing the top rank without question.
A brief silence was followed by a wave of uproar.
"He actually got first?! With both full score and full bonus?"
"Leize from the military nobility came second… Isn't he the heir of Heavenlight's Thunder Marshal bloodline?"
"And that Silvia from the Flare Consortium… She once beat a simulated warfleet commander in a tactical mock battle!"
Ryan's name now blazed across every screen, etched into the minds of everyone present.
Standing near the edge of the crowd, Ryan lifted his eyes briefly to look at the ranking. He then lowered his gaze, expression unchanging. No joy, no smugness—just silence.
At the Federation's main control station, two high-ranking proctors exchanged glances.
"First place from a forbidden-class. Not surprising," murmured Eldric Moonspell. "But to harness that kind of summon control under forbidden constraints…"
"And still score perfectly across all four categories, plus the fastest time," Harker Graves added grimly. "This next test will show whether he's got command instincts—not just raw firepower."
[System Notification: Round Two – Siege Trial Initiating]
[Objective]: Assume the role of commanding officer. Coordinate a five-person NPC squad to storm and seize an enemy stronghold.
[Rules]: Examinees are prohibited from participating directly in combat. All actions must be relayed through orders and tactical decisions.
[Scoring Metrics]:
Casualty Management: 100
Time Efficiency: 100
Tactical Execution: 100
Real-time Adaptability: 100
[Bonus Points]: First finisher +300, Second +200, Third +100
[Initializing Scenario…]
A flash of light enveloped Ryan.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing atop a tactical overlook—a raised stone platform with full view of the battlefield below.
At his feet stood his assigned unit, lined up and awaiting orders.
Shieldbearer – Doran: heavily armored, frontline tank
Archer – Tika: ranged attacker with basic recon abilities
Assassin – Vye: stealth burst, good for disruption and flanking
Mage – Lynn: main AOE caster
Cleric – Kellan: healer with dispel and purification abilities
Ryan skimmed their basic stat sheets. Solid. Balanced.
Then he turned his eyes forward.
Beyond a narrow canyon, an enemy outpost stood fortified on a ridge—three wooden watchtowers flanking a narrow drawbridge. The path to the gate barely allowed two people to walk side by side. Rubble and broken stone flanked either side.
[Enemy Composition]: 14 total, including 2 mid-tier leaders
[Enemy Layout]: 3 patrol towers, 8 infantry, 2 elites, 1 trap zone
Ryan's mind began to process instantly.
"Frontal assault will be suicide. The bridge is too narrow to deploy ranged units effectively."
"We need disruption—create chaos, split their response chain."
His voice cut through the air.
"Vye, circle around via the left-side ruins. Set up an explosive trap—something loud."
"Doran, step forward two meters. Create the illusion of a frontal push. Force early tower fire."
"Tika and Lynn, hold position. If the enemy reacts, take firing stances immediately."
"Kellan, prep pre-battle buffs."
Ten seconds later, an explosion bloomed to the left—bright orange against the muted grays of the canyon. A trap had gone off, flames licking up from a shattered supply cart.
The enemy frontline panicked. Three soldiers immediately broke formation, charging toward the ruins.
"Now," Ryan said coldly.
"Attack group, open fire. Vye, fall back—draw them into the blast radius."
A rain of fire and arrows followed.
All three enemy soldiers fell within moments.
One watchtower began to pivot, redirecting its focus.
Ryan gave the next order without pause.
"Doran, advance. Hold aggro. Lynn, cast high-tier fireball—target the middle tower's base."
Lynn chanted softly. Flames swirled at her fingertips before launching with a crack. The blast struck the wooden foundation of the tower, splintering a portion of its lower supports.
The enemy began regrouping.
Ryan narrowed his eyes.
"Almost ready."
He whispered, then tapped the command console.
"Begin Phase Two. Split encirclement. Collapse the outer flanks."
Just as he gave the order, a new system alert echoed in his ear.
[Enemy Commander Skill Activated]
[Enemy Alert Level Increased]
[Current Progress: 43%]
Ryan's gaze hardened.
The real trial was just beginning.