Chapter 292: Command Authority
Xu Zhi looked at the senior quite politely and said, “Excuse me.”
Then she directly activated the [Eye of Secret], seeing through his abilities and level.
A [Blade] attribute. All three of his extraordinary abilities were highly offensive, combining both ranged and close combat. He was also at the early stage of [Longevity], and his physical condition was clearly strong—Xu Zhi could see the structure of his muscles and bones. Presumably, the passive traits of [Blade] granted him considerable enhancement.
Xu Zhi quickly came to a conclusion: this was a sharp dagger.
“Senior, does the opponent know about your backstab ability?” Xu Zhi could not directly see the names of abilities, so she simply called one of his abilities [Backstab].
In fact, that description was fairly accurate. Simply put, once this senior selected a target, he could instantly teleport behind them. The first strike after teleportation would carry critical damage and a bleeding effect. Although there were distance requirements for the teleport, within the test room, it was impossible to be pulled far enough to invalidate it.
Moreover, the cooldown only applied when used on the same target. The internal cooldown was not too long—if the match did not end too quickly, say not an instant kill at first contact, he could probably use it two or three times. In prolonged battles, even more.
In addition, his backstab would leave a “mark” on the opponent. Attacking a marked enemy would trigger a “bloodthirst” state. Xu Zhi was quite familiar with this state—she had it as well. In short, although she casually named it [Backstab], it was clearly a very practical and far from weak ability.
Especially when facing multiple enemies, he could repeatedly teleport by cycling the cooldown, dealing high damage while gaining minor recovery—high mobility with sustain. And this was only one of his abilities.
As expected, these upperclassmen who made it into the selection all had real capability.
Hearing Xu Zhi’s words, the senior showed a hint of surprise. He first nodded in answer, then asked with some confusion, “Junior, the ability you just used on me—can it see other people’s abilities?”
Xu Zhi nodded. “Not only that. I also know your attribute, your extraordinary level, roughly how strong your physical condition is, how much extraordinary energy you have left, and even if you are about to use an ability—I can tell. I can even tell which one.”
As she spoke, the senior’s eyes lit up. Without a doubt, he instantly grasped the strength of the [Eye of Secret]. “If that’s the case, then we’re not completely without a chance!”
Xu Zhi was not worried that he would reveal her ability after the test. After all, she did not rely on hiding her abilities as a trump card to win.
“Senior, let’s coordinate a bit. Once we’re on the field, try to follow my command slightly?”
This was precisely why Xu Zhi revealed the [Eye of Secret]. Aside from saving the trouble of explaining, she also wanted the authority to command.
“Alright.”
The senior agreed readily. It wasn’t that he lacked the “pride” of an upperclassman, but in his mind, this match was likely doomed anyway. Now that there was a glimmer of hope, if this junior’s ability was used well, it might actually turn into a two-versus-one advantage. Since the ability wasn’t his, he wouldn’t be able to command effectively on short notice anyway.
Those who could reach this stage were not the kind to cling to face and make foolish decisions. If the command authority was given, then so be it.
Seeing this, Xu Zhi felt a bit more satisfied with the Light Institute. After thinking it over, she noted that this senior used a triangular stiletto—a rather brutal weapon, but very suitable for him.
After that, Xu Zhi did not discuss further tactics with him. In truth, they did not yet know who their opponents were, and they were unfamiliar with each other—there was not much to plan.
The ten-minute preparation time quickly ended. The door to the preparation room opened automatically, and the two stepped into the test arena. At a glance, they saw their two opponents emerging from the opposite side.
Xu Zhi did not recognize them, but the senior clearly did. His expression turned serious. Even knowing Xu Zhi’s ability, he did not say much, only stating, “Call me when you think it’s the right moment.”
Xu Zhi nodded.
The ceiling of the room was very high, like a gymnasium. The referee stood on a second-floor platform in the distance. Once both sides were present, he pressed the countdown.
A red ten-second timer appeared in the center of the room. According to the rules, no extraordinary abilities could be used before the countdown ended. Xu Zhi could only wait—and the moment it finished, she immediately activated the [Eye of Secret].
Thanks to her now powerful mental strength and a level already surpassing the limits of [Longevity], she could easily see through the two opponents without needing time to analyze like before.
With just a glance, she understood everything.
One [Heart], one [Forge].
An uncommon combination, but possibly troublesome. The [Forge] type was extremely durable, while the [Heart] type had strong sustain. In a sense, they perfectly countered her teammate.
Tsk.
Xu Zhi sensed a trace of targeting.
This lineup was too insidious. And after recognizing the senior beside her, the opponents had already begun guarding against his sudden attacks.
Xu Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly, intending to run a test.
She had already seen that the [Heart] attribute had activated an ability linking herself and the [Forge] user. If described simply, it was somewhat like… sharing damage and health.
It also came with damage reduction and continuous recovery.
Utterly shameless—completely countering her teammate.
After the ability took effect, the [Forge]-type senior stepped forward and charged straight at her. Clearly, they had decided in that brief moment to eliminate her first—the “soft target.”
Xu Zhi immediately said in a low voice, “Senior, go. Attack the Forge-type directly.”
Suddenly, her voice carried a subtle, indescribable resonance, as if infused with some mysterious cadence. She continued, “You can break his defense. Your attacks are sharper and faster—he cannot react.”
In the next instant, the senior beside her clearly felt himself being enhanced.
He was somewhat surprised, but seeing the rapidly approaching [Forge] opponent, he did not hesitate. He immediately executed Xu Zhi’s command.
Although he also knew what the opponent’s [Heart] ability did, this was not the time to question his teammate.
The moment he stepped forward and vanished, as the sound of approaching footsteps closed in on her, Xu Zhi looked at the invisible chain linking the [Heart] and [Forge]—that was the “sharing.”
Then, her expression remained calm, without the slightest panic. Locking her gaze onto the position of the chain, she spoke steadily:
“Break.”
It was as if invisible fragments shattered and fell, producing faint clinking sounds. The extraordinary link between the two was severed. No one else noticed—but the [Heart]-type extraordinary user suddenly looked up at Xu Zhi in shock.
She had no time to think and immediately tried to restore the link.
But it was too late.
The [Blade]-type senior had reached behind his teammate faster than usual. Before the opponent could react, the triangular stiletto in his hand had already pierced into their back.
How was this possible? Even with prior vigilance, they were struck in a single blow?!
That shouldn’t be possible!
And since when could his attack break through [Forge] defense so easily—and pierce so deeply?!
“…The mark has been applied. This is getting troublesome.”
More troublesome was the realization that the junior on the other side did not seem to be a “soft target” at all.
What she did not know, however, was that Xu Zhi had no intention of going all out from the start.
She was even using them—and her own teammate—to test her extraordinary abilities.
