Milvus led them out of the infirmary, striding on six tentacles because two were reserved for carrying the snoozing Gus. His evolution awaited, though the details were still a mystery. Uchronia stomped beside him, her tail flicking in irritation. Alwin, jiggling along, couldn't help but wonder what on Earth was happening.

Uchronia, usually the teacher's pet, looked ready to explode at Milvus—again. Never would've thought he'd see the day. Also, why did they have mental blockers inserted into their minds? Was that why Alwin struggled to focus on thoughts like where they came from and why they, as kids, were off fighting humans? He had always noticed the oddities surrounding them, but had just chalked up his inability to concentrate on such thoughts to some attention disorder.

So Gus got to undergo his evolution. From a Tier 1 monster to a Tier 2 monster. What sort of monster would he evolve into? A giant cat that hocked up furballs like cannonballs? The image of Gus as a walking hairball launcher kept Alwin occupied, better than listening to Uchronia muttering curses that would make a sailor blush.

It was odd that they were going to do this now. He thought that Gus would've joined the rest of the class in the afternoon, but who knew what Milvus was thinking? Maybe he was thinking about what his students would evolve into. Or maybe he was thinking about what he would evolve into during his next evolution. Do monsters even have an evolution limit?

Through the labyrinthine hallways of the academy, Milvus led them past the cafeteria, then the library, and then their classroom. Alwin began to suspect Milvus was just showing off his knowledge of the academy’s layout, or maybe trying to get his steps in for the day. Finally, they stopped outside a wooden door labeled "Evolution Chamber." Subtle.

"Wake up, Gus." Milvus tapped his tentacle against Gus' cheek.

"Huh? Lunch already?" Gus mumbled, smacking his lips.

"Don't you want to evolve?" asked Milvus.

"Do I have to?" he groaned.

"Remember what we're doing this for?"

"For snacks?"

"No, silly. We're doing this for Monsteria. If Monsteria is gone then there'd be no one around to make food."

Gus’s eyes widened in horror. "You're right! Let’s get this over with so I can eat more!"

Milvus let off a warm smile, while Uchronia couldn't help but sigh at Gus' outburst. That sigh evolved into a frustrated grunt. Who knows why she did that, but it might have something to do with how Milvus had manipulated Gus into proceeding with his plan. That feat wasn't exactly the hardest to accomplish. Gary Stew had defeated Gus just by promising him food.

The group walked into the room, and the tiles under them lit up with a soft, crystal glow. Instead of crystals hanging from the ceiling, the lights were embedded in the floor. White cupboards lined one side of the room, packed with all sorts of bottles, powders, plants, and herbs. On the other side of the room, black cupboards contained all sorts of various equipment: pendants, swords, rings, bracelets, shields, and more. At the far end of the room stood a small control panel, reminiscent of the one under the teacher’s desk in the classroom.

"This is the Evolution Chamber, I've already shown the class the room. So let me brief you a bit more about how monsters evolve. Like cultivators, monsters have to go through a Tribulation to evolve. It's like a test by the system to see if you're worthy of achieving a stronger form. The first tribulation that a monster will undergo is the Elemental Tribulation. Gus could you show me your status."

"Sure!" Gus said, opening his status for Milvus to see. Of course, Alwin took a quick peek, but none of Gus' skills had ranked up. If it did he would've been surprised because how does one even improve their mastery of skills by being unconscious?

"Based on the skills you've learnt, the most likely Elemental Tribulation you'll encounter is the Lightning Tribulation. You'll have to survive bolts of lightning raining down from the sky. Once you've completed the tribulation, you'll evolve and become more attuned with the system."

"How do you know he'll undergo a lightning tribulation?" asked Uchronia.

"Finally coming around, Uchronia?" said Milvus. "Well, it's mostly just a guess. A Furball's species skill, Static Pounce, is of the lightning element. Plus, with that Lightning Legs skill—which I admit is fascinating in how his Core Skill interacts with absorbing essence—also being of the lightning element, the rest of his skills are non-elemental. So he'll most likely undergo a lightning tribulation. But sometimes, hanging out in, say, an area rich in fire mana may cause him to undergo a Fire Tribulation. That's why the academy is mostly filled with neutral mana. That’s the current theory anyway, it hasn’t been proven yet, but it’s the best we’ve got."

"Knowledge is always useful," huffed Uchronia.

"Don't worry, we've got a bunch of pills and medicinal potions crafted by our very own Alchemy track students and even some magical treasures crafted by our Artificer track students. Whatever Tribulation the system throws at you will be easily mitigated with these."

"Interesting..." muttered Uchronia. "Is it possible for a student to enter multiple tracks in their second year?"

"Yes, you can. Just don't overwork yourselves. You Core monsters are important for our cause." Milvus smiled.

Right... Alwin forgot about that. Within the deepest recesses of his mind, Alwin vaguely remembered Milvus mentioning what they'd do in their second year. The first year was for getting stronger, while in their second year, they'll get to choose what to specialize in. He was probably going to go into Magical Studies because magic was cool. In his third year, he'd be doing... something. The details alluded him at the moment, but it'd probably pop into his mind later in the day, or maybe sometime in the distant future when he reminisced about this day for whatever reason.

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"Uchronia, Alwin, since you're here, show me your statuses. I'll tell you which element you'll most likely face during your tribulation."

Uchronia begrudgingly opened up her status and showed it to Milvus. And Alwin, the ever-curious slime couldn't help but take a peak too. He'd never seen Uchronia's status before and was eager to have a look.

Name: Uchronia

Species: Leafling

Core Skill: Alternate History (F)

Skills: Thorny Leaf (A), Spirit Hands (C), Spirit Barrier (C), Spirt Blast (C), Slow (A), Haste (A)

Evolution: 29/100

"You'll most likely face the Plant Tribulation. You'll need to withstand giant vines covered in thorns, but don't worry—with all the pills and magical treasures we have, you'll pass it without a hitch. Now, Alwin, show me yours."

Alwin opened his screen and nothing had changed. His Evolution counter still remained stuck at 27, and all that he had to his name was a bunch of Spirit-themed skills, along with the Dark Tackle he had been born with, and that useless Devolution skill that just sat there and looked pretty.

"Hmm, to be honest, I'm not sure what type of tribulation you'll encounter. The fact that you're a Dark Slime might mean you'll take on the Darkness Tribulation, but the number of Spirit Elemental skills you have might mean you'll take on the Spirit Tribulation."

"So, I just prepare for both. Easy!" Alwin said.

"It isn't that simple. The Darkness Tribulation is relatively simple to prepare for, you'll need to take on your inner demons conjured up by the system."

"So, I just do some meditation or something. Easy.."

"Well, yes, but it's the Spirit Tribulation that I'm worried about. While Spirit skills are the easiest to learn, their tribulation tends to be the hardest. Spirit is both an element and not an element. It’s the stage before elemental mana fully forms, so the Spirit Tribulation includes aspects of all other elemental tribulations."

"Oh. So if I prepare for the Spirit Tribulation, I'll be prepared in case I get the Darkness Tribulation."

"Technically, yes, but you good skew the Tribulation in your favor. You still have some time, so if you learn some Darkness Elemental skills, you'll most likely get the Darkness Tribulation."

"I'll think about it."

"Great, just remember that you are important in protecting monsterkind." Milvus smiled. "So, Gus. Now that you know what type of Tribulation you'll face, how do you feel?"

"Hungry."

"Do you feel like taking on the Tribulation now? Or would you like more time to prepare?"

"I'm okay with anything."

"Well, it's your decision. You have to make a choice."

"Okay, I choose whichever one lets me have lunch the earliest."

"Technically if you do it now, you'll have the whole day to eat," said Alwin.

"Then let's do it now!" Gus walked to the center of the room. "Okay, what do I do now?"

"Are you sure about this? Were you even paying attention when Mr. Milvus was giving his explanation? Do you even know what you're going up against?"

"Some disgusting-tasting food?" replied Gus.

"Lightning! Your trial involves getting struck by lightning! Mr. Milvus, please help make sure Gus is as prepared as possible."

"See, our interests are aligned, and don't worry, that's what this room is for," Milvus said, walking over to one of the white cupboards. "For Gus, we'll give him a Lightning Resistance Pill." He grabbed a porcelain bottle, popped open the cork, and shook out a small yellow pill. "And for some extra protection, he'll wear"—Milvus then moved to the black cupboards and retrieved a gold necklace, its centerpiece a lightning bolt—"this Lightning Ward Amulet. Here you go, Gus."

"Can I eat it?" Gus said, receiving the gifts with his Spirit Hands.

"Only the pill. Put the amulet around your neck."

Gus swallowed the pill whole. "Mmm, curry flavored."

"Great, now wait there." Milvus walked over to the control panel and began fiddling with all of the buttons, dials, and levers. The ceiling above them began to open, and they were greeted with a bright blue sky, dotted with fluffy, white clouds.

"Isn't there supposed to be a roof above us? And the rest of the building," asked Alwin.

"This room was designed to open up to the outside in case a student undergoes a Lightning Tribulation. That way, we can safely expose them to the sky, without the risk of lightning destroying part of the school."

"Huh, cool."

"Alwin, Uchronia. I'm going to need you to come here and whatever happens, do not interfere with Gus' tribulation. Got it?" Milvus pressed another button and a glass chamber opened up, near the console where Milvus was.

Gus was left standing in the middle of the room, under the vast expanse of the sky. Uchronia, Alwin, and Milvus entered the chamber, ready to watch whatever the Tribulation would bring.

"Okay, Gus. Now I need you to open your status and tap on the Evolution Counter. You should get a prompt to evolve, all you have to do is select Yes," said Milvus.

"Okay, then after that we'll go for lunch!"

Gus opened up his status screen and tapped away at it with the help of his Spirit Hands. Above, large grey cumulonimbus clouds gathered, blotting out the sunny blue sky. Large thunderous claps resounded, echoing within the enclosed space of the room. Gigantic status screens materialized at the base of the clouds. Massive bolts of lightning rained down from them lighting up the whole room with bright white flashes.

Gus stared up at the sky, his mouth agape as lightning bolts rained down, each one being sent on a one-way trip to Gus' stomach. He didn't so much as flinch as lightning bolts tased and shocked his tongue. Those pills and magical treasures really were helping, either that or maybe Gus was too oblivious to realize the danger he was in and just wanted to fill his belly—it was probably the latter. His fur was frazzled, smoke rising from his mouth. Still, he remained fixed in place, eyes locked on the storm above, as the Tribulation served an electrifying meal.

Then, as abruptly as it began, the lightning stopped raining down. The system screens that hovered above blinked off and the previously stormy sky became clear. The dark clouds shriveled up, becoming near indistinguishable specks before disappearing completely. In their place, a brilliant fireball of a sun emerged, casting warm light over the landscape. White cotton candy puffs floated without a care in the world across the azure expanse

"Is it done? Is it over? Can we go get lunch now?" Gus asked.

His body became engulfed in a blinding flash of white—he was evolving. Gus was the first of his classmates to reach this stage, and he couldn't wait to see what he would turn into. What new form would he take? How much stronger would he be? How much more jealous would Alwin be about Gus' developments?

The bright light began to dissipate, and Alwin could just make out a dark silhouette emerging from the bedazzling flashbang that Gus had unleashed on the crowd.