In this mutual struggle, a thin, middle-aged teacher with a goatee, seeing that he was unable to win, his eyes reddened as he suddenly pulled out the identity jade card from his chest, poured spiritual energy into it, and shouted loudly.

“I’m from the Magic Armaments Department. I’m using the once-in-five-years privilege to directly designate Brian Brooks as a specially recruited student of our department. Who dares to compete with me!”

As soon as he spoke, the jade card in his hand shone brightly, and in an instant, the words “Magic Armaments Department” appeared right after Brian Brooks’s name on the crystal.

This scene shocked everyone. You have to know, this privilege is extremely precious. Normally, after students enter the Dao Academy, teachers review those who wish to join their department to decide if they pass. Only a small number of students are proactively offered an olive branch.

But no matter what, this selection is always mutual—except for… the once-in-five-years privilege that every department possesses. The function of this privilege is to directly designate a student as a member of their department, accompanied by almost extravagant treatment and resources, as well as certain special rights, far surpassing their peers, nearly like passing on the mantle.

Precisely because of this, such privileges are usually reserved for students with special backgrounds or those who are exceptionally outstanding—extremely valuable.

Although Brian Brooks was excellent, in the eyes of others, using such a privilege still caused some hesitation, and at this moment, they could only smile wryly and shake their heads.

Seeing the expressions of his colleagues, the goateed teacher felt that he had made the right decision this time. He thought to himself that with Brian Brooks’s temperament, after proper cultivation, his loyalty to the Magic Armaments Department would surely reach the point of utter devotion.

“No matter how talented, there’s always a chance of betrayal. Only temperament and loyalty are priceless. At critical moments, only such disciples will step forward, making all the nurturing worthwhile!!” Thinking this, the goateed teacher became proud, and looked over at the old physician who had been frowning and staring thoughtfully at Brian Brooks’s file.

“Dean, our Magic Armaments Department has already used our privilege to designate Brian Brooks. Don’t play favorites.”

“Don’t worry, he’s yours now. As long as you won’t regret it.” The old physician lowered his head and continued to look at the file in front of him, speaking calmly. For the Ethereal Dao Academy, every student admitted each year had a file detailing their life from childhood to now. At this moment, as he looked at a sentence in the file, his eyes gradually sharpened.

“Dean, you…” The goateed teacher was stunned, and the other teachers were also taken aback.

“Once tried to lose weight for a month, didn’t eat or drink, exercised like crazy, but his weight not only didn’t decrease, it actually increased… Such an impossible thing for a normal person actually happened to him.” The old physician sneered, and pulled up the physical data of each student in the dream maze, focusing on the weight change data of Brian Brooks since entering the assessment.

“If I’m not mistaken, Brian Brooks has long known this is a false world, and is aware of the assessment. He’s cheating!” The old physician looked up and declared resolutely.

“That’s impossible…” The goateed teacher gasped, clutching his chest, feeling his vision go dark.

“Whether he’s cheating or not, we’ll know with a test.” The old physician stared at Brian Brooks on the crystal screen, raised his right hand to control the maze, and suddenly waved.

Immediately, within the maze world, the group who had just survived a disaster hadn’t even had time to rejoice when a thunderous roar suddenly swept over from the jungle ahead like a storm.

One giant tree after another was destroyed by the sound waves, exploding as the ground trembled. A giant bear, at least ten zhang tall, crawled out from the ground and roared at the sky.

Most of the giant bear’s body was rotten, but its eyes burned with ghostly fire, as if it were immortal. Upon appearing, it exuded an aura so oppressive that everyone’s hearts trembled, like the overlord of the jungle, making countless birds and beasts shiver in fear.

“This… this is impossible, my god, that’s… the Ancient Barbaric Ghost Bear!”

“It can tear apart a second-level ancient martial expert alive, and is on par with those at the peak of the ancient martial realm… the Ancient Barbaric Ghost Bear!!”

David Clark’s body instantly went limp, the little white rabbit, Megan Foster, and the others all showed extreme terror in their eyes, even the red-clothed youth’s expression changed dramatically in that instant.

Even more terrifying, after roaring, the ghost bear charged straight at the group, each step shaking the ground, its momentum overwhelming.

“Run!!” No one knew who shouted, but everyone instinctively scattered at high speed, even the red-clothed youth gave up fighting and retreated rapidly, his face pale.

Only Brian Brooks, who had just been jolted awake from unconsciousness, upon seeing the ferocious giant bear, his eyes suddenly lit up, and his previously weak body began to heave with excitement.

“There are actually bonus points!!”

Excited, Brian Brooks struggled to crawl toward the giant bear, shouting loudly.

“Classmates, run! Don’t worry about me, I’ll hold it off for you!” As Brian Brooks spoke, he barely managed to pick up a stone and threw it at the approaching giant bear.

“Old bear, come eat me! As long as I, Brian Brooks, still draw breath, I will never allow you to harm my classmates!” Brian Brooks roared, and the fleeing students were once again moved to the extreme in their hearts, with many girls bursting into tears.