Soon, under the fierce counterattack of the Dragon Lizard, the five members including Roche were also "seriously wounded and collapsed" one after another.
Under the influence of the illusion, their "sacrifice" also appeared incredibly heroic.
At that moment, all the knights and children present were considered "killed" or incapacitated due to the illusion.
The three dragon lizards began to furiously attack the motionless "corpses" on the ground, biting, spewing fire, and striking with their poisonous tail spines...
However, each attack was blocked and repelled by an invisible but incredibly sturdy barrier just centimeters from their bodies.
The three dragon lizards could only stand in place, powerless and enraged, wasting their energy, unable to harm anyone.
Seeing that the goal of the trial was achieved, that everyone had passed the test of fear and courage,
Keira stopped moving her hands, took a deep breath, and dispelled the vast illusion she had been maintaining.
As her spell ended, the layer of deep blue magical light covering the entire arena quickly dissipated like an ebbing tide.
The once dim, smoke-filled scenes of the battlefield returned to the sunny, lush green fields of the countryside.
The knights and children who had fallen to the ground were physically unharmed, but their spirits were filled with fatigue and lingering fear.
As for Keira herself, after dispelling the spell, she was drenched in sweat, her face pale as paper.
Her chest heaved violently, she gasped for breath, her body swayed slightly, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
Triss was quick and clever; she rushed forward to support her, preventing her from fainting on the spot.
Hen watched the illusionary scene melt away like snow, then glanced at Keira, who was nearly exhausted by magic and almost fainted, and sighed helplessly.
He shook his head and commented: "It lasted less than ten minutes, but could have held on longer."
"The illusion construction isn't realistic enough, with many flaws. Even the use of external magic and one's own magical reserves is mediocre."
His gaze swept over Keira's pale face, her expression full of disappointment.
"The magical skill of the younger generation of sorcerers today truly disappoints me."
Then his gaze shifted to Triss, who, though quite tired, was clearly in much better shape than Keira. He nodded slightly, showing some recognition.
"Your mental energy works quite well. Several times, your illusions caused energy fluctuations."
"Just when the flaws were about to show, you immediately used mental suggestions to compensate and conceal them, reacting quickly."
"But... mental thoughts should be used moderately, so they shouldn't have been fully distributed to cover the scene."
"When facing a resolute opponent, the effectiveness of your suggestions will be greatly weakened, and you may even face a backlash."
Triss supported Keira and replied softly: "Thank you, Triss will always remember this."
Keira's face flushed, then paled – a mix of shame and reluctance.
She didn't even have the strength to argue, barely able to stand with Triss's support.
Hen's assessment was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the pride she had just felt after restoring her appearance and signing the contract.
Karl and the others watched as the first group of knights and children who participated in the trial gradually rose from the ground.
Their faces still showed traces of shock and confusion.
Karl stepped forward and briefly explained in a calm voice: "Everyone, don't panic. Everything just now was not a real attack."
"This is a trial to test your combat reflexes and fighting skills. I have seen your performances with my own eyes."
"Now, the trial is over. Everyone needs to gather their equipment and return to the manor. Immediately inform the next group of trainees to come and assemble here."
His words dispelled the fear and doubt in everyone's hearts, although they could still feel the fear of the "real" battle and the "sacrifice" from just now.
But Karl's authority was unquestionable. The knights and children saluted, supporting each other with complex emotions or lost in thought, heading towards the manor.
After the first group left, Karl's gaze shifted to the three dragon lizards still struggling and roaring in place, bound by his bio-field.
After the fierce struggle, their condition had clearly weakened, and old wounds were bleeding on their bodies.
Karl extended a finger and gently tapped the three dragon lizards from a distance. A few invisible threads of golden light silently merged with their bodies.
In an instant, the previously unfocused eyes of the dragon lizards regained their bright light, and their roars regained their strength.
Moreover, some superficial wounds noticeably stopped bleeding at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Karl used only a small amount of divine power to prolong their lives and stabilize their injuries.
This prevents these valuable "test equipment" from being rendered useless before the next batch arrives.
.........
Soon after, the second group of participants, led by a knight, ran to the edge of the field.
This time there were even more people – about fifty or so, including Dalton and Phillip.
Before the trial, Dalton and Phillip had already learned from Karl that this was a test, but they didn't know the details of the trial.
Following Karl's prior instructions, none of them wore plate armor, just like the knights before.
They were dressed in a simple layer of light leather armor and held standard steel swords, standing at the very front of the crowd.
Just as they had just settled in and were still unclear about the situation, Hen, who had been standing quietly on the side, a barely perceptible deep blue light flickered in his eyes.
He casually raised his hand and gently waved it forward – the power was far stronger than when Keira had released hers.
Magical energy fluctuations, merging with the surroundings, spread like silent tides, completely enveloping Dalton and the others.
The next moment, besides the three real Dragon Lizards that were restless and agitated under Karl's bio-field,
around the hall, accompanied by distorted light and a deep hum of magical energy, over a dozen threatening, clawed, illusory dragon lizards appeared out of nowhere.
These illusions, composed entirely of magical power, were astonishingly realistic – scales shimmering, muscles bulging, and details like dripping saliva.
And the threatening, silent roar as they opened their blood-red maws towards Dalton and the others was almost identical to the real Dragon Lizard.
They slowly surrounded from all sides, creating an immense sense of pressure.
This scene stunned Keira – she had just recovered, her mouth agape, her face full of disbelief.
Earlier, just maintaining an environmental illusion covering the entire field had barely lasted until the end of the trial, after which she completely collapsed and fainted.
Not to mention creating so many vivid biological illusions out of nowhere; yet Hen achieved all this effortlessly with a single wave of his hand.