Chapter 398: The Exam Is In Progress

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Only moments had passed since the examination began, yet the Hitman Walker had already made the atmosphere awkward, but that was no big deal; after all, the first test he came up with was enough to show his desire to be professional for this examination.

Swinging two heavy weapons seemed like a daunting task, especially because it required one to have immense physical strength. A few candidates, mostly the scrawny ones, had expressions of hesitation on their faces, while other students beamed confidently, eagerly waiting to try it out.

The task was not a hard one, as the Hitman Walker did not say that the candidates could not supplement their strength with combat chi. This was actually what he wanted them to do, as it would increase their strength, which would make swinging the heavy weapons easier. The instinct to do so was an entry-level requirement for the course. The only challenges that candidates here would face, at this point, was being able to strengthen their hands with combat chi, as well as maintaining its flow for an extended period of time. This test was aimed at gauging candidates’ control over combat chi, which will allow the examiner to know how strong their grasp over the basics is.

Baiyi was only interested in candidates who had a strong grip on the basics; the mediocre ones were not worth his time. Even with the help of combat chi or mana, an average person would require one at least five years to grasp the basic overview of any major discipline; however, students could only study at Da Xue for, at most, four years. This was not enough time for one, who was starting at the beginning, to master a discipline.

Da Xue sought only to accept elite students, as its goal was to become an incubator for young experts of every discipline. Therefore, those without good foundations were simply not suitable for Baiyi’s academy.

This was the reason why the entrance exam was formulated this way; its purpose was to separate those with firm basics from those without. Some challenges, such as the one set by the Hitman Walker, were right for this purpose. Although these challenges were more difficult than others found in other enrollment examinations, they were still within the confines of a course’s basics. The Hitman Walker’s challenge allowed the candidates to show how well they controlled their combat chi; this would allow the Hitman Walker to gauge their coordination and control.

Many of these candidates hailed from high-class families, and they had enjoyed an ample amount of resources from childhood. The impressive control they had over their combat chi made evident the advantage of having a head start. Many candidates passed the challenge without breaking a sweat, but none of them were able to replicate the strong gales that broke out during the Hitman Walker’s demonstration. In comparison, their swings made them seem as though they were roleplaying with weapons. Nevertheless, the Hitman Walker nodded, signaling Mr.Sorry to write down the exam IDs of successful candidates.

To get candidates that meet Baiyi’s specification, each faculty had set five challenges. Three of these were challenges on the fundamentals of the subject. They had been carefully designed so that only knowledgeable students would pass them. The fourth challenge was much more difficult than the first three, and only the truly gifted candidates had a shot at passing it. Those who passed through the fourth challenge were recorded under ‘Candidates with Potential’. The fifth challenge was so difficult, average students would have no chance of passing. Candidates that are able to ace this challenge would automatically be eligible for a full scholarship from Da Xue.

Three candidates from middle-class families had already withdrawn from the Hitman Walker’s examination hall. They had only participated in the exam to see if they had a shot at the scholarship. When they realized that they could not do the easiest challenge, they decided not to waste any more of their time. Even if they had stayed, their families would have been unable to afford Da Xue’s exorbitant fees.

Baiyi had nothing to say to them. The registration fee for the enrollment exam was only one silver coin; this was because Baiyi sought to attract candidates from different backgrounds and realms. Who was he to judge the candidates that had come just to try their luck…

Baiyi decided to see how things were going in another hall. This time, the hall he chose to check was being used for a course touted to be one of Da Xue’s main courses: magic. The examiner for this course was the Scholar Walker, who was inhabiting an elegantly-crafted armor set for sorcerers. Baiyi had made sure that her armor was specifically crafted to suit her. He did the same for the other Voidwalkers that would be teaching, preventing them from Descending into the wrong armor set.

The Scholar Walker was just about the begin the second challenge. Mana surged out from her and coalesced into a rune and a formation. She informed the candidates that the rune performed the same function as the formation. After demonstrating this four times, she used her mana to draw a formation in the air. The candidates’ task was simple: draw modern runes that could produce the same effect that the formation in the air could. Their answers were to be written in the enchanted goatskin parchment handed to them prior.

This was another question aimed at testing the candidates’ knowledge of the basics. It helped test the candidates’ observation skills, memory, and understanding of runes — the marks of a good sorcerer. The Scholar Walker had crafted her question carefully.

As the exam looked to be going well, Baiyi stopped watching, feeling relieved, and decided to check the exams being held by the two least reliable examiners he had: Theurgy and Alchemy.

The examiners were the Cleric Walker and the Alchemy Walker. If these two showed their true colors, no candidate would be able to stomach them. Baiyi turned his attention first to Theurgy.

“Now, two intonations in the hymn I just chanted has been secretly altered, and this caused the result of the hymn to change a little. Your task is to identify the parts that were changed and the impact they had on the result. Write your answers on the sheets of papers next to you,” the Cleric Walker announced loudly.

‘Oh? That’s surprisingly normal! It’s a standard theurgy question. Is this a testament to his seriousness?’

Many candidates began scratching their head, with expressions of incredulity gracing their faces.

As it stood, not many people would sign up for Theurgy courses at academies. This was because anyone who wanted to become a clergy would have directly joined the Church. However, the total number of candidates sitting for the Cleric Walker’s exam was more than the others. Many males in the wall had worn clothes so fancy, they may as well have joined just so that they could pick up girls.

They had chosen Theurgy, the least popular course, because they had thought it would be the easiest to pass. After they had passed the exam, they could spend the rest of the time they had at Da Xue chasing after the pretty girls they saw in the promo video.

Unfortunately for them, Baiyi believed in quality over quantity. To him, these people, who were guaranteed to fail, had done a good deed by donating their registration fees to Da Xue’s cause. Although their examiner, the Cleric Walker, was also a womanizer, he was a womanizer with class and standards. If the low-level horndogs writing his exam thought that they could get through him easily, well, they had better think again!

Feeling relieved, Baiyi turned his attention to the Alchemist Walker’s exam hall.

This Voidwalker had already begun his third challenge. He showed the candidates three potions: a red potion, a blue potion, and a yellow potion. “Now, you may observe, smell, shake them, and — for those of you who have the balls — taste them if you would like. Nevertheless, I want you all to find the concoction that most resembles a restorative.”

Despite being based on the basics, this challenge was a little more difficult than others. This was how the Alchemist Walker had chosen to test his candidates, at this point in time. Baiyi knew that this Voidwalker held nothing back when adding brain-teasing elements to innocent-looking questions. Answers to these sorts of questions were not simple. They involved a lot of extrapolation and testing, generating answers that most could not think of.

The only way for candidates to arrive at a correct answer was by heeding his instruction; they would have to observe, smell, shake, and taste the potions. They would also have to remember that the challenge was far simpler than it appeared to be.

As the final question covering the basics, Baiyi was okay with it being a little more difficult. He had expected worse from the Alchemist Walker; for example, tasking the students with concocting a potion that could fire a man into space. However, the Alchemist Walker was surprisingly dependable.

Baiyi was marveling at the Alchemist Walker’s professionalism when a candidate suddenly toppled to the floor.

An expression of panic appeared on Baiyi’s face, as well as the faces of the other candidates. The Alchemist calmly stepped forward and explained, “No need to worry. He’s not dead or anything. He’s just asleep.”

The crowd quickly inspected the victim; it was true. The sleeping candidate had even begun to snore! It was evident that he was sleeping soundly. It had only taken a second for him to fall asleep!

“I can’t believe that, at this stage, there are candidates who do not know the golden rule of appraising potions: alchemists should know not to ever drink too much of any potion! Look at these two potions; he drank half of each,” the Alchemist Walker said, shaking his head in regret. Afterward, he shrugged before producing two new potions to replace the two that were drunk by the sleeping candidate.

Thanks to the sacrifice of the sleeping peabrain, other candidates were enlightened. A potion strong enough to make a man sleep a second after drinking it had to be used in creating medications for insomnia. A potion like this should contain chemical elements that could be found in common restoratives. As the peabrain had fallen asleep the moment he drank half of two different potions, it had to mean…

Suddenly, the question did not seem too difficult anymore. Thanks to the bravery of the sleeping candidate, the other candidates were able to gain an incredible hint, which would make it easier for them to arrive at the correct answer. Was this the Alchemist’s intention all along?

‘Meh. The candidates that pass the Alchemy exam will soon find out that their examiner is their course instructor. They might as well get used to his methods now,’ Baiyi thought.

A short while later, all the exams being written were done with the first three basic challenges. The next two questions were the real challenges.

Baiyi shifted his attention back to the Hitman Walker. This time, he was standing before a pile of weapons. “Form a group of five. When you are done, pick up your weapons, and attack me all at once. I’ll inspect your performance and determine if you pass.”

“Sir,” a candidate raised her hand, “What if we hurt you by accident?”

“Hurt?!” The Hitman Walker’s words were filled with scorn. “If anyone manages to hurt me with any weapon here, I’ll give them all five point and a full scholarship! They would not have to continue with the exam.”

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