The next morning.
Sterkalay Magic Academy, central courtyard.
Lynn was already waiting in the candidate area early.
A huge screen, made entirely from expensive magic crystal, hung on the wall of the waiting area.
Exam regulations scrolled endlessly across the screen.
Once the exam began, the screen would also broadcast the situation inside the exam hall in real time for outsiders to watch.
Lynn sat with one leg crossed over the other, leaning back in his chair, looking calm and composed.
Meanwhile, Livia, who had accompanied him to the assessment, was so nervous her pretty face had turned pale, her hands wringing together nonstop.
At a glance, anyone would easily mistake Livia for the actual examinee.
To be honest, even when she took the Witch Certification Test, which had only a one-in-a-thousand pass rate, she hadn’t been this nervous.
She knew Lynn’s abilities better than anyone.
If an opponent slipped up and Mr. Lynn got hurt, what would she do?
This worry kept her up all night.
She even considered refining laxative powder and scattering it throughout the venue on test day, so all the candidates would get diarrhea.
But she had neither the means nor the conditions, so she gave up.
“It’s all right, Mr. Lynn… don’t be nervous…”
Unconsciously, Livia squeezed Lynn’s hand.
Only then did Lynn notice her little hand was ice-cold and slick with sweat.
Lynn felt a bit awkward.
This girl seemed even more anxious than he was, the actual examinee.
Still, to say Lynn wasn’t nervous at all would be a lie.
After all, the first round was a brutal elimination match.
But he wasn’t overly anxious either.
After all, mentality was the key factor in determining one’s potential.
“All candidates, the test is about to begin. Please enter the testing area in an orderly fashion.”
The voice from the loudspeakers echoed through the courtyard.
“I’ll go in first, Livia.”
“Wait, Mr. Lynn…” Livia tugged at the hem of Lynn’s clothes, her eyes as deep and clear as autumn water brimming with worry.
“You must… be careful.”
Lynn nodded, then stepped through the main doors into the testing area.
A massive teleportation gate stood in the very center.
In front of the gate stood a middle-aged man with his hands behind his back, as if he’d been waiting for everyone for some time.
He wore a neatly pressed black tailcoat and held a golden cane.
Facing the murmuring crowd, the man cleared his throat, then struck the floor heavily with his golden cane, producing a crisp “tap tap” sound.
In an instant, the noisy crowd fell silent.
“Everyone, welcome to the magic faculty entrance exam of Sterkalay Magic Academy. I am Dean Emil Morton of the magic faculty, and also your chief examiner today.”
Though his voice was not loud, it carried incredible presence.
“The theme of this assessment is strategy and courage.”
“Some of you will go on to join the magic faculty, and graduate with honor to become outstanding magi, facing the ruthless dragons from beyond the realms.”
“Therefore, when facing formidable foes, strategy and courage become indispensable qualities.”
“You are required, within the designated area and time, to seize the treasures guarded by the simulated dragons from beyond the realms and successfully escape.”
“Please note, after you seize the treasures, not only will the dragons pursue the carrier, but the carrier’s whereabouts will also be broadcast in real time to all candidates.”
“Only the candidate teams that bring the treasures out may advance to the next round.”
“Furthermore, any actions that do not violate the examinee regulations are permitted.”
With those words, the teleportation gate behind him slowly opened.
“Then, I wish you all good luck.”
…
Lynn stepped into the teleportation gate.
At first, there was only void before his eyes.
Then, the world began to reassemble itself.
Soon after, several lines of small text gradually floated into view.
[Current remaining participants: 80]
[Treasures removed: 0/2]
[Remaining evacuees allowed: 10]
Lynn glanced at the number of remaining participants and frowned slightly.
By his estimation, there had been at least eight hundred examinees before they entered the gate.
If there were only eighty here, then that meant the eight hundred had probably been divided into ten groups.
Only ten could escape from each group, meaning just a hundred would advance past the first round.
Pretty harsh.
Lynn thought to himself.
But why were there only two treasures, yet ten people could evacuate?
Lynn couldn’t figure it out at first.
Then, all of a sudden, he remembered—Dean Emil had said that anything not against the examinee regulations was permitted!
Lynn suddenly understood.
That meant candidates could form teams on their own!
Eighty people—just enough for fifteen teams.
If there were five to a team, then exactly two teams could make it out.
So that’s it—it was all calculated.
Lynn nodded thoughtfully.
Just then, there was a rustling sound in the bushes.
“Who’s there!”
Lynn whipped around.
“It’s me, it’s me, Lynn.”
Sophie crawled out of the grass, looking a bit disheveled.
“Hehe, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Sophie scratched her head with a smile.
“Let’s escape together, okay? I’ll protect you.”
Sophie rolled up her sleeves, looking ready for action.
If she could escort Lynn through the test, not only could she observe him secretly every day after, she could even return a favor to him.
Truly, the best of both worlds.
Lynn was a little puzzled.
Why was a martial artist like her taking the magic faculty exam?
But he soon shrugged it off.
After all, everyone had the freedom to choose.
Thinking this, Lynn nodded.
“Let’s hurry and go for the treasures then, or someone else will beat us to it!”
Seeing Sophie so eager, Lynn just smiled slightly and didn’t rush.
“Let me ask you, what’s the main point of this assessment?”
Sophie tilted her head.
“Seize the treasures, then escape?”
“Wrong,” Lynn shook his head.
“The key is escaping.”
“Even if they grab the treasures, it doesn’t matter if they can’t get out.”
As he spoke, Lynn brought up the map of the entire assessment area before his eyes.
After studying it carefully, he noticed the evacuation point was set at sea, with only one path leading to it.
That path was a bridge.
And it was a sloped bridge, giving him a higher vantage point for attacking downward.
A mysterious smile slowly curled at Lynn’s lips.
Seeing Lynn’s smile, Sophie shivered uncontrollably.
It felt like something wicked was awakening within him…
Still, what Lynn said made perfect sense.
No matter the situation, being able to calmly analyze the essence of things was crucial.
So this was what Master called a wise person…
From the bottom of her heart, Sophie found herself looking at Lynn in a new light.
It seemed she absolutely couldn’t drag him down.
Sophie silently cheered herself on.
“So, what should we do?”
Lynn smiled and pointed in the direction of the evacuation point.
“Block the bridge.”