Chapter 434: Monthly Exam
In the Witch Academy, if I were to mention something that truly amazed me, it would undoubtedly be the Earth Vein System. Its various functional applications are simply too comprehensive.
I really… want to use this as a framework to utilize the Knowledge Tree and build my own exclusive Earth Vein System.
As long as I solve the issues related to the earth veins, this doesn’t seem like a difficult task.
Of course, this isn’t necessary; it’s mainly that I see the Earth Vein System as an external entity and I’m afraid of it getting damaged.
As my progress steadily advances, the images appearing on the Earth Vein System naturally attract the attention of Hong Chanyi and the others.
Seeing their curious gazes, I looked up, “What’s up? Curious about what I’m doing?”
“Definitely curious! Sister Xiao Han, do you do this every day? Although I don’t understand it, it seems really impressive.”
“Actually, I’m just using the Earth Vein System to replace practical simulations of possibilities. After all, this is the library. It wouldn’t be good to conduct an experiment here and cause an explosion.”
“What? Sister Xiao Han, what are you researching that could explode?”
“Research related to the extraordinary. Anything is possible; even an explosion might be a good outcome! Many byproducts from failed experiments resemble extraordinary toxins, extraordinary curses, radiation, and even effects of unknown spells. Just thinking about it is terrifying. Want to give it a try?” I smiled at Hong Chanyi.
“Me? I think I’ll pass… haha.” Hong Chanyi quickly laughed awkwardly and waved her hand to decline, “But… Sister Xiao Han, could you tell us what you’re researching every day? Share it so we can learn from you?”
“I’m studying alchemy. Does anyone want to learn it? I might be able to introduce you to a senior who’s studying alchemy so you can see if you can seize the opportunity.” When I said this, I unconsciously glanced at Guan Qiuling, but when she noticed my gaze, she instinctively blocked her eyes with the book in her hands.
“An opportunity to connect with a senior from a higher grade? Could you get me one?”
“Huh? Hong Chanyi, do you want to try alchemy too?” I looked at the speaking Hong Chanyi with some confusion.
“Well, knowing one more senior is one more path. Seniors from higher grades are not easily approachable,” Hong Chanyi smiled, rubbing her hands together, looking excited.
“That’s true.” I nodded, it seems Hong Chanyi is quite perceptive. I envy people who act directly on their ideas like this; if it were me, I might not proactively connect with any senior.
But I also haven’t contacted Betty in a long time. I hope she doesn’t mind too much.
“Guan Qiuling, what about you? I remember you mentioned some interest in alchemy not long ago. Since this is a library, how about I pick out some introductory alchemy books for you to look at after the monthly exam?”
“Thank you, Sister Xiao Han…” Guan Qiuling responded, which could be considered an agreement.
…
A day passed quickly.
The next day was the day of the monthly exam.
The day of the monthly exam is a hot topic in the academy, especially with the newly added practical assessments, which seem novel to everyone.
After all, this is something that previous seniors have never experienced.
Moreover, fighting opponents crafted from dream-like illusions that match your own cohort is the most intuitive way to understand the difference in combat strength between oneself and the opponent.
This can also motivate students to strive forward, and allow average students to learn from those who excel, actively searching for ways to become stronger.
Only by aspiring to be stronger will more people study how to improve. After all, combat ability is not just a matter of stacking Magic Sources and Spellbooks, at least not for preparatory witches who have not fully mastered them.
After a day of theoretical examinations, some wore frowns while others looked excited and eager, but most breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, the score for the monthly exam was largely based on theory, and mastering combat ability to match those geniuses in just a few short months is less practical than solidifying theoretical knowledge.
On the second day, all students began their practical tests according to the monthly exam batches.
When the first batch of students entered the dream pod, they were confident they had grasped the rules from the previous monthly exam and thought they could score high this time.
However, as they celebrated, they suddenly discovered that their opponents were no longer familiar faces.
The figure that appeared before them was a young girl with white hair and bl**d-red eyes, standing there calmly, her eyes reflecting a slight indifference.
Of course, this indifference came off as quite robotic in the eyes of numerous students.
No one found this surprising.
Before the practical assessment, each person could select a certain number of spellbooks and Magic Sources from the Dream Spellbook Library to use as their combat tools, so the spells and Magic Sources they started with were their advantages.
Moreover, there were special options available; for example, those who had studied alchemy could provide ready-made alchemical potions for battle.
Combat methods were not limited to just Magic Sources and spellbooks. In any case, special examinees were treated specially; the academy encouraged this approach and even welcomed students to do so.
After selecting their combat tools, the next step was to review the questions, focusing on the scoring rules, etc.
The first batch of students was very serious about the review process since they had no previous experience to draw from and could only rely on themselves.
“This practical assessment only has one combat target, which is divided into five stages. Each stage counts for 20 points, with a total score of 100.”
“Every five minutes constitutes a stage, with five stages in total. Surviving each stage earns you a base score of 10 points; an additional 10 points are for performance in that stage. If you defeat the target within the time limit, you earn a full score of 20 points for that stage. The fifth stage is an unlimited time challenge, with a scoring mechanism identical to the first four stages.”
“Challenges can be terminated at any time, and a request for a repeat challenge can be made, limited to one application per person, with the final challenge score being the ultimate score.”
Upon seeing this completely different set of rules compared to the first monthly exam, the first batch of students immediately cried out in despair. Many who had tried to exploit loopholes regarding the target challenge over the past month were now left scrambling.
Now everything had changed; none of this was familiar to them, and they panicked.
But they had to bite the b*llet and proceed.
Before long, the first batch of students completed their practical assessments with frowns and hastily emerged, immediately drawing everyone’s attention due to the quick conclusion of the assessment.
Practical assessments cannot be cheated like theoretical ones; they test real abilities, so the teachers don’t care about leaked questions. Even if information on the test is leaked, it isn’t a problem. The ability to integrate numerous bits of information and devise a feasible plan during that time is also a talent.
Thus, the first batch of examinees emerged like hotcakes, surrounded by many who asked questions.
Those with capabilities could gain many benefits here, or rather, some clever individuals had already planned to sell the information they could gather the moment they confirmed they were among the first batch entering the test.
This is a competition, even if it’s just a small monthly exam.
After a series of integrations, a specific group quickly compiled the information they gathered.
The Child of Fortune and her supporters.
Following a recent inter-academy exchange event, the number of the Witch Academy’s Children of Fortune had surged significantly. After a lengthy period of adaptation, many had come to accept the fact that they had become students of the Witch Academy.
The supporters of these Children of Fortune naturally contributed their share of power to their faction.
In an instant, they formed their own little group amidst the crowds.
At this moment, Tan Han was surrounded by quite a few people.
If someone looked into it, they would find that most of these Children of Fortune were in the later batches. The timing and order of assessments were arranged just right to be completed within a day.
Tan Han listened as these people spontaneously described the content of this monthly exam’s practical tests, focusing on explaining the rules and information about the opponents.
Regarding the changes in this monthly exam’s rules, everything was acceptable to Tan Han. Although she had lost the spellbooks she had obtained earlier, she did not regret it. It marked a farewell to her previous state of confusion.
After this long period of development, she had acquired each spellbook through her means, placing a significant emphasis on every spell starting from the Fireball Spell. As for why she started with the Fireball Spell, it’s likely that Tan Han had developed some obsession with it.
Previously, she had been too impulsive, continuously selecting high-consumption spellbooks, especially after meeting Xiao Han.
Now, she cherished every spellbook she acquired, ensuring each spell could be fully utilized in the most appropriate context.
This monthly exam, listening to descriptions, even Tan Han felt it would be somewhat challenging.
The opponent’s formidable control of spells, terrifying physical prowess, and high mobility made for a difficult opponent whether in ranged spellcasting or close combat.
The once-popular transformation spells now faced hardship; if one was fragile, a single misstep could lead to instant d*ath.
According to the descriptions, the opponent in the first stage of the monthly exam did not use spells, relying solely on close-combat techniques and superior physical ability. The second stage involved some spells, but this was just the beginning of their troubles. In the third stage, even without casting spells, the raw power of their attacks was daunting, often leading to half of the contestants falling to such methods.
As for the fourth stage… sorry, no one from the first batch reached it yet, but following that progression, it’s highly likely that the fourth stage involves increased spell power.
“This is the energy produced from training body techniques. Our target for this assessment is someone who has trained both body techniques and spells.” After such a description, Tan Han quickly reacted.
Then, a figure flashed through her mind; someone who practiced both spells and body techniques—didn’t she know one?
“What was the appearance of the dream challenge target like?”
“Um… I’ve never seen her before; she’s probably a randomly generated character from the academy, with white hair and red eyes, looking quite eerie.”
“White hair, red pupils, right?” Tan Han quickly filtered the keywords, clarifying her suspicion.
“Yes, do you know her, Tan Han?”
“That’s Yang Yuelan.”
“Yang Yuelan?”
The moment that name came up, everyone present was momentarily stunned, as this individual had not been seen for a long time. The last practical assessment didn’t include her, the former best new student known as the “Catastrophe Witch,” and they hadn’t seen any signs of her since.
There were even rumors that Yang Yuelan had been expelled.
“How is that possible? How could she be Yang Yuelan? The change is too drastic!”
“Yeah… she doesn’t seem like it…”
“Doesn’t seem like it? I feel like the face shape is a bit…”
“Stop talking! I’m not very clear on Yang Yuelan’s appearance; all I know is that after the Sleep Curse incident, Xiao Han seemed to change into this. No one knows what she went through. I only saw her once during the last monthly exam, and if she hadn’t talked to me first, I wouldn’t have recognized her. But I did talk to her, so there’s no mistake.” With Tan Han’s confident tone, everyone believed her. After all, they were Tan Han’s followers, and this identity did not waver due to any circumstance.
“Then… then that’s Sister Xiao Han?”
“I haven’t seen her in ages! Has she just returned from some witch secret realm?”
“I’m not very clear; since she has appeared, it’s possible she’s involved in this monthly exam too.” With this thought, a trace of combat spirit flashed in Tan Han’s eyes. Although it wasn’t a direct confrontation, it could still be considered an indirect clash.
She also wanted to see how significant the difference was between her past self and the current Xiao Han.
Yes, she was focused on the difference in degree, not victory or defeat. Tan Han was very clear about herself; she had confidence, but not arrogance.
Tan Han still had some worries in her heart because she had given all those spellbooks to Xiao Han, so Xiao Han’s combat strength must be stronger now, right?
“Should we go see that Yang Yuelan? Since she’s also participating in the monthly exam, doesn’t that mean she’s here right now?” At that moment, a follower beside her spoke, their gaze subconsciously scanning the crowd.
Finding a white-haired figure among a sea of heads shouldn’t be too difficult.
“That’s true…” Tan Han was somewhat tempted by the suggestion. Having not seen her in ages, she believed she still cared quite a bit about Xiao Han; otherwise, she wouldn’t have given her all those spellbooks, all started by a simple joke.
“Wait! Tan Han, is that! Is the one over there Sister Xiao Han? The one with white hair!”
Suddenly, as Tan Han pondered, a voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up toward the direction the person was pointing, where indeed stood a white-haired girl.
“It looks like it.” Tan Han felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing that figure, “Wait! Don’t go! She’s about to take the assessment; why are you rushing over?”
“It looks like it… sorry.”
“It’s fine; let’s go back and wait… if that’s Xiao Han, she should come out soon.”
At that moment, as Tan Han’s little group stirred, many people’s gazes shifted to observe the situation around Tan Han, and some followed the direction the person pointed.
Those who had participated in the assessment quickly recognized that figure as the one from the test.
This discovery immediately sparked a heated discussion, speculating about that individual’s identity, while Tan Han kept her thoughts to herself.
