### Chapter 3: Harpist Academy (12)
The day-long graduation level assessment had just kicked off, and hosts Blake and Betty had barely finished introducing the event before things took a turn for the interesting.
At first glance, some events might seem novel and entertaining, but as time drags on, boredom was inevitable—the kind that makes you wish you’d brought a book or at least a snack.
So, per the original plan, the director would be switching cameras from test site to test site, cherry-picking the highlights to keep the people’s attention on their favorite graduates—because nothing says “entertainment” like a student talent show!
But what no one expected was the sudden peak of excitement at the wall-ball attack response test site, where it turned into an all-out brawl between two contenders: the reigning champion and the up-and-comer, both recognized as genius harpists.
The fight for who gets the cool nickname stirred the crowd—everyone loves a good showdown!
Unfortunately for Trissa, Edith had just rocked the assessment with an overwhelming “SS” rating, leaving Trissa in the dust like last week’s leftovers.
People thought the competition would fizzle out and carry on to the next venue, but then, out of nowhere, in swooped a mysterious foreign woman in a white veil, demanding a remix of the rules for a re-match.
Talk about a plot twist!
Yes, as she stated, what’s the point of a boring white ball test?
These graduates had been practicing in those venues day in and day out, so of course they’d have some fast reflexes. Maybe she could shake things up a bit.
“Betty, what do you think this Lin student’s proposed rule changes mean?” Blake wondered, diving into a casual chat before the main course even hit the table.
Betty replied, “Well, it’s like this: those venues have been around for ages. Students know they exist the moment they step into school. Sure, they sharpen a harpist’s skills in many ways.
But over time, many students fall into a trap, thinking they just need to breeze through the tests in those ten venues to graduate.
So, daily practice can get predictable and stale. I reckon Lin is planning to break the mold and tweak the testing methods.”
Blake mused, “So, since the school allowed Trissa and Edith to compete under new rules, does that mean they agree with Lin’s viewpoint?”
Betty shrugged, “That’s… hard to say.
But, as a proud alum, I naturally want the academy to thrive. Maybe they’re just keeping an eye on Lin’s approach to see if it goes beyond their expectations. If things get too dicey for the students, I’m sure the academy will step in.”
Most of the citizens could only listen via the loudspeakers, making Blake and Betty’s banter even more crucial for them.
Though they couldn’t see the action firsthand, their commentary allowed imaginations to run wild, which, for those with creative minds, was even more thrilling than front-row seats.
Eventually, the three random bystanders completed their mission.
And under Lin Nan’s special direction, they wrapped up the mystery items they found around the venue in their clothes; nobody, including Lin Nan, had a clue what they’d scavenged.
Lin led the trio to the back of the wall designed to launch the white balls, where the maintenance staff had already been waiting for ages, probably thinking the former students were planning a surprise party or something.
After a moment, Lin waved at Trissa and Edith, “Who wants to go first?”
Edith glanced at Konglif, who wore a worried expression, then back at Trissa, and a surge of confidence hit her. No matter what trick her opponents had up their sleeves, as one of the top students of her new cohort, she wouldn’t back down!
“Of course, I will!”
Edith calmly marched to the testing area.
Meanwhile, Trissa seemed trapped in a mental fog, still shadowed by her recent defeat to Edith. With her gaze down and long hair partially hiding her face, she looked like she was auditioning for a sad music video.
“I’m ready,” Edith announced, striking her signature pose.
“Betty, who do you think has the upper hand this time?” Blake asked.
“If I had to bet, I’d still put my money on Edith,” Betty said.
“Why’s that?”
“Trissa’s good, no doubt about it, but she graduated three whole years ago.
During that time, she couldn’t practice every day like the students still in the academy. Life gets in the way, you know? It’s impressive if she’s managed to keep her skill level at all.
Meanwhile, Edith, being fresh out of the academy, has been honing her skills daily for the exams—her proficiency has to be sharper than Trissa’s.
Just like we witnessed earlier!
It’s common to say harpists usually hit their peak just prior to graduation, and after that, it’s about maintaining status.
But unfortunately, I’ve seen many harpists decline instead.
So, all in all, I think Edith has the better chance of winning!”
Blake chuckled, “You’re a true wizard with numbers; your analysis makes perfect sense.”
“So, what will the outcome be? Let’s check the big screen!”
Edith took a deep breath and fixed her gaze ahead.
Though she had no clue what the annoying foreign woman had concocted, she nearly dismissed the idea as a threat.
All she had to do was stick to her training regimen—she’d be just fine.
Teachers always said these ten venues might not cover everything a harpist needs to master, but they emphasized key skills. Just nail the tricks for these ten venues, and you wouldn’t just score high; you’d be battlefield-ready someday!
Naturally, the students chuckled at that last part. Battlefield? Seemed like a far-off fantasy; they certainly weren’t planning that anytime soon.
“The test is about to begin!”
“Three, two, one!”
“Bang bang bang!”
With three loud thuds.
A familiar white ball shot out, but from the other two holes, bizarre items erupted that, while expected, were still unexpected.
A half-full bottle of liquor and a hefty chunk of mud.
But thinking about that was the least of her worries as she instinctively whipped out her four-stringed harp.
Just like with the three white balls earlier, three waves of sound fired simultaneously to intercept the incoming objects.
The white ball, similar in texture to a golf ball but lacking in bounce, fell to the ground after being hit by the sound waves, its inner powder bursting out—mission accomplished!
However, the liquor bottle didn’t shatter; instead, it did a mid-air flip, spilling its contents all over a bewildered Edith.
The chunk of mud? Well, that was cleaved in two by the sound waves, but it didn’t lose speed and was headed straight for her face!
