Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)

Chapter 384: Swordsmanship Test (1)

The results of the written test would be announced in a week, and Xiao Lin planned on relaxing during the afternoon. After all, he had only returned from the New World yesterday, and was immediately thrust into a full day of revision followed by a whole morning of testing, so his mind was quite fatigued.

He took the chance to log onto the forums. Most of the topics were discussing the test from that morning. The multiple choice and simple questions were nothing to talk about; everyone’s attention was on the final essay question. There was even someone who used his connections to the upper years to obtain the answer.

That was right, the question was definitely not only formed that year. There were a few earlier batches who also had similar questions, but in truth, the state of Planet Norma was constantly changing, so old answers might not be useful. A lot of them understood that, but they were still interested in seeing what the answers were for the past years.

Xiao Lin opened up the thread; it was from the most recent batch who had that question, which was eight years ago. The thread said it was the answer of the student who scored the highest in that year.

Xiao Lin skimmed over the contents, but could not help but twitch his eyebrows. The answer was quite aggressive. The student claimed that the resources on Planet Norma were limited. With the continued expansion of the colonist population, the conflicts between the academys would grow by the day until an internal war someday explodes. That was why Dawn Academy needed to prepare itself, even possibly making the first move, to seize the advantage.

Of course, that was an opinion that was from eight years ago. Xiao Lin felt like that student had definitely long since graduated. Who knew where they were assigned. No one knew how many people would have that thought process in the current Dawn Academy.

Xiao Lin sighed, closing the forums before giving Song Junlang a call. He wanted to know if there were any new developments with Gu Xiaoyue’s blood that he obtained yesterday. However, he did not get any answers as Song Junlang played dumb, as if nothing had happened. He kept the topics fixed on Xiao Lin’s tests.

Xiao Lin was exasperated, but he raised the last essay question, playfully saying, “Department Head Song, how would you answer that question?”

“Oh, interesting, they really did throw that question to you new recruits. Did you know? The fourth year graduates also got the same question today.”

This caused Xiao Lin some surprise, replying, “Does it have something to do with the military and the dean?”

Song Junlang fell silent for a moment before smiling. “That has nothing to do with you. How did you answer it? Forget it, I don’t have to ask you. I can just get your test paper from the student union later.”

To someone with a backer like Department Head Song, getting the answer sheets of new students was not something hard. Song Junlang then gave some advice, telling Xiao Lin to make sure he would do well in the combat tests. However, Song Junlang more or less knew that Xiao Lin’s current skill would not face any troubles during the second day’s tests.

The only thing that led Xiao Lin to be a little worried was that he probably had the most tests to take after this.

According to the school regulations, each student needed to test for every combat course that they enrolled for. What Xiao Lin picked before was Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Body Technique, Basic Endurance, Basic Meditation, and Basic Perception, so he needed to take five tests.

The rest of the students did not have nearly as many tests as him. Most of them only had two or three courses. Of course, Xiao Lin would also obtain more credits because of that.

This time, Xiao Lin woke up early as usual. The first test of the day was Basic Swordsmanship. After arriving at the training hall that the test was scheduled to be in, he was surprised to find that the examiner was not the professor woman who taught them, but a grizzled-looking man. They were also a few strangers behind him that Xiao Lin was sure were not lecturers.

“I heard they’re from the army,” Cheng Ming said, suddenly appearing next to Xiao Lin.

“Military? Since when could they interfere with academy business?!” Xiao Lin expressed his shock. He looked at the men in front of him before suppressing his voice.

“I heard from sophomore year leader Chen Yu that the military seems to view our batch very highly, which is why they sent their own instructors to test us. This is a good thing. The stricter the test is, the more we can show our skill!” Cheng Ming obviously did not see through what was actually happening, so his fighting spirit was ignited.

Xiao Lin’s lips twitched, sighing as he refrained from explaining. The trip to the New World this time had revealed a lot to him, such as how the academy and the colonial territories did not share a governing body. The academy could be said to be the dean’s territory, so the military could not easily interfere, but now had they sent people in so easily, Xiao Lin could not help but be worried for the dean’s injury after the assasination attempt.

As for the test itself, Xiao Lin remained calm. He was quite confident in his own skills.

Since there were quite a number of students in Basic Swordsmanship, the school had arranged for a few training halls to be used to disperse the numbers and have things move faster. Every student would have to draw out a card which would state which training hall they would test in. The rest of the students who were not involved could only wait outside. The test itself was not allowed to be viewed by the public.

Xiao Lin and Cheng Ming chatted away and moved forward, getting ready to draw their card. However, his hand was in midair when it was caught in a death grip, the strength behind it causing him to gasp. Raising his head, he realized it was the man who was in charge of the test. His face was expressionless as he asked, “You’re Xiao Lin?”

“I’m not…” Xiao Lin immediately denied it.

“Huh, aren’t you class monitor Xiao Lin?” He was betrayed by those around him.

“Are you him or not?!”

“Fine, I am.” Xiao Lin glared at the innocent bystanders who sold him out.

“Yes, you don’t have to draw your number. We’ve already heard about your skill, so you just need to walk in to be tested,” the man said with a cold look. It seemed like he was praising Xiao Lin and giving Xiao Lin special treatment to the others. Chen Dao of Class Twelve even voiced his displeasure at that, since he believed that he was not weak, so he demanded special treatment as well. He was ignored, however.

“Can I reject?” Xiao Lin furrowed his eyebrows.

“Of course, everyone has the chance to forfeit their test, as long as you’re willing to retake the course.”

Xiao Lin’s face turned cold. Now he was definitely sure that this group of examiners were here to cause him trouble.