Chapter 284
Chapter 284
Chapter 284
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 284: Why Does Lan Qi’s Name Glow Red?
Morning, at the southern district of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.
It was already half past eight.
The entire complex was eerily silent, only the occasional fleeting silhouette could be seen flashing past the dim windows inside.
Today was the end-of-month examination day. It would officially begin at nine o’clock in the morning and last until nine o’clock in the evening.
All students who needed to participate in this crucial test had already arrived at the exam area before eight — a massive structure covered by an enormous barrier.
Inside the barrier zone, various buildings of different functions were connected through a labyrinth of aerial walkways and underground levels. Candidates had one hour of preparation time to familiarize themselves with the terrain, read the announcements for this test, and select a starting exam hall that suited their preference.
During this preparation period, all students were forbidden from using spells, martial power, or magic cards. Neither could they leave the barrier zone.
Only if one was injured and triggered the near-death safety threshold would they be judged as failed and escorted out by an instructor.
In the underground corridor of the exam zone, Lan Qi and Zestira walked together in silence.
The end of the passage was swallowed by endless darkness.
Even the silence itself felt heavier in this deep passageway.
Sparse lights flickered on and off along the walls. Golden patterns decorated the marble floor; whenever light swept across, the runes rippled to life, radiant and mysterious.
Their footsteps were light as they studied the ornate decorations and location markers around them.
Every corridor they passed had rows of magical screens, which displayed real-time notices, latest announcements, maps, and the student’s current location.
The place they were in now resembled the ruins of an underground rail system.
“This used to be an ancient railway station from the Demon Realm, later rebuilt as part of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic. Once the exam starts, there will even be trains running.”
Seeing Lan Qi’s gaze linger on every detail of the platform, Zestira explained.
“No wonder I can still see the tracks.”
Lan Qi nodded.
From half an hour of observation, he realized that although Protos’s exam zone was structured very differently from the Infernal Corridor Academy, in scale it was no less grand. The number of classrooms available during exam day rivaled even the fully open halls of the Infernal Corridor.
Although the exam zone seemed entirely indoors, its layout shifted every month. Students could rarely find their desired classroom quickly. There was an element of guesswork and luck — the only way to identify a room’s type and difficulty was from the unique insignia on its doorplate.
Aside from some basic fixed mechanics, each monthly exam day also included rule variations, published only after all candidates had entered the exam zone.
This hour of preparation was for students to learn and adapt to the rules.
Zestira had earlier explained the basics to Lan Qi.
For instance, successfully completing a classroom’s challenge would earn credit points.
The exam zone contained both teaching-type challenges and straightforward trial rooms. Meanwhile, rest zones — such as cafeterias, infirmaries, or shops — were generally safe but required spending credit points.
The twelve-hour exam was structured into five two-hour exam sessions, with four thirty-minute rest breaks in between. Only during these rest breaks would the barrier between the exam zone and rest areas be lifted.
Students needed to complete at least three classrooms to pass. Failure to do so would result in heavy credit deductions.
Clearing a Level 1 classroom guaranteed a minimum of 10 points, Level 2 guaranteed 20, and so on. Exceptional performance could yield bonus points even in Level 1.
Lan Qi understood the rules after a single explanation. His lack of questions made Zestira feel strangely as if he was already familiar with the system, so she didn’t explain further.
“During rest breaks, all areas are safe, and attacking others is forbidden. But during exam sessions, anywhere outside classrooms is a free combat zone. Sometimes, depending on the rules, even inside classrooms combat restrictions may be lifted.”
This was the one point Zestira emphasized again as they walked.
Though it wasn’t allowed to kill other students under penalty of severe punishment, some people still struck ruthlessly.
She and Rocky belonged to the weaker combatants, relying on system protections. They couldn’t afford to cross paths with upper-year elites or noble students backed by powerful familiars when restrictions were off.
“If a student performs poorly, won’t the instructors just kill them?”
Lan Qi rubbed his chin in puzzlement as he asked.
The Protos rules, compared to those of the Infernal Corridor, encouraged more student conflict and interference by senior students or professors. But it lacked the life-or-death intensity he considered natural to real study.
Zestira froze.
What kind of wolfish-tigerish logic was that?
What sort of school would casually kill off its students?Weren’t schools in the Southern Continent supposed to emphasize respect, kindness, and mutual assistance?
“Of course there’s no such rule.”
As always, Zestira answered his strange question with patience.
They exchanged occasional words as they walked through the dim tunnel. The identical glowing signboards on the side cast their light across their faces.
Suddenly, the light grew brighter.
“Something new?”
Lan Qi noticed the crystal screens had begun displaying new announcements — additional rules for this exam.
It was now 8:45, seemingly a reminder: fifteen minutes until the exam officially began.
“These are the special add-on systems for this exam, like bounties. Students can anonymously post bounties against enemies by paying credits.”
Zestira glanced at the screen as she explained.
Though the Academy took fifty percent as a fee, if a bounty was high enough, extra rewards were also given.
Since it was anonymous, it was a prime chance for revenge.
“Don’t worry, Teacher Rocky. Even if many students dislike me, they wouldn’t spend double their credits just to put a bounty on me.”
At worst, a few might offer a hundred points.
After all, credits were hard-earned.
A hundred credits was a large enough sum to tempt hunters.
Only if a target was hated by many would their bounty soar.
Sometimes, powerful students focused less on classroom exams and more on bounty hunting, which could yield even higher profits.
“I see.”
Lan Qi nodded thoughtfully.
“By the way, Teacher, in the past few days, you haven’t offended any senior students, have you?”
Zestira asked calmly, watching his expression.
“Zestira…”
Lan Qi suddenly seemed to realize the problem.“Once the exam begins, even if the entire world turns against you, I’ll protect you.”
His expression was grave.
“I don’t want to be enemies with the world.”
Zestira replied, confused.
But before her words even faded—
The next second.
Every magical screen along the corridor flared to life, displaying the bounty rankings.
At the very top, a clear photograph appeared.
With its bounty notice—
[Bounty: Zestira Lilom (Familiar: Rocky McCarthy)][Total: 135,655 Credits][Since this amount broke the Academy’s all-time exam day bounty record, an additional reward has been added: a Protos Royal Academy Ancient Treasury Pink Sacred-grade Magic Card.][If the targeted student successfully completes the exam, they will instead be awarded 20% of the total bounty in credits and one Pink Sacred-grade Ancient Treasury item of their choice.]
Zestira: “???”
Huh??Was something wrong??
Why did it feel like the entire Academy wanted her dead!!