Chapter 434: The Monthly Exam
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 434: The Monthly Exam
If I had to name the one thing that truly caught my eye at the Witch Academy, it would have to be this ley line system. The variety of functions and applications integrated into it is simply exhaustive.
This technology... I’m actually tempted to use it as a framework, combined with the Tree of Knowledge, to build a private ley line system for myself.
As long as I can solve the issues regarding the ley lines themselves, it doesn't seem like an impossible task.
Of course, it’s not strictly necessary. I mostly just feel like the academy's ley line system is an external tool, and I’m worried it might break or fail me at a critical moment.
As I made steady progress, the images flickering across the ley line system’s interface naturally drew the attention of Hong Chenyi and the others.
Seeing them looking over with such curiosity, I looked up. "What is it? Curious about what I’m doing?"
"Definitely. Sister Xiao Han, do you do this every day? I don't really understand it, but it looks incredibly impressive."
"I’m just using the ley line system to run simulations instead of doing physical practice. This is a library, after all. It wouldn't be good if I blew the place up while doing research."
"What? Sister Xiao Han, the things you research can explode?"
"In transcendent research, anything is possible. Sometimes an explosion is actually a good result," I said, smiling at Hong Chenyi. "The byproducts of a failed experiment can include things like transcendent toxins, curses, radiation, or even being haunted by unknown spell effects. It’s quite terrifying when you think about it. Want to give it a try?"
"Me? I think I’ll pass... haha." Hong Chenyi gave a forced laugh and waved her hands frantically. "But... Sister Xiao Han, could you tell us what you're researching every day? Maybe we could use it as a reference?"
"I’m looking into alchemy. Do any of you want to learn it? I might be able to introduce you to a senior sister who specializes in alchemy. Whether you can seize the opportunity or not will be up to you." As I spoke, my gaze instinctively drifted toward Guan Qiuling. However, the moment she saw me looking, she reflexively raised her book to hide her eyes.
"An opportunity to get in touch with a senior? Can I have one?"
"Hmm? Hong Chenyi, you want to try alchemy too?" I asked, looking at her with some surprise.
"Oh, you know, knowing more people means more paths. Senior sisters aren't exactly easy to get to know," Hong Chenyi said with a smile, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
"True enough." I nodded. Hong Chenyi certainly had a clear head about these things. I envied people who could just go for what they wanted; if it were me, I probably wouldn't take the initiative to strike up a relationship with a senior.
Then again, I hadn't contacted Betty in quite a while. I hoped she didn't mind too much.
"Guan Qiuling, what about you? I remember you mentioned being interested in alchemy a while back. Since we’re already in the 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’s quiet reply was as good as an agreement.
* * *
The day passed quickly.
The next day was the day of the monthly exam.
The monthly exam was always a hot topic at the academy, especially the newly added practical assessment, which everyone found novel.
After all, this was something the older students had never experienced.
Furthermore, the exam involved fighting virtual dreamscape opponents modeled after students of their own year. Combat was the most direct way to feel the gap in strength between oneself and others.
This served to motivate students to push forward and allowed average students to learn from the elite, encouraging them to actively seek ways to grow stronger.
Only by yearning for strength would more people research how to achieve it. After all, combat power wasn't just a simple stacking of mana sources and spellbooks—at least not for prospective witches who hadn't yet fully mastered them.
After a day of theory exams, some students emerged with long faces, while others were flushed with excitement, wanting more. Most, however, simply breathed a sigh of relief.
In the monthly exam, theory still accounted for the bulk of the total score. Besides, it was far more practical to shore up one's theoretical knowledge than to try and match the combat power of geniuses in just a few short months.
On the second day, the students began their practical tests in batches.
When the first batch entered the dream pods, they felt confident. Having analyzed the rules of the previous monthly exam, they were certain they could secure high scores this time.
But just as they were feeling smug, they suddenly realized that the enemy they faced was unlike anyone they knew or recognized.
Standing before them was a young girl with white hair and blood-red eyes. She stood there calmly, her gaze flickering with a hint of indifference.
Of course, to many students, this "indifference" just looked like the typical stiffness of a virtual opponent generated by the dream pod.
No one thought much of it.
Before the practical test, everyone could select a certain number of spellbooks and mana sources from the dream spell library to use as their combat tools. Thus, the spellbooks and mana sources one already possessed in reality became their initial advantage.
There were also special options. For instance, those with a background in alchemy could be provided with ready-made combat potions.
Combat wasn't limited to just mana sources and spellbooks. In short, special candidates received special treatment. The academy wasn't afraid of students being "special"; in fact, it encouraged it.
After choosing their combat methods, the next step was to "read the prompt"—specifically, to check the scoring rules.
The students in the first batch were naturally very meticulous about this. Since they had no precedents to follow, they could only rely on themselves.
"There is only one target for this practical assessment. The battle is divided into five stages, each worth 20 points, for a total of 100 points."
"Each stage lasts five minutes. Surviving a stage grants 10 base points, with an additional 10 points awarded based on combat performance during that stage. Directly defeating the target within the time limit grants the full 20 points for that stage. The fifth stage is an unlimited-time challenge, with the same scoring mechanism as the first four."
"The challenge can be terminated at any time. Students may apply for one retake; the final score will be based on the best attempt."
Seeing rules that were completely different from the first monthly exam, the first batch of students immediately let out a collective wail. Over the past month, many of the more opportunistic students had specifically researched the previous targets to find loopholes for easy points.
Now that everything had changed and they were facing an unfamiliar opponent, they panicked.
But they had no choice but to grit their teeth and proceed.
Before long, the first batch of students emerged from the practical assessment with miserable expressions. Their early exit immediately drew a lot of attention—the assessment had ended far too quickly.
Unlike the theory exam, you couldn't cheat in a practical test. It was a pure contest of raw strength. Therefore, the teachers didn't mind if the "exam questions" were leaked. Even if information about the test subject got out, it didn't matter; being able to integrate a large amount of information and formulate a viable plan in a short time was a talent in its own right.
Consequently, the first batch of examinees became like prized treasures, surrounded by crowds asking a barrage of questions.
Those with ability could even gain some benefits from this. Some of the smarter students, upon confirming they were in the first batch, had already planned to sell whatever information they gathered to pre-arranged buyers.
This was a competition, even if it was just a small monthly exam.
After a series of information gathering and integration, one specific group was the first to receive a summarized report.
The Children of Destiny and their supporters.
Following the exchange competition between the various academies, the number of Children of Destiny at the Witch Academy had increased significantly. After a long period of adjustment, most had accepted the fact that they were now students of the academy.
The supporters of these Children of Destiny naturally contributed their strength to the factions they had joined.
Small, tight-knit cliques had quickly formed within the larger student body.
At that moment, Tan Han was surrounded by a large group of people.
If someone were to investigate, they would find that most of these Children of Destiny were placed in the later batches. The exam times and batches were arranged so that everyone could finish within a single day.
Tan Han listened as these people voluntarily described the contents of the practical test, focusing on the rules and the opponent's details.
The change in the rules was within Tan Han's expectations. Although she had lost the spellbooks she had previously acquired, she didn't regret it. It was her way of saying goodbye to her previous period of confusion.
Over the past few months, she had used her own means to acquire new spellbooks one by one. Starting with the Fireball Spell, she had learned to value every single spell. As for why she started with Fireball Spell, perhaps she had developed a certain obsession with it.
In the past, she had been far too impetuous, chasing high-consumption spellbooks one after another—especially after meeting Xiao Han.
Now, she cherished every spellbook she owned, ensuring that every spell could be fully utilized in its most suitable situation.
However, listening to the descriptions of this monthly exam, even Tan Han found it quite daunting.
The opponent had incredible spell control, terrifying physical stats, and high mobility. It was a nightmare opponent, whether you were trying to trade spells at a distance or engage in close-quarters combat.
Shapeshifting spells, which used to be very popular, had finally met their match. If a student was "squishy," a single mistake could lead to instant defeat.
According to the reports, the opponent in the first stage didn't use spells at all, relying entirely on close-combat techniques and raw physical power. The second stage introduced some spell weaving, which was only the beginning of the nightmare. By the third stage, even without spells, the opponent's bare-handed attack power was horrifying. Every punch created a sonic boom; most students had "died" right then and there.
As for the fourth stage... unfortunately, no one from the first batch had reached it yet. But following the pattern, the fourth stage likely involved a massive increase in magical power.
"That's internal energy from body cultivation. Our target this time is someone who practices both body arts and magic," Tan Han realized quickly after hearing the descriptions.
Then, a figure flashed through her mind. Someone who practiced both magic and body arts... didn't she know someone exactly like that?
"What does the dream challenge target look like?"
"Um... someone we haven't seen before. Probably a random character generated by the academy. White hair, red eyes... looked pretty creepy."
"White hair and red eyes, right?" Tan Han searched for those keywords, her suspicion becoming a certainty.
"Yeah. Do you know her, Sister Tan Han?"
"That's Yang Yuehan."
"Yang Yuehan?"
The mention of that name made everyone present freeze. After all, the owner of that name hadn't been seen in a long time. During the last practical assessment, this former number one freshman—the one called the "Calamity Witch"—hadn't even participated. Since then, she had practically vanished.
There were even rumors that Yang Yuehan had been expelled.
"How is that possible? How could that be Yang Yuehan? The change is too big, isn't it?"
"Yeah... she doesn't look like her at all..."
"Doesn't she? I thought the face shape was a bit..."
"There's no need to argue," Tan Han said, her voice firm. "I'm not entirely sure about the details of her new appearance either. I only know that after the Sleep Curse incident, Xiao Han seemed to change into that form. No one knows what she went through. I only saw her once during the month before last. If she hadn't taken the initiative to speak to me, I wouldn't have recognized her. But I spoke with her; there's no mistake."
With Tan Han's confirmation, everyone believed it. After all, they were Tan Han's followers, and their loyalty wasn't easily shaken.
"So... that was actually Sister Xiao Han?"
"It's been so long. Did she just get back from some Witch Secret Realm?"
"I'm not sure. But since she's appeared, she might be participating in this monthly exam as well." At the thought, a spark of fighting spirit flashed in Tan Han's eyes. Although she wasn't fighting Xiao Han directly, this was a form of indirect confrontation.
She wanted to see just how big the gap was between the current Xiao Han and herself, now that she had moved past her old self.
Yes, she wanted to see the gap, not necessarily who would win. Tan Han saw herself clearly; she was confident, but not conceited.
Deep down, Tan Han was still a bit worried. After all, she had given all those spellbooks to Xiao Han. Xiao Han's combat power must be even greater than before, right?
"Should we go see Yang Yuehan? If she's participating in the exam, doesn't that mean she's here right now?" one of the followers asked, her eyes instinctively scanning the crowd.
Finding a white-haired girl in a sea of black-haired students should be quite easy.
"Good point..." Tan Han was tempted by the suggestion. It had been a long time, and she admitted she cared quite a bit about Xiao Han—otherwise, she wouldn't have given her all those spellbooks, especially since it had all started with a joke.
"Wait! Sister Tan Han, look! Is that her? The one with the white hair!"
Suddenly, a voice interrupted Tan Han's thoughts. She looked in the direction the girl was pointing and saw a white-haired girl.
"It looks like her." Tan Han felt a sense of familiarity the moment she saw the figure. "Wait! Don't go over there! She's heading in for her assessment. Why are you running over?"
"Oh, right... sorry."
"It's fine. Let's go back and wait... If that's Xiao Han, she should be out very soon."
As Tan Han's small group stirred, many others noticed the commotion and followed their gaze.
Those from the first batch who had already completed the test quickly recognized the figure. That was the person from the assessment.
This discovery immediately triggered a wave of heated discussion as people speculated about the girl's identity. Tan Han, however, did not share her thoughts with the crowd.