The tests were arranged to be done individually within the magic training halls, but before they officially started, the Mage’s Union representatives explained the rules of the tests to everyone. The one who spoke was the woman from earlier, but she never bothered to introduce herself. Even when anyone asked for her name or name card, they would be ignored. It was not clear if she did not bother to or if she just happened to miss them.
“I know a lot of you probably showed a lot of promise in magic within your short time in the academy, earning praise from those around you or even your lecturers. Maybe your skills are all at high levels, but that is not the point for today’s tests!”
Compared to the warmness from earlier, the woman suddenly sounded thunderous, causing a lot of them to feel like something was wrong. Normally, the important points would come after words like that, and sure enough, the woman continued. “We are testing a lot today, and it’s not something that can be explained in just a few words. I won’t slowly explain it to you, but I believe that each of you will benefit for your entire lives after the test. Today’s tests, to put things simply, will be combat training!”
A stir rose among the students, a lot of them actually breathing sighs of relief. They were anticipating something completely different during the tests today, but combat training was something they had gone through before in their regular classes.
According to the woman, the combat drills during the tests would have opponents from the Mage’s Union. Of course, due to the difference in levels, the mages would hold their spells back, and the students would be allowed to wear anti-magic armor to prevent injuries.
In conclusion, it seemed very standard, at least on the surface. However, Xiao Lin noticed the woman had a faint smile on her lips. During his interaction with her earlier, he could see that the smile had absolutely no trace of kindness. It was just well-hidden mockery.
The tests would be held in several different training halls; every student who had their name called would walk in alone. The order was based on classes, so Xiao Lin could only wait there idly, trying to speak with Gu Xiaoyue.
The first person who went in only needed three minutes before coming back out. The speed shocked everyone. His body still looked well, nothing to indicate any mental exertion or even physical stress, but his expression was puzzling. His face looked like he did not know whether he should laugh or cry–it was basically a terrible expression.
Some students tried to get some information from him, but they were quickly stopped by those in charge of discipline during the test, and they were even warned. Based on the test regulations, revealing information about the test before leaving the area would result in having to retake the test.
There were not many of them who enrolled in magic courses. After all, many of them understood that not everyone was suited to learning magic after the initial assessments, so it only took a little over an hour to reach Xiao Lin’s turn.
Walking toward the training hall, the woman in the blue robes was talking to some others in a low voice. When she saw Xiao Lin, she paused before pointing at him, telling the others, “He’s Xiao Lin.”
A few measuring gazes shot over. Xiao Lin did not like the feeling, and he hastened his steps, moving toward the center of the hall. Looking around, there were nothing like alchemical beings or virtual battle simulators around, only a few robes with magic runes on them were there.
“Put them on; they will guarantee you won’t be injured by me.”
Hearing that, Xiao Lin, who was putting on a robe, was stunned. He raised his head and saw the blue-robed woman walk over herself, which meant that she was the one testing Xiao Lin.
Xiao Lin asked, “What are the rules? Do I need to hold on for some amount of time? Or do I need to defeat you”
A few of the examiners could not hold back their jeering laughs, and a cold mocking tone could be heard, “You wish to defeat me? It’s not April Fools’ today; there’s nothing like that on Planet Norma!”
“The rules are simple. Duel me and we’ll give you an overall evaluation.”
“What are the standards of evaluation?”
“I feel like I shouldn’t need to explain that to you. Do you have any other questions?”
“Fine. There’s nothing else.”
“I can see from the information that the student union provided that you specialize in flame magic. Let me see how your attack power is.”
The test started under a tense atmosphere. The mage’s robes provided for the new students were very light. The quality was soft, yet solid. It was obvious that they were made with good materials. However, providing such good equipment was not a good thing. It only meant the test would be exceptionally hard.
The woman used a small golden wand and her casting speed was very quick. Light-blue energy bullets shot out as she raised her hands. It was the most basic beginner spell, so the attack power was not that high. Even if that woman, whose skill was currently unknown, used it, its power was still limited.
“Flame Bullet!” Even though they were not allowed to bring their own equipment, Xiao Lin’s Flame Bullet was already at the point of perfection. His casting speed was definitely no slower than those energy bullets.
Scorching flame bullets shot out from Xiao Lin’s finger, and accurately collided with the energy bullets in midair. After an explosion, the two spells cancelled each other out.
Xiao Lin understood that his casting speed and perception was being tested. Without accurate perception and accuracy, it was hard to cast a spell accurately in such a short time.
The woman stared in surprise, but quickly shot out more energy bullets. This time, she shot out four of them, and then shot them in four different directions. Even if they were low-level spells, controlling them to such a degree was incredibly difficult, so Xiao Lin developed some respect for that woman’s skill.
The four bullets practically sealed off all his escape routes, and the woman had obviously upped the difficulty. The angle the bullets shot at were even trickier and they were even moving with uncertainty. With Xiao Lin’s perception and meditation level, it was quite hard to shoot at them accurately. Xiao Lin only had a short one or two seconds to think as the energy bullets shot toward him. In a flash, Xiao Lin made the decision.
Since he could not accurately determine the line of attack, he just needed to shoot even more flame bullets into the air!
If one bullet was not enough, then four, or even eight!
Flame Bullet was an improvement from Flame Ball. The spell shortened the cast time in order to adapt to fast-paced combat, and the casting speed was dependent on the caster’s overall skills. That was why Xiao Lin immediately activated Miracle, and with his stats all in Intelligence, he could cast around ten Flame Bullets in two seconds.
Ten Flame Bullets shot out from Xiao Lin like a machine gun. It was hard for Xiao Lin to aim them accurately in such a short time, but that was fine. There were enough Flame Bullets that he only needed an approximate location, firing two bullets at each direction.
A few explosions could be heard after that, and all the energy bullets were intercepted in midair.