Students returned one after another, and the principals had their own wins and losses.
At least so far, no one had gained a decisive upper hand.
The returning students were mostly concentrated between levels 10 and 13.
Not a single level 14 had appeared yet.
"Why haven't Sophia, Morintis, or Leo returned?"
As the sky grew darker, Victor Stone grew anxious, his expression turning serious.
Logically, all three of them should have been back by now.
"Could something have happened?"
Finally, just before night fully fell, Victor Stone spotted three figures.
"They're here, they're here!
Finally back!"
A smile instantly appeared on Victor Stone's face.
The result wasn't important; their safe return was what mattered.
Detection Skills flew out like a gentle breeze.
[Leo, Level 12, Sword-and-Shield Knight]
[Sophia, Level 15, Elemental Mage]
The principals revealed looks of astonishment one by one.
She really did it.
Sophia actually reached level 15.
That meant at least an 80% chance of testing into Xiajing Academy.
No, it should be said that as long as her performance during the exam wasn't poor, she was practically guaranteed entry.
Now for the last one, Morintis.
The principals were all second-ascension professionals above level 40, far exceeding Morintis's level.
Thus, the Blocking Badge was ineffective against them.
[Morintis, Level 16, Necromancer]
Hisss~~~
The principals gasped in shock one after another.
Morintis really had reached level 16, a full level higher than Sophia.
This speed was simply too fast.
"They must have been grinding the dungeon."
"Look at the sword and shield in Leo's hands, and the staff in Sophia's.
Those are the Goblin King's weapons."
"But the weapon drop rate is very low.
Gathering the corresponding weapons and equipment isn't easy."
"Maybe they just had good luck."
When Morintis and the others walked back to the city wall, Victor Stone said, "After you enter the city, wait in the vehicles.
Once everyone is gathered, we'll return to school together."
All three heard Victor Stone's words, but only Leo responded loudly, "Yes, Headmaster!"
Victor Stone chuckled heartily; he was in a good mood.
In this return competition among the principals, he had come out on top.
Moreover, this year, both Morintis and Sophia might test into Xiajing Academy.
As the principal, he would bask in the reflected glory.
After all the students had returned, Victor Stone joined them in the vehicles.
"Truthfully, your safe return is the greatest comfort for your teachers."
"Rest well tonight.
Assemble at the school first thing tomorrow morning.
We will then proceed to the examination venue."
The examination venue wasn't at the school, nor was it in Westsea City.
It was in the provincial capital, Jianghai City.
The difference was just one character.
Westsea City was just a relatively unremarkable medium-sized city in Jiangning Province.
Jianghai City was the provincial capital, a truly major metropolis.
The annual entrance exam was always held in Jianghai City, proctored uniformly by examiners from the Divine Dragon Empire.
That night, Morintis continued his meditation.
He followed his own routine, not giving the exam any special worry.
He was confident he would definitely enter Xiajing Academy.
If the opportunity arose, he would also strive for the provincial top scorer rank.
He hadn't pursued it much before; his goal was simply to enter Xiajing Academy.
But after hearing from both Isla Ning and Sophia, he had developed a flicker of interest in the Genesis Academy.
The next morning, Morintis awoke on time.
His Spirit was fully recovered, and he was in peak condition.
A full 100 Skeleton Warriors waited quietly in his Summoning Space, ready for his call at any moment.
Each Bronze-tier Skeleton Warrior, after the 20-fold amplification, had four core attributes reaching 5000.
Coupled with his own two major skills, Soul Flame and Corpse Explosion, Morintis felt calm and self-assured.
Arriving at the school playground, he found many classmates had already gathered.
Leo waved vigorously at Morintis.
"Boss Mori!"
Morintis walked over and gave a slight nod to Leo in greeting.
Despite always being first in his studies, Morintis wasn't very popular among his classmates due to his personality.
His Necromancer class also made some classmates somewhat afraid of him.
A moment later, Sophia arrived.
Sophia was far more popular than Morintis.
Classmates gathered around her.
But, breaking from her usual pattern, Sophia came over to Morintis.
"Feeling confident?"
Morintis gave a slight nod in response.
Sophia smiled brightly.
"Then we'll meet at Xiajing Academy."
"Okay," Morintis replied softly.
Once everyone was present, Victor Stone approached.
"These are Teleport Stones for the examination venue.
Everyone takes one."
"In a moment, you can crush the Teleport Stone or activate it with your Spirit."
"The Teleport Stone will take you to the examination hall."
"Let me emphasize one last thing: during the exam, your primary concern must be your own safety."
"Safety first."
"Alright, you may begin teleporting now."
The students activated their Teleport Stones one by one.
Accompanied by a stream of light, each person vanished.
After everyone had left, Victor Stone also activated his Teleport Stone, heading for the examination venue in Jianghai City.
The examination venue was extremely vast, like a giant square.
Examinees from over a dozen cities, large and small, across Jiangning Province were teleporting in continuously.
From these dozen-plus cities, several thousand participants were taking this exam.
The light of teleportation never ceased.
The examinees from Westsea City were all grouped in the same area.
A full half-hour later, the teleportation lights finally stopped.
Under the gaze of thousands of pairs of eyes, a tall tower descended from the sky.
"The Trials Tower is now open!"
A majestic voice resounded across the entire square.
The great door on the first level of the tower slowly opened with a deep rumble.
"All examinees, listen carefully to the exam rules."
"No speaking.
No questions.
Violators will be immediately disqualified."