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Chapter 284: Why Does Lanchi's Name Glow Red?
Chapter 284: Why Does Lanchi's Name Glow Red?
In the southern district of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, the morning was already half an hour past eight o'clock.
An eerie silence enveloped the entire complex, with only occasional shadows flitting by in the dimly lit windows.
Today was the end-of-month assessment day, commencing formally at nine in the morning and continuing until nine in the evening.
All students required to participate in this crucial assessment had already arrived at the assessment zone—a vast area enclosed by a massive barrier spell.
The buildings within the barrier, with their diverse functions, were interconnected by a complex network of aerial corridors and underground levels. For the next hour, the candidates had time to familiarize themselves with the layout, review the assessment notices, and choose a starting classroom based on their preferences.
During this preparation period, all students were prohibited from using magic, physical force, or magical cards. They were also not permitted to leave the bounded area.
Only in the event of sustaining injuries that triggered a near-death warning would they be deemed unsuccessful and escorted out by instructors.
Deep within a corridor on the underground first floor of the assessment zone, Lanchi and Zestila walked in serene silence.
The end of the passage was swallowed by an endless expanse of darkness.
Even the silence seemed to deepen in the depths of this eerie hallway.
Sparse flickers of light occasionally danced on the walls, only to be extinguished moments later. Golden patterns adorned the marble floor tiles, coming to life with a flourish of radiance each time light graced their surface, creating a dazzling and mysterious display.
Their footsteps were light as they took in the intricate decorations and location markers that adorned their surroundings.
Along the various walkways they traversed, clusters of magical screens displayed real-time notifications, the latest announcements, maps, and other relevant information.
The area they currently occupied exuded an ambiance reminiscent of an ancient underground railway site.
"This is a site of an ancient magical railway station from the demon world," Zestila explained to Lanchi as she noticed his gaze lingering on every detail of the platform. "It has now been converted into a part of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. During the assessment, trains will even be operational."
"No wonder there are still tracks here," Lanchi nodded.
In the half-hour he had spent observing, Lanchi noticed that while the assessment zone of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy differed structurally from the Inferno Corridor Academy, the scale of the monthly assessment day was no less impressive, with a comparable number of classrooms open for assessment to those of the Inferno Corridor Academy.
Although the assessment zone appeared to be entirely indoors, the classrooms changed with each monthly assessment day, making it challenging for students to quickly locate their desired destinations. There was an element of guesswork and luck involved, and they could only discern the difficulty and type of assessment by the different marks on the classroom doorplates.
Aside from some basic fixed mechanisms, parts of the rules for each bi-monthly assessment day would vary, and these variations would only be announced after all candidates had entered the assessment zone.
This one-hour preparation period was also the time allotted for students to comprehend the rules.
Zestila had previously explained only the basic rules to Lanchi.
For example, successfully passing the assessment in a classroom would earn them academic points.
The assessment zone featured a variety of assessment-style teachings and pure examination rooms, while the rest areas, akin to restaurants, infirmaries, and shops, were generally safe but required spending academic points.
Within the twelve-hour period, there would be five two-hour examination blocks and four thirty-minute breaks. Only during these thirty-minute breaks would the barrier separating the assessment and rest areas be temporarily lifted.
Additionally, students were required to pass at least three classrooms to be considered qualified; otherwise, they would face punitive deductions in their academic points.
Passing a level one difficulty classroom would earn a minimum of 10 academic points, while level two guaranteed a minimum of 20 points, and so on. Outstanding performances, even in level one assessments, could result in bonus academic points.
Lanchi grasped the rules quickly after hearing them once and didn't ask Zestila any further questions. This left Zestila with the vague impression that he seemed quite familiar with these rules, so she didn't elaborate further.
"During the rest periods, anywhere within the zone is considered safe, and attacking others is prohibited. However, during the examination blocks, all areas outside the exam rooms are free combat zones, and within the exam rooms, safety restrictions may be lifted to allow combat, depending on the rules."
"Just remember this," Zestila emphasized to Lanchi as they walked. "While it's not worth risking severe punishment, some people do like to go too far."
While they didn't have to worry about injuring or taking the lives of other students, there were those who enjoyed inflicting harm. Both she and Rocky fell into the category of weaker combatants and needed the protection of the mechanisms in place. They had to avoid encountering upperclassmen who had chosen to participate in the assessment and were accompanied by powerful followers, especially in unrestricted areas.
"What if you don't perform well during the assessment? Won't the teachers try to kill you?" Lanchi asked, stroking his chin in confusion.
Although the rules of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy encouraged more student confrontation and included additional mechanisms, such as interference from professors and upperclassmen with authority outside the field, they lacked the life-or-death excitement that should be inherent in these types of assessments.
Zestila paused, unsure how to interpret Lanchi's words. She couldn't fathom what kind of school would so casually kill off its students. The schools in the Southern Continent emphasized respect, friendship, and mutual assistance, didn't they?
"Of course, there's no such rule," Zestila replied patiently to Lanchi's question.
As they walked along the dimly lit tunnel, their faces illuminated by the bright glow of the identical row of signposts, they chatted from time to time.
Suddenly, the light around them grew brighter.
"Something new?" Lanchi noticed the new announcements flashing on the crystal screens, many of which pertained to additional rules for this assessment.
It was already 8:45, and this seemed to be a reminder that the assessment would officially begin in 15 minutes.
"These are the additional projects limited to this assessment," Zestila explained, glancing at the bulletin board. "For example, bounties are initiated by students themselves, who offer academic points. They can put a bounty on someone they have a grudge against during the monthly assessment day."
The school would take 50% as a handling fee, but if a student's bounty was exceptionally high, there would be additional rewards. Since it was anonymous, it provided an opportunity for revenge.
"Don't worry, Teacher Rocky," Lanchi assured her. "Even though quite a few students dislike me, I don't think they'd spend twice the amount of academic points to put a bounty on me."
Usually, deep-seated grudges would result in bounties of a few hundred points at most. After all, academic points were hard to come by.
A bounty of 100 points was already considerable and could easily motivate others to focus their efforts on the hunt. It would take being targeted by a large number of people to reach such a high amount.
Sometimes, powerful students might find that instead of trying to earn points by completing all five assessments, they could earn even more points by focusing on additional projects like bounties.
"I see," Lanchi said thoughtfully.
"By the way, Teacher, have you offended any upperclassmen during your time here these past few days?" Zestila asked, her expression thoughtful as she considered Lanchi's reaction.
"Zestila..." Lanchi suddenly realized the implication of her question. "After the exam starts, even if the whole world is against you, I will protect you." His expression grew solemn as he spoke.
"I don't want to be at odds with the whole world," Zestila said, confused.
But as soon as her words left her mouth, she saw her own face displayed on every illuminated magic crystal bulletin board in the corridor, along with the bounty information:
Bounty: Zestila Lilome (Follower: Rocky McCassy)
Total: 135,655 Academic Points
As this total has broken the school record for bounties during the monthly assessment day, an additional reward of an ancient pink Sacred-grade magic card from the Protoss Royal Magic Academy's ancient collection will be given.
If the targeted individual successfully completes the assessment, they will receive 20% of the total bounty amount in academic points and an additional reward of their choice, a pink Sacred-grade ancient artifact.
Zestila: "???"
Did something go wrong?
Why does it feel like the entire school wants her dead?!
(End of Chapter)
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