Volume One: The Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 17: The Freshman Assessment
Mo Xing was stunned. In the blink of an eye, Cai Hong had vanished from sight. This rapid movement skill was—Blink!
At that moment, Cai Hong reappeared beside Mian Hua and immediately unleashed “Pillar of Ice,” freezing Mian Hua completely in place.
“Blazing Assault!”
Mian Hua ignited the fire element hidden within him, transforming into searing fury to strike the ice pillar with his most ferocious attack.
Mo Xing had read about this move in books—it was one of the berserker’s counterattack skills, used when struck to break through encirclement and regain the initiative in battle.
“Ice Blade!”
Cai Hong blinked into a safe zone and simultaneously sent a row of ice spikes at Mian Hua.
“Blazing Trio!”
Mian Hua launched a three-stage assault forward, shattering the ice spikes and closing a large distance toward Cai Hong.
“Dragon Slash—”
Mian Hua gathered fire element into his greatsword, attempting to send Cai Hong flying skyward.
But Cai Hong clearly had no intention of giving him the chance. He stomped the ground sharply, and pillars of fire burst from the earth, knocking Mian Hua away.
“Flame Shock!”
This was one of the elemental mage’s defensive counter moves, gathering fire element for an instantaneous shockwave to block and repel an attacking opponent.
Suddenly enlightened, Mo Xing realized that elemental mages couldn’t rely on just a single element. Only by mastering both the control of advanced water—turning it into ice—and combining it with the explosive power of fire, as Senior Cai Hong did, could an elemental mage truly maximize their strengths.
“I don’t believe I can’t hit you!” Mian Hua roared.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. Mian Hua leapt into the air, greatsword raised high.
“Take my ultimate! Blazing Impact!”
Blazing Impact? Mo Xing was startled. According to the review materials, this fire-element attack had an exceptionally wide range. Given the dry autumn conditions, using it here would surely set the nearby lawns ablaze!
Just then, a few snowflakes drifted down from the sky. Cai Hong raised his staff and summoned a blizzard, interrupting Mian Hua’s skill.
“Damn! Freezing, freezing to death!” Mian Hua landed and quickly conjured a ball of fire to warm himself.
“Well? Ready to admit defeat?” Cai Hong grinned.
“This match doesn’t count,” Mian Hua argued. “You only won because I wasn’t in top form!”
“Sure, sure.” Cai Hong smiled and started walking toward the pavilion. “I’m going to lunch.”
“Give me some, I want to eat too!” Mian Hua chased after him.
“Losers don’t get food.”
“Cai Hong, why are you so serious?”
“Me, serious? Mo Xing, you be the judge.”
“Um… well, that…”
...
Eight o’clock in the evening, Rain Apartments.
Mo Xing closed his review materials and began to recall the knowledge learned and the day’s events.
At noon, after the two seniors had finished bickering, they “equally shared” lunch with him. The whole afternoon was spent in simulated combat training with them until after five. His mastery of the staff had improved, though he still couldn’t advance water into ice. But Senior Cai Hong said his level was enough to pass the assessment, which finally put him at ease.
“Mo Xing, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Just then, Senior Mian Hua approached. Mo Xing saw the hint of seriousness on his face and felt a bit uneasy—was he here to settle scores?
“Senior Mian Hua, let me explain. This morning, Shi Yan and I were just reviewing in the pavilion, not on a date—” Mo Xing hadn’t finished when Mian Hua gestured for him to stop.
“That’s not what I’m here about,” Mian Hua said. “I mean, your exam is tomorrow. I want you to go shower first.”
“Oh… I see.” Mo Xing was momentarily dazed, then left his seat. “Thanks, I’ll shower now.”
“Do you like her?” Mian Hua suddenly asked.
“Ah?” Mo Xing was speechless.
“If you do, go after her,” Mian Hua said. “While you still have time.”
“But…” Mo Xing hesitated.
“If you’re scared, forget it. Pretend I never asked.” Mian Hua got up and walked to the balcony, lighting a cigarette.
Mo Xing watched his senior’s figure and suddenly felt there were many stories left untold behind that man.
“Beep beep beep—”
“Wake up! Wake up!”
With two alarm clocks blasting in succession, Mo Xing finally dragged himself out of bed. Rubbing his eyes, he found both Senior Mian Hua and Senior Cai Hong were gone.
As soon as he pushed open the bedroom door, the aroma of food hit him.
“Awake?” Senior Cai Hong greeted him from the living room. “Mo Xing, your breakfast.”
“Oh, thank you, senior.” Mo Xing replied.
“No need to thank me. If anyone, you should thank Mian Hua—he went to buy breakfast,” Cai Hong smiled. “Also, the exam tools on the table—he organized those for you.”
“Surprised, huh? He does have a caring side.”
“Really?” Mo Xing was briefly stunned. It wasn’t like Mian Hua at all. “Where did he go?”
“He said he had some things to do.” Cai Hong replied. “Forget about it—just finish breakfast. Then I’ll take you to the exam hall.”
“Okay.” Mo Xing nodded.
Guangyi Teaching Building, sixth-floor exam hall.
Mo Xing placed his hand on the crystal orb, verified his identity, and went to his seat to prepare for the test.
Once the candidates were seated, the campus broadcast began reciting the exam rules and discipline. Two proctors distributed the papers, while another watched from the podium, eyeing the students for any “suspicious moves.”
The scene was so familiar that Mo Xing almost thought he was back in his previous world. It was utterly seamless.
“Teacher... may I come in?”
Mo Xing looked up. A girl with twin ponytails was standing shyly at the door, glancing inside.
“Come in.”
The proctor on the podium smiled gently.
“Th-thank you, Ms. Su.”
Under everyone’s gaze, the girl ran in with her head bowed.
“Li Xiangcao, you haven’t verified your identity!” the proctor handing out papers called to her.
“Ah… wh-where do I do that?” Li Xiangcao stammered, making the class laugh.
“Over here, please, Xiangcao.”
Ms. Su stood behind her with the crystal orb. Xiangcao turned and completed the verification, then sat down at a desk with her head lowered.
“Dong—dong—”
The chimes sounded from the window. The exam had begun. Mo Xing, having been distracted by what just happened, finally turned his attention to the test questions.
He realized he’d studied almost all of them; the key points Shi Yan and Senior Cai Hong had mentioned were all present. He felt a sudden surge of relief—reviewing really was worthwhile.
The gentle rasp of pen on paper and the faint waft of ink filled the air, blending with the candidates’ occasionally furrowed brows to create an atmosphere both harmonious and taut. The occasional sound of pages turning rippled through, briefly breaking the rhythm, only to be restored by the steady busyness of writing.
Mo Xing finished his test, glanced at the clock on the wall, and saw there was still half an hour left. He stretched a little.
He noticed Ms. Su was watching him, probably suspecting he was cheating, so he lowered his head and reviewed the paper.
“Dong—dong—”
The bell rang again. The students put down their pens. The two proctors collected the papers, and Ms. Su clapped her hands on the podium.
“Everyone, the theory exam is over. Next, I’ll hand over to the student council representative.”
Mo Xing’s gaze shifted to the door, where a familiar senior stood—Chen Anye, to be precise.
“Fellow students, I am your student council representative, Chen Anye.” He gave a slight bow.
The students burst into applause. Mo Xing joined in, wondering if there was some important announcement.
“The theory exam is finished. Next, the student council will take you to lunch and then help you prepare for the practical assessment,” Chen Anye continued. “Please line up at the door and follow me and the other seniors.”
The students stood and lined up. Mo Xing ended up at the very back, where Chen Anye was responsible for the rear. They walked and chatted.
“Mo Xing, how did you find the theory exam?” Chen Anye asked.
“It was fine. I prepared well, so answering the questions wasn’t as hard as I expected,” Mo Xing replied.
“That’s good.” Chen Anye smiled. “I felt the same way back then and did pretty well.”
“By the way, senior,” Mo Xing asked, “how is the score for the new student assessment calculated?”
“There are three parts, each weighted differently,” Chen Anye paused. “Class participation counts for twenty percent, the theory exam for thirty, and the practical exam for half.”
“So the practical is especially important,” Mo Xing nodded.
“The practical is in two stages—solo in the afternoon, team in the evening,” said Chen Anye. “The matchups were determined by drawing lots earlier; just listen for your name and go on stage. The mentors will score you during the exam.”
“I see. The full score is one hundred, right?” Mo Xing asked.
“Yes. The higher your score, the better your priority in choosing courses and mentors,” said Chen Anye.
“Oh!” Mo Xing was surprised.
“There will be a big audience—representatives from other academies too,” Chen Anye shrugged.
“Other academies?” Mo Xing asked.
“Our academy is the leading one among the Four Great Academies, and the new student assessment draws attention,” Chen Anye explained. “Besides watching, other academies come to recruit students.”
“Why?” Mo Xing was puzzled.
“You should know that our new student elimination rate is nearly fifty percent. Those eliminated aren’t left with nowhere to go—they can sign with another academy and continue their studies. But any such agreement needs our academy’s approval,” Chen Anye said.
“I see.” Mo Xing nodded in understanding.
“The school has us student council members guard your entrances and exits to prevent other academies from approaching you for private agreements—”
“Bad news, Anye!”
Before Chen Anye could finish, another student council officer ran up, panting.
“What’s happened?” Chen Anye frowned. “We checked fire safety, food hygiene, lighting, everything yesterday. We even have staff watching twenty-four-seven. Even if President Zhang returned early, we have protocols in place. What could possibly have gone wrong?”
“It’s not that—it’s the vice president—” the officer gasped.
“Shi Yan is in trouble!”