Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

  The unsolicited words of comfort made Baiyi feel confused. ‘Isn’t there a misunderstanding here?’


  However, the comforting man’s face did not house a malevolent expression, and this made Baiyi feel even more awkward; despite that, he nodded at the man, even though he has no words to say.

  Something even more magical happened next. Every single candidate was given words of support and comfort, and absolutely none of them took the opportunity to act stereotypically cocky. In fact, the entire scene was a shining example of warmth and camaraderie!

  ‘Okay, so although this is not really a bad thing, did you guys already believe that you won’t pass this exam? That’s some chronic lack of confidence in yourself, guys! It’s just the Legendary-level exam, you know; no matter how unfairly tight the passing quota is, the Sorcerers Association will never allow only one or two individuals to pass, right?’


  Just as Baiyi was mumbling to himself, the crowd’s attention shifted to him and Joseph.

  “Look at that young fella. I’ll bet he breezed through the tests! My sources among the examiners told me that in the most critical test, this young lad displayed quite an impressive feat— with an impressive speed, no less!”


  “Wait, are you serious? I, on the other hand, was nursing a migraine on that last test…… gods! Is this young man really that skilled?”


  “However, my sources told me that he wasn’t the best in terms of execution……”


  “You mean that there was someone even better? You mean there is an even stronger powerhouse among us?”


  “Of course! And — it’s that Soul Armature sitting beside him…… shit. Don’t tell me that guy really is the bloody Hope who the Church has been singing about!”


  “Hold on a minute!! Come on now, you guys saw the result of his Total Mana Count Test, right? The paper was sporting a stamp so green, it was practically screaming ‘Disqualified’! There’s no way this guy is Church’s Hope. In fact, I’ll bet that this guy just a namesake. However, I have to admit that he does pack a lot of skills on his person, even more than common sorcerers could boast of. If only his total mana count was higher……”


  Joseph’s expression darkened when he heard these stray comments. He was about to stand up and defend his colleague, but he was stopped short by Baiyi’s arm.

  “Don’t fret over minor details,” Baiyi said, unconcerned.

  Joseph let that thought sink in, then he returned to his seat. “I just…… really believe that your real prowess would warrant you a title far superior to a mere Legendary-level, but…… Curse the Association’s insularity; they put so much emphasis on total mana count that if a candidate does not pass that test, it would seriously debilitate the rest of their test score.”


  “Aww, there really is no need to worry, son.” Baiyi waved his hand in dismissal, acting like a wise old man who had long since placed titles behind him. “Besides, I am not here to pass Legendary-level ranking.”


  “Eh?” Joseph’s face was quizzical. Just as he was about to ask more, an admin barged into the room with his hands full of envelopes.

  The man had obviously been tasked to announce the results, so as soon as he came in, the hubbub quickly died out. Joseph did not dare to break the silence, so he let his curiosity go.

  “Apologies, gentlemen, for my tardiness.” The admin wiped small beads sweat off his forehead and placed the colorful envelopes on his desk. The crowd quickly noticed that there were only five envelopes.

  Each envelope had the mandatory ranking mission tucked into it. If there were only five envelopes present, it meant that only five candidates in the room had passed the test. Taking the number of candidates in the room into consideration, each of the ten candidates present had a 50 percent chance of being one of those who passed! Hope flared in the candidates’ chests; they may actually be one of the lucky five since the passing rate was this high!

  “Without further ado, I shall announce the names of those who passed,” the admin stated as he grabbed one of the envelopes — which was pale blue in color — from the desk and called out, “Sir Jones, heir to the barons of the Joseph family, congratulations on passing the test. In here, you shall find your next mission, which is also your final test. Please complete what is required within the stipulated time limit.”


  “Whoaaa!” A cheer rang out from the room, which was followed by applause. Some candidates who had insider knowledge eyed the envelope with envy and called Jones ‘lucky’. This was because the color of each envelope revealed a bit about the sort of mission enclosed in it. Pale-blue envelopes contained academic-related missions.

  For most of the time, missions like these only required writing a thesis of some kind. It was the simplest task out there.

  This meant that Joseph was not just the first to pass the exam, he was also given the easiest mission there was. His certificate was already assured; it was just a matter of time.

  “A legendary-level sorcerer who hasn’t even reached the age of 30…… please, continue your good work.” The admin gave Joseph his letter and a congratulatory remark, and that was all there was to their exchange.

  Joseph Jones was a little euphoric as he carefully took the letter from the admin’s hand and tucked it into his pocket.

  The admin continued announcing the names of candidates who had successfully passed the test. However, the next guy wasn’t as lucky as Joseph; he received a yellow envelope denoting a battle-related mission, which may very well have contained a “go to x and kill some y” mission. These kinds of missions were troubling, full of risks, and required a lot of time; a mission for the most unlucky folks. These type of missions were also known as ‘The Crowning Mission of Free Labor’.

  Afterward, another two names were announced. One of them got the lucrative harvesting quest, while the other was tasked with being an instructor for free — another job that saved the Association some labor cost. The only envelope left on the desk was a black one.

  Five of the six remaining sorcerer candidates began to feel as though ants were crawling all over their brains. “This is it, the last one! What does the black color signify? No one ever said there was such a designation!”


  However, the admin did not pick up the black envelope. Instead, he announced loudly, “Gentlemen! That is all there is to our Legendary-level ranking results. Those who didn’t make the cut shouldn’t be discouraged; instead, you should continue striving to improve. Don’t think of ranking exams as too big of a deal, alright? Your true innate capability is your real strength……”


  ‘Cut! Why does this sound so familiar — and for some reason, quite unsettling……’ 1

  “But what about that black envelope there?” Someone asked out loud.

  “This?” The admin lifted the letter in question. “It’s not part of the results of the Legendary-level exam……”


  Suddenly, an uproar ensued. The sorcerers who had failed were baying for blood, decrying the admin’s actions of placing the letter with the others because it had unjustly gotten their hopes up. “You’re just trying to stir up a war! This is anti-professionalism! This screams ‘lack of care’! I’m filing a complaint! Complaint!!!”


  “Gentlemen! It’s still a test result…… for the Immortal-level ranking exam,” the admin said in vapid resignation.

  “Whoa whoa whoa! Immortal-level?” Someone cried out. “One of us actually went for the Immortal-level exam? Then, why is that person lumped together with us?”


  Each candidate began to gaze at everyone else in the room, chattering and speculating under their breath. Only Joseph gave a bemused glance at Baiyi.

  “I told you; I’m not here for Legendary-level ranking,” the soul armature casually said as he spread opened up his palms in a shrug. He was not surprised at the result, either.

  The admin, upon noticing Baiyi talking with Joseph, finally chimed in. “Oh yes. Master Hope came here to try for the Immortal-level ranking exam. Since the details of the exams are similar, he was tested together with all of you.”


  “That soul armature — Immortal? But…… his total mana count was only Master-level!”


  “You guys told me he is a bootlegged Hope! How does a bootleg possess Immortal level power?!”


  “Immortal-level soul armature…… don’t tell me the young lad beside him is his summoner, then?”


  The room succumbed to another uproar. Expressions of doubt were hurled in Baiyi’s direction; the most prominent one was “Are you the goddamned Master Hope?”


  “Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Please restrain yourselves! Allow me to announce his result,” the admin said with a raised voice as he held the black envelope. “This is Master Hope’s Immortal-level mission; it contains…… Vice President Grant’s formal challenge to a duel to the death!”


  The room almost exploded from the ensuing uproar. Nobody had thought that the color black meant that……

  “VP Grant? He is a Holy-level heavyweight! Why would he be interested in challenging the soul armature like this?”


  “Which means that this Soul Armature must be the very same Master Hope the Church talks about all the time. Now, I don’t doubt that he is an Immortal-level fighter, but…… why would a Holy-level powerhouse eye him? Do they have beef with each other?”


  “Sir VP has all the fame and fortune he needs already! Hence, this couldn’t possibly be about money…… So it must be about love!”


  “Well, I have heard that Master Hope is quite kinky. He has this partiality towards young girls…… Don’t tell me he has his eyes on the VP’s younger family member!”


  It was not just these side characters who were flabbergasted. Baiyi, himself, was just as stunned as they were. In his prediction, the Association should not have the gall to cause him trouble at the very last test.

  He had not expected a tactic like this at all……

  ‘Dude, aren’t you a Holy-level fighter? And not just any Holy-level powerhouse, but a famous one, the strongest VP of the Association! Your fame may have even reached the seven seas, and I bet your prowess can’t possibly too far behind the mysterious President, who is only interested in academic research.’ Why would someone like Grant want to duel with Baiyi? Even resorting to challenging Baiyi in a way that made it virtually impossible for the soul armature to refuse.

  ‘Have I crossed him before? No, right? Or maybe…… he’s after one of my precious students! Little Mia? Tisdale? Or is it Laeticia, Attie?’


  The worst case scenario flashed through Baiyi’s mind. He had heard rumors that Grant was about 300 years old, which was rather different from how young the VP appeared to be. ‘His tool must still be in mint condition, right?’ Besides, Baiyi had seen news about workplace harassment before, where superiors would use their authority to solicit sexual favors from their underlings……

  Baiyi opened the black envelope in doubt. The letter within contained a formulaic speech, congratulating him on his success. The speech was followed by the details of his mission.

  In reality, VP Grant was only asking Baiyi for a friendly spar in front of students in advanced classes, as a battle simulation demonstration.

  The Vice President had made special emphasis on the educational aspects of his proposal, as well as it being just a simulation. In other, more honest terms— the VP was only asking for a scripted fight, with both sides pulling punches.

  ‘F*ck you. You called this a duel to death?!’ Who would have known that this admin was an expert at click-baiting! He probably used to work in the media, didn’t he?