Li Yan Trembling in Fear

"Throughout the entire First-Class Mage exam, it seems your true form never left the village."

Serie stared expressionlessly in the direction of Lanto's true form. With her Thousand-Mile Magic Eyes magic, she could see with great precision that Lanto was leisurely enjoying his afternoon tea.

"Interesting, you passed!"

After Lanto passed the test, Methode slowly walked towards Serie. Upon seeing Serie asked, "What do you think of me?"

Methode, clearly unaware of the direction Serie was asking, lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Hmm, I think you're very petite and adorable."

Serie: "..."

You passed!

After Methode left, Serie couldn't help but mutter, "What's wrong with this year's test takers...?"

As other candidates entered one after another, Fern felt a little nervous. Thinking of Frieren and her Godfather behind her, she felt a surge of determination. She was determined to set a good example for Frieren and her Godfather.

Lihita...

"Unsatisfactory! Next one."

Upon hearing the next word, Fern walked in nervously. Li Yan whispered, "Good luck." Frieren gave him a thumbs-up in encouragement, as if she were looking at a child about to take their final exams.

What are you looking at?

Serie, who was playing with her jade-like feet in the pool, stared expressionlessly at Fern. However, upon seeing her own Mana, she froze, just like the other examinees.

"It's shaking. Even though its Mana is stronger than its Godfather's, it's not as Godfather. Is it because there's too much Mana, and it can't be controlled?"

Upon hearing Fern reveal the Mana she controlled, a slight smile appeared on Serie's calm face, and her gaze towards Fern held a hint of admiration. "Hey, your name is Fern, right? Frieren's disciple. Following her will lead nowhere. How about becoming my disciple?"

"Don't want!"

Serie's words did not distract Fern. Her Godfather had brought up this possibility with her early that morning. No matter what her Grandmaster said, she should just refuse.

"Just like Li Yan and Frieren back then, you've passed!"

Serie stared at Fern for a few moments indifferently, then waved her hand, signaling Fern to leave.

As Serie called out "Next," Frieren stepped in indifferently, leaving Li Yan out there, outwardly calm but inwardly fearful, clinging to the arm of Fern who had just emerged.

"Godfather, it's just meeting your own Grandmaster, nothing serious."

Fern patted Li Yan's back reassuringly, and looking at Li Yan who was frightened like a child, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

"You don't understand. That Grandmaster is cunning, shrewd, and old-fashioned. If she sees through me, I'm dead."

Li Yan stared at the door with a mournful face, terrified of hearing the words "Next."

"I think Lady Serie is very gentle; she'll definitely understand your predicament, Godfather."

Fern gently comforted her, his delicate hand softly stroking Li Yan's head.

At that moment, the first thing Frieren did upon seeing Serie was to declare Serie "unqualified." Frieren, as always, remained lazy and unambitious.

"I'll give you one chance, Frieren. Tell me your favorite spell." Serie sighed.

"The magic that conjures a flower field."

Frieren gave a curt reply.

"What boring magic. Did Flamme teach you that?"

Serie seemed to have guessed as before, her expression calm. Frieren was still the same as before, her interest in magic was purely out of curiosity, she liked to study all kinds of magic, and she also liked to learn from Flamme to manage her life and diet.

"I really don't know how you defeated the Demon King, you half-baked magician."

Serie gazed at the sky, unable to help but express her doubts. With Frieren's level of magic, she would be instantly annihilated in a one-on-one fight against the Demon King.

"Next."

Frieren walked out indifferently, and when she encountered Li Yan, who looked terrified, she couldn't help but run over and hug Li Yan's arm, "Waaah, Senior Brother, Grandmaster is too cruel to us."

"Shh! Grandmaster's ears are very sharp. If we're exposed, I'm dead."

Worried about his safety, Li Yan quickly made a shushing gesture. He was genuinely scared; he hadn't felt the guilt of a thief in a long time.

Seeing her senior brother's cowardly expression, Frieren regained her composure and stopped bothering him. She turned and ran to Fern, crying out to Fern about their Grandmaster's cold-heartedness.

"Next?"

Serie's urging voice rang out again, clearly puzzled by the last examinee's delayed arrival.

Li Yan swallowed hard, pushed open the door with a touch of fear, and looked at her Grandmaster sitting by the pool, playing with her jade-like feet in the water. Her heart calmed down a little.

"Li Yan, your name is somewhat similar to that of my former grand-disciple."

Serie spoke indifferently, glancing slightly at Li Yan. The resemblance made her suspicious of his identity. He had no past magical career, no family background, and his information was completely blank, as if someone had put him into the exam out of thin air. Without the arrangement of the Magic Association, it would have been almost impossible for him to complete it, which was enough to explain his background.

Just as Li Yan was filled with fear, thinking that he was about to be exposed, Serie chuckled and poked her bathing feet out of the water, stood up and squinted at Li Yan.

"You must be a descendant of the Lionheart King. You look exactly like the old Li Yan. I never expected your magical talent to be so outstanding; you do bear some resemblance to your ancestor."

"Ah?"

Li Yan was slightly taken aback, but immediately realized what she meant, "Yes, yes."

How old are you?

Serie stood up and walked towards Li Yan, a faint smile on her face.

"Um... this year... I think it's twelve."

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine; Serie's ever-growing presence gave him a sense of foreboding.

"Twelve years old? Twelve years old with such great Mana, that's truly astonishing."

Serie's smile grew even brighter, Li Yan swallowed hard, shamelessly replying, "Yeah, it's innate."

"Did your Junior Sister say anything to you when she went out just now?" Serie placed her hand on Li Yan's head and gently patted it.

"He didn't say anything."

Li Yan answered instinctively.