Keeping a Low Profile Through the Annual Assessment

Time never stood still; in the blink of an eye, the seasons flowed past and the years slipped away.

Two months had passed. Lin Lan's life consisted of cultivating every day and hunting demons during breaks. His Lightning Element had already broken through to the second level, Lightning Seal: Frenzied Charge, while his Space Element was still a little behind.

"Brother Fan, Brother Lan, today's the magic assessment. How's your cultivation going?"

"Especially you, Brother Lan. I heard the Lightning Element is really difficult to cultivate," Zhang Xiaohou said curiously to Mo Fan and Lin Lan.

"Don't worry. I can casually crush that green-tea pretty boy now. Taking first place won't be a problem." Mo Fan curled his lips into a confident smile, leaning back against his chair with his eyes closed as though first place was already in the bag.

"As for me, I can cast magic now, but I'll have to see whether there's any need to. My Stardust intensity alone might already be enough for first place." Lin Lan sounded unbearably smug, like he was begging to be punched. However, it was only an excuse, because someone had come to mind: Great Deacon Huzhen, Mu He... A trace of gravity flashed through Lin Lan's eyes. That man was extremely dangerous.

Tian Lan Magic High School's annual assessment was held on the athletic field. Heat hung in the air, but every student taking the assessment tried their best to calm themselves down.

The annual assessment tested magical energy intensity and spellcasting. The grades, from lowest to highest, were D, C, B, A, and S. Outstanding students would enter the advanced class and receive the privilege of using a Star Dust Magic Tool.

Speaking of Star Dust Magic Tools, Lin Lan was preparing to buy one. They cost several million, but after hunting demons once more, along with the six hundred thousand the state had given him earlier, he would have enough.

Students who scored D in the annual assessment would be advised to leave by the school. After all, the school's resources were limited. While training outstanding mages, it would not waste resources on the weak.

Survival of the fittest—such was the cruelty of the magic world. Those who did not work hard could only face elimination.

"Next, please welcome Bocheng's outstanding mage, Mu Ningxue, to give a speech." Mu Ningxue had silver-white hair, a stunning figure, exquisite features, long slender pale legs, and fair skin. There was little emotion in her eyes. She was incredibly beautiful, yet seemed exceptionally cold.

No wonder Mo Fan chased her for over a thousand chapters... Lin Lan was still thinking when applause erupted all around him. Mu Ningxue's arrival naturally became the center of everyone's attention.

When Mu Bai and Zhao Kun San saw Mu Ningxue, they remembered how Mo Fan had run off with the princess of their childhood dreams. They raised their eyes and glared venomously at Mo Fan...

"The annual assessment will now officially begin." With Principal Zhu's announcement, the annual assessment began.

"He Yu, A."

"Zhang Xiaohou, A."

Unfortunately, because Zhang Xiaohou was nervous, he failed to cast his magic successfully.

"Next, Mu Bai."

"Magical energy: S."

"Mu Bai is awesome! First in the class—no... first in the whole school!"

Just then, Mu Zhuoyun, Mu He, Principal Zhu, and Mu Ningxue arrived at their class.

"Teacher, I want to take the spellcasting test!"

Seeing this, Mu Bai hurriedly tried to show himself off and display his strength.

"Big Brother, this is Mu Bai, the one I've been telling you about. His qualifications are quite good in every aspect!"

Mu He said to Mu Zhuoyun. Though he was ostensibly introducing him, he actually wanted Mu Zhuoyun to promote him. Mu Bai was Mu He's nephew, so naturally Mu He wanted to look after him.

"Then let's have a look." Mu Zhuoyun glanced at Mu Ningxue, and she nodded. He then agreed.

"Alright, you may begin."

"Ice Vines."

Mu Bai raised his hand, and a white light carrying icy air shot toward the wooden board. The board began freezing from the bottom upward.

"Spellcasting: B."

Mu Bai strutted off the stage with great arrogance. As he came down, he signaled the examiner with his eyes.

Understanding the hint, the examiner went up and placed a dark stone beneath the Star Sense Stone.

"Next, Mo Fan."

"Brother Fan, good luck!"

Zhang Xiaohou encouraged Mo Fan.

"Mo Fan, that examiner tampered with something just now. Be careful!"

Lin Lan naturally knew that the examiner would make a move. Having seen the examiner's little trick, he gave Mo Fan a warning.

"Mm, I'll be careful." Mo Fan nodded and walked up, standing before the Star Sense Stone as he examined it closely.

"Begin!" the examiner said to Mo Fan.

"Wait. Can we switch to another one? I think something's wrong—there's something under this Star Sense Stone." After saying that, Mo Fan did not touch it. He had noticed the object beneath the Star Sense Stone too, but he had no way to explain himself. It was better to let them discover it themselves.

"A trash student is still a trash student. Why don't you say there's something wrong with your eyes instead?"

"Exactly! You say the Star Sense Stone has a problem? Then do all of us who got C's and D's have a problem too?"

With Zhao Kun San taking the lead, the other students chimed in as well.

"Damn it... He found it." Mu Bai's mouth twitched. His goal had been to make Mo Fan the laughingstock of the whole school in front of Mu Ningxue and get him expelled. Unfortunately, it had still been discovered.

Mu Zhuoyun also signaled for the examiner to inspect it. The examiner found the dark stone beneath the Star Sense Stone.

The students immediately began protesting indignantly.

"Doesn't that mean there could be problems with all our scores?"

"Yeah, yeah! I was wondering why I worked so hard and only got a C."

"This is unfair!"

"Don't worry, students. The school will give you an explanation."

"Anyone who disputes their score may retake the test." Seeing how angry everyone was, Principal Zhu only managed to quiet the crowd after a few words.

Mo Fan then continued his test.

"S."

"Holy crap, the light is even stronger than Mu Bai's."

"Who said he was a trash student?"

"Did they put a stone under there that increases magical energy?" Everyone was dumbfounded. They rubbed their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Teacher, I want to take the spellcasting test." Mo Fan raised his hand and immediately cast Fire Burst.

"Spellcasting: A."

Mu Ningxue's gaze turned toward Mo Fan. Mu Bai happened to see it, and his face turned green again.

"Brother Fan is awesome! First in the school! First in the school!" Zhang Xiaohou immediately cheered for Mo Fan.

"Next, Lin Lan."

"Lanzi, I'll wait for you." Mo Fan also planned to wait for Lin Lan, then properly thank him afterward. If not for Lin Lan, he would have been more wronged than Dou E.

"Begin!"

Lin Lan placed his hand on the Star Sense Stone. The Star Sense Stone sensed the intensity of one's Stardust to judge their magical energy cultivation, then emitted light.

Great Deacon Huzhen was watching from below. If Lin Lan performed too outstandingly and affected the Black Vatican's plans, he might not even know how he died a second time.

Lin Lan also had no idea why Mo Fan had not been eliminated. Was it so he could obtain the Earth Sacred Spring? That did not seem likely either. The strongest person in a tiny place like Bocheng was only a high-tier mage. The Black Vatican could solve everything by casually sending an executioner. It seemed to be plot armor again. Still, keeping a low profile was always better. He was not the protagonist.

"S," the examiner said after looking at the intensity of the light.

"Let's test my spellcasting," Lin Lan said.

Lin Lan raised his hand and controlled his stars, but he deliberately slowed his casting speed. It normally took only four seconds, yet he took seven this time. He did not use his spirit seed either. If he did, he might die.

"Lightning Seal—Python Mark."

The Lightning Seal struck the wooden board, turning it pitch-black and splitting it in half.

"Spellcasting: B," the examiner said.

"Not bad, Lanzi! Hahaha!" Mo Fan praised him with a laugh, though it was unclear whether he was happy for himself or for Lin Lan.

Lanzi's Lightning Element isn't even as strong as mine, and I've got the Fire Element too. I really am a genius! Wahahaha! Mo Fan was indeed feeling smug, wearing an immensely pleased expression.

Lin Lan also let out a breath of relief. Nothing should happen now, right...?

"Mo Fan, Lin Lan, you two come here."

I'm thinking of making the buildup longer—writing about the desertification caused by the Lord of the Sahara Desert, the strongest emperor of the oceans invading Europe, and the Antarctic and Arctic emperors attacking humanity. If possible, I might write that far. It will take a very long time, and I'll use my own ideas to fill in the novel's plot holes.