Alternative Genius

The first thing tested was aptitude—the body's affinity for energy.

The higher one's Energy Affinity Level, the greater the chance of breaking through to become a wizard. Such apprentices held the greatest value for cultivation.

After all, any Wizard Academy hoped to invest little and reap great returns.

It was like the middle schools in Arro's previous life, which also preferred to admit students with relatively good past grades.

But unfortunately...

Watching the sheen bloom across the Gray-Green Glass Orb, Nicole shook her head expressionlessly.

"Second-Class Aptitude. Not outstanding."

She raised her head to Look At Arro closely, then lowered it to make another record, saying coldly, "No Special Aptitude!"

Second-Class Aptitude could only be said to possess a little cultivation value. Yet most could barely reach Advanced Wizard Apprentice. Arro's Grandfather, for instance, had Second-Class Aptitude; throughout his life, he would likely have little chance of breaking through.

Hearing Lord Wizard's assessment, most of the noble-born youths trembled as they kept silent. Still, a few bolder ones snickered and began whispering among themselves.

Someone like Arro, dressed in strange clothes and standing beside Monli in his coarse hemp garments, was naturally lumped in with the commoners in their eyes.

Ever since they were born, which commoner before them had not been trembling with fear and humble in attitude?

Just like those commoners in the Open Space, huddled like a flock of timid little quails—now that was the attitude they ought to have!

This "commoner" before them, however, remained calm and composed, head held high. He even dared to ignore their existence. Naturally, they had no reason to show him a pleasant face.

The appearance of a Different Kind was always hard for people to accept.

Facing the nobles' hushed criticism, Arro remained unruffled. He had anticipated this situation long ago.

He had already undergone an Aptitude Test at home, and the current order of testing had originally been arranged in advance.

As the needle before the Magic Array gradually steadied, Nicole, who had maintained an icy expression all along, finally changed her expression. Looking up in astonishment, she asked, "Your mental strength has already reached the standard of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice. Are you really only ten years old?"

One was a super genius in mental strength, but unfortunately had aptitude that was far too mediocre.

The other had mediocre aptitude, yet possessed mental strength that surpassed that of geniuses.

It was like "finding a hundred yuan first, then immediately losing a hundred yuan," versus "losing a hundred yuan first, then immediately finding a hundred yuan."

Were they the same?

Two principles of psychology were involved here.

One was "loss aversion." Simply put, an equal measure of happiness could not make up for an equal measure of pain.

The other was the "recency effect," meaning that among a string of information, people often remembered the final impression most deeply.

It was still Arro, but with a different order of testing.

In one case, he was a flawed person burdened by enormous regret, at most fit to be cultivated at a Second-Class Academy.

In the other, he was an alternative genius, worthy of entering the most Top-tier Wizard Academy!

Everyone liked starting low and rising high, and hated starting high and falling low.

Arro and His Mother had already arranged every detail perfectly.

Watching his mother's flawless performance, Arro could not help but sigh inwardly. Women truly were born actresses. Yet he had no choice but to join her performance.

Elegantly performing Wizard Apprentice Etiquette, Arro said modestly, "It is all thanks to the family's excellent cultivation."

"No! No place could guarantee that a child could raise their mental strength to the standard of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice without practicing a Meditation Technique!"

"This has far surpassed our previous judgment of the mental-strength limit for ordinary people. You are a genius—a genius of mental strength!"

After saying that, Nicole flourished her pen across the record book and wrote a huge "Excellent."

One could clearly "see" the psychological journey of this Lord Wizard just from the strokes above.

First: "Oh ho, what kind of trash is this?" Then: "My heavens, this is incredible!"

Even Arro could not help feeling admiration.

Amazing!

Truly amazing!

He had to admit it—worthy of a Formal Wizard. Even writing a single character could express so much meaning!

Putting away the register, Nicole's attitude seemed to have improved considerably. She nodded toward him. "Board the ship."

Arro gave a slight bow. "May I wait for my brother? His legs are inconvenient."

When Monli heard those words, he was so moved he nearly cried.

What a good brother!

Nicole opened the register and said again, "Fine. Have him come over for the test."

"Uh... his eyes are inconvenient too. May I help him over?"

Nicole's Eyebrows furrowed. She glared at Arro, her black robe billowing as the majesty of a Formal Wizard burst forth.

"Are you making a fool of me?!"

Seeing his mother put on such a performance, Arro was rendered even more speechless. Teacher Gemma must have told you what happened, right?

Besides... why put on an act in front of your own son?!

Monli nervously clutched the corner of Arro's clothes and stammered, "How about... I forget it? Good brother, you go aboard."

"No. I will definitely wait for you. You can absolutely pass the test!"

Monli was blind in both eyes and crippled in the legs, at the most vulnerable point in his heart. Hearing Arro say this, he was moved beyond words, his lips trembling slightly. "Thank you... sob... good brother, thank you!"

"Ah!"

Before Arro could reply, Nicole's expression changed again. Her billowing black robe settled, and she looked at Monli in astonishment.

"So that was it."

Nicole muttered to herself. After carefully examining Monli's lame leg several times, she nodded thoughtfully.

"Mm... not bad. Fine, he does not need to be tested. He can go aboard with you."

The moment they heard that no test was necessary, quite a few people around them grew excited. They did not know the reason, only assuming that Nicole had been moved by the bond between Arro and Monli. All sorts of thoughts immediately rose in their hearts.

Perhaps... I could find someone to pair up with too?

Emily, who had originally been hiding to one side, hurriedly rushed out and said anxiously, "Lord Wizard, me! And me! I came together with the two of them!"

Nicole shot her a cold look and rebuked her frostily, "Get in line and take the test!"

Seeing Lord Wizard's icy expression, Emily shrank back and muttered again, "I really did come with them!"

"If you are not testing, leave at once. If you are testing, get in line."

Emily had no choice but to imitate Arro and place her palm on the Gray-Green Glass Orb.

"The weakest First-Class Aptitude!"

Nicole immediately made her judgment.

People at this level basically had no cultivation value. No matter how they were cultivated, their final achievement would most likely only be that of an Ordinary Apprentice. Almost every ordinary person was at this level.

"There is no need to test your mental strength. Next!"

Emily's face turned pale as she made one final struggle. "No! Don't! Maybe my mental strength is amazing too!"

"Mm..."

Nicole hesitated. Of course, she was not wondering whether this Maiden before her might also be a mental-strength genius.

She was thinking that if she did not conduct a mental-strength test for the second person tested, would it be too conspicuous?

"Fine. Come over."

There was no surprise. Nicole calmly glanced at the needle and lowered her head to begin writing.

"First-Class Mental Strength. You may leave."

"No... no!"

Emily stood there dejectedly, muttering endlessly.

"I came together with those two!"

Silent Elder Brother, good brother, sob sob sob. It had just passed midnight, it was only the first day of the month, and you already sent me two monthly tickets. Sob sob sob, good brother!