The boy could hardly believe his ears. It was as if he had just heard the most absurd thing in the world.
What?
Someone could actually pass an exam by turning in a blank paper these days?
Was this some kind of corruption?
The boy was completely dumbfounded. He kept going over his family background in his mind, but couldn't find a single thing worth mentioning.
He came from the most ordinary poor family in Losang Province. His father had died early, and now only his mother and younger sister were left at home, tending a few acres of poor farmland and getting by on one meal a day, constantly struggling on the brink of death.
He had no money and no connections. The only thing he could possibly mention was that he had once nominally studied under Master Faola Sandru. But as an unregistered disciple like him, he was at the very bottom of the outer disciples.
If anything, he didn't have no background at all—his background was a curse.
His little head went around in circles, but he still couldn't figure it out. "No, sir, I'm not questioning your decision. I just don't understand."
Through the school's magical voice transmission system, Lein spoke gently. [If you don't understand, then that's only right. If you did, you'd at least be a Formal Mage. For now, don't think about anything. Stay here until the exam is over, and I'll reveal the mystery behind this exam to everyone at once.]
"Yes, sir." The boy spoke somewhat timidly. "My name is..."
[Shh!]
Lein's response left the boy at a loss. He stared wide-eyed at the Mage Tower.
[It's more fun to reveal your trump card at the very last moment,] Lein said mischievously.
"..."
Meanwhile, a slight commotion arose among the crowd