Enrollment

As for the magic aptitude test, Lin Feng knew the process by heart. Bored, he watched one hopeful boy or child after another step up to the priest, then return with a dejected expression. He felt a pang as he watched the failed candidates and thought of his own failed job interview with China Mobile. How much his expression back then must have resembled theirs!

Of course, Lin Feng felt no more than a pang. He didn't feel much pity or sympathy for those who had failed the test. After all, life and death were fated, and wealth and honor lay with Heaven; magical talent couldn't be forced.

As time passed, more and more people filled the hall. Since the magic tests would continue for seven days, most people weren't in a hurry. By the time it was Lin Feng's turn, the line of people waiting to be tested stretched right out of the hall. And yet, after all that time, only five or six people had actually passed the test for magical aptitude.

"Next," the bald old man said again.

Lin Feng composed himself and stepped forward. Doehring Cowart remained at his side. As far as Doehring Cowart knew, only Saint Realm experts could barely sense his presence. Ordinary mages certainly wouldn't be able to detect him.

Lin Feng placed his hand on the crystal ball.

In an instant, the entire crystal ball blazed like the sun. Earth-yellow and cyan light shone in tandem, with an occasional, exceedingly thin streak of fiery red mixed in. The dazzling light made everyone nearby squint.

Everyone in the hall froze at the sight of the crystal ball shining like the sun. Even Doehring Cowart, who had been standing beside Lin Feng the whole time, was stunned. He had expected all seven colors to shine together. Why were there only earth-yellow and cyan? But when Doehring Cowart saw Lin Feng glance at him, he seemed to understand and pushed his doubts aside.

The bald old man trembled as he looked at the paper in his hand. It clearly stated that Lin Feng was only eight years old.

"Age: eight. Elemental affinity: Earth Element and Wind Element, exceptional! Fire Element, average." The bald old man could feel his heart pounding. Most mages had average elemental affinity; above average was rare, and exceptional was rarer still.

In truth, Lin Feng's elemental affinity should have exceeded exceptional. But since there was no higher ranking, he had been classified as exceptional.

"Whoa!"

The entire hall erupted in astonishment. His elemental affinity was exceptional—and in two elements, no less. It was terrifying.

After the elemental affinity test came the test of spiritual force!

"Please step into the magic array." The bald old man even used the word "please" for Lin Feng, something he rarely did.

Even the nobles around them now looked at Lin Feng differently. Exceptional elemental affinity meant he could refine magical power in very little time, leaving the rest of his time free to train his spiritual force. His future achievements were sure to be extraordinary.

Lin Feng stepped into the magic array.

The array's warm white light came on, and a force of oppression bore down directly on his soul.

A Light Element spell of intimidation.

So weak. Compared with that Black Dragon's "dragon might" from half a year ago, this doesn't even come close. Lin Feng still had time to think about other things. With his true abilities, earning an exceptional rating in spiritual force would be a piece of cake. But he didn't want that. An exceptional rating in elemental affinity was enough. As for spiritual force, a high rating would guarantee his admission to the Ernst Institute. There was no need to earn the same double-exceptional rating as Dixie, Dilia's older brother.

As time passed, the magic array's light grew brighter, and the force of oppression grew stronger. Everyone in the church hall held their breath. They could all tell that the plainly dressed boy would become a formidable mage.

Lin Feng gauged the situation and figured he could collapse now and still get a high rating in spiritual force.

With that in mind, he pretended he couldn't hold on any longer and dropped to one knee with a thud, bracing himself with both hands against the ground.

Everyone turned to look at the bald old man.

The bald old man's face glowed as he announced loudly, "Spiritual force: twenty times that of others his age. High rating. High spiritual force, exceptional elemental affinity."

The moment he said it, everyone looked at Lin Feng differently. Their eyes held envy, jealousy, resentment, and every other emotion, but the contempt they'd shown him before was gone.

"Does anyone know that boy? Which family is he from?" The nobles below began murmuring among themselves.

"His name is Lin Feng." Some of the admissions staff had learned his identity from the people conducting the tests.

Next, Lin Feng got a taste of what it felt like to be a celebrity. It felt great to have people vying for him. He felt like a prized catch—a feeling he had never experienced in his previous life.

"Lin Feng, the Ernst Institute cordially invites you to join us." A voice rang out from the far end of the hall, and the entire room fell silent. Even the bald old man stopped speaking.

Lin Feng turned to look.

A middle-aged man in a white robe walked over and said with a smile, "Exceptional elemental affinity, high spiritual force, and exceptional affinity in two elements. Lin Feng, the Ernst Institute would be delighted to welcome you. Would you be willing to join us?"

Hillman, standing nearby, was stunned for a long moment. Then he immediately rushed over to Lin Feng. Hillman was so excited that his hands trembled.

The Ernst Institute?

What did it mean to get into the greatest magic academy in all of Yulan, the Ernst Institute?

It meant that upon graduation, even an ordinary student could easily become an earl in a kingdom. Outstanding students were even earnestly courted by the Four Great Empires.

And yet, despite Yulan's vast size, the Ernst Institute accepted only a hundred students each year!

A hundred students a year—what were the odds?

Every student accepted into the Ernst Institute could be called a genius!

"Lin Feng, say yes," Hillman urged, beside himself with excitement.

Lin Feng wasn't particularly excited. His admission to the Ernst Institute had been a foregone conclusion. He only wanted to attend so he could see what Dilia looked like, and meet his roommates in Dormitory 1987. Learning magic was just a bonus.

"Sir, it would be an honor to become a member of the Ernst Institute," Lin Feng replied respectfully.

The middle-aged man in white was surprised by Lin Feng's composure, but he continued to smile. "Lin Feng, I'll submit all your information to the institute. Once you arrive, you'll just need to bring your identification and take another test before you can officially become a student."

There was no point in impersonating someone else, since students had to take another test at the institute anyway.

"The institute has two semesters each year. The school year begins on February ninth. You only need to arrive before then. This is a letter confirming your admission." The middle-aged man in white took a red letter from inside his robe.

In fact, as soon as he learned Lin Feng's test results, the middle-aged man in white had written Lin Feng's name on the admission letter. He was certain that no one would refuse an invitation from the Ernst Institute!

"Thank you." Lin Feng accepted the red letter.