30 Provocation

It seemed his terrifying talent had already caught the attention of quite a few people—especially Solomon before him, who had actually found out his name.

During the talent test, Solomon had originally been the most dazzling figure. A level-nine talent was enough to make him one of Azure Flame Academy's top students. Unfortunately, Xia Ming's freakish talent had completely overshadowed him, like a firefly vying with the bright moon for splendor, utterly outclassed.

Because of that, Solomon had secretly come to hate Xia Ming!

Xia Ming naturally understood why, but why would he fear Solomon's hatred and provocation?

"Sure. It would be understandable if someone else surpassed you, but being surpassed by you is just too embarrassing." Xia Ming spoke as though it were only natural, but his words made Solomon's face flush red with fury.

"You..." Solomon clenched his fists, his face darkening before he suddenly gave a low laugh. "Hmph, let's see how long you can keep acting arrogant. You've got level-twelve talent, yet you're only a level-four mage. I'd say the Measuring Sky Ruler made a mistake and let you pick up a bargain by sheer luck!"

Naturally, Solomon had no idea that Xia Ming had studied magic for only two months. Otherwise, his eyes would have popped right out of their sockets.

"Is that so?" Xia Ming swept him a glance. He had no intention of showing this fellow any courtesy. "I think it's perfectly normal for the Measuring Sky Ruler to test out that kind of talent. If someone like you can be rated level nine, then being only three levels above you is nothing unusual."

Xia Ming's tone was calm, as if he were discussing the most ordinary thing in the world. Solomon's proud face turned ashen—what did he mean, "if someone like you can be rated level nine"? Wasn't that a blatant slap across the face?

Still, Solomon was at least clever enough not to explode in front of everyone. Yet his heaving chest showed just how badly he had been angered.

"Goodbye, Solomon."

Xia Ming was in no hurry. This was not a good time to make a move. Gritting his teeth, Xia Ming accelerated again under the weight on his back. Before long, he completely overtook the increasingly exhausted Solomon and ran ahead.

Solomon ate dust behind him. He wanted to run faster, but his strength simply could not keep up. All he could do was watch helplessly as Xia Ming's back disappeared little by little...

Fifty kilograms of weight. Twenty laps. Almost everyone was gasping for breath, and cries of misery filled the air.

Even the vigorous new students from the warrior department were exhausted to the point of wanting to die. The moment they crossed the finish line after twenty laps, they collapsed onto the ground without moving.

Xia Ming was the fifty-first person to cross the finish line. Black Mamba recorded every result at the line; these would be filed away and counted toward their academic credits.

Black Mamba gave Xia Ming an approving look. For a mage, a class known for weak constitutions, to achieve such a result was indeed not bad.

By the time everyone had finished the twenty laps, it was already deep into the night. Cold moonlight fell over Xia Ming, making him feel a chill. With no regard for grace, Xia Ming lay sprawled on his back on the ground. He did not care that his robe was getting dirty, only gulping down breaths as he gazed at the stars overhead.

"Rookies!"

But Black Mamba gave the new students no chance to catch their breath. His voice boomed like a great bell, making everyone turn toward him.

"A total of fifty-nine of you fainted during the run just now and failed to complete this assessment. Their credits for this round will be zero! Don't blame me for not warning you—if your pre-enrollment assessment score is zero, you may very well become repeaters at Azure Flame Academy!"

Repeaters!

Everyone's expressions changed at once. Xia Ming also revealed a bitter smile. Wasn't this pre-enrollment assessment far too harsh?

Black Mamba waved a large hand. "All rookies, follow me! You've passed the first assessment. Next comes the second!"

The second assessment followed immediately. Black Mamba led the way, while the new students staggered after him, following him to Azure Flame Academy's training grounds.

To Xia Ming, Azure Flame Academy's training grounds were undoubtedly an excellent place to train, but at this moment, they were nothing less than hell.

The entire training ground had been enhanced with the fifth-level magic Gravity Spell. Gravity had doubled, making every movement exceptionally difficult. Everyone was already exhausted, and the moment they entered the grounds, they could barely move their feet, as though their legs had been filled with lead.

Black Mamba gave a sinister chuckle. "Rookies, I shall now announce the rules of the second assessment! First, some good news: you may use battle aura and magic!"

Cheers immediately erupted throughout the training ground. To the tortured new students, being allowed to use battle aura and magic was truly tremendous news!

Xia Ming, however, was not particularly excited. He watched Black Mamba. This demon clearly had more to say.

Sure enough, Black Mamba looked at the crowd teasingly and let out another eerie laugh. "But there's also bad news. You must withstand fifty Blizzard attacks in the training ground! Don't worry. Even if you fail this round, your credits won't be reduced to zero—only cut in half!"

"Damn it, fifty Blizzard attacks!"

"Is this some kind of joke...?"

Blizzard was also a fifth-level spell. Though it was an area-of-effect spell and its attacks were relatively dispersed, asking this severely exhausted group to withstand fifty of them was still harder than climbing to the heavens.

"Alright, begin!" Black Mamba announced coldly.

The training ground was powered by countless magic crystals, Magic Beast cores, and magic scrolls, allowing it to cast Blizzard at any time. With a wave of Black Mamba's hand, the magic was immediately released.

A chill rushed toward them. A massive storm abruptly appeared within the training ground, the water elements growing restless as the sky darkened in an instant.

The howling storm swept up countless ice crystals, which battered one another in the air. Its icy chill was unstoppable as it swept toward them!

This Blizzard really is powerful! Xia Ming thought. At the same time, he calmly raised the Earthflame Staff. "Flame Guard!"

This was a fourth-level fire-element defensive spell. Fire elemental sprites swirled around Xia Ming, forming a wall of flame. The fire blazed fiercely, and its scorching heat let Xia Ming feel a trace of warmth even amid Blizzard's freezing cold.

Boom!

Blizzard howled in. In the very first wave alone, dozens of new students were swept out of the grounds by this cruel, violent spell, sent flying backward and completely losing their chance.

Fortunately, Black Mamba was still fairly responsible. He immediately had the healers send the injured new students to the treatment room.

Relying on Flame Guard, Xia Ming steadily withstood Blizzard's assault.

Unlike before, mages held a greater advantage in this assessment, able to rely on defensive spells. The warrior department students could only grit their teeth and endure with battle aura defenses.

With Gravity Spell still in effect, even moving had become immensely difficult. Everyone could only stand rooted to the spot and forcibly withstand Blizzard's power.

Blizzard!

Another Blizzard thundered in right after it. The snowstorm swept over them with overwhelming pressure. Xia Ming snorted coldly and swiftly waved his staff, replenishing Flame Guard with magic power.

Even Anthony and Bluebeard had marveled at Xia Ming's magic power. Maintaining this fourth-level spell was no problem for him at all.

Quite a few observant people in the field had already noticed something unusual about Xia Ming. With nothing more than a simple wave of his staff to maintain his shield spell, he easily blocked Blizzard!

Even Black Mamba's eyes lit up.