The explosions beyond the walls had long since faded.
The crimson light filling the sky had also receded. Daylight brightened once more, and under the soothing spells of the school workers, the birds gradually calmed down, returned to the treetops, and began preening their feathers. Everything seemed to have gone back to how it had been when the exam began.
"Five minutes remaining!"
At the podium, the Black Robe Teaching Assistant responsible for proctoring raised his voice and called out to the young wizards in the examination hall. "Since the earlier accident did not cause any irreversible impact on the exam site, this examination will not be extended... Make good use of these last few minutes. Check your names and candidate numbers. Even if you don't know an answer, write down a few words—don't leave it blank! That is the most sincere advice from someone who has been through it!"
The slightly humorous remark drew laughter from the young wizards below.
Zheng Qing absentmindedly checked his exam paper, but his mind was occupied with what had happened outside the walls—had some great demon caused trouble? Had a crazed dragon burst out of the Silent Forest? Or had some laboratory been testing new magic?
He could not wait to hand in his paper and discuss the matter with Xiao Xiao or Fatty Xin.
But after the papers had been collected, the proctors did not allow the young wizards to leave the examination hall.
"According to the latest notice issued by the School Labor Committee and the Professor Joint Conference, all students in the teaching buildings, Experimental Building, and other areas of First University are to remain where they are after receiving this notice. Do not move about freely. Await further instructions."
After reading the notice, the Black Robe Teaching Assistant on