Astral Ascendant: My Goldfinger's Forte is Deception

Talent Assessment

Zhao Fao recovered his bearing and smoothly deflected the question, "It's nothing. So, what happened in class yesterday?"

"........"

The duo arrived in school before the bell rang. While they separated to get ready for the roll call, Zhao Fao quickly engaged his system in a questioning session.

If Su Jie had a Goldfinger, did that mean there were multiple Goldfingers around the world like himself?

Was the original Su Jie dead and had a new transmigator possessed his body and taken his place?

Were all Goldfinger owners transmigators?

Was there a clause against disclosing one's Goldfinger owner identity? Were all Goldfingers from the same source and in a peace treaty to not have disagreement with each other?

To his disappointment, the system did not answer any of his questions under the guise of his level being insufficient to get answers.

It also added that the top priority now was for Zhao Fao to pass his entrance examinations and become a cultivator.

[Only this way can the core functions of the Ultimate Deception System be activated]

Zhao Fao was lost in thoughts as he entered the hall where the orientation program was to be held.

******

"Congratulations on the completion of your academic education. Today marks the end of your basic curriculum!"

The principal was usually a fat jolly man but his countenance was serious today. His attitude made the ninety-eight students sit up and listen to his words carefully.

"Contrary to what you think, the entrance examinations will not be based on academic performance. Apart from the top students who will get more benefits, you will all be granted graduation privileges by default and proceed on an excursion to the Spiritual District to apply to your desired universities."

A silent clamour broke out. The students mumbled and looked around blankly, including Zhao Fao.

"Doesn't that mean that all my reading sessions recently were in vain?" Su Jie groaned and nudged Zhao Fao. "At least you'll be getting some benefits. You're in the top percentile of the honour roll."

"Hush!" Zhao Fao cut him short as the principal was about to start speaking again.

"For those that don't get it, I'll explain again. This year, the Council of Universities has scrapped the format of admitting students based on rankings from general entrance examinations. Instead, each university will admit new students privately. Any one of you can apply to any university and try out their assessment exams. The only difference is that the top ten of the class will be given multiple applications chances while everyone else gets a single chance."

Zhao Fao instantly detected a wave of malice as several classmates glanced at him. It couldn't be helped; he was one of the few who would get the bonus benefit.

'There's no use glaring at me. You lot should have taken your grades seriously in the past!' Zhao Fao scowled back and ignored the idiots.

Thinking about it, the new admission system was not very favourable to the average students. They were now limited to applying to a single institution only.

If they failed to get in....

They could only return to the mortal district and be stuck there for the rest of their lives.

Compared to Zhao Fao who would have two chances at least.

It really wasn't fair.

Zhao Fao secretly felt this new screening system would lead to a lot of talents getting buried.

For example, a case of students with second-grade talents confidently applying to the top universities while third -grade talents applied to second-grade universities.

Most of the second-grade talents would fail to get in and have to return to the mortal district while the third-grade talents would get the spots meant for them.

Of course, Zhao Fao didn't have to worry about that.

If he failed to get into a top school, he could apply to an average university with his second spot.

"Private admission counseling sessions will commence as soon as you return to class. Of course, the final choice is up to the individual, but our sessions will test your talent and potential to estimate your best options."

The orientation ended.

The students returned to class silently.

Even the usually chatty Su Jie was lost in thoughts.

Miss Shao was secretly pleased when she entered the classroom and saw their despondent faces. In this state, they weren't throwing weird glances where they shouldn't.

"The top four–Guo Meng, Ling Xue, Zhao Fao and Su Jie, come with me now!"

The top students stood up and left as the rest of the class looked at them enviously. Only Zhao Fao had a strange expression on his face.

Since when did Su Jie become one of the top four in their class?

The raunchy guy's garde had always been close to the lower percentile!

Even if there had been a mixup, did the rest of the class really not notice the anomaly when his name was mentioned?

Unless......

"Interesting!" Zhao Fao smiled at the guy who happened to turn back to look at him at the same time.

He had a suspicion about the function of Su Jie's Goldfinger.

Mass memory wipe or covert event manipulation?

And he probably remained unaffected because he was a Goldfinger owner himself.

"Isn't that so, system?"

[Ding! The host's level is insufficient to access such information]

Zhao Fao almost choked on his saliva.

Look, Su Jie's Goldfinger could actually manipulate a large group of people and provide direct benefits to its host, unlike a particular Goldfinger which had most of its function under lock.

What was the use of it then? To look good?

The system was silent.

It didn't mind the ramblings of its ignoramus host. Once its core functions were online, he would realize his fault in underestimating it.

"Welcome!" The principal smiled when the students entered the closed office.

There was only a plain desk with a weird black stone on it. The atmosphere was a bit spooky.

There were two others present, a dark-haired man who taught science in the lower grades and a masked figure draped in a black robe.

"The assessment is simple. You will take turns to place your hand on the talent rock. We will give recommendations based on the results."

The students nodded to show that they understood.

Guo Meng volunteered to go first and confidently placed his right hand on the rock.

Everyone fixed their gaze on it to observe any changes.

Surprisingly, the rock's hue suddenly changed from black to a bright orange after two seconds!

Faintly, it started to give off a fiery sensation.

The principal waited for the hue to stabilize before speaking, "Fourth-grade talent, flame element. You can retract your hand now!"

"This result is good, right?" Guo Meng asked tentatively.

The hooded figure in the room suddenly spoke, "Talent is graded on a scale of one to five, with one being the highest and five being the lowest grade. With your fourth-grade talent, you're barely better than trash and only fit to attend cannon fodder institutions like the military."

Guo Meng recoiled at the words. It was unknown if it was the venomous sting of the words that got him or the disdainful attitude of the speaker.

Meanwhile, the three students left looked pensive as they stared at the black rock on the desk.