A Scheming Boy

In a blink of an eye, all 24 invigilators stormed into the scene majestically.  Some flew in, seated on clouds, while others walked alongside their tamed beasts. 

"Wow! So fierce!"

"That's the famous Miss Rein, a 3-star Teacher from the Yan Clan in the Tri-Der region! I know it's her because she visited my Clan last year!"

"F***! Look over there! Isn't that Teacher Beyma from Golden Wood Region?”

“WHAT?! True or false? Could it be that Teacher Beyma?”

Many blurted out in surprise, seeing a few famous teachers amongst the bunch.

You have to know that they were in Planet 118, the last and weakest in the Alliance. 

And even on the planet, the city and region they were located in were still the weakest of them all because of the qi distribution in the land. The qi here was so sparse, limiting their growth. 

What they considered as strong here was nothing in other bigger territories. 

These wealthy sons and daughters could make noise in this region without a care. But if they stepped out into the vast world, they might be incomparable to the ordinary folks roaming about.

And as for the invigilators, in truth, they were more or less at the bottom of their ranks back in their home territories. But when coming here, their qualifications were things many dreamed of accomplishing.

Around these parts, the highest qualification making had received were 2-star ones. 

There were 2-star teachers, 2-star beast tamers, 2-star alchemists, etc.

Even the patriarchs in these branch clans bordered around these strengths. So seeing some 3-star teachers walk in was enough for many to feel awed. 

There were both 2 and 3-star teachers amongst the invigilators, with a few being teachers from this very academy.

.

"Silence!”

A burly white-bearded man yelled out. His voice wasn't overly loud and very low. Yet, it had sent chills to many across the hall.

So strong!

The old man massaged his long white beard, sweeping his eyes across the scene. 

“As you know, there are 3 main examinations required for every student to take if you want to start your journey as Master Teachers.”

Everyone’s heart was boiling the more they listened to the white-bearded man’s words.

To make it, they had to pass all 3 exams!

The other 23 invigilators scattered about the vast hall while the bearded man addressed them at the front.

“Per the rules, all 3 examinations will be completed by the end of the day. So if any of you know any absent students, just tell them to try harder next year because once you miss one exam, your failure is evident."

Many subconsciously looked at Ji Feng. It would've been good if this guy came in late. They hadn't bothered about the other paupers because those bunch knew their places, getting average scores. It's not like they didn't try to be better, but the resources they could attain were limited, making many wealthy people take the higher scores. 

Only Ji Feng seemed to be an exception over the years. That is… Just how did this guy’s brain and innate talent develop?

As the bearded invigilator spoke, the other 23 used their abilities to distribute the examination sheets to everyone.

That's right! Their first examination was theoretical, with over 500 students taking this year's examination.

"Remember! Anyone caught cheating will be suspended for the next 20 years before they are allowed to retake the examination. Additionally, their names will be passed on to different academies across all planets. This matter will be on the cheater's permanent record. So don't try anything stupid!”

They wouldn't dare. Many retorted, thinking that only a stupid person would take such risks

Very calmly, the other invigilators nodded to the lead bearded man.

All papers had been distributed. 

Good.

“You may begin!"

.

~Flip! Flip! Flip! Flip!~

--Silence-- 

The hall was immersed in utter silence, with just the sounds of booklets getting flipped around.

The war was on! And like generals on a battlefield, many narrowed their gazes on the examination sheets, reading word for word, not wanting to make a single error.

What a joke!

Apart from passing the exam, many were shooting for the top position. So they dared not treat the exam casually.

And after a while, the sounds of pages getting turned gradually decreased.

What was this?

With every page turn, many realized that the examination was getting harder and harder by the minute. Even the bonus questions were skull cracking.

And soon, some began breaking down under pressure.

What sort of bonus questions were these? Was this still at the entry-level for future teachers?

‘...’

Blink. Blink.

Many stared at their booklets several times before smiling bitterly while writing whatever came to mind.

It was evident that even though many were confident in passing, getting that top scorer position would be tough. 

But who can tell them why this Ji Feng guy was just flipping his booklet and filling things in speedily but so confidently?

‘Bro… are you sure you're writing the same examination we’re doing too?’

That is… The examination was hard for them, but why did it look like it was just child's play to him?

Nym Bai, Wei Fru, and Shu Kang stared at the scene, with no one knowing what they were thinking of. 

But after a few more gazes, they turned their attention back to their examination sheets with more vigor for success brimming in their hearts.

But it wasn't just the many examinees who were shocked. Even the invigilators gave Ji Feng a second look.

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 "Who is that young man? What clan does he come from?"

"Him? Clan?” One of the invigilators, who came from this academy, was quick to answer the seniors. “Many of you might not know of him, but he's quite famous in this academy. He's not from any famous clan, but amongst the 537 people in his batch, he always comes out on top. He's a real legend around these parts."

"Oh?.. So he’s from a low-class family? In that case, how far can he go?” Some of the invigilators already looked down on him in their hearts.

“Even if he usually came out on top of every test in the past, that doesn't mean that he can answer all questions today correctly."

"Hmhm. These examinations are not your ordinary jack and jill ones. Even my senior brother, a hailed genius back in my days, had stumbled upon some striking questions too.

So how can he be at ease like this?"

"You're right! I think that he's just filling in the questions that he can't answer with gibberish."

"That makes sense!"

"Hmhm… To me, the boy is just a snobbish show-off! His purpose is clearly to get our attention.”

“Heh… In that case, he should be rushing to find a backer for himself amongst us.”

“What a shrewd boy… So young, yet so full of bad thoughts."

….

Many of the invigilators thought so, already having terrible impressions of Ji Feng. And even if those who taught Ji Feng spoke out, it was all useless.

Some invigilators sneered at the scheming boy. 

‘Pretend… Keep pretending. I don't believe you’ve answered everything right!’