The tent chosen by the gaunt old man conducting the tests was covered with thick woolen rugs.
Most of the applicants who had completed their aptitude tests were seated cross-legged on these rugs, waiting. This tent connected to another, larger one. A stern-faced middle-aged man in a black robe stood between them. When a name was called, that person would immediately enter the larger tent for the next phase.
Inside the large tent sat seven elders from the academy.
Six of them sat behind a long table made of rosewood, over half a man's height. Various objects were arrayed neatly across the table. These six elders were all dressed in black robes, but with silver stars embroidered on their chests and sleeves.
The seventh was seated to the side in a chair padded with cotton cushions. Though he seemed merely an observer, his robe bore not only golden stars but also insignias of a qilin and mandarin ducks. His hair was dry and yellowed, his face deeply wrinkled like it had been carved with a knife, and his left sleeve hung empty — he was a one-armed elder.
When Lin Xi began his test, the examination in the larger tent paused briefly. After the last boy was sent to the next tent, no new name was called right away.
"Only second-tier aptitude?"
The tent was well insulated — even those waiting in the adjacent tent couldn't hear the conversations within. But when the gaunt old man reported Lin Xi's test result, all seven elders inside clearly heard it. One elder, with brown pupils and graying beard, furrowed his brows and murmured.
A gentle-faced woman beside him also frowned but glanced at the brown-eyed elder and said softly, "Since she recommended him, even if his aptitude is poor, he must have something special."
"Proceed," said the one-armed elder with calm indifference. "It doesn't matter who made the recommendation, no matter how respected they are. All that matters is fairness."
The six elders straightened, responding firmly, "Yes. Next."
…
"I really am fated with this number two."
Lin Xi gave a wry smile as he entered the tent covered with rugs, glancing around. Back in Lulin Town, people called him 'Second Young Master Lin.' Now here at the academy entrance trial, he turned out to have second-tier aptitude.
No one told him what to do next, but the posture of the other applicants sitting quietly and the stern gaze of the robed examiner quickly told him everything he needed. As he scanned the room, he caught sight of Zhang Ping, who was also seated cross-legged on a rug and nodding in greeting. Without hesitation, Lin Xi quietly sat on a rug beside him.
"Hmm?"
Lin Xi had thought sitting on a thick wool rug in this warm weather would be uncomfortable. But the light-blue rug beneath him felt surprisingly cool and soft.
"What's your level?" Zhang Ping asked in a low voice once Lin Xi settled.
Lin Xi raised two fingers.
"Second-tier?" Zhang Ping was momentarily stunned, then comforted him in a whisper, "It doesn't matter too much. The academy entrance trial isn't solely based on aptitude."
"It's fine. I'm not upset," Lin Xi replied calmly. "But you have a real shot at the Artificer Division. Not many scored as high as tier four."
The two spoke in hushed tones. Lin Xi noticed that the icy beauty who had captivated Li Kaiyun — Leng Qiuyu — was also seated not far away. Just then, an uproar suddenly erupted from outside the testing area, loud enough to faintly penetrate the thick tent.
Moments later, the flap lifted — and to their surprise, it was Meng Bai who walked in.
"What happened?" Lin Xi and Zhang Ping asked the chubby boy as he sat beside them.
Meng Bai's freckled round face was flushed with excitement. "My aptitude just tested at tier five."
"Five?" Lin Xi and Zhang Ping exchanged shocked looks.
Before Lin Xi had entered, only a few had even reached tier four. A tier five was extremely rare — yet it was this round-faced boy with freckles? Lin Xi found it hard to reconcile that kind of extraordinary aptitude with Meng Bai's appearance.
Still somewhat shaken, Lin Xi asked, "What color is tier five?"
Meng Bai smacked his lips, "It's purple."
"Boom!"
Suddenly, another loud stir came from outside the tent.
"Another tier five?"
Everyone inside turned toward the tent flap. Soon, it lifted again — and in walked a tall girl in a green outfit.
She wore a ponytail. None of her features were especially stunning on their own, but together they gave her an indescribable beauty — simple, elegant, and radiating youthful energy.
Lin Xi's breath caught. His heart suddenly pounded — beyond his control. In that moment, he truly understood what Li Kaiyun meant by love at first sight.
It was pure instinct, a visceral tug on his heart. In his previous world, he had never felt something like this.
This naturally graceful, vibrant girl — she was like the most dazzling scenery, stunning his soul. Like an arrow, she pierced straight into his heart.
"Lin Xi, don't tell me you've fallen for her at first sight too, just like Li Kaiyun?" Meng Bai poked his waist teasingly.
Lin Xi didn't deny it. He smiled and said, "You could say that."
Meng Bai pouted. "I think Leng Qiuyu is prettier. If I had to choose, I'd pick her."
Lin Xi just smiled. Everyone has different tastes — just like how some in his world thought Fan Bingbing was prettier, while others preferred Li Bingbing. He personally thought this green-clad girl was more beautiful than Leng Qiuyu. Even though he no longer looked at her directly, her image was imprinted vividly in his mind.
"That annoying Golden Spoon is coming."
Just as Lin Xi was about to ask Meng Bai and Zhang Ping if they knew the girl's background, Meng Bai muttered in irritation.
The tent flap lifted again. In walked the Golden Spoon boy — the one with slicked-back, glossy hair, dressed in a white robe embroidered with silver flowers.
Lin Xi had no interest in the pompous-looking youth. His gaze involuntarily drifted back toward the girl who had stirred his heart.
She was scanning the room calmly, with a relaxed and peaceful demeanor.
"A toad trying to eat swan meat?"
A scornful voice reached Lin Xi's ears.
Meng Bai glared, "What did you say?" The voice had come from the Golden Spoon youth seated not far from them.
The boy sneered in a sharp, cutting tone. "A bumpkin with tier two aptitude dares to talk big. She's a tier five. She's guaranteed entry into the academy. Trash like you who might not even get in have no right to dream."
Lin Xi's eyes narrowed. He now realized that when Li Kaiyun had earlier clashed with this boy, his own words — "Don't bother with him. He might not even pass." — must have been overheard.
Meng Bai snorted, "And you think your aptitude is great?"
The Golden Spoon boy gave a faint, arrogant smile. "Only tier four. A bit below you, but still way better than a tier two."
"Tier two can still pass the exam," Lin Xi said calmly, tugging the fuming Meng Bai back. He looked at the boy and shrugged. "What if I pass easily?"
The boy sneered. "That would just mean dumb luck. Even prestigious academies like Qingluan occasionally admit a few trash students by mistake."
Lin Xi smiled. "What if I not only pass easily — but score better than you?"
The boy's face darkened. There was an incongruous coldness on his handsome, youthful face. "Are you challenging me?"
Lin Xi's smile deepened. "Yes."
"What's the wager?" the boy asked, mockery in his tone.
"Keep it simple," Lin Xi said. "The loser shouts loudly in front of everyone: 'There's something I've been meaning to say… I'm actually a pig!' Loud enough for everyone to hear."
"You're nuts," the boy blinked, then smirked coldly. "Fine. Deal."
"Lin Xi, are you seriously confident you'll get into the academy and outscore him?" Meng Bai and Zhang Ping whispered anxiously.
Lin Xi smiled lightly. "Back in Lulin Town, no one has ever won a bet against me — unless I let them."
"But this isn't like some casual bet!" Zhang Ping started to protest, but at that moment, the stern black-robed examiner called out his name.
"Zhang Ping!"
He jumped to his feet, gave Lin Xi and Meng Bai a nervous look, then ran to the back of the tent and lifted the heavy flap to enter the large examination tent — prompting another sneer from the Golden Spoon youth.
The atmosphere grew tense after Zhang Ping left, and even Meng Bai went quiet.
Candidates were going in quickly, not strictly in the order of their aptitude tests. Before long — only one person later — the examiner called again.
"Lin Xi!"