READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 3: Admission Test
Notting College has always upheld a teaching ideology that appears lax externally yet is stringent internally. Although admission is achievable for those willing to pay a sufficient price, the tuition structure is based on talent levels. For students with high - end talent, even if their families are of modest means, the college will facilitate their educational journey through tuition waivers or loans. Conversely, for those with low - end talent, tuition fees are exorbitant, and any tuition arrears will result in an immediate class suspension.
Furthermore, the college conducts separate classes tailored to students' talent tiers. In essence, the college always ensures it doesn't end up at a disadvantage.
Leah leads Ryan towards the heart of the college square. Periodically, some senior students greet Leah. These senior students are equally eager to discern if any highly - talented individuals will emerge among this year's new cohort.
The sibling pair stands quietly on the periphery of the crowd, patiently waiting. The time equivalent to an incense stick's burn elapses uneventfully.
Just as Ryan is succumbing to boredom, a figure hurtles towards them from the direction of the teaching building. Moments later, a sprightly old man clad in a gray robe materializes on the stone platform. Were it not for the wrinkles adorning his visage, it would be difficult to believe that this upright figure belongs to an elderly individual.
The old man ever - so - slightly raises his eyelids and surveys the clamorous crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am profoundly grateful for your presence at our esteemed college. On behalf of the college administration, I express our sincere gratitude for your support and trust. I am Gunter, a tutor at Notting College. I hereby declare that the admission test commences at this moment."
Before his words fully dissipate, the boisterous square falls into an instant hush. Gunter's unassuming statement, though not particularly loud, reaches each ear with crystal - clear clarity, as if he were whispering directly into each person's auditory canal.
At this precise moment, Ryan experiences a faint buzzing in his ears. Leah gently tugs at Ryan's hand and elucidates, "The individual speaking is Gunter, a college tutor. His prowess is second only to that of the dean. He cultivates the lightning - attribute element. Given that you have not yet embarked on your cultivation journey, you're bound to feel a modicum of discomfort. I was in the exact same predicament when I underwent the test. It will subside shortly."
Ryan casts his gaze around and observes that the majority of teenagers his age appear rather unwell, and even some adults bear strained expressions. He inwardly muses, "This individual is truly formidable." A burgeoning sense of respect for the old man before him takes root in his heart.
Noticing that the crowd has quieted down, Gunter refrains from further employing his Element Master abilities to intimidate and proceeds, "Next, when your name is announced, kindly ascend the stage for the test. The rules are uncomplicated: simply position yourself within the red circle at the center of the stone platform, cradle the crystal ball with both hands, close your eyes, and cogitate on whatever you desire."
"So effortless, it's even simpler than slumbering," Ryan privately ruminates.
Just as Ryan is lost in thought, the old man retrieves a booklet from his pocket and bellows, "Carmon."
Moments later, a robust - looking teenager ascends the stone platform, positions himself within the red circle, grasps the crystal ball with both hands, and shuts his eyes. Shortly after the teenager's eyes close, the crystal ball commences a gradual transformation, turning red. The color intensifies from a dull hue to a vivid one. When the red radiance reaches the mid - point of the crystal ball, it halts its progression.
Gunter casts a cursory glance and remarks nonchalantly, "Fire element, level three, medium. A satisfactory result. Should you wish to apply for admission, please proceed to the dean's building behind me to settle the fees and complete the registration process."
Gunter is acutely aware that not everyone can shoulder the tuition burden. Excluding children from affluent families, for those with average talent and family circumstances, their admission prospects remain uncertain. When the potential cost outweighs the potential gain, the majority of individuals will opt to forgo the opportunity. Having witnessed such scenarios over the years, he has grown accustomed to them.
Upon learning the outcome, Carmon descends the stone platform in a daze. Whether he can secure admission still necessitates consultation with his family, considering his humble background. In contrast, were it a child from a wealthy family, they would proceed with the admission formalities without a second thought. For the affluent, medium - level talent is already quite commendable. After all, if talent is lacking, financial resources can be deployed to compensate.
In a certain sense, Carmon is fortunate. He still retains the option to make a choice. Children less talented than Carmon stand little chance of admission, save for those with familial support. Carmon, however, may attract the interest of some wealthy individuals willing to finance him. The price, however, is his freedom; he would be obligated to work for that family. The duration - whether it be for a specific number of years or a lifetime - hinges on the negotiations between the two parties.
The path of cultivation is analogous to thousands of soldiers traversing a single - log bridge. True fairness is scarce. The so - called fairness is merely empty verbiage for the common folk and should not be taken at face value.
Nonetheless, the majority of individuals are willing to sacrifice their freedom and make compromises, all in pursuit of a glimmer of hope to transform their circumstances.
As one teenager after another ascends the stone platform with determination and then departs with a spectrum of expressions, these teenagers may hold little significance in the grand tapestry of the world, for the external world is far more expansive than they can possibly fathom.
Just as Ryan is observing a teenager leave the stone platform in despondency, a familiar name pierces his eardrums: "Ryan."
Ryan composes himself, draws a deep breath, and strides purposefully towards the stone platform. When he positions himself within the red circle, he notices that the stone platform is adorned with intricate, winding patterns. He then discerns that the college employs an elemental magic array for the test, and the crystal ball serves merely as a means for direct visual display.
Ever since Leah showcased her skills before him, Ryan has specifically directed the servants to source some books on Element Masters for him. Over the past three days, he has immersed himself in knowledge acquisition and thus is cognizant of the existence of elemental magic arrays.
Ryan cradles the crystal ball with both hands and gradually closes his eyes. Just as he is grappling with what to contemplate after closing his eyes, he senses various - colored substances surging towards his body. However, each time these colors are on the verge of making contact with his body, they dissipate without discernible cause.
After an extended period, the crystal ball in Ryan's hands remains unchanged. Just then, an imperceptible glimmer emanates from the pendant adorning Ryan's chest.
At this juncture, Gunter furrows his brows deeply and emits a soft "Huh?" "What on earth is transpiring! Why is there no reaction? Could it be...?"
Before he can delve deeper into his musings, Gunter deftly forms hand - seals with both hands and strikes a corner of the magic array. In an instant, a purple radiance permeates the magic array. However, after another substantial interval, the crystal ball remains unaltered.
Gunter shakes his head in bewilderment and rouses Ryan, who is still keeping his eyes tightly shut.
Ryan opens his eyes and discovers that everyone in the audience is regarding him with curious stares.
Gazing at Gunter once more, his eyes are wide - open, and he is also looking at Ryan in disbelief. The wrinkles on his face seem to deepen slightly, and his expression appears rather peculiar.
Although Ryan is beset with doubts, he remains tight - lipped and stands motionless in place.
Just when everyone is left perplexed, Gunter suddenly exclaims, "Dean, would you be so kind as to step in?"
This concise statement triggers an uproar among the audience. "What is the situation? Why did the crystal ball fail to react? Who is this teenager that warrants the dean's personal intervention? This is an unprecedented occurrence!..."
A barrage of questions erupts from the crowd.
Moments later, a lithe and graceful woman attired in a purple robe glides gracefully from the dean's building. She possesses an alluring visage, almond - shaped eyes, vermilion lips, and long golden tresses cascading down her shoulders, exuding an irresistible allure. Many men in the audience surreptitiously swallow their saliva.
The individual who arrives is Annie, the dean of Notting College.
Gunter spies the woman approaching, slightly bows, and is on the verge of speaking when Annie waves her hand, indicating that she is already apprised of the situation.
Annie approaches a corner of the magic array, closes her eyes, and a faint golden radiance suffuses her body. Moments later, she opens her eyes and pronounces, "Although it is arduous to believe, I must assert that this represents an extremely rare case. Ultra - low - level perception ability, essentially the absence of perception ability."
"But..." Gunter begins to voice his thoughts but hesitates.
Annie offers a serene smile. "I am cognizant of what you intend to convey. You're alluding to an element attribute that lacks color, correct?"
Before Gunter can respond, Annie continues, "This element is not merely rare; even across the entire Purple Cloud Continent, it is a legendary entity. It is rumored that although this element does not manifest color on the crystal ball, it generates sound from the magic array. This is the sound element. However, I have not detected the slightest sound from the magic array, so I am certain that this child is not the bearer of the sound element."
Upon hearing Annie's elucidation, Gunter experiences an epiphany. "I am enlightened."
At this moment, Ryan naturally hears the dean's pronouncement. When he hears the dean declare "ultra - low - level, no perception ability," he is struck as if by lightning and stands there, dumbfounded and speechless.
Annie snatches the booklet from Gunter's grasp, casts a fleeting glance, furrows her brows slightly, and then turns her attention to Ryan, who is still standing in a daze. She offers words of solace, "Child, the absence of element perception ability is not a cause for alarm. Not everyone can scale the heights of success. Leading an ordinary life is not necessarily a misfortune. Well, should you wish to be admitted, proceed to the dean's building to complete the admission formalities."
In an instant, not only Gunter is rendered speechless, but everyone, including Leah, is left dumbfounded. The entire square descends into chaos once more. "What? A person of no talent can also gain admission? Why does Notting College admit anyone? What is the background of this talent - less individual?"
A chorus of skeptical inquiries rings out from the audience.
Only Ryan, standing resolutely on the stage, remains silent.
At this moment, Leah's eyes well up with tears. She mutters to herself, "This is egregiously unfair. Ultra - low - level? I have never even heard of such a term. Although I had mentally prepared for Ryan's test result to be less than ideal, I never envisioned it would be this dismal. Ultra - low - level and super - level are separated by a single word, yet they are worlds apart, like heaven and hell."
Just as Leah's thoughts are in disarray, Annie thunders, "What are you all bickering about? As long as they are willing to pay the appropriate price, we will admit them. Notting College has been a fixture in Sweet Spring Town for an extended period. When have we ever declared that we would reject any student?"
As soon as Annie utters these words, the crowd falls silent. Indeed, the college has never explicitly stated that it would reject anyone, but the exorbitant tuition fees are beyond the reach of many.
Annie has no inclination to engage in a protracted argument with the crowd. She waves her hand and departs.
The dean, gradually receding from everyone's line of sight, is now in a rather exasperated state. She has no alternative; after all, she was entrusted with a task in return for a favor.
Leah beholds Ryan, who is at a loss on the stone platform, and her heart aches. She rushes onto the stone platform, enfolds the thin, dazed figure beside her, and makes a beeline towards the dean's building. The onlookers are left even more astounded and commence gossiping.
"Whose young master is this? One cannot squander money in such a manner. Given his circumstances, the tuition for one individual is likely equivalent to that of at least ten students with medium - level talent."
Although Leah ignores the chatter behind her, the mockery directed at Ryan has enraged her. She refrains from reacting solely because they are within the college premises. As for her younger brother, she may jest with him, but she does not believe others have the prerogative to do so. So what if he lacks talent? House Stark is affluent. Let's see who else dares to look down upon them.
The sibling duo enters the dean's building, where they are greeted by a middle - aged man. Leah bows deferentially and states, "Teacher, I am here to assist my brother in completing the admission formalities."
"Ah... So Ryan is your brother. Just now, the dean specifically stipulated that for Ryan's situation, the tuition per semester amounts to one thousand gold coins." When the middle - aged man utters one thousand gold coins, he evidently lacks conviction.
This is a staggering one thousand gold coins! He finds it inconceivable that anyone would expend such a sum on a talent - less individual. The dean's asking price appears rather exorbitant.