High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 932: Chapter 280: A Minor Incident During the Practice Exam

The exams for different subjects were generally similar.

Candidates needed to complete a series of carefully selected questions within a set time frame, and then, after handing in their papers, they would gather in small groups, anxiously and uneasily checking answers and estimating scores.

Students who usually excelled in their studies would often regretfully exclaim after making one or two minor mistakes, ”I didn’t do well this time,” ”I’m definitely going to fail,” while those with average grades would get the false impression that ”maybe the test was hard and everyone did poorly” after hearing the sighs of the top students.

In short, the end-of-term exams for young wizards in the Magical World were no more relaxing because they could perform some magic, much like the exam experiences at Zheng Qing Da.

Of course, there were differences too.

For example, during the Divination exam, students were allowed to bring their various ”keys,” and the practical and theoretical aspects of Divination were combined into one exam, running straight from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon with no breaks.

Then there was the Fu Lu class exam, which, in addition to requiring students to write down basic runes from memory, also included descriptions of different rune combinations, painting methods for different symbol galls and feet, and so on.

There was also the practice class, the only subject without a theoretical exam, composed entirely of practical tasks, was scheduled for Friday, week nineteen, the last exam of the week and arguably the first of the practical exams.

”I think after the practice class exam, at least half the people are going to need to get checked out in the school infirmary... even if there’s nothing wrong, they’ll want to make a round,” whispered Xin Fat Man as he stood next to Zheng Qing.

At this moment, they were standing two by two in a gentle valley—Green Valley—which, due to the season, was not very green but rather grayish-white, lined up in two rows, facing each other, casting and countering spells as the examiners had instructed.

Because the examiners examined pairs one at a time, those awaiting their turn inevitably grew a bit slack.

”Why do you say that?” Zheng Qing, while warily watching his white-robed opponent, absentmindedly chatted with Xin Fat Man.

His caution was because he was facing an ’old acquaintance’—Andrew Taylor, the werewolf from Alpha Academy.

...

After the examiners had assigned the combat groups and Andrew Taylor found himself paired with Zheng Qing, he carelessly announced that he wanted to properly gauge the weight of the new ’World’ before his duel with Professor Trudeau and Zheng Qing.

”Magic wand rankings do make sense, right,” Andrew said, rubbing his fingers and smiling malevolently at Zheng Qing.

Because of the exam, the little wolf cub’s usual magic rings had been confiscated by the examiner, leaving his hands conspicuously bare, which was quite unaccustomed.

”I don’t understand much about these things,” Zheng Qing replied with a tired smile—recently, this wasn’t the first time he had faced such questions. Compared to others, Andrew’s attitude was rather inoffensive. Dealing with rumors and exams at the same time, Zheng Qing felt like he now truly understood what it meant to be ’mentally and physically exhausted.’

He had no desire to argue with Andrew about this matter at all.

Andrew was clearly not satisfied with Zheng Qing’s lethargy.

”I Ma Huatui!” bellowed the young master of the Taylor family, slamming his fist onto his law book and stepping forward to close in on Zheng Qing.

A faint yellow burst forth from Andrew’s law book, shooting towards the young student on public expense.

”Damn it!” Zheng Qing cursed under his breath, taking a step back and with a flick of his wrist unfolded his law book, shouting, ”Begone!”

This was a simplified spell derived from the incantation ”Be gone as the storm, scurry away like rodents and birds,” often used by wizards to protect themselves and avoid those bothersome magics that were not very potent but had annoying effects.

A flash of green shield appeared and vanished without a sound, effectively halting the pale yellow spell just a foot in front of Zheng Qing.

Before Zheng Qing could open his mouth to say anything else, Andrew released a second spell:

”Ge Zhitianxi, cast upon Zheng Qing!”

Several dark green vines burst forth, rushing toward Zheng Qing en masse. Each as thick as a thumb, they writhed and coiled like venomous snakes on the hunt, agile and quick.

Seeing Andrew use this spell almost made Zheng Qing burst into laughter.

It was the first spell he had learned at First University, and the one he was most proficient with. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of this magic as if it were at the back of his hand.

”Dare you not use some fresh magic?” the young state-sponsored student mocked loudly, flipping to the last few pages of his law book—since most students were well versed in this spell, Zheng Qing had naturally prepared countermeasures in advance: ”Why should grass not be withered, why should it not be darkened!”

A shadow spread out from Zheng Qing as its center. The vines, previously active and wriggling, slumped lifelessly to the ground after being swept by the shadow, like snakes stripped of their bones. Soon, they deteriorated, turning yellow, blackening, and dissolving.

Zheng Qing’s temper was rising from being provoked repeatedly.

Noticing that Andrew seemed to be in a daze, he quickly cast a minor curse: ”Flooding tears and snot!”

”Wah...” Andrew immediately burst into inconsolable weeping, his cries resonating so loudly that the entire Green Valley buzzed.

Zheng Qing, who had just released the minor curse, couldn’t help feeling a bit remorseful—perhaps he should have chosen a quieter spell, like ”Walk Hesitant” or ”Wolf Struggling Its Whiskers,” which might have been a bit more effective.

The commotion they had caused was significant, and the invigilating professors rushed over, fuming. With a wave of their hands, they dispelled the negative emotions affecting Andrew.

”What is going on here?” a grey-robed professor asked sharply.

”We were practicing before the exam and got a bit carried away, I am really sorry,” Zheng Qing explained immediately, with an apologetic face.

Recognizing him as this year’s ’World’ from Great Arcana, the professor’s expression softened considerably.

”Is that so?” he turned to Andrew, though still with a thread of sternness.

Andrew, who was still sniffling, thrashed about with his handkerchief over his face, nodding vigorously, ”Yes... that’s right.”

The professor sighed, glanced at them both, and warned, ”Don’t let it happen again!”

Then he pointed his toe and drifted upwards, floating a meter above the ground, he looked around, and with a booming voice cautioned, ”During the practical exam, the other students may observe, rest, or organize their law books, but rowdiness, loud disturbances, and private fighting are strictly forbidden!”

”Violators will have ten percent of their conduct score deducted as a priority!”