Era of Mist

Chapter 135: Chapter 134: Minor Township Exam Qualification Test

The Star Engineering United Group was one of Tumu Castle’s industrial giants, with countless factories and businesses under its umbrella. A great many people were formally employed by the associated Star Worker Union. And while this was just an elementary school for the children of its workers, each grade level had roughly eight hundred students.

The Star Worker School was located at the old headquarters of the Star Worker Union in Mu Yuan District’s old town. The buildings were ancient, the campus wasn’t particularly large, and the facilities were far from advanced. As the group expanded, the headquarters had moved, and this location was converted into an elementary school to cultivate a new generation of loyal talent for the Star Worker Union’s future.

At 8:00 AM, the Star Worker School was already bustling with activity.

Instead of returning to their classrooms, the eight hundred-plus students gathered in a massive, noisy crowd, milling about. One couldn’t remain in elementary school forever, nor could they be a young pupil indefinitely. The Student Union had a clear rule: the lesser provincial exam must be taken before one’s sixteenth birthday. Only those who took and passed it before turning sixteen could earn the status of an official student member.

”The qualification test is today. I’m so nervous...”

”What’s there to be nervous about? It’s just a qualification test. It’ll be a breeze, guaranteed.”

”You’re so calm. You must have gone to an academic center for a preliminary assessment, right? Your dad really doesn’t mind spending money! Sigh, I’m not so lucky. My old man only knows how to drink and doesn’t have any savings. I just hope I can take over his job in the future.”

”Don’t be so down. I think you have a pretty good chance of passing the qualification test. Even if you don’t become an official student member in the end, becoming an ’Iron-Ranked’ member is still good. It’ll be easier to get promoted within the Group later on.”

The young students gathered together—some joyful, some worried, some brimming with confidence, and others riddled with anxiety. Although one could continue to practice their mind-arts even after graduating, a self-taught, unorthodox path could never compare to being an official student member trained within the Student Union system. A comparison of strength was debatable, but in terms of status, they were worlds apart.

Some gritted their teeth in determination. ’Even if I don’t pass the final exam, I have to at least pass this qualification test.’ Those who passed the qualification test but failed the main exam were derisively nicknamed ”Iron-Ranked Student Members.” Though they had all failed to pass, there was a subtle distinction between them and those who simply graduated normally. In the pecking order, they were considered a step above the common graduate.

”Look, He Chong is here!”

”Hey, Brother Chong.”

”Hey, Brother Chong!”

He Chong led his core followers onto the large athletic field, his every glance radiating power. Of the eight hundred people on the field, not one dared to stand in his way. Like the parting of the sea, the eight hundred-plus students spontaneously cleared a path, giving He Chong an unobstructed route forward.

He Chong’s expression was serious, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling upward.

’That’s right, this is it, this is the feeling! Everywhere I look, they bow their heads. This is the status I deserve, a glimpse of my future!’

The students in front of him scrambled to the sides, clearing a path right down the middle of the field. At the end of this path stood a huge machine. It was generally columnar in shape, but its construction was complex and exquisite. It not only possessed a highly futuristic look but also exuded a fantastical aura.

There was a crystal sphere at the base of the column and another at its top. The two spheres were connected by intricate patterns. He Chong’s expression firmed. ’This is the qualification test’s detector.’ The machine could synthesize personal information, past records, and credit files, and most importantly, it could roughly measure one’s level in the mind-arts, instantly determining whether the test-taker was qualified to participate in the Mu Yuan District’s lesser provincial exam.

”The principal is here!”

A commotion rippled through the students at the front. The principal of the Star Worker School appeared, politely accompanying several members of the Student Union. These Student Union officials wore wide, retro-style robes with large sleeves and carried themselves with arrogance. Only when they looked at the school’s principal did they show a sliver of courtesy.

He Chong understood. The reason these Student Union staff members were so dismissive of everyone else was because they were all Official Scholars of the Student Union. In other words, these people were even stronger than the Gold, Silver, and Bronze-ranked official students he had seen at the provincial exam a while back. They had survived far more brutal competitions to emerge victorious.

It was the pride of a victor.

It was also a pride in their status.

Among the eight hundred young students present, not one was worthy of their attention. Only the principal of the Star Worker School, who was also an Official Scholar by rank, was afforded a measure of respect and treated as a peer.

He Chong couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy.

’That pride, that self-possession, that ability to look down on everyone, that air of absolute superiority—that’s exactly what I want!’

’I want to become a person just like that!’

And so, He Chong’s eyes practically glowed as he stared intently at the testing machine. To be as proud as those Official Scholars, he had to become one himself. The first step to becoming a Scholar was unfolding right before him. ’No, this isn’t even the first step,’ he thought. ’This is just getting into position at the starting line.’

But regardless, only by passing this stage would he earn the right to compete in the race.

He Chong took a deep breath. Of course, he wasn’t nervous about the test itself. Passing the qualification test today was merely incidental. His greater purpose was to display his strength to his entire grade, enhance his prestige, build his network, and scout for talent—all to pave the way for his future.

And among everyone in this year’s class, there was only one person worthy of his attention.

”Brother Gu, would you like to go first?” He Chong said, turning to the side.

”No, no, how could I dare to go before Brother He?” This Brother Gu, as always, showed no competitive spirit and seemed to understand He Chong’s intentions perfectly. ”Allow me to congratulate you in advance on your brilliant future, Brother He. Once we’re in the Group, I’ll have to rely on your guidance.”

”HAHAHAHAHA!”

’Good, very good!’

He looked left, then right. No one was competing with him to be first. On both sides of the cleared path were people gazing at him in silence. He Chong smiled, then laughed out loud. His laughter echoed across the campus as he started walking down the path, surrounded by the waiting gazes of eight hundred people. He walked step by step, unhurried, full of swagger. Only after he passed did the parted sea of students flow back together.

By the time he reached the front, He Chong’s face was flushed with excitement. Even his lackey, Wang Jiaxu, who trailed behind him, felt like his whole life had been worth living just for this moment. The sycophant, knowing his role, immediately gushed, ”Brother Chong, that was so majestic! Today is the absolute peak of your life!”

”That’s right! HAHAHAHA—huh?”

He Chong roared with laughter, then suddenly shuddered. ’Huh?’ At first, the words sounded great, but after a moment’s thought... ’Wait a minute! The peak of my life? If this is the peak, then it’s all downhill from here. Ptooey, ptooey! What kind of bullshit was that? Such a jinx! Say it again, properly!’

”Wang Jiaxu, you...” He Chong was about to speak when a Student Union official at the front said impatiently, ”The testing is starting. The order is random. Who’s first?”

He Chong was about to step forward, but his ears picked up the sound of a few suppressed shouts coming from the back of the crowd.

”Shi Tiexin!”

”Shi Tiexin’s here!”

WHOOSH. He Chong’s head whipped around to look toward the back. Beyond the dense wall of people, Shi Tiexin’s tall figure appeared at the school gate. His cold, sharp gaze crossed the sea of heads and locked directly onto He Chong. For an instant, He Chong actually felt a sense of pressure.

He Chong frowned. ’How is that possible?’