At the podium, Old Chen began speaking.
"Just yesterday, our school received a directive from the Provincial Spirit Summoner Guild. This year's college entrance exam will be organized by province. Some parts of the exam process—the written test, spiritual power assessment, and spirit battles—are largely the same as previous years. However..."
"These are just the basics, used only to weed out students who can't get into spirit universities. In other words, if you want to get into a spirit university, or a better one, you'll have to take the second round: the practical exam."
"The practical exam is similar to the joint exam you took, but with more competitors. The provincial guild has also divided exam zones into different levels. For example, the beginner zone has only a few entry-level spirits. The intermediate zone has entry-level spirits, with a small number of intermediate-entry and very few advanced-entry spirits. The advanced zone has more intermediate-entry and advanced-entry spirits, plus a very small number of elite-level spirits."
"Defeating different levels of spirits earns different scores, and the total combined score is your final practical exam result. So, how you choose your exam zone is a key consideration!"
She paused, then continued, "Choosing the beginner zone means lower difficulty and risk, but it's also hard to get a high score. Choosing intermediate or advanced zones offers a higher score ceiling, but the increased difficulty might lead to a lower final score. As for how to choose, in the last half month before the exam, I'll give you advice based on your spirit's strength and your practical skills."
Old Chen went on to explain more detailed rules, including exam duration and specific restrictions.
Unlike the joint exam, in the college entrance exam's practical test, candidates cannot attack each other. However, the wild spirits will be much stronger, testing survival and combat abilities.
"Currently, the tentative exam zones include forest zones, ancient city ruins zones, and island zones, but the rules might change before the exam. So, while training, you all need to stay updated on the situation. The school will also adjust its teaching plans based on the exam rules."
After class,
Su Hao was called to the office by Old Chen.
"How did your two spirits train during winter break? No slacking off, right? Everyone is getting stronger now, and you're far from being able to relax."
Old Chen knew Su Hao's training plan, but she worried he might have gotten too carried away over the two months off. The First High School had finally produced a standout who could suppress other schools, and if he got ruined, the principal would come after her.
"Since you're back at school, come with me to the training ground. I need to assess your spirits' level. If they don't meet my standards, your training will double this semester."
Old Chen glanced at the office door, where a big round face was peeking in.
"If you want to watch, come along."
Liu Ren quickly followed, along with a few classmates Su Hao recognized but couldn't name.
"Hey, Old Su, let's have a battle later."
They walked out of the teaching building, sunlight spilling onto the playground. Liu Ren pointed at a table-sized turtle in the distance, lifting his round double chin. "Look, my Charcoal Turtle has evolved into a Lava Turtle."
He glanced at the Dream Butterfly.
Although Liu Ren didn't think the evolved Lava Turtle could match the Butterfly God, it was a defensive tank-type spirit, so exchanging a few moves shouldn't be a problem.
By his feet, a small blue-green frog hopped along.
"This is my second contracted spirit, the Aqua Frog. I hope it can become as strong as Champion Zhou's Frog King someday... Too bad my Aqua Frog's training isn't up to par yet, it's far behind your Ember Crow... Later, help me design a training plan for the Aqua Frog. I'll transfer the money to you first."
As they spoke,
they followed Old Chen to the school's battle arena.
The arena had an old man who served as gatekeeper, referee, and cleaner. At this hour, each class had its own lessons, so the arena was mostly empty.
The gatekeeper activated the only advanced battle platform in the center of the arena, capable of withstanding entry-level spirit battles. Unlike ordinary grounds, it wouldn't need a construction crew to fill in after a fight.
"Come on, have your Dream Butterfly go all out."
Old Chen's Marionette floated onto the battle platform.
The Dream Butterfly flew up as well.
"Gu nuo~!"
It remembered being a silkworm, trembling at just a glance from the Marionette.
But now it was different, gu nuo~!
Su Hao fixed his eyes on the Marionette, observing its data.
At first, he wondered whether to go all out. Only he knew how strong the Dream Butterfly had become. Ordinary advanced-entry spirits couldn't last a few moves against it.
But this Marionette...
"It's already at the peak of advanced-entry, with excellent training. It should have reached elite level by now."
He didn't dwell on it.
Old Chen had the Marionette start probing.
An energy ball formed in front of it.
The Dream Butterfly launched one too.
Two similarly colored spheres grazed past each other midair, shooting straight at their targets.
But both dodged nimbly.
Boom!!
The energy balls slammed into the transparent barrier at the edge of the battle platform, exploding into faint spherical afterimages.
Old Chen's expression turned serious.
She abandoned her initial intention to guide the battle.
"Continuous energy balls."
The Dream Butterfly flapped its wings, flying swiftly as it conjured energy balls from its left and right feelers and the top of its head.
Spinning, it hurled them out with a whoosh.
Blocking the Marionette's escape routes.
"Psychic Shield!"
Two semi-transparent shields appeared on either side of the Marionette, rotating around its body to block the fast-spinning energy balls.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!!
Plumes of smoke erupted, and the battle platform floor, built to withstand entry-level spirit fights, showed shallow craters and cracks.
Shockwaves spread outward.
The two spirits clashed rapidly, exchanging several energy balls per second.
The Dream Butterfly, fast and agile, gracefully dodged incoming energy balls or pellet machine guns.
The Marionette, slower, relied on its two psychic shields, constantly reinforced with psychic energy, harder than a Blade Crab's shell. Even after a dozen of the Dream Butterfly's energy balls, they didn't shatter.
"Psychic Shock!"
"Use that move."
Psychic energy rippled through the air, creating a tangible shockwave.
At the same time, the Dream Butterfly's eyes lit up.
Hum—
Distorted vision deflected the psychic shock, sending it straight into the edge barrier, which rattled and seemed ready to burst.
The Marionette wobbled briefly, then its faltering psychic shields solidified again.
Explosions rang out continuously, smoke shrouding the entire battle platform.
In the audience, Liu Ren and the others were stunned.
Was this... entry-level?
Liu Ren recalled his Lava Turtle's past victories, then looked at the two spirits on stage... well, he couldn't see them anymore, only a spinning energy ball flying out of the smoke, clearing the barrier and slamming into an ordinary battle platform.
It blasted a huge crater, making Liu Ren shiver.
For the Lava Turtle's safety, that battle... he'd never mentioned it.