Chapter 28: The Grand Entrance Examination Begins!-Mass Job Change: My Skills Are All Forbidden Spells with a Ten Thousand Times Boost(By the banks of the Ruoshui River, the wine cups drift along the gentle current.)

By the time the two arrived for the entrance examination, the place was already packed with candidates. Numerous parents were huddled together, weeping.

“Is it really that dramatic?” Wang Qiang looked on in disbelief. His own parents hardly cared whether he could get into a prestigious academy or not, so on this important day, it was just him and Lin Han making their way together.

Lin Han explained, “The entrance exam is a chance to change one's fate. So many children from poor families are counting on this examination to turn their lives around in one stroke.”

“Your family is well-off, so your parents naturally pay more attention to their business. Besides, your chosen path probably isn't what your father expected, so in a way, they've half given up on you.”

“After all, for you, at worst, you can always inherit the family business, can't you?”

Listening to Lin Han, Wang Qiang mused, “Since that's the case, isn't it a little unfair to the others for me to even take this exam?”

Lin Han rolled his eyes and shoved Wang Qiang forward. “Have some shame, will you? Hurry up and get in there. Today, let this pampered young master of a wealthy family have a taste of defeat.”

Wang Qiang immediately admitted defeat. “Come on, Lin Han, don't be like that. I was wrong, all right?”

Just as the two were bantering, an irksome voice reached their ears.

“Well, well, isn't that our school’s top-ranked priest, Senior Lin Han?”

Upon hearing this, both of them were exasperated. “Gao Chong, that annoying pest—he's everywhere.”

Lin Han had no desire to engage. After all, this was the day of the entrance exam; he had no wish to cause a scene here. If he encountered Gao Chong again in the future, perhaps within a dungeon, Lin Han wouldn't mind making him disappear forever.

“Top of the school and so arrogant now. Can't even be bothered to answer. Looks like awakening a support class really makes you something special,” Gao Chong laughed loudly, his posse echoing him. Watching the once top student fall to his current state was, for them, highly entertaining.

“Gao Chong, what do you want?” Wang Qiang could no longer endure their mocking of his friend and retorted, “Gao Chong, have you forgotten who used to call him 'Brother Han' at every turn? Now, just because his profession isn't ideal, you have to keep pestering him?”

“If you can't keep your filthy mouth shut, I might just have to shut it for you!”

“Wang Qiang, what’s the point of protecting that useless waste?” Gao Chong swaggered towards the exam hall, hands in his pockets.

“None of your business. How about I show you what I’ve got during the exam?” Wang Qiang’s tone was hard, showing no regard for Gao Chong’s pride.

“Wang Qiang, do you really think I don’t know your strength?” Gao Chong sneered. “You're level ten now, sure, but you’re still only first advancement.”

“I’m already at my second advancement. Do you really think you stand a chance against me?”

“I’ll tell you now, my goal this time is to be first, and you’re nothing but a stepping stone.”

“And don’t forget what I said before—my real target is Lin Han. I’ll be applying to duel him.”

Second advancement?!

Wang Qiang was startled. This guy had really managed to complete his second advancement! What incredible luck to find the trial site within the city. If Gao Chong truly was second advancement, Wang Qiang had little chance against him.

But if it were Lin Han, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Lin Han, you’d better prepare to be defeated by me.” Gao Chong snorted and marched into the examination hall, surrounded by his lackeys.

Lin Han paid him no heed and said to Wang Qiang, “Let’s go. We ought to head in too.”

At the entrance, after showing their exam permits, they entered and waited.

The examination venue resembled the ancient Roman arenas, imposing and oppressive, with the highest seats occupied by examiners sent from various academies.

“I’ve heard this year’s batch isn’t bad,” said a white-haired old man, squinting as he swept his gaze across the hall. “It seems we might reap a good harvest.”

“Let’s hope a few can impress me this time. Otherwise, it would be no different than if we’d never come,” another elder replied.

“In a small place like Huiyue City, what talents could there possibly be? If we get a handful of second-advancement main combat classes, that would be enough. We’re all just going through the motions,” another, relatively young examiner said with disdain. He never expected to find promising students in such a small city. This was merely a task assigned by his academy—whether he found anyone or not was inconsequential.

As one of the top academies in the imperial capital, their admission standards were extremely high. If they failed to recruit students, it was always the students’ shortcoming, never the school’s.

“Don’t be like that. This is exactly why I can’t stand you lot—a bunch of pedantic weirdos. I’m glad I never joined your academy,” someone sitting nearby said with a laugh.

“Oh, and your academy is any better? Just a bunch of women huddled together for warmth. If I were in charge of the capital, I’d dissolve your academy first,” the young examiner retorted, and the two were about to start bickering in earnest.

Just then, an older gentleman with yellowish hair intervened, “That’s enough. There are so many children watching—can’t you two maintain some decorum?”

“If you really want to fight, I’ll organize it later. Fight all you want—even if it’s to the death, no one will care.”

At his words, the two who were about to quarrel immediately fell silent.

“Looks like it’s about time. The announcement should be made soon.”

Suddenly, the sound of bells tolled above the arena, signaling the beginning.

A middle-aged man stood in the center and addressed the crowd, “Dear students, it’s time again for the annual entrance examination. The results today will determine which academies you may enter.”

“I hope you all take the exam seriously. Show us everything you’ve got. If you hold back, the examiners won’t be able to see your true strength!”

“Now, let me explain the rules: you may use any tools or equipment as you wish—there are no restrictions. Display your greatest strength.”

“Of course, banned substances are prohibited. You may choose your opponent freely, or draw lots if you prefer.”

“The final victor will receive generous rewards!”

“Now, I declare—the competition begins!”