C33 An Astonishing Answer

"Fine, I'll treat this as a minor issue."

"The second mistake is that the origin of magic wasn't a thousand years ago, but two thousand five hundred years ago!" As his words trailed off, the room erupted into chaos.

"Zhang Xing, you're spouting nonsense!" Cliff leapt to his feet, yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Zhang Xing, I'm deducting a credit from you and revoking your test eligibility," the pallid instructor declared, slamming his hand on the table in fury.

"He was impressive on the first question. Why is he saying this now? The history of magic is clearly documented as a thousand years!" someone protested.

"Quiet! Sit down!" Solina rang her bell, and the examination hall fell silent.

"Instructor Solina, Zhang Xing is uninformed and shows no respect for history. I recommend we dock his credits and remove him from the examination hall," the ashen-faced instructor suggested darkly.

Solina gave him a look that carried a hidden message.

"Instructor Tall, you're being excessive. The purpose of this test is to allow students to voice their diverse opinions. If they're wrong, we guide them to the correct answer. If they're right, we commend them. That's the protocol of this examination hall."

"If a slip of the tongue is seen as disrespecting history, then Cliff should be the first to be expelled from the hall."

Ta Er, begrudgingly, sat back down.

"Zhang Xing, let's set aside the issue of the origin's timing for the moment. Please, continue," Solina said, offering Zhang Xing a warm smile.

Just moments ago, the examination hall was in disarray, with nearly every gaze fixed upon him in hostility, particularly Ta Er's, which was as ferocious as if he were about to devour someone.

Yet Zhang Xing remained unfazed, standing tall and steady, not betraying a hint of fear.

He exuded a certain masculine fortitude. Solina found herself wanting to scoop him up, plant a couple of kisses on him, and ask why he wasn't the least bit scared.

If Zhang Xing had any inkling of Solina's thoughts, he would surely be at a loss for words.

"I'll proceed, but if I'm interrupted once more, I'll withdraw from this test," Zhang Xing stated firmly.

Solina couldn't help but be tickled by his resolve. Zhang Xing certainly had principles.

"We must return to the discussion of magic's origins. The ancient sages referred to magic as 'spirit art,' while what we practice today is known as 'magic.'"

"Spirit art is a form of magic that can be unleashed directly, whereas spellcasting requires the construction of a guiding medium."

Just then, Zhang Xing noticed that Solina and the panellists were giving him odd looks, their eyes filled with an unusual respect.

The examination hall fell into an eerie silence, with only his slightly immature voice carrying on.

Something was off. As he continued to speak, he made hand gestures, and unbeknownst to the others, a small bronze mirror had appeared in his palm.

Peering into the mirror, he saw at least fifty people standing behind him.

What was happening? Why were there so many instructors present?

As he angled the mirror differently, an old man with a knowing smile appeared in the reflection, seemingly giving him a wink.

It was the President. What was he doing here?

Zhang Xing acted as if he hadn't noticed, and with a swift twist of his wrist, the bronze mirror vanished.

"However, mastering spirit art isn't simply a matter of having magical talent. To address this challenge, some of our forebears came together to establish the Oredo Organization."

"This organization was the precursor to the Magic Guild."

"They fused spirit art with spellcasting, inventing a new form of magical practice."

"This innovative approach to magic is shrouded in mystery and immensely powerful, unmatched to this day!"

"It's known to later generations as the Oredo Magic System—the most unique and formidable system of its kind."