C41 I Want You to Participate in the Six Houses Large Competition!

Once Zhang Xing had taken his seat, he pondered briefly before responding, "I can't guess, but I'm certain it's not about a fight."

Jie Ge nodded in approval. "And why not a fight? The academy has strict rules, and you could be expelled for such infractions."

"Your Honor, with your busy schedule, surely you wouldn't personally reprimand me over a trifle."

"What then is the purpose of our instructors, the grade directors, and the Vice-President?"

"Your Honor, it must be academy business that brings you to me."

"As a member of the primary class, the only contribution I can offer the academy is the magic knowledge taught by our instructors. If I'm not mistaken, this is about the competition."

President Jager was taken aback by this.

Did his mind house a tree of wisdom?

His analysis was sharp, his approach to problem-solving methodical, thinking from every angle to uncover the root issue.

He was indeed a rare talent, the likes of which come once in a century!

"You're correct," Jie Ge said, stroking his beard and nodding with a contented smile.

"The triennial Magic Skill Competition will take place at year's end."

"You have just over a month to prepare. I want you to represent the primary class. I'm eager to see you compete against students from other schools."

Jie Ge placed special emphasis on "compete," hinting at a deeper significance.

"Your Honor, is it a test of magic skills?" inquired Zhang Xing.

"Exactly. It's a skill competition across all three grades."

"The standard rule is primary against primary, high level against high level. However, challenges are permitted, such as primary against high level, or vice versa."

Jie Ge offered a brief explanation before pausing, leaning back in his chair and gazing at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Zhang Xing mulled it over, "This rule seems chaotic. Primary and intermediate students could be at the mercy of the high-level class."

"But if the Six Great Academies have established this rule, which appears unfair at first glance, they must have profound reasons."

"The library's historical records show that these empires have never known lasting peace, with wars raging for millennia."

"The Six Great Academies continuously supply the empire with elite individuals, training them to be skilled warriors ready for real combat."

"That explains the chaos of the rules, then."

"The battlefield doesn't distinguish between a novice or an intermediate, nor does it care if you're a fighter or a mage!"

Realizing this, Zhang Xing understood. Noting that the President had no intention of speaking, he sat quietly and waited.

A short while later, Jie Ge, as if struck by a sudden thought, inquired, "Zhang Xing, you've reached the status of a high-level magician by now, haven't you?"

It was a rhetorical question. A magician of the Devil Emperor caliber could easily discern how Glen had been wounded.

"Yes!" Zhang Xing replied honestly. Being truthful with Jie Ge was in his best interest and wouldn't put him at a disadvantage.

Jie Ge was quite pleased with the response.

"How proficient are you with your magic skills?" Jie Ge pressed on.

He was aware that Zhang Xing hadn't acquired his magic skills from the academy's tutors.

He refrained from probing into the origins of Zhang Xing's learning. To him, acquiring such basic magic skills seemed trivial.

Zhang Xing was a man of many secrets, and Jie Ge had no desire to uncover them. He understood that someone as exceptional as Zhang Xing was bound to have his mysteries.

"Not many. I feel like I'm lacking in skills. Your Honor, why don't you teach me a few?" Zhang Xing cheekily suggested.

Jie Ge smirked dismissively. "Quit trying to outwit me. Just tell me, how many have you mastered?"

"Seventeen," Zhang Xing murmured.

"What?"

Jie Ge was taken aback. That wasn't a lot? By Zhang Xing's standards, how many skills would it take for him to be content?