After collecting his magic pet, Lin Qi took a copy of the "admission notice" from Mo Feng's hands. He walked to a nearby river crossing and found a quiet place to sit down. He waited for the mage apprentices behind to arrive, so that more people could be gathered for the crossing.
The mysterious castle complex where the Central Magic Academy was located was on the opposite side of the turbulent river, hidden by clouds and mountains.
According to the "admission notice", in the following period of time, they had to undergo the compulsory "Basic Mage Education" by studying "Sisma Dragon Language", "The Theory of Secret Energy Particles", "The Basic of Mysteries" and "Talisman Literature Encryption" in the north part of the academy. As well as "elective courses" specific to the eight major schools.
For example, those in the school of necromancy would have to undergo "Anatomy" and "Negative Energy".
The Basic Mage Education adopted a Academic Credits Assessment System until a mage apprentice was officially accepted to one of the eight major schools in the central sector. After that, a new learning phase would start, specializing in spells from the specific schools as one officially began to specialize in their path to becoming a mage.
Therefore, their education in the north part of the school was essentially a platform for them to be clear about their future "specialized schools".
They could get a feel of the different schools from the basic courses and see which was suitable for them. Meanwhile, it was also to give time for the different schools to select their students.
The enrollment process into the different schools was carried out quarterly. Very few students were selected over the first three quarters of each school year. It was only at the end-year examinations would there be more students selected. If one didn't get selected, they would have no choice but to begin their second year of Basic Mage Education, still as a mage apprentice.
Lin Qi's batch of mage apprentices would meet these second-year students in the north sector dorms tonight. They would be attending classes together in future.
It was only at this moment that he understood that there was a hierarchy among mage apprentices.
Mage apprentices could not stay in the "Basic School" in the north part forever. Every year, an elimination would be carried out during the "end-year examinations". Only those who passed would be qualified to stay and study for another year.
His peers said that there were still those who had endured seven years in the north sector, but they would have to leave after their 10 years were up. Meanwhile, Lin Qi's S-Class privilege could be guaranteed to last for three years.
Among the apprentices, the top ones entered a school in the central sector, the second-tier ones stayed in the Basic School in the north sector, and the third-tier students had to leave.
Every year, many third-tier mage apprentices would appear on Planet Blue. They were "ex-mage apprentices" who had no hope of becoming mages.
Generally, these people would take the opportunity to work in the magic industry, where things were actually not bad at all. But the benefits they could get from the Mage Protection Law were at least 90% less.
For example, Luo Qi, who had suddenly died, was a tier-one apprentice. That was why Lin Qi had to "pay with his life".
If the other party was only a tier-three "ex-mage apprentice", he would have only been detained for a period of time.
After all, society only cared about those "mage apprentices" who would become mages.
It was just like the third-year students on Earth in his previous life. Before the college entrance examination, they were the apple of their families' eyes with everyone at their beck and call.
But after the college entrance examination, a fallen phoenix would be inferior to even a chicken.
"Raven, I heard that you have a pretty strong background. Why didn't you choose a stronger mage to rely on?" Lin Qi asked the raven on his shoulder after throwing a few stones across the river, but failing to make them skip across the water.
"It's mainly because you gave me too much, Boss," Raven Iry said obsequiously.
"Speak sensibly."
Things that were gotten to easily would not be treasured. Compared to other magic pets, whom mages tried their best to curry favor in order to obtain, Lin Qi's pet was much more servile.
Raven Iry appeared sheepish. "Erm Boss, things are actually like this. At that time, I was trying to win the favor of a female heavenly realm raven. But your summoning light suddenly lit up?"
"The majestic power of that pledge is at least that of a seventh-level mage. What's even more terrifying is that it contains a trace of the legacy of a dragon."
Raven Iry reflected honestly. "That's why I rushed over on the spot. Who knew that you were just a mage apprentice, Boss?"
Lin Qi felt a little embarrassed. So, the culprit was himself?
After half a day, the other apprentices finally arrived at the crossing one after another. Those who obtained magic pets were all in high spirits, as if they had reached the peak of their life.
However, only about 10% of the apprentices who entered the forest successfully obtained a pet. Most of the others could only be envious.
Even the mediocre raccoon magic pet that could only make its owner walk more silently was being grabbed and cuddled by the female mage apprentices.
Many favored prodigies, who were originally suppressed by Lin Qi, couldn't help but raise their heads proudly when they saw that he had just summoned a weak magic pet raven this time. They sighed with emotion having finally regained some dignity.
A few of them even walked up and down in front of him, showing off their stronger magic pets.
"Were these people also so childish in their high schools?" Wang Ruoling looked at the third mage apprentice to do so, and could not help but frown.
She clearly remembered that when she attended her third year of high school as an idol, the potential mage apprentices she met were all very solemn.
Lin Qi smiled. "Maybe I give them too much pressure."
"That's true." Wang Ruoling nodded. "I feel like you're like a shadow looming over our batch of mage apprentices."
This time, she did not succeed in summoning a pet from the forest of magic pets. She was quite depressed and felt that the gap between her and Lin Qi had widened.
Wang Ruoling, who had a strong self-esteem to begin with, did not know why she felt so disappointed.
Wang Ruoling nodded secretly. It must be because she felt like she was one step further from getting revenge.
Yeah, definitely.
"Thank you, Lin Qi. I won't let you down next time." Instantly, Wang Ruoling's eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
Lin Qi was puzzled. He hadn't done anything, had he?
After the mage apprentices who did not get magic pets also arrived at the river crossing, staff members finally appeared carrying bamboo poles. Using small boats that were not very wide, they ferried them across the river.
On the other side, the second-year mage apprentices who had been waiting for a long time were enthusiastically guiding them to the academy's dining hall in the north sector to eat. Along the way, they introduced the academy's legends and the scenery.
However, as the banquet was about to end, many apprentices discovered that several exits of the dining hall had been sealed. These second-year mage apprentices also now looked rather mischievous.
"I heard that in previous years, the seniors would always arrange a 'welcome ceremony' for the new students. Could this be it?" A tall male mage apprentice asked. A magic beast toad was on his shoulder.
The north sector dining hall was divided into many rooms that were connected to each other. Those who could summon "magic pets" like Lin Qi were mostly grouped into the same room. They would also be grouped into the same shared dormitory.
"Clap clap clap."
The dining hall's public speaker sounded.
This scene cast an uneasy shadow in the hearts of many apprentices who were still eating. They nearly spat out their food and looked nervous.
"Hello everyone, our academy has a tradition of welcoming new students. As your seniors, we will hold a mind-blowing banquet for everyone."
"We've decided to play a small game during this welcome ceremony. That's right, the props have been placed at the entrances of the various dining rooms. It's a toy that hasn't been circulated in Planet Blue yet, a small Rubik's Cube."
"The Rubik's cube solution is also one of the end-year examination questions that we just went through. Many people were screwed over. Some people failed to solve this question and were sent back to Planet Blue."
Hearing this warning, all the mage apprentices in the restaurant became nervous.
"This game is very simple. Each of you will get one Rubik's cube later. After you restore the Rubik's cube, you can leave the dining hall and go to your dormitory. If you don't restore it, I'm sorry you have to just continue trying here. You can even spend the night in the dining hall."
Instantly, the new batch of mage apprentices was furious.
A few descendants of major mage families consoled. "There are no class teachers or counselors in the north sector. They rely on the seniors to guide the new students. You cannot afford to provoke them. Just comply obediently."
The meaning behind those words were clear. You could break the rules but then no one would guide you in the future. So even if you came from a great mage family, you would have to step carefully.
Lin Qi took a deep breath. He had practiced the Rubik's cube day and night for this very moment!
As for the host in the broadcasting room, he seemed to sense everyone's dissatisfaction. He smiled and said, "Could it be that everyone doesn't have confidence in their talent? You have to know that our exam was for the universal working solution, while you guys are only restoring it. This is much simpler."
The agitated first-year students immediately quietened down. Who would admit that they were not confident of their abilities?
Immediately, many mage apprentices rubbed their palms together, preparing to prove their talent and strength to the seniors.
Suddenly, the broadcast started again.
"Oh, right, Student Lin Qi, is Student Lin Qi here? Since you are the provider of the CFOP Standard Answer for the Rubik's cube question for the end-year exam, you don't have to participate. You can leave now."