"Alright, this round's inspection has ended. After the seven people who met the requirements graduate, they will receive an additional rare resource."
Chief Lu explained briefly, then looked at Bai Ze with blazing eyes.
He felt that this student Bai Ze was very capable. Not only was his ability to understand things high, he also had an unflappable character. Even in front of him, this student did not show any signs of nervousness or embarrassment like the other students.
In the future, he would definitely become a great person, perhaps even attain greater achievements than himself.
He could not let go of such a student with great potential.
Thinking of this, Lu Yudao decided to invest in Bai Ze in advance in case he really turned out as he expected and blossomed into a noteworthy mover and shaker of society.
Even if it was just accruing a debt of gratitude, it was definitely worth it.
Lu Yudao cleared his mind and throat before saying, "Bai Ze, you have to continue to work hard in the future. I have high hopes for you. How about this? When you can cultivate the Repelling Fire Ring to the Perfection level, I'll teach you a new fire-type rule, Thorny Fire Wall!"
A bright glint flashed across Bai Ze's eyes. He understood then that Chief Lu was trying to groom him.
He immediately replied humbly, "Thank you for your appreciation, Chief Lu. I will definitely work hard!"
"Hahaha! It's a deal then."
Chief Lu laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Next, I'll let the police officers accompany you guys for training. Strive to meet the requirements as soon as possible."
Bai Ze couldn't help but smile as he watched Chief Lu float away on the magic carpet.
This Chief Lu was an interesting person, unlike the leaders in their school who were all rotting ancient antiques.
After the afternoon group training, Bai Ze went to the cafeteria on the seventh floor to have lunch with Jiang Qingyue.
Looking at the sumptuous lunch spread before him, Bai Ze couldn't help sighing once more.
If only the cafeteria in Maplewood Uno High were half as good as this place, it would not receive complaints from students every month.
Taking out his phone, Bai Ze wanted to play with it to relax.
However, he was surprised to find that there was an email from Wu Feng in his mailbox.
"Brother Bai, tomorrow afternoon is the day of the joint examination of the nine academies in Maplewood City. You can't be absent!
"Moreover, we're representing the school in this joint examination. The top nine of the joint examination will also receive very generous rewards. Come back quickly!"
After reading the message sent by Wu Feng, Bai Ze frowned and began thinking deeply.
He hadn't even been in the Preordained Training Camp for three days. If he left for a while, he didn't know if he could keep up with the progress of the training camp.
However, at the thought that the result of the joint examination of nine academies would affect the final graduation results, Bai Ze suddenly felt that he was caught in a dilemma.
If he missed the joint examination just like that, he might not be able to get a chance to work as an intern at a big company if his grades were not good.
However, it was a rare opportunity for him to attend the Preordained Training Camp, and even taking a day off would be a huge loss.
Jiang Qingyue, who was sitting opposite him, saw that Bai Ze seemed to be thinking about something and immediately placed a piece of sweet and sour pork in his bowl.
"What are you thinking about?"
Bai Ze raised his head and saw Jiang Qingyue looking at him with her head tilted. He immediately adjusted his sitting position.
"It's nothing. I think I might have to make a trip back to Maplewood City today."
After hesitating for a while, Bai Ze decided to go back.
Although the group training could bring him a lot of benefits, he could not give up on something as important as the Nine Academies Joint Examination.
After all, he didn't have any noteworthy background. If he couldn't find a good job after the Preordained Training Camp, it would be equivalent to destroying his own path to a bright future.
Moreover, the training in the Preordained Training Camp would last one whole month, so it wouldn't be much of a problem even if he skipped classes for a few days.
"Oh… Why the sudden rush?"
Jiang Qingyue put down her chopsticks and immediately asked with concern, "Is this about the Nine Academies Joint Examination?"
She couldn't think of anything else more important than the joint examination.
Bai Ze nodded.
"I've already thought about it. I'll ask for leave from Chief Lu later."
"Alright."
Jiang Qingyue seemed a little disheartened, but she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
About seven or eight minutes later, Bai Ze returned to the cafeteria with Chief Lu's approval in his hand.
"I'm leaving, but don't worry. I'll be back in three or four days at most!"
Looking at Bai Ze's determined expression, Jiang Qingyue knew he had made up his mind.
"Go quickly, and come back soon. I believe that you will definitely be able to represent Maplewood Uno High to win the championship of the Nine Academies Joint Examination!"
Jiang Qingyue said with a smile. Then, she picked up her handkerchief and helped Bai Ze wipe away the remaining stains on the corner of his mouth.
"Uh…"
Bai Ze's heart began racing when Qingyue leaned so close to him.
"Don't worry. I'll definitely bring good news back. Wait for me. "
With that, Bai Ze turned and left. Soon, he left the cafeteria of the Sorcery Bureau building.
Looking at his gradually disappearing figure, Jiang Qingyue's eyes betrayed the worry she felt, but she quickly recovered.
She definitely approved of Bai Ze developing in a better direction. Moreover, it was only for a few days. As long as she concentrated hard during the group training, the time should pass quickly.
Meanwhile, after Bai Ze and Jiang Qingyue parted ways, he boarded the train back to Maplewood City.
On the way, Wu Feng also told him some news and details about the joint examination.
This inspired some of Bai Ze's ideas.
As far as Wu Feng knew, the Nine Academies Joint Examination would not only boost Maplewood City's economy, but elsewhere secretly, someone was also taking bets to see which student would win the championship.
At the moment, there were already quite a number of betting odds for the students in the black market.
The odds for the gifted descendants of the aristocratic families were usually less than three times. The odds for mages who had achieved the fourth ring and above were only around 1.5.
As for those students who were only recorded and not well known, they usually had more than ten times the odds, sometimes even a hundred times.
However, even so, not many people would try their luck on these candidates.
After all, it simply made no sense to bet on such candidates when they knew that it was impossible for them to win.
And after Bai Ze learned this information from Wu Feng, a plan came to his mind.
With his current ability, he was fully qualified to compete for the championship of the Nine Academies Joint Examination.
However, in the eyes of outsiders, he was still a low-level mage. He could make use of this information discrepancy and use other identities to place bets on the black market.
If he could really become the champion, he might get winnings that were a few dozen times or even a hundred times of what he placed.
If he lost, he would only lose a small portion of his money.
Bai Ze would not refuse this sort of business with low investment and high yield. After all, no one would ever complain about having too much money in their pockets.
As the train whizzed by, Bai Ze leaned against the window and closed his eyes to rest.
Even though he had taken the express train to cut down traveling time, it was still a more than four-hour ride back home.
Moreover, he was not in the mood to enjoy the scenery now that he was taking the same route back that he had taken the day before yesterday.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was already six in the evening.
Bai Ze dragged his tired body back home.
When he was sleeping in the hotel last night, Bai Ze thought he could enjoy two more days of such peaceful nights.