Noon.
The gentle light illumines the conference room with its soft, light-coloured walls, shining on the plants placed on the broad windowsill, adding much vitality to this space.
But at this moment.
In the Sage Academy Conference Room, which had suddenly become a hub of intense discussion due to the controversial topic, a state of chaos was evident.
"Compared to the candidate from the Knight College with zero wisdom and temperament, ours seems to have a little too much of both."
"Indeed, a bit excessively so."
Most teachers were quite shocked and incredulous after witnessing Lanci's moves, doubting their own lives as they discussed this outlier.
There were also teachers who occasionally frowned in thought, then looked up again at the replay on the Magic Fluorescent Screen.
What kind of mental state did this kid possess to take the exam?
They didn't understand.
Now, not only did the teachers have to complete their teaching and research tasks and review the exam, but they also had to urgently make a manual evaluation for all the candidates' performances.
Naturally, Lanci had presented them a conundrum—
How were they to grade him?
"You have to admit, this guy's legal awareness is really strong. A normal person wouldn't rush to read the code under such circumstances."
"No, the code we teach here is pertaining to magic, not law!"
There was a burst of argument, and another teacher slammed the table and shouted.
"Perhaps he would be better suited for the Hutton National Financial and Political Law Academy."
"Phew—"
Just the thought of what it would be like if Lanci were to become a judge one day was enough to make all the teachers present think, "I never want to see this guy in court in my lifetime."
All sorts of documents, diagrams, and notes were scattered on the table in the conference room.
The clicks of the wall clock echoed in the room.
Vice Dean Ron sat silently, noting down the key points of several different opinions on the paper before him, trying to organise an evaluation of the candidate.
Dean Loren was currently being scolded at the Magic Engineering College.
So, this meeting had to be presided over by Vice Dean Ron.
Nobody at the Sage Academy wanted to go to the Magic Engineering College to face the temperamental Professor Bolao.
What's more...
If Professor Bolao heard that the Artificial Shadow World Start Terminal had been damaged....
Angry!
But there was no choice; the terminal was needed for the third round of exams.
There had to be someone brave enough to ask Professor Bolao to bring the technicians from the Magic Engineering College to quickly repair it within the next couple of days.
"Sigh, if I were Loren, I'd probably have dragged this Lanci kid straight to the Magic Engineering College."
Their dean was just too honest and upright.
After the sigh in his heart, Vice Dean Ron finally lightly tapped the table twice.
He signaled the teachers to return to the main topic of discussion.
"From the perspective of the core of the Shadow World, it seems that he has offered an alternative interpretation of the 'heart of benevolence.'
Ron sighed, saying reluctantly accepted the significance represented by Lanci passing the test,
"Using violence to curb violence, using evil to restrain evil, it may also be an effective means of doing good."
Those who study and explore the Shadow World are not limited to Challengers with a leaning towards combat professions.
The figures of many theologians, historians, and philosophers are also frequently active.
Academics' excavation and analysis of the stories of the Shadow World can also help Challengers clear up information and expand their strategies for conquering the Shadow World.
Gradually, the Sage Academy has also incorporated a lot of academic research into its development.
For example, Introduction to the Shadow World, which is mandatory for freshmen at the Sage Academy, is currently the most recognized shadow world theory in the world today.
It points out that the Shadow World is a miracle spell boundary created by the gods before their disappearance, capable of autonomously recording key historical nodes of many worlds and different worlds, and transforming their fragments into projections.
Once a world evolves to the point where it has the power to explore the Shadow World in its constant destruction and regeneration, this world will connect with the Shadow World.
Then the creatures of this world can enter the Shadow World, guided by the central hub of the Shadow World to re-enact the projections of history.
These historical projections of different world lines and timelines can be regarded as excellent learning materials or treasure troves of knowledge for any creature.
The gods hope that creatures can reflect, gain experience, and cross-learn from these projections of disappeared historical fragments, making their world of existence more stable and better.
Thus, there is the dual world intertwined with each other, like the Shadow World and the real world, akin to shadow and entity.
After Vice Dean Ron started.
The atmosphere in the conference room once again returned to that of a normal evaluation meeting.
"Through this examination's simulation of the Artificial Shadow World, discussing Lanci's solutions may result in a journal publication."
"I've noticed that he appears to have more talent as a researcher."
Teacher Teresa, sitting at the round table of the healing Mage group, spoke softly while looking at Lanci's information.
At the time of the admission application, she felt that this young boy did not have much talent as a magician. However, his composed and courteous demeanor seemed to be that of a natural scholar.
Often, those who are willing to study hard are highly regarded by various academic societies.
After all, assisting in the follow-up and engaging in research in the logistical department is equally important as combat positions.
"Indeed, he has the temperament, wisdom, and morality."
Many teachers agreed.
"In conclusion— his ranking is ahead of Miss Duchess Hyperion Alansar, that is, in first place, is there a problem with that?"
Vice Dean Ron tapped his index finger lightly on the table, hesitated slightly, then summarized.
Since it is impossible to define the score, the immediate priority was to decide the ranking.
This will directly affect the exam group allocation the day after tomorrow.
Upon hearing this, many teachers in the room either nodded or remained silent.
Their attitudes were a bit subtle, even giving off a sense of avoiding suspicion.
"Although his clearance time was very fast, he hardly hit any of the originally designated scoring points. According to the algorithm originally set by the Magic Engineering College, his score might not be particularly high..."
A hesitant voice came from the round table of the healing Mage group.
The Vice Dean looked over to find it was Teacher Teresa who had spoken, the same one who had assisted Lanci during his admission application.
"Teacher Teresa, isn't it unfair to say that?"
However.
At another table, a young teacher, with his right hand resting on the back of his chair, turned his head to look at Teresa, interrupting her, "He rightfully deserves to be first, and that cannot be changed."
"..."
Teresa pursed her lips, reluctant to say more.
She knew that her words were, in fact, unreasonable.
But she really wanted to help Lanci.
Because, being first in this year's Sage Academy examination is not a favorable position.
Frant, even Lanci, wasn't the most troublesome freshman for the academy this year.
It was Miss Duchess Hyperion Alansar.
Most teachers didn't want to get involved with her easily.
The reason why Miss Duchess did not deliberately fail in the second round of the exam was because she was worried that a poor ranking would lead her to be teamed with assigned actors in the third round.
Only with a high rank can she possibly be assigned strong teammates who can't mess with her due to conflicting factions within the academy.
Looking at the current situation, if Lanci happened to be placed in the first position,
It is highly likely that many would agree, expecting Lanci to be a burden to Miss Duchess in real combat.
After all, Lanci does not seem to have any outstanding combat abilities.
"Firat, I can't say much. But no matter what, please don't cross the line, or Loren won't stand by."
Ron deeply looked over at the young teacher who had interrupted Teresa's words earlier, then said,
"Of course."
The young teacher named Firat stood up, elegantly bowing to Vice Dean Ron,
"Within the set rules, by default, the students at the top of the list should be evaluated by me. I will do my best to screen out ineligible candidates, for their future safety."
A confident smile was always playing on Firat's lips.
"..."
Vice Dean Ron silently turned the page in his hand, wanting to end the topic.
Lanci Welfort, as a White Magician, had very limited innate talent.
He is not really suitable for Sage Academy.
Above first-order Shadow World not only requires thinking, but also a considerable amount of combat ability.
Regardless of which group he is assigned to, there is a high probability that he will be eliminated in the third round.
So, in a way, fate has it for him to team up with Miss Duchess.
No one can be blamed for holding the others back then.
After all, even apart, both of them have little hope of admission.