Carolina POV
I observed the students with a bit of boredom; there weren't many, which is somewhat disappointing, but it's still common. Most students end up preferring cultivation and fighting over learning professions. Even among those involved in a profession, alchemy and blacksmithing are a bit more common in comparison, despite the current alchemy teacher being quite annoying.
As for performance, it wasn't very impressive. There was poor Qi control or poor terrain analysis and positioning for some. A few bold ones tried to create composite formations or trap formations, but most were defensive, illusion, or offensive formations.
"Well… it wasn't the best evaluation, but it wasn't so bad… some with talent," I murmured quietly while watching them through a small spiritual artifact.
However, the next student that entered caught my attention, making me snap out of my boredom. He caught my attention for a few reasons: first, his calm and serene demeanor; second, his noticeable appearance. As the test progressed, I became even more interested. His material analysis was excellent and meticulous, as was his terrain analysis. Even if it wasn't obvious, I could see through his movements and use of Qi to observe the environment that he was noticing every detail.
However, his next movements intrigued me because the formation initially seemed like a trap, but over time it began to emit a different energy….
Only after certain material placements and his Qi being positioned on the ground did I seem to start understanding what he intended to do. "Is he trying to create a dual-function trap formation along with an illusion formation?"
Trap formations are more complex than simpler ones, capable of trapping an individual within that space. A more functional one will attack the enemy inside with different types of attacks. It's a type of trap formation that formation masters find fascinating but are difficult to put together, especially for novices. A trap formation combined with an illusion formation allows individuals to be trapped for considerably longer since they won't fully understand what's happening.
"He is quite bold… but also impressive," I murmured as my eyes gleamed watching his careful yet confident movements, the precise placement of stones and materials, and the well-drawn and crafted way his Qi traced the characters and runes.
In the end, he didn't disappoint me. Both formations were successfully set up and worked in strong harmony.
When I used the small artifact to test them, I could see that the effect was strong enough to affect cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage up to at least the beginning of the Third Grand Realm. This impressed me a lot. I definitely need to recruit this student later… maybe even the higher-ups will like him… though it's more complicated, I'd better just observe for now…
I thought and read his name aloud. "Alex Alberian… so he's another boy from the Alberian family… good… I just don't know about that alchemy teacher… tsk."
And I directly sent the result to him.
…
**MC POV**
I finally finished setting it up and was quite satisfied. The formation model is basic, but I managed to make good use of Qi, the normal runes, and get the best out of some materials to create a composite trap and illusion formation that should even manage to trap cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage of the Third Grand Realm… even if not for long.
But it was definitely enough to make it quite difficult for a cultivator in the First Grand Realm of Foundation Establishment to escape, especially with pure physical strength.
As I admired my work with great pride and happiness, I heard a voice. "You have successfully passed. Formation classes are held on Wednesday mornings, be present. A test will also be applied monthly. You may leave."
Understanding the information, I respectfully bowed and left the room.
…
After finishing that, I finally decided to find my mentor who would guide me in cultivation and be my advisor.
I walked slowly and saw the name on my plaque, reading it out loud. "Professor Yu…"
When I said it, someone heard and asked. It was a young woman, and I wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to me because of what she heard or because of my appearance since her eyes were 100% fixed on my face. "You got Professor Yu?"
Looking at her, I replied as I didn't feel any hostility. "Yes…."
"Oh…" She looked at me with pity that I didn't understand and seemed to want to console me. "Don't worry too much; in a week, you can request a change of professors… until then, hang in there, and if necessary, you can look for me. I'm willing to console you."
She spoke while blushing slightly at the end and ran away… I didn't know what to say, whether it was her strange comment about the professor… or the fact that she left without giving me her name or anything.
I sighed and moved to the location where I was informed his office was.