Chapter 1050: Chapter 19.1: Level 1 Trial
"I think it’s too early for you to undertake the 1st level trial..."
In the Mysticology Office, Professor Hagrid furrowed his brows in surprise and said to Lu Li, who had come along.
"I’ve already mastered the knowledge of Mysticology 1st level." Lu Li replied calmly.
"You’ve only been at the academy for 10 days..."
Unaware of the existence of the Doomsday Apocalypse, Professor Hagrid couldn’t understand how Lu Li had grasped it so quickly — the effects of doubled memory and intelligence go far beyond addition.
In fact, if not for the delays caused by certain events during this period, it could have been reduced to within a week.
And to Lu Li, 10 days is already considered slow — Mysticology must reach level 7 for Lu Li to access the knowledge of [Releasing the Cursed Title].
This means even if every subsequent level takes 10 days, Lu Li would still have to stay at Giant Tree Academy for two months.
Not counting trials from other studies.
"When does it start?"
"Shortly after noon, the Gatekeeper will act as the examiner."
Professor Hagrid, now relieved, quickly replied, then hurriedly left with the news of Lu Li participating in the trial.
Other professors quickly learned of this, and during the subsequent Alchemy Class, Professor Rubacher even leaked some topics by outlining what the Alchemy trial might test for Lu Li—
After class, the professor hinted to Lu Li, hoping he could also complete the Alchemy 1st level trial soon.
Although the 1st level trial is only an entry-level test, with limited difficulty, considering the long two-week cooldown period after a failed trial, Lu Li, not yet having mastered all the knowledge, temporarily postponed it.
During lunch, Lu Li quietly ate in the same spot as usual.
Dog Meat either buried his head in food or kept talking non-stop, his mouth never idle. Fudote was the other extreme, wanting to speak to Lu Li but out of some restraint, pride, or shyness, only pretended to be indifferent.
After Dog Meat bid goodbye and Fudote ate with frustration, Lu Li left the chapel, heading towards the trial location: the Mysticism Course classroom.
Lu Li encountered Professor Hagrid, who was waiting for him, subtly inquiring about his confidence in the 1st level trial.
Though the 1st level trial is simple, the rules are strict — no mistakes allowed. Even a single wrong choice question would lead to trial failure.
The trial results are only twofold: full marks or fail.
As they neared the Mysticism Course classroom, Professor Hagrid was stopped by the Gatekeeper, who watched as Lu Li entered the classroom.
The three students inside, nervously reviewing for the trial, looked up in astonishment, unable to understand why Lu Li appeared. As they convinced themselves Lu Li was there to supervise, Lu Li sat in an empty seat just like them.
"Your Excellency Lulian... are you here for the trial too?"
The whispering student got confirmation, and before asking anything else, two Gatekeepers entered the classroom with parchment exam sheets.
In the empty, silent classroom, the Gatekeeper announced the only rule: "Cheaters will have 5 credits deducted and be confined for a month... regardless of reputation or status."
The Gatekeeper’s final words were directed at Lu Li.
They seemed to have forgotten their commission and "friendship" with Lu Li.
The Gatekeeper distributed the parchment exam sheets, and Lu Li glanced over the first part, composed of fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice questions.
With long fingers, he picked up a quill, dipped it in the inkwell, and his black eyes scanned the first question.
The first fill-in-the-blank question was basic knowledge: Write down the four classifications of peculiarities from the Old Era and the Weird Times.
Ghosts, Evil Gods, Evil Spirits, Monstrosities, and Spirits and Monsters.
The second question was also basic knowledge, with the difficulty appearing only from the third question.
[What is the significant difference between ghosts and evil spirits?]
Writing "ritual," Lu Li looked at the fourth question, which involved sketching a crude map of the Barren Lands: fill in the blank areas below.
Lu Li observed the marked blank areas and wrote from memory: the Gauss Basin at the foot of the Spine of the World Mountains to the north, the Dark Wilderness where Midnight City stands to the west, the abyss-like dark Weird Town clusters to the east, and the saline marsh of the Unknown Lands to the south.
After completing the geography-related fourth question, subsequent questions were related to Alchemy, Divination, and Weird Knowledge.
Mysticology can be regarded as a generic term, just as ghosts, evil gods, evil spirits, monstrosities, and spirits and monsters can be collectively referred to as peculiarities, blending all "mystical" knowledge, including those from other disciplines.
Having finished the ten fill-in-the-blank questions, Lu Li entered the multiple-choice section.
Compared to the fill-in-the-blank questions, the multiple-choice questions were relatively simple — in some aspects.
But the hidden textual traps can more easily lead students to make mistakes.
[Giant Tree Academy’s progress on surface occupation is: ()]
[1. The vicinity of Midnight City. 2. Surrounding Spirit Town. 3. The extension of the old sewers. 4. The surface belongs to humans!]
is an emotional mislead, only 1, 2, and 3 align with the answer, but considering the question is about the surface, 3 is eliminated. The remaining 1 and 2 easily mislead examinees into choosing, but both are wrong.
Giant Tree Academy’s progress on surface occupation only includes the colony zone, safe zone, and clearance zone.
The subsequent multiple-choice questions did not have answers outside the options, and Lu Li completed the questions in succession, looking at the end of the parchment and the following blank area.
[In the winter of the 24th year of the Weird Times, Old Belfast became the Land of Light. Write what you know happened there.]
No one knows better than Lu Li what happened in the Land of Light.
Without any concealment, he wrote that Belfast became the Land of Light because of the God of the Deep Sea, placing down the weightless quill.
The trial results would be delivered the next day. But without notification, Lu Li was already certain he had passed the Mysticology 1st level trial.
Upon leaving the Mysticism Course classroom, Professor Hagrid, who was waiting outside, inquired about Lu Li’s result—
"Simpler than expected," Lu Li said.
"The academy always takes all students into consideration." Professor Hagrid replied warmly.
Due to the environment faced by humans, many students are in the "I know, but can’t write" stage — they are illiterate.
Thus, they are frequent attendees of linguistics classes, needing to learn the written word.
"Professor Hagrid."
The three students greeted, accompanied by murmured complaints that Lu Li’s distraction might have ruined their test as they walked away together.
The information about Lu Li undertaking the trial was also spread by the three examinees.
Students were not surprised. In fact, if the answers revealed the next day showed that Lu Li hadn’t passed, only then would they be surprised.
That evening in the hall, Lu Li, who had gradually become not the focus of attention due to familiarity, again became the center of discussion and attention.
"It’s very simple, I’ll take the 1st level trial tomorrow too," Fudote said, lifting her swan-like fair chin. The knowledge from her family allowing her to face the trial with ease.
"I will soon..." Dog Meat vaguely continued: "...soon be able to write my name!"
After dinner, Lu Li went to the library to borrow a book on Weird Knowledge Study to prepare for the upcoming Weird Knowledge 1st level trial.
[Department of the Odd - Phantom Order]
[Their existence spans as long as humanity because they were born from human bodies. Whether a soul is the rebirth of the deceased or a new entity with the deceased’s memories, we do not know—]
Merchant Anthony arrived at this moment, bringing a letter signed by Professor Chris.
[Are you ready?]