My health recovery is incredibly fast.

The effects of the satiety medication will last for about two more days.

During the medication's effects, I can eat, but I always feel like I don't have much of an appetite.

He planned to have a proper meal at the restaurant once the effects of his fullness wore off. Since the other freshmen were still taking exams, the entire restaurant was practically booked.

It's rare to not have to fight with others for a seat.

The scenery within the university campus is so beautiful that the next 20 days will feel like a vacation.

However, he will not slack off because of this.

Even without a mentor to supervise them, they will still study diligently under the encouragement of a mentor.

The days were spent in a tranquil atmosphere of reading.

Aside from meeting Anruer at the restaurant every morning and afternoon at 6 o'clock for a few words, I spend the rest of my time constantly memorizing knowledge from books.

After 20 days.

..

Level 111 LV.12

Experience 2701600

Spirit 9.21.811

Free attribute points 325

..

Kulov gave me five textbooks in the box.

Each textbook contains little content and provides only a limited amount of experience and spiritual attributes, but it is highly refined and abstract, requiring specific alchemical practices to fully comprehend.

Xia Zuo memorized them all before the exam ended.

Today is the long-awaited day when the college will announce the exam results.

7: am.

In the completely silent classroom, the students sat upright in their seats.

Most people looked dejected.

The past 20-plus days of exams, with their intensive schedule and immense pressure, made them realize that they were not cut out for studying alchemy.

Failing the exam is inevitable. It's even possible that you won't be able to pass the make-up exam or retake the course.

A small number of people looked nervous, but not disappointed.

Anruer, who was standing next to me, was among them.

I completed all 25 exams, but there were still some parts I was unsure about.

Her hands were rubbing together on the table, her fingers intertwined, and her two thighs were swinging restlessly under the table.

Xia Zuo patted her back gently, but it only calmed her turbulent emotions for a short while. After more than ten seconds, her body trembled slightly again.

Cry, cry...

The sound of crisp footsteps came from outside the classroom.

Dean Beatrice walked to the front of the podium and stood still.

At this moment, the students had no time to appreciate her beautiful face and graceful figure; they were all staring at her red lips, hoping to hear something delightful.

"The path of a mage is to be accompanied by the elements."

Beatrice crossed her arms, surveyed the students' solemn faces, and said calmly:

"This is a dangerous path to promotion."

"Our alchemy school is the safest, has the lowest entry barrier, and offers the best benefits among the four paths to becoming a mage."

"Even if you leave here, you will still enjoy the care of Starry Night Academy."

"To those students who did not pass this round of exams, I hope you will not be discouraged. The university has arranged make-up exams and retakes for you."

"If you still fail the retake, don't lose faith in the future. The knowledge you've gained over the past few months is enough to secure you a good job in the kingdom."

"The time you spend studying here will be converted into Warrior Guild points. After you leave the academy, you can use these points to redeem rewards from the Warrior Guild."

The dean's words relieved most of the worries of many students who were anxious about their poor exam results.

Xia Zuo already knew his exam score from Kurov, so he appeared particularly calm among the crowd. However, those around him were preoccupied with their own thoughts and did not notice his unusual demeanor.

Beatrice snapped her fingers, summoning silver sand from the void.

The shimmering sand formed a list above the podium.

1st Place: Department of Poison Alchemy, Xia Zuo, Total Score: 25000 points

2nd Place: The Subject of Concrete Elements, Fein, Total Score: 24888 points

3rd Place: Subject of Oddities and Wonders, Lucas, Total Score: 24210 points

..

6th Place: Oil Alchemy, Anru, Total Score: 23750 points

The silver sands ceased to change, and the list was finalized.

Xia Zuo recalled that Mars had said the passing score for the exam was 950 points. Based on the total score of 25 exams, the total passing score would be 23750 points.

Anruer barely passed and ranked 6th.

If the passing score is set according to the total score, it is actually a bit too lenient, which implicitly allows students who are good at some subjects to pass.

"In this round of exams, the above 6 students passed."

Beatrice successfully stirred up a storm in the classroom.

"What?! Only 6 people passed the exam!"

"Sigh, is the passing score really 23750? I wonder how far I am..."

"Waaah... It's so strict! I should have read more books..."

"It's all over, it's all ruined. I have to go home and dig up some grass roots."

"Someone actually got a perfect score!"

Xia Zuo noticed that many classmates were looking over. He looked at them with a calm smile.

"I passed! I passed!"

Anruer excitedly twisted her body, grabbed Xia Zuo's arm with both hands, shook it a few times, and her face was full of joy. She turned to the side and opened her arms to hug him.

Xia Zuo quickly restrained her and winked at the podium and the surrounding area, "So many people are watching."

"Oh, oh, oh..." Anruer lowered her head, her face flushed, and under the table, she held Xia Zuo's hand and kneaded it repeatedly.

Watching the two of them playfully teasing each other, the students around them had mixed and subtle feelings.

The final exam was extremely difficult, but six people still passed, and one person even got a perfect score—and that person has a partner...

Beatrice clapped her hands, drawing the students' attention, and announced loudly:

"The make-up exams will be held in one month. Your tutor will tell you which subjects you need to retake. Students who need to retake the exams should plan their schedules for this month. Two months later, the next batch of freshmen will arrive at the university, and those who failed the make-up exams will retake the courses with them."

"The six students who passed this round of exams will begin the next stage of their studies this morning."

Beatrice repeated the few words she had said before announcing the results, and after making sure the students were not in an extreme emotional state, she dismissed them.

Anruer pulled Xia Zuo along, skipping and hopping out of the classroom, and ran all the way to the lakeside outside the castle.

Sunlight spills onto the ripples of the lake, and a gentle breeze stirs the shimmering water.

The two figures merged together.

"Thanks to you, I passed the exam."

Anruer pressed the bottle tightly against her chest, listening to the heartbeat in her ear, and smiled happily.

Several months have passed since they met. Xia Zuo has not responded to the other person with any body language.

Now..

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out his right arm to hug her back, gently stroking her shoulder with his right hand. "Don't let your guard down from behind either. Tell me if you have any difficulties."

"Um.."

Anru snuggled against him affectionately, lost in their time together.

Chapter 26 The Mentor's Promise

8 a.m. that day.

Xia Zuo entered the poison alchemy area.

Kulov put down his book, stood up from the sofa, yawned, beckoned for a teacup, took a sip, and then asked:

"How's your reading of those five basic textbooks on the science of craft objects going?"

"Professor, I've memorized it all."

Xia Zuo stood respectfully in front of the other person with his hands at his sides.

Kulov chuckled silently, as if to say, "I knew it!"

"Now that you've memorized it, which branch of alchemy would you like to learn first? Continue learning the introductory-level poison alchemy, or learn the art of crafting objects that interests you?"

"You can even choose your own course content?" Xia Zuo blinked, looking at her instructor with a hint of surprise.

"Once you pass the final exam, you will be considered a formal student of the academy. You will receive the same treatment as students with innate affinity."

"The alchemical school of thought emphasizes interest first, followed by diligent study."

Kulov, with his hands behind his back, said confidently:

"As long as it doesn't involve master-level content, I can teach you anything."

Xia Zuo wanted to learn the alchemy of wondrous objects and witness the wonders of the Life Alchemy Stone as soon as possible, but the contents of those five textbooks made him give up on the idea.