Chapter 243: Dekan’s Ultimate Magic (1/2) |
Dekan stared at the prompt information inside the barrier, momentarily stunned.
It was better than he imagined.
He originally thought Artis would pick a guaranteed-win subject like [Imperial Geography].
So Dekan basically didn't expect to take down Artis in this round.
Unexpectedly, Artis picked [Imperial Commerce].
Without a doubt, they should send Morion up.
Although Dekan could go up himself.
But after all, business subjects didn't just contain math; they also required some professional knowledge.
Dekan's knowledge in this area was far inferior to Morion's.
He could even call himself an expert.
However, Dekan felt that Artis just now...
Might have really randomly picked an objective exam.
It was also possible that she deliberately chose [Imperial Commerce].
Because she learned in the last question that Morion was good at commerce.
Artis seemed to be trying to wipe away her previous shame; knowing what Morion was good at, she deliberately chose it to crush him.
But.
Artis, this time.
Gave a huge opportunity.
If she just treated Morion as an ordinary human youth, she was gravely mistaken!
He was an absolute prodigy, a genius.
"Then it's your turn."
Dekan nudged Morion's arm with the back of his hand, shooing him onto the field.
"No problem."
Morion nodded.
He didn't intend to decline either.
As long as they won this round cleanly and efficiently, they could go to the next layer.
Now Morion had also figured it out: if it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, it can't be avoided.
Better to honestly clear the level.
Whatever happens later, happens later.
Moreover, Morion hadn't given up hope of escaping the combined reckoning of the Beautiful Mind Squad.
Because based on the intelligence he already knew...
There was a tiny possibility that the lower layer held a guy even Dekan wouldn't expect...
If Morion's guess was right.
That god-like figure, whose behavior patterns even he couldn't predict, would definitely bring some unexpected changes.
...
Thus, Morion went up and completed the candidate registration.
At the same time, Morion also noticed the appearance of the exam paper.
Currently, it was in the pre-exam system demonstration tutorial process.
The exam was not a physical paper.
It was similar to the previous light screen, where choices could be made and numbers or short texts entered directly on the light screen.
And no matter from what angle, it seemed impossible to see other candidates' papers.
"Alright, can you please excuse yourself before the exam starts?"
Artis looked at Dekan and asked.
After all, this round could be judged directly by the exam system for specific scores; no examiner was needed.
Dekan staying here would only interfere with the exam.
"Then I'll leave."
Dekan didn't say much and left the range of the barrier, which was this room.
"Dekan, are you going to cause trouble?"
Cat Teacher's faint voice came from the shadow.
"No, there's no need."
Although logically speaking, Dekan could indeed pull some small stunts outside the barrier.
But Artis' magical attainments must be very high.
Dekan wasn't afraid of mages who were good at fighting, but he was very wary of mages who devoted themselves to researching magic.
In case Artis discovered it, it was possible she would turn hostile and attack directly.
Because on this layer, the Warden basically had no restrictions.
Artis being able to keep her promise and duel them according to the rules was already the utmost benevolence and righteousness.
She was following the rules enough, so Dekan didn't need to flip the table when he had the advantage.
Moreover.
Morion taking this subject shouldn't be a problem.
...
An hour later.
When the barrier's radiance covering the edge of the room dissipated.
It meant that both Morion and Artis had finished the exam.
"You can come in."
Artis' cold voice came from inside the room.
Dekan quickly returned to the study.
He saw Morion's expression was somewhat complicated.
While Artis was holding a teacup, taking a sip of tea very calmly.
Looking at this, it was obvious who won and who lost.
"You lost?"
Dekan walked to Morion's side and asked suspiciously.
His expression was asking Morion: "You aren't acting, are you?"
"I tried my best, but I really can't beat this thousand-year-old test-taker."
Morion shook his head, admitting defeat.
"You are indeed very formidable, more talented than any human I have ever seen."
Artis said,
"But ultimately, you failed to reach the human limit, and are even less able to compare with long-lived species."
Her tone was full of a sense of "solipsism".
In the exam just now, both she and Morion got full marks.
But she took only 16 minutes less 3 seconds.
While Morion spent nearly a whole hour to finish.
What accumulated over a thousand years wasn't just a library-like vast ocean of knowledge.
There was also the proficiency that humans couldn't achieve in a lifetime of training.
Generally speaking, no demon could devote themselves to learning knowledge like this.
But, Artis, this freak.
It seemed that she really hadn't gone mad after studying for a thousand years; instead, that thirst for knowledge was still expanding as if it could never be filled.
This was proficiency beyond the limits of human brainpower.
It was a chasm that Morion couldn't cross relying on talent.
After all, Morion was just a youth less than twenty years old.
"Alright, it's the third round; it's your turn to choose."
Artis put down the teacup in her hand and said indifferently.
Now without [Human Ethics].
The remaining subjective exams couldn't let the two of them do whatever they wanted anymore.
And for objective exams, no matter which one was chosen, she would crush them with absolute strength.
"Can I chat with him for two more sentences?"
Dekan pointed at Morion and said to Artis.
"As you wish."
Artis didn't care at all.
In her opinion, no matter how Dekan chose next or what tricks he played, she couldn't lose again.
This was a gap in strength like a natural moat.
Subsequently, Dekan pulled Morion outside the study and asked:
"Morion, do you remember the content of the exam paper just now? Can you tell me about the general situation of the exam questions?"
Morion nodded and quickly retold it to Dekan once.
"Finishing this volume of questions in a quarter of an hour, and getting them all correct, she has indeed reached a realm that human scholars cannot reach even by exhausting their lifespans... With this speed, if I choose a subject I'm good at, she probably can finish in about ten minutes too, then I must be faster than her while getting everything right..."
Dekan rubbed his chin, seemingly estimating something.
"You can't choose any objective exam; you can't win against her."
Morion saw Dekan's thoughts but shook his head helplessly.
According to the difficulty of the Imperial exams, there was no subject that Dekan had hope of finishing within ten minutes, and getting full marks on.
Morion continued:
"But considering that this exam cannot be unsolvable, we almost definitely lost the second round, so the third round won't be a guaranteed loss. There must be subjects in the subjective exams that we can win. We have to think of a way to find them."
According to the mechanism of the Shadow World, their strategy steps were correct.
So an unsolvable deadlock shouldn't appear yet.
Therefore, among the remaining subjects, after excluding objective exams, there must be something they could win in the subjective exams.
Although Artis looked very calm, there should be at least one subject she was very bad at!
PART 2
She was concealing her weakness!
Right now, they just didn't know which subject that was.
If they couldn't judge it.
Then they could only pick one from the subjective exams and try their luck.
Like painting, music, etc.
No one knew if Artis would be a master in these aspects.
However, even if they picked something Artis was good at, they still had hope.
Unlike objective exams where they would lose so hopelessly.
"If you can't find her weakness, I suggest choosing painting."
Morion said.
Because as a Card Maker, Dekan's drawing skills weren't bad.
At that time, Morion would definitely still be the judge. As long as they communicated well beforehand, Dekan would occupy a certain advantage.
Unless Artis could draw a world-famous masterpiece.
But that was really hard to say.
In case she was a master level.
Then it would be terrible.
"It's okay, I already know what to choose."
Dekan walked past Morion and patted his shoulder.
He didn't mean to blame Morion.
Swapping him in for the second round would have been a loss too.
But Morion had already brought him sufficiently ample intelligence.
That was enough.
"Cat Teacher, go stay in Morion's shadow. Although Artis didn't say it just now, she definitely discovered you."
Dekan said to his own shadow.
"Dekan?"
Morion was very surprised to hear Dekan's words.
Listening to this meaning, Dekan intended to enter the room alone?
In other words.
Dekan wanted to choose an objective exam?!
"Trust me, I'm right. Artis wouldn't mind me bringing a cat for subjective exams, but it's a bit inappropriate for objective exams. Also, Cat Teacher, exchange that card to me."
Dekan said very confidently.
And Cat Teacher, after completing its mission as a backpack, also couldn't wait to jump into Morion's shadow.
They hadn't talked for a long time.
Just right, now there was an opportunity where Dekan wasn't around.
It was time to speak freely!
...
Dekan walked into the room alone.
He roughly estimated in his heart just how exaggerated Artis' proficiency was.
That was a stage impossible to defeat relying on the human brain.
Even adding Dekan's academic strength from his past life wouldn't work.
Because even finding a math professor would be crushed by Artis.
However, Dekan still had a card originally intended to humiliate Morion; unexpectedly, it could be used here.
Subsequently, Dekan walked to the table.
He picked up the box for [Imperial Arithmetic].
"I want to take this exam."
"Are you sure?"
Artis smiled disdainfully.
Morion's defeat just now should have already revealed to Dekan that for objective exams, they would lose if they chose them.
Even if they could achieve full marks, it was impossible to be faster than Artis.
Dekan: "I'll choose this. I can beat you."
Artis: "Laughable."
This time, she didn't say much more.
They got ready for the decisive exam.
The exam rules were similar to the previous [Imperial Commerce], only the volume of questions had changed.
[Exam Start]
Dekan looked at the light screen in front of him and began to select with full concentration.
Artis raised her eyebrows slightly and observed Dekan.
She didn't know what Dekan was thinking either.
But.
She wouldn't lose.
For this exam, Artis spent only 12 minutes to complete the answers.
When the paper was submitted, she unsurprisingly got full marks.
She won.
However, when Artis couldn't hold back a smile and raised her head to look at Dekan.
Her pupils constricted violently.
Their eyes met!
She saw.
Dekan had already submitted his paper and was leaning back in his chair, with a relaxed expression, waiting for her!
"Oh? You finally finished."
Dekan's lazy voice entered Artis' ears.
"You picked randomly?"
Artis frowned and asked.
Although there was already a bit of inexplicable uneasiness in her heart.
But she quickly analyzed that for Dekan to finish so quickly, there must be an element of guessing.
Dekan didn't answer; he spread his hands and pointed to the light screen.
It showed Dekan's score—
[100 points, Time: 6 minutes 50 seconds]
"???"
Artis was completely stunned.
Her hands hung in the air, her mouth open and unable to close for a long time.
"Did you... know the answers in advance?"
This was the only explanation Artis could think of.
"No, I didn't know the answers either; they were all calculated on the spot."
Dekan shook his head.
"Impossible! Even if you have a lifespan longer than mine, you cannot reach this speed!!"
Artis pressed on the table and stood up; no matter what, she couldn't figure out what Dekan had done!
Dekan: "Indeed, but in this exam, there was no rule stating magic couldn't be used to provide buffs for oneself, right?"
Artis: "...Is there any state magic or passive magic that can boost your brainpower to this level?"
"Of course, that is the crystallization of human wisdom."
Dekan's eyes suddenly became extraordinarily serious.
His expression seemed to be telling Artis: "You underestimated humans too much."
"What is it?"
Artis' expression was very complicated.
But compared to processing her mixed feelings, right now she just wanted to figure out where she lost!
"Beg me and I'll tell you."
Dekan leaned back in the chair, smiling playfully as he spoke.
"Please, tell, me!"
Artis' voice was filled with reluctance.
But she didn't hesitate much before saying it according to Dekan's request.
Because she felt right now that if she didn't figure out this problem, she wouldn't rest in peace even if she died!
"Not sincere enough."
"Please, please tell me...!"
Artis still gritted her teeth.
"Forget it, it seems I can't teach you how to beg people all at once, but you have to promise, later when you fulfill your promise, you must do it to my satisfaction to count as fulfilling your bet, then I'll tell you."
Dekan sighed and said.
"I... promise you."
After hearing Artis' answer.
Dekan stood up and looked straight at Artis.
His eyes were no longer as casual as before, but full of solemnity and gravity.
Dekan: "Remember this, this is the ultimate calculation magic representing the crystallization of human wisdom; it has even been crowned with the name EX."
Hearing Dekan's miraculous description of this magic, Artis couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Artis: "What exactly is it?"
Dekan took a deep breath, looked at Artis seriously, and answered:
"Its name is—"
"[Excel]!"