Chapter 21: Entrance Tests Characteristic of the Times

The Whispering Verses

Xia De nodded and made a mental note of the doctor's advice about Rhodes Cards authentication.

However, he didn’t hold much hope that the card in his hand was genuine. Despite the late detective’s fanatical behavior toward Rhodes Cards before his death, the man had only been a common middle-class individual, unlikely to own such a rare and valuable item. As for the museum the detective had mentioned, Xia De speculated it might be a black market hub for counterfeit Rhodes Cards. He decided to first visit the Prophets' Association for verification to set his mind at ease before heading to the museum.

Having resolved the tuition issue by borrowing funds from the group, Xia De formally began the enrollment process. He initially thought the academy would send someone over, but all the procedures were handled by Dr. Schneider:

“Remember, we are correspondence Ring Warlocks. The academy provides us with knowledge, and we must earn mandatory credits through study and exams, while practical credits come from academy-assigned tasks. That’s the relationship we have with the academy—somewhat like a special employment arrangement. You don’t need to focus too much on the academy, at least not until you join us in scaling the glaciers of the extreme north and entering the academy itself.”

The doctor waved his hand dismissively, while the lady writer assured Xia De that he would deeply understand this dynamic within a few weeks.

As full-fledged Ring Warlocks, the two needed to notify St. Byrons Comprehensive College about the new correspondence student. The means of contact was the Poet-grade Relic, "The Manuscript of Poet Cohen." Poet Cohen had been a student at St. Byrons during the previous epoch. Though the Fifth Epoch primarily admitted female spellcasters, the academy also accepted a few male students for non-supernatural research.

Cohen’s manuscript, a relic with over a hundred pages, allowed for information transmission and small-item transfers directly to its cover. This manuscript served as the primary method for correspondence between St. Byrons and its remote Ring Warlocks, including the distribution of textbooks and submission of assignments. Within Dr. Schneider’s group, the manuscript was kept by the senior member, which in this case was the doctor himself.

The manuscript appeared as an old parchment scroll, roughly the size of an open book. It was blank at the moment, showing signs of wear, with frayed threads visible on its edges.

“First, your basic information and tuition fees,” the doctor instructed.

Using a blue fountain pen, Xia De wrote his details, such as address, age, occupation, and past experiences, on a sheet of stationery. The doctor then placed an envelope stuffed with cash onto the manuscript. With a flash of light, both the envelope and the stationery disappeared. Moments later, a receipt emerged from the parchment, written in both Drarian and Carsonrick, the Old Continent’s common languages. It detailed the payment amount and bore the academy’s official seal.

“Very professional,” Xia De remarked.

The doctor kept the receipt temporarily, intending to return it to Xia De after he repaid the borrowed money.

“Next is the trustworthiness test. The academy needs to ensure new correspondence Ring Warlocks aren’t cultists or individuals with ulterior motives. The academy has its secrets and cannot let outsiders easily gain access,” the doctor explained casually.

“How does this test work?” Xia De asked, somewhat concerned. He wasn’t worried about the original host’s questionable intellect, but his own identity as a transmigrator posed risks.

Before the doctor could reply, Miss Dorothy Louisa interjected with a grin:

“It’s standard procedure—you have to write an essay of no less than 800 words on your thoughts about good and evil, order and chaos.”

“Huh?” Xia De thought he misheard.

“This step also verifies literacy. The academy doesn’t admit illiterate students. Xia De, I know your reading skills are limited, so you can keep it simple,” the doctor encouraged him kindly.

“But why an essay? I thought it would be something like a lie-detector test,” Xia De murmured, relieved it wasn’t the latter. Lie-detector tests could spell disaster if questions about his past arose.

“Lie detectors can be cheated, but an essay reflects continuous thoughts, attitudes, and even subconscious inclinations. It’s more reliable and fitting for the times. Detective, this isn’t a chaotic epoch anymore. In this era of civilization and steam, even entry tests must be civilized,” Dorothy quipped, leaning back on the sofa with an amused look as she enjoyed Xia De’s predicament.

Thus, Xia De was forced into an 800-word “entrance essay test.” Though he could read and understand the language, writing was challenging without the mental voice aiding him with knowledge. This scene further reassured Dr. Schneider that his investigation into the original Xia De was correct.

The essay’s topic was broad, but Xia De took the approach of writing less to minimize mistakes. He divided the essay into four parts: an opening of pleasant generalities, a section on good and evil, a section on order and chaos, and a concluding paragraph. This structured approach allowed him to complete it relatively smoothly.

While Xia De struggled with his essay, the doctor wasn’t idle either. The academy’s standard procedure also required a practical assessment where the group’s Ring Warlocks guided the recruit through a supernatural incident to evaluate their suitability. Although the morning’s retrieval of the Countdown Pocket Watch of Life sufficed, it still required a report detailing Xia De’s performance.

In the meantime, Dorothy leisurely sipped her tea, enjoying the rare sight of the two men engrossed in their respective tasks.

When both the essay and the report were transmitted via the manuscript, it took over thirty minutes for a response. Finally, an admission letter bearing Xia De’s full name arrived, marking his evaluation as “excellent.” During the wait, the group engaged in a conversation to familiarize Xia De with some basic knowledge.

“Actually, admission ratings are only ‘excellent’ or ‘unqualified.’ Unlike academic evaluations, which include ‘excellent,’ ‘exceeds expectations,’ ‘pass,’ ‘fail,’ and ‘utterly disastrous,’” the doctor whispered.

“It’s the academy’s little trick to win your favor,” Dorothy added with a knowing smile.

Xia De found it amusing but also felt reassured by the academy’s formal and professional approach.

“Next, I’ll help you officially take on the mantle of Ring Warlock and push open the door to the extraordinary. Once you obtain your core rune, your affiliated academy will be determined. Textbooks and study materials will be delivered in three days, as the academy needs time to prepare them,” the doctor concluded.