Chapter 2: Evaluation Exam
More than a century has passed since the destruction of the old world. For the people of today, those events are merely a dark chapter in history. For others, they're nothing more than legends, as no one can definitively prove what truly happened.
It was Monday, and Jin Feng woke up early that morning. Today was the day every aspiring magician in the world eagerly awaited: the Magic Evaluation Exam and Entrance Exam for high school freshmen. This was the day to discover what kind of magic a person possessed and how powerful it was. Those with an aptitude for magic would be granted an External Backbone and guaranteed admission as scholars to a magic high school.
At East Middle Region Magic High School, young magicians were trained to hone their magical abilities from early age.
When Jin Feng arrived at the venue, he was surprised to see so many exam takers already there, chatting excitedly. The anticipation was evident on their faces. Jin Feng decided to head to the restroom first, as he'd been holding it in, overwhelmed by both nervousness and excitement about discovering his magic.
Magic is ranked from weakest to strongest: F, E, D, C, B, A, and S. S-rank magicians are extremely rare, with only 25 recorded worldwide, four of whom are from the China, one from Korean, 5 from Africa Federation, 6 from USA and the rest from other countries or organizations.
Hollow Cell Symptoms typically appear at age 14 for girls and 15 for boys. Not everyone develops these symptoms, which is why some people have no magic. This is also why the evaluation exam is held during the high school entrance period.
There are currently several magic high schools across the Asia Federation. Following the Great Catastrophe of 2030, the once-fragmented nations of Asia merged into a single political entity, reshaping both geography and governance. Instead of being divided by borders, the Federation now organizes its magical institutions by region.
The most prominent schools include the Jade Lotus Academy of the Himalayas in the northern region, the Pearl Coast Institute in the eastern region, the Silk Flame Conservatory of the West, the Banyan Circle School in the central region, and the Island Sanctum of the Southern Seas in the southern region. These schools serve as the Federation's pillars of magical education, each drawing on the distinct cultural and historical legacies of its location which sadly Jin Feng wasn't qualified to study under, yet.
Jin Feng arrived early not only because of his excitement but also because he wanted to avoid Fang Jue's group. He also needed to hurry to buy medicine for his sick mother. But before he could reach the restroom…
"Hey, Fang Jue, bro, isn't that Jin Feng? Let's mess with him," said one of Fang Jue's friends.
"Haha, let's go!" Fang Jue called out, "Oi, Jin Feng!"
Fang Jue's group had been bullying Jin Feng since elementary school, and it only got worse over time. It all started when Fang Jue had a crush on a girl in elementary school. He asked Jin Feng to tell her that he wanted to talk to her in an empty lot behind the school. The girl refused, but then she suddenly kissed Jin Feng on the cheek. Fang Jue saw it happen and, believing Jin Feng betrayed him, grew to resent him.
"Ugh, Fang Jue?!" Jin Feng was startled by the familiar voice—the one he least wanted to hear today.
"Hey, why do you look so scared? I haven't even done anything to you yet," Fang Jue taunted with a fake gentle smile.
"Not yet?" Jin Feng thought, fear creeping in.
Realizing the situation wasn't good, Jin Feng decided to leave and prioritize buying medicine for his mother, whose condition was worsening. He planned to return later when Fang Jue and his group were gone. Plus, he really needed to pee!
"Sorry, Fang Jue, I have to go," Jin Feng said.
"Hey, wait! Are you done with your evaluation exam already?" Fang Jue asked, annoyed.
"N-no, I'm scheduled for later. I just stopped by," Jin Feng explained.
"Damn it! Why did this guy show up now? I know him—he's never early for things like entrance exams. Tsk! I underestimated how excited he must be," Jin Feng scolded himself silently.
He quickly turned to run away, but…
"Hmn," Fang Jue frowned.
*Thud!*
"Eek!" Jin Feng yelped in surprise.
Fang Jue grabbed the collar of Jin Feng's polo shirt. Given Fang Jue's large build and Jin Feng's skinny frame, no matter how much Jin Feng struggled, he couldn't break free. At 16, Jin Feng stood at 5'6" with a frail body due to poverty, while Fang Jue, also 16, was 5'8" with a sturdy physique from his love of physical activities. Fang Jue dragged Jin Feng to an alley where no one passed by and immediately got into his bully character.
Bam!
"Haha, punch him, Fang Jue!" one of Fang Jue's friends egged him on.
"Yeah, beat him up!" another added.
Jin Feng could only grit his teeth and clench his fists. He didn't fight back, knowing it would only make things worse. Even as a child, he hated fighting. In fact, he dreamed of having healing magic, even if it was ordinary, as long as it could cure the sick. Since he was young, Jin Feng's goal was to become a Magic Doctor. That's why he didn't resist Fang Jue's bullying, knowing he couldn't win in a fight, especially against someone as big as Fang Jue with two backups.
"You know what I hate most? When someone turns their back on me while I'm talking!" Fang Jue snapped angrily at Jin Feng.
"Sorry, Fang Jue, my mom is sick, and I need to hurry to buy her medicine," Jin Feng explained.
"You're lying!" Fang Jue grew angrier.
*Thud!*
*Guwahh!*
Fang Jue punched Jin Feng in the stomach. Jin Feng collapsed to his knees, vomiting his breakfast.
"Yuck, this Jin Feng guy is disgusting!" one of Fang Jue's friends sneered.
"Haha!"
"Hahaha!"
*Thud!*
Fang Jue followed up with a kick to Jin Feng's shoulder. Unable to hold it in, Jin Feng wet his pants.
They laughed at him as he endured the pain in his stomach.
"Wait, Fang Jue, why don't we get evaluated first to see what magic we have?" one of Fang Jue's friends suggested.
"What?! Dude, you feeling sorry for Jin Feng or something?" another said, annoyed.
"Haha, me, pity this loser? You kidding, bro?" the first one replied.
"Then why do you want to stop beating up Jin Feng—I mean, Pee-man? Hehe!"
"Dude, so we can practice our cool magic on him later. Haha!"
Jin Feng's vision darkened at those words. He desperately wanted to escape. He couldn't stay any longer his mother's condition would worsen if she didn't get her medicine soon.
"Ahem! Ahem!" Jin Feng coughed to hide the fear he felt at what might happen.
"Hey! What are you guys doing there?" a voice called out.
The four turned toward the source of the voice. When Fang Jue and his group saw three upperclassmen approaching, they frowned.
"Nothing, senior, just teaching our friend Jin Feng some self-defense," Fang Jue lied.
The female upperclassman furrowed her brow.
She glanced at Jin Feng, who was still sprawled on the ground, unable to get up.
"Is that true?" she asked Jin Feng.
"?" But he couldn't respond.
The female upperclassman frowned again and turned back to Fang Jue's group.
"Are you here to take the evaluation exam?" she asked.
"Yes, senior," Fang Jue answered.
"Yeah!"
"Yes!" The other two nodded.
"Then hurry up and get evaluated," said one of the male upperclassmen beside her.
"Okay, senior!" the three replied in unison.
Before leaving, Fang Jue turned to Jin Feng.
"Sorry, Jin Feng, we'll go get evaluated first. I'll teach you more techniques next time," Fang Jue said coldly.
With that, Fang Jue and his group left without looking back. Jin Feng struggled to get up, soaked in his own urine and vomit.
"Are you okay?" the female upperclassman asked with concern.
The male upperclassmen with her frowned at Jin Feng's state. Jin Feng didn't answer immediately, his face showing deep embarrassment.
"Can you stand?" the female senior asked.
"Y-yeah, ouch! I'll go now, seniors. Thanks for showing up," Jin Feng said, head bowed.
He let out a heavy sigh before finally leaving the place, embarrassed at his trouser soaked in pee.