"What? Is it possible to cheat and increase your results if a measuring stone is used?" someone from the crowd asked as soon as Shen He shouted across the arena.
"I heard that there is a so-called black stone that can lower results by absorbing some energy, but to increase it..." another guy said. "I don't know if it's possible, but theoretically, a device could be created that would power the measuring stone, but no one has managed to make it yet."
"So he's a genius who managed to do it?" asked one of the girls standing nearby.
I don't know, considering his results, he might not even have known about such a possibility," said the third guy.
"What if he deliberately lowered his theoretical knowledge to shine in practice?" asked another girl.
"Quiet!" said the teacher, who had been administering the exams all this time. "I am personally responsible for the honesty of the exam and have not noticed any attempts to interfere with the measuring stone's work today. This is the young man's real result!"
"Wait, Professor Li, perhaps we don't know something, and quite a lot of students have already passed the test today, so maybe you missed something," stepped forward a woman of age with gray hair and rather unpleasant features, if she were dressed in all pink, I would have thought it was Dolores Umbridge herself.
"Professor Bai, I understand that you are not pleased that your nephew is not the leader in exam results, but that is no reason to doubt my work," Professor Li politely remarked.
"I don't doubt your work, it's just that you don't consider such a result to be quite... Uhm, how to say it... Unique?" Professor Bai said, choosing her words. "You yourself know that the last time such a young student received an S grade was more than three years ago, let alone an S+. You understand how unique this case is."
"I understand perfectly, but when they received such a grade last time, you were not so indignant," Professor Li justly remarked.
"Last time, everything was obvious, and I myself was confident in the honesty of the exam, but now I am not very sure. This young man came out of nowhere and showed such strength, how can one believe it so easily?" Professor Bai objected with an innocent look, spreading her hands. The other three teachers stood silently, not interfering in the conversation, but only observing Xu Zhao Ting, who stood, slightly tense, and listened to every word.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Professor Li calmly inquired.
"Professors, I don't think any of you doubt my strength?" Bai Feng stepped forward and said smugly.
"I think so, the Bai family is known for its strong mages," one of the teachers who had been silent all this time suddenly said. "And what do you propose, young Master Bai?"
"If Professor Bai and Professor Li allow, I would like to fight this young man. If he is truly that strong, he will easily be able to defeat me," Bai Feng said, slightly politely but quite arrogantly, looking intently at the professors and then at Xu Zhao Ting.
"I don't mind, Professor Li, dear teachers, I think we should let these students show their strength, we are right here in the arena, the ideal place for it," Professor Bai said, addressing everyone else.
"I don't mind, it will be very interesting to see what these two young talents can actually do," said one of the teachers, and the other two supported him.
"I think if the young man himself doesn't mind, I will agree to this duel," Professor Li said, seeing that he could not persuade his colleagues and the duel would happen anyway.
"Professor Li, I will gladly accept this challenge with a small condition," said Xu Zhao Ting very politely, smiling slightly and bowing.
"What condition could you possibly have?" Professor Bai asked with slight contempt, casting a disdainful glance at him.
"The Bai family and Bai Feng will honor the results of our duel and will not persecute me for them," Zhao Ting said calmly. It was a good move; he clearly understood that he could easily defeat Bai Feng, and also that he might be persecuted by the Bai family for it. If he disgraced even an insignificant member of their family, it would be a significant blow to their reputation. However, if Bai Feng acknowledged that he would have no claims, the Bai family would risk even more to lose face in the eyes of responsibility, which could guarantee Xu Zhao Ting relative safety, at least within the territory of Mingzhu University.
"The Bai family will never stoop to taking revenge on those who turn out to be stronger than its members," Bai Feng said calmly with a smug grin and very arrogantly. "Only, are you sure you can even compare to me? Even if your strength is greater than mine, but if you lack battle experience, then I'm afraid you won't be able to handle me. I train with one of the best mentors, so I know how to stand up for myself."
"That's my problem, young Master Bai," Xu Zhao Ting replied with a smile, then turned to the professors. "I agree to this duel, I hope the professors will be fair and objective judges."
Everyone stood on the other side of the platform, clearing a space in front of it for the duel, where Xu Zhao Ting and Bai Cang Feng stood opposite each other. The former looked quite collected and ready for battle; everything about him, from his stance to his gaze, indicated an experienced fighter. The latter stood relaxed, as if it were not a fight, but an ordinary game in a sandbox. I wondered how stupid one had to be to think that Xu Zhao Ting was not experienced after he had shown everyone his aura? It clearly indicated that he had killed more than one monster, what kind of idiots were these?
I walked through the spectators; Shen He and his company stood with smug smiles, anticipating their boss's quick victory. But Wu Niu and a couple of others stood with great interest and tension, as essentially, it was decided who would be the strongest newcomer in the lightning faculty. And only one person had a reaction similar to mine, namely a slight, barely concealed amusement, from understanding what was about to happen. This guy was, strangely enough, Chen Qi; with every minute of our acquaintance, he became more and more interesting.
"I'll spare you and let you make the first move," Bai Feng sneered. "Otherwise, they'll say the Bai family doesn't even give ordinary people a chance. And that would be quite sad."
"No, there's no need. We'll have a fair duel, so that people don't say later that I won only because young Master Bai Feng allowed me to," Xu Zhao Ting sneered, completely confident in his abilities and with his hands in his pockets.
"Then, since you are both ready, begin the fight!" Professor Li commanded.
Immediately after that, Bai Feng stopped playing the good guy and instantly created a lightning wrath, which he sent directly at Xu Zhao Ting. A couple of girls gasped at such treachery. And Bai Feng himself, with a smug smile, looked at the dust that rose from his spell.
"I'm giving you a chance to end all this, just surrender," a cheerful and malicious voice was heard, but it belonged not to Bai Feng, but to Xu Zhao Ting, and clouds appeared above the former, and lightning began to form.
"Never!" Bai Feng roared, activating his armor, after which lightning instantly struck him. It was a mid-level first-tier lightning magic; Xu Zhao Ting controls the stars well to have created a star chart so quickly.
Bai Feng's armor barely withstood this blow, and he himself was thrown back a dozen meters, covered in soot and with damaged armor. On the ground where he had just stood, there were cracks and a trace of the lightning strike. Everyone froze in shock at what they saw; most of them had clearly believed that Xu Zhao Ting had cheated on the exam. However, there were three people who continued to watch without batting an eye. These were me, Chen Qi, and Professor Li; the latter clearly believed his words, not the biased attitude of the rich clans.
After that, Bai Feng immediately used the wind step and closed the distance between them, preparing to strike back. How ironic that they both had the same elements. I wondered what would come of it. Xu Zhao Ting did not press his opponent, deciding to show the difference in their levels. Partially, I understand him; he needs to teach the rich brats a lesson, otherwise they will continue to put spokes in the wheels. However, on the other hand, I did not support his decision to give Bai Feng a chance to attack, as who knows what treachery he is capable of; it is better to quickly defeat your enemy than to play with him.
Bai Feng began to attack non-stop, sending one lightning wrath after another, not particularly caring whether they hit the enemy or not. For him, the main thing was to send as much as possible and as strongly as possible. It's unclear what master taught him this, but it's clear that for Xu Zhao Ting, who was hardened in battles with Mo Fan, these attacks were so predictable that he easily dodged all of them with his hands in his pockets, using the wind step.
"They both have the same second element!" someone next to me said. "Incredible, how did that happen?"
"It's quite an amusing spectacle, I agree," said Shen He from somewhere to the side, surrounded by his lackeys. "However, from such attacks from the boss, it's unlikely he can dodge for long, even if he were a third-tier wind mage." He spoke so confidently as if he were blind and didn't understand that not a single spell could even come close to Xu Zhao Ting, that he was just playing, jumping from lightning to lightning! These words made me want to hit myself in the face, it was such a stupid statement! And the most frightening thing was that they started supporting him! Do they really not see real battles between mages? How can they consider themselves talented mages! It was good that the teachers watched silently and that it was clear from their faces that they understood everything perfectly; this world is not completely spoiled and stupid, like its main character.
"Shen He, don't you see that this kid is just playing with Bai Feng?" Wu Niu asked politely, without a hint of timidity, which caused a storm of criticism against her.
"Yes, you are just a representative of one of the weakest families in Shanghai; high-level mages are rare there, let alone supreme ones. Do you think you understand battles better than we do?" Shen He looked at her disdainfully.
"Perhaps you should look more closely instead of scolding a poor girl?" I asked, deciding to speak up. "Everything is not as simple as you might think."
"And who are you?" Shen He asked, turning to face me. Wu Niu also turned to me with a surprised look. "Ah, it's you, the number one in theory, who couldn't even get a B+? You're just a nerd; how can you judge a real fight? Remember, not everything fits into your magical theories; in a real battle, luck and the opponents' mindset are important."
"Actually, everything fits into clear lines of behavior; it's just very difficult to detect them," I thought to myself, rolling my eyes slightly.
"Aren't you planning to do something?" Asura's voice sounded in my head.
"It's too early to draw conclusions; we need to observe the situation better, and then we can decide what to do," I replied calmly, smiling slightly.
"Why are you smiling? As far as I understand, this upstart is your friend, right?" Shen He continued to sneer. "Your faith in him is commendable, but you must understand that defeating the offspring of one of Shanghai's four noble families is very difficult. Or do you think they are all talentless people who have never fought?"
"No, of course not all of them, but some have clearly never been on the verge of life and death, otherwise they would behave differently," I dryly remarked, watching the fight.
"Ah... You!.." Shen He protested, choking and clenching his fists.
"Look!" Wu Niu suddenly interrupted him, pointing at the duelists. It was at this moment that the games ended and the real duel began, although it was not destined to last long.