Chapter 134: The Provincial Preliminary Examination Qualification Test!

The Star-Craft United Group is one of the industrial giants of Tumburg, boasting numerous subordinate factories and business entities, along with a vast workforce of formal employees. Although it is merely a preparatory school for employees' children, each grade enrolls around eight hundred youngsters.

The Star-Craft Children's School is situated at the old headquarters of the Star-Craft United in the veteran district of Muyuan. The buildings possess a long history, and the campus is relatively compact without the most advanced facilities. Following the group's expansion and the relocation of the headquarters, the site was converted into a preparatory academy to forge the future direct bloodline of fresh talent for Star-Craft United.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the children's school was already bustling with activity.

The eight hundred or so youngsters did not return to their classrooms, gathering instead into a massive, surging crowd, each engaged in their own pursuits. One cannot study in the preparatory academy forever, nor remain a student indefinitely. The Scholastic Union maintains explicit regulations: the Lesser Provincial Examination must be taken before the age of sixteen. Only by taking and passing the examination before turning sixteen can one attain the status of a regular student.

"The qualification test is today. I am so nervous..."

"What is there to be nervous about? It is just a qualification test. It is completely in the bag, totally secure."

"Since you are so composed, you must have gone to the academic prowess center for a pre-evaluation, haven't you? Your father really is willing to spend the money! Sigh, I am not so fortunate. My old man only knows how to drink and has not saved a single penny. I just hope I can inherit his position in the future."

"Don't be so disheartened. I think your chances of passing the qualification test are still quite high. Even if you ultimately fail to become a regular student, becoming an Iron-List student would not be bad either; it will be much easier to secure promotions once you enter the group."

The youngsters gathered in groups, some joyful while others worried, some full of confidence while others felt uneasy. Although one can continue practicing mental arts even after graduating and leaving the preparatory school, that sort of self-taught, unconventional path ultimately differs from the formal students nurtured within the Scholastic Union system. While their strength might be hard to judge, the difference in status is as vast as heaven and earth.

Some gritted their teeth in secret, vowing that even if they failed the main exam, they must at least pass the qualification test. Those who passed the qualification test but failed the actual exam were colloquially dubbed "Iron-List students." Though both meant failing the test, there was still a subtle distinction compared to ordinary graduates, placing them a notch higher in the chain of contempt.

"Look, He Chong is coming!"

"Greetings, Brother Chong."

"Brother Chong, hello!"

Leading his clique of loyal subordinates, He Chong strode into the large playground with an air of commanding authority. Among the eight hundred people on the vast playground, not a single one dared to block his path. The eight hundred-odd youngsters parted like the tide, spontaneously clearing a wide, unobstructed lane wherever He Chong passed.

He Chong wore a stern expression, yet the corners of his mouth twitched upward, betraying his amusement.

Indeed, exactly like this—this was the feeling! Everywhere his gaze fell, all bowed their heads. This was the status that rightfully belonged to him, a miniature reflection of his future!

The panicked youngsters scrambled to both sides, directly carving out a clear path right down the center of the playground. At the very front of this pathway stood a colossal machine. In general outline, the device resembled an upright pillar, yet its workmanship was intricate and delicate, exuding not only a strong sense of high technology but also carrying an aura of arcane magic.

A crystal sphere was embedded at the lower end of the pillar, with another resting at the apex. The two spheres were linked by intricate, glowing patterns. He Chong's gaze hardened—this was the detector for the qualification test. This apparatus was capable of synthesizing personal information, past records, and credit files, and most importantly, it could roughly gauge one's level of mental arts proficiency, determining in a fraction of a second whether a test-taker possessed the qualifications to participate in the Muyuan District Lesser Provincial Examination.

"The Headmaster is here!"

A wave of commotion rippled through the front rows of students as the headmaster of the children's school appeared, politely accompanying several officials from the Scholastic Union. These union personnel wore wide robes with sweeping sleeves in a retro style, walking with an air of haughty arrogance, only showing a modicum of courtesy when addressing the children's school headmaster.

He Chong understood that the reason these Scholastic Union officers looked down upon everyone else was precisely because they were graduates holding the status of regular scholars within the Union. In other words, these individuals were superior to the gold, silver, and bronze-ranked regular scholars he had witnessed during the provincial examinations days ago, having returned victorious from far more brutal and merciless contests.

This was the pride of victors.

It was also a profound sense of status and self-esteem.

Among the eight hundred youngsters present, not a single one commanded their attention. Only the children's school headmaster, who also hailed from the ranks of regular scholars, could win their high regard and be viewed as one of their own kind.

He Chong felt a surge of fervent longing.

That pride, that self-assurance, that disdain for all others, that utter haughtiness—this was precisely what he desired!

He wanted to become a person just like them!

Consequently, He Chong's eyes practically glowed as he stared fixedly at the testing apparatus. To be as proud as those regular scholars, one had to become a regular scholar. And the first step toward becoming a scholar was unfolding right before his eyes. No, this could hardly be called the first step; it was merely the preparatory stance taken at the starting line of a race.

Regardless, only by clearing this hurdle would one earn the right to compete and race forward.

He Chong took a deep breath. Naturally, he was not nervous about the test itself. Passing the qualification test today was merely incidental; his grander objective was to display his strength, elevate his prestige, cultivate connections, and observe talent among all his peers, all to pave the way for his future.

Yet among all the individuals of this generation, only a single person was worthy of his attention.

"Brother Gu, please go ahead," He Chong said, turning slightly.

"No, no, how could I ever dare to usurp Brother Chong's precedence?" That Brother Gu showed his habitual lack of competitive ambition, and seemed to understand He Chong's mind intimately: "I would like to wish Brother Chong a boundless future in advance. Once you enter the group later on, I shall have to rely on Brother Chong's care and guidance."

"Hahahahaha!"

Splendid, simply splendid!

Looking to the left, looking to the right, no one vied with him for precedence, and the sides of the path cleared before him were lined with people quietly gazing at him in awe. He Chong laughed, a booming laugh that echoed across the campus before he strode forward along the path amid the expectant gazes of eight hundred people. Step by step, unhurried and full of flair, the parted path only closed back up after he had passed.

Walking all the way to the very front, He Chong's face flushed with excitement, and even his sycophantic lackey, Wang Jiaxu, who followed closely behind, felt that this lifetime was finally worthwhile. The lackey possessed great self-awareness and immediately fawned, "Brother Chong, simply magnificent! Today is truly the pinnacle of Brother Chong's life!"

"Well said! Hahahaha—Huh?"

He Chong laughed heartily, then gave a slight start. Huh? That remark sounded wonderful at first, but upon closer reflection... That didn't sound right! The pinnacle of his life? If this was already the peak, then the only path left for him afterward would be downhill. Pah, pah, what absolute nonsense, what terribly bad luck. Say that again!

"Wang Jiaxu, you—" He Chong started to speak, but the Scholastic Union officer ahead interrupted impatiently, "The testing begins now. Any order is fine. Who is first?"

He Chong immediately intended to step forward, but his ears suddenly twitching, he caught the sound of several suppressed shouts coming from the back of the crowd.

"Shi Tiexin!"

"Shi Tiexin is here!"

Swish. He Chong turned his gaze toward the rear. Beyond a dense wall of bodies, Shi Tiexin's tall figure materialized at the school gates. His cold, sharp gaze cut across the sea of humanity, nailing itself straight onto He Chong. At that exact instant, He Chong actually felt a faint sense of pressure.

He Chong frowned—how could this possibly be?