Chapter 21: Wild Scramble, The Dust Had Settled
Editor: Atlas Studios
That young Dragon Man, who had been mistaken to be the genius, was originally behind Meng Lei and the rest. As he had been shocked by Meng Lei's astonishing talents, he had been unable to resist moving forward to see this amazing genius up close. Surprisingly, he had ended up being surrounded by these three old men!
The young Dragon Man was stunned. "Teachers, you have made a mistake. I have not been assessed yet!"
"What?"
"You are not the super genius?"
The three old men looked stunned. "Where is he?"
The middle-aged man in charge of the assessment pointed at Meng Lei and said helplessly, "Teachers, this is the one!"
They must be drunk not to recognize him properly!
Swish—
Three pairs of eyes landed on Meng Lei at the same time!
"He's actually a human?"
"You are the super genius?"
Although the three old men had different expressions, they all had looks of wonder on their faces.
"Unexpectedly, my human race has also produced a super genius! Very good!"
The old man with rosacea was overjoyed. He did not even blush over the blunder he had just made!
"Top quality! Human geniuses with extraordinary elemental affinity are rare, and those with spiritual power 100 times that of their peers are literally unheard of!
The bald old man was very excited. "Hello, young man. I am Augustus, the admissions teacher of Douglas Magic Academy! I sincerely invite you to join our Douglas Magic Academy. I stand by what I said earlier. As long as you are keen, we can discuss any conditions you want! What do you think? Join us?"
"For a genius like him, only the best teaching environment will do. Going to your Douglas Magic Academy is a waste, a huge waste!"
The old man with rosacea snorted coldly and sneered at the words of the bald old man. However, when he looked at Meng Lei, he showed an amiable and kind expression. "Young man, our Fire Dragon Magic Academy is the best magic academy in the Fire Dragon Kingdom, with top-notch teachers and resources. Join us…"
Upon seeing his two competitors' endless solicitation, the one-horned old man did not want to be left behind. "This human genius, I'm the admissions teacher of the Dragon People Magic Academy—"
It was a pity that the other two competitors ruthlessly attacked him before he could finish speaking. "Old fogey, are you senile? He is a genius of my human race. Why would he go to your Dragon People Magic Academy? Quit wasting your breath!"
Seeing the three major magic academies' admissions teachers arguing over Meng Lei, the other young people present felt envious, jealous, and hateful toward him. They badly wanted to replace Meng Lei and become the super genius!
It would be great if they were the ones getting fought over!
Unfortunately, there was no such possibility!
At this time, the middle-aged man in charge of the assessment coughed and said, "My three teachers, why don't you discuss at the side? We need to continue with the assessment…"
"Hmph!"
The three old men were slightly unhappy after getting interrupted by the middle-aged man, but they didn't say much. They pulled Meng Lei to the side and activated their eloquent tongues, trying to recruit him!
"My two teachers, your conditions are very attractive. However, are you able to share the specifics so that I can make a choice?"
Meng Lei scratched his head and looked at the old man with rosacea and the bald old man. He then said that he would not consider the Dragon People Magic Academy, which was represented by the one-horned old man. He was not interested in associating with Dragon People!
"Little brother, you are really straightforward!"
The bald old man quickly followed up. "I think you are of a commoner's background. It happens that our Douglas Magic Academy recruits commoners. As long as you join us, tuition and fees are exempted, and you will receive a scholarship grant of 3,000 gold coins per year!"
"Our Fire Dragon Magic Academy also exempts all tuition and fees, and offers a scholarship grant of 3,000 gold coins per year!" The old man with rosacea counter-offered.
"Old fogey, didn't you just say 2,000 gold coins?" The bald old man glared at the old man with rosacea and yelled, "Why did you increase it by another 1,000 gold coins in a blink of an eye? Are you shameless?"
"Hmph! How can a genius like him be measurable by money?" The old man with rosacea snorted coldly. "A scholarship grant of 3,000 gold coins per year, that's quite appropriate!"
"Shameless old thief!"
The bald old man ground his teeth in anger. "4,000 gold coins! As long as you join our Douglas Magic Academy, we are willing to provide a scholarship grant of 4,000 gold coins per year!"
"Our Fire Dragon Magic Academy is also willing to provide a scholarship grant of 4,000 gold coins!"
The old man with rosacea chuckled. There was an expression of victory on his face. Fire Dragon Magic Academy had money and power. How could Douglas Magic Academy be compared to them?
"Old fogey, are you bent on opposing me today?"
The bald old man was furious. "5,000 gold coins! This is the maximum I can offer. Little brother, be direct. Do you want to join us?"
The old man with rosacea said casually, "Hehe, I also offer 5,000 gold coins!"
"You! How ruthless!"
The bald old man clenched his teeth but did not make any further offers. Although he wanted to recruit Meng Lei, he was only an admissions teacher and had limited authority. The scholarship grant of 5,000 gold coins per year was his limit!
"Hahaha! I suppose you are not increasing your offer?" The old man with rosacea sneered. "Little brother, which would you choose? I believe you have already made up your mind?"
Meng Lei glanced at the old bald man with a little regret before turning to the old man with rosacea. He bowed and politely said, "I am honored to be a member of the Fire Dragon Magic Academy!"
"Hahaha, smart choice, kid!" The old man with rosacea was very pleased with himself. "I'm glad you joined our Fire Dragon Magic Academy. This is the badge of the academy. You need to drop your blood to swear allegiance to it quickly!"
This was a small badge, similar to the school badge from Meng Lei's previous life. However, it was a product of alchemy. There was an awe-inspiring ferocious fire dragon at the front, and a magic pattern at the back, containing some kind of strange magic energy!
Meng Lei took the badge and squeezed a drop of blood on it. Suddenly, he felt a mysterious connection with the badge!
"Oh, what a shame!"
The bald old man looked on and sighed helplessly. He knew this would happen. Geniuses like Meng Lei would choose the Fire Dragon Magic Academy even when offered the same conditions!
He could only watch as geniuses miss their Douglas Magic Academy again and again!
"The academy badge is not only a form of identification but also a certificate of admission. You can only pass through the academy and freely enter and exit the academy, only if you are wearing the badge!"
The old man with rosacea patiently introduced, "Of course, the academy badge is also engraved with a spirit-gathering magic pattern, which constantly absorbs magic elements, hence improving your meditation efficiency!"
"I see!"
Meng Lei acknowledged with a nod!
"Today is the last day of the magic assessment!"
The old man with rosacea exhorted. "Generally, there will be a two-day rest period after the magic assessment, and then the school starts! Hence, you should come to the academy for registration the day after tomorrow. There will be an internal test during the registration. After successfully passing the test, you will officially become a member of the academy!"
"Understood!"
Meng Lei nodded!
"Very good!"
The old man with rosacea nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, I still do not know what your name is?"
"Meng Lei!"
Chapter 22: Warrior Training Is For The Rich, Exorbitant Fees
Editor: Atlas Studios
Elemental Affinity: Thunder-Element, Superior-Grade!
Spiritual Power: 100 times that of same-age peers!
Such talents are truly shocking, surpassing everybody else!
After successfully recruiting such a genius, the old man with rosacea left contentedly. The eyes of countless nobles, commoners, and Dragon People in the audience were fixed on Meng Lei, filled with envy!
"This country bumpkin… No, this fellow's fate has completely changed. When he graduates from the academy, he will be at least a Sixth-Grade Magician!"
"So envious, jealous, and hateful towards him!"
The magic assessment had yet to end. After Meng Lei, Joseph and Andrew underwent the assessment with hope and anxiety!
They hoped that they could be like Meng Lei, shocking the audience with their astonishing magic talents.
Unfortunately, reality was cruel!
Joseph!
Elemental Affinity: Fire-Element, Low-Grade!
Spiritual Power: 1 time that of same-age peers!
Overall evaluation: Mediocre talent, no potential to become a Magician!
Andrew!
Elemental Affinity: Wind-Element, Low-Grade!
Spiritual Power: 1 time that of same-age peers!
Overall evaluation: Mediocre talent, no potential to become a Magician!
This outcome made Joseph and Andrew extremely dejected!
They couldn't accept it. Why did Meng Lei, who had grown up with them, have such amazing talents, and they didn't even have any!?
Why?
Why was that so?
When looking at his downcast, crying friends, Meng Lei didn't know how to comfort them. He could only pat them on the shoulders and offer his condolences.
Although Meng Lei hoped that the three of them possessed magic talent, reality was often cruel. It would never change just because one wanted a certain outcome!
"Elemental Affinity: Wood-Elemental, Medium-Grade. Wind-Element, Low-Grade!"
At that moment, the young man in charge of the assessment announced Jonah's results!
"Huh?"
Meng Lei turned his head and saw Jonah holding the crystal ball in both hands. The ball was filled with green light, like an emerald agate. Occasionally, streaks of gray would flash through it!
"Jonah… actually possesses magic talent as well?"
Meng Lei was a little surprised. Joseph and Andrew, who were downcast and weeping, also looked at Jonah, biting their lips tightly. Their mood instantly got better but was soon replaced by greater grief!
Jonah was also assessed with magic talent, but for them…
The young man in charge of the assessment said with a kind expression, "Next, assessing your spiritual power!"
Due to Jonah's relationship with Meng Lei, his attitude toward Jonah was also very good. After all, Jonah and Meng Lei had arrived together!
Spiritual power: 8 times that of same-age peers!
"Overall evaluation Has the potential to become a Magician!"
The young man announced the last result with a smile and immediately beamed at Jonah. "Student, congratulations. You have the potential to become a Magician!"
"I also have magic talent?" Jonah murmured and suddenly cheered loud, "I can become a Magician? I can become a Magician…"
If someone else had shouted, the young man in charge of the assessment would have reprimanded them. But at this moment, instead of reprimanding, he had a smile on his face with a friendly attitude!
Not only that, the middle-aged man and the other two young people were also smiling. Their attitudes were abnormally good!
"Jonah, congratulations!"
Meng Lei went up to congratulate her with a smile.
"Jonah, congratulations!"
Joseph and Andrew forcefully managed a slight smile and congratulated her!
"Eh, thanks!"
Jonah burst into tears of excitement as she nodded her little head rapidly. Joseph and Andrew had failed, and she thought she had no magic talent. Little did she expect that her fate would turn around!
How could she not be happy and excited?
"Another lucky person!"
"So jealous!"
The bystanders were commenting nonstop. Among them, there was no one who was not envious. One's life would be very different if they had magic talent!
Even if one possessed an ordinary level of talent, it was enough to cause envy!
"Let's go and enroll Jonah in a magic academy!" said Meng Lei. "Then, we'll head out to find Captain Hudders!"
"Alright!"
…
Jonah had average talent and was a commoner. She ended up joining Douglas Magic Academy, becoming the second child from Magical Beast Village to be admitted into a magic academy!
After receiving the news, Captain Hudders exclaimed in excitement. Two of the four children he had brought with him possessed magic talent. This was too lucky and exhilarating!
In particular, Meng Lei, the one that he favored, possessed extraordinary talents. How could he not be pleasantly surprised?
"Meng Lei, good job, you are the pride of the village!"
Hudders slapped Meng Lei on the shoulder, speaking incoherently with excitement. "Jonah, well done as well. I can't wait to return to the village and inform the village chief and everyone else!"
Meng Lei shook his head helplessly and glanced at the increasingly frustrated Joseph and Andrew. He then asked, "Captain Hudders, what should Joseph and Andrew do? Have they made a wasted trip coming along with us?"
"There's nothing I can do! If they don't have talent for magic, they can only return to the village!"
Captain Hudders' face dimmed as he sighed. He didn't say much, but the outcome was fixed. They would return to the village to be commoners, spending the rest of their lives in a small mountain village!
This was fate. No one could go against it!
Joseph and Andrew were shocked, and tears unwillingly rolled down their cheeks!
"Even without magic talent, you can still cultivate your Battle Aura!" Meng Lei frowned as he spoke. "There are so many warrior academies in the capital city, and some of them do recruit human commoners. They can enter a warrior academy and become Warriors!"
Upon hearing this, Joseph and Andrew were stunned, and a glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes!
"Yes, although you can't enter a magic academy, entering a warrior academy is not a bad option!" Jonah added, "Since the four of us are staying in the capital city, we can take care of each other."
"Talking is easy!" Captain Hades smiled bitterly. "Do you know how expensive the enrollment fee for a warrior academy is?"
"I have not considered this!"
"Even the worst third-rate academies have an annual enrollment fee of dozens of gold coins. Not to mention books, accommodation, food, clothing, expenses for materials, training fees…"
Captain Hudders shook his head. "Adding all these up, hundreds of gold coins are needed per year. How can the average family afford this?"
Upon hearing that, Joseph and Andrew's expressions froze. It was difficult for their families to come up with 10 gold coins in a year, let alone hundreds of gold coins!
Their parents had gone through great difficulties in coming up with the 10 gold coins for this magic assessment. Where could they get hundreds of gold coins for them to enter a warrior academy for their training?
"Warrior training is only for the rich. This is not a joke!" Captain Hudders sighed. "The training of Magicians and Warriors is made possible with money, enough to suck dry a small bourgeoisie family. How can commoners like us afford it?"
After saying that, he glanced at Jonah as his eyes flashed with worry. It was a good thing to have magic talent, but entering the magic academy was the beginning of spending money!
Jonah was different from Meng Lei, who did not need to pay for any tuition or fees and had an attractive scholarship grant. Where would she find the money for the next few years of expenses?
Meng Lei was silent.
Jonah clenched her teeth and was pale with fright!
"Let's go. You all must be tired after being in the line for the entire day. Let's find a place to eat, and go back to the hotel to rest!"
Hudders waved his hand. "In two days' time, after Meng Lei and Jonah enter the magic academy, I will take Joseph and Andrew back to the village. The expenses in the capital city are too high…"
"Return back to the village?"
Meng Lei fell into deep thought.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
3 Power
stone 
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