Considering that even in the always-open Central District, some staff had already clocked out for the day.
Waiting until the next day to pick up their test wristbands would mean running into crowds again.
Ailundun and Luofulei decided to head to the Central District first and use one of the few self-service Magic Engineering Tools to collect their test wristbands.
The tool for retrieving wristbands was similar to the unmanned lockers commonly used in scenic areas from Ailundun’s previous world.
You just had to input the corresponding test information, verify your eligibility to receive a wristband, and it would open automatically.
Although the process of inputting information was cumbersome and clunky, not as simple as scanning a QR code in his past life, it was still considered very convenient technology.
Ailundun also took the opportunity to learn about the assessment details.
The official entrance assessment for the Weierdun Empire Academy was conducted through an artificial secret realm, created using special Magic Engineering methods.
It featured a mechanism for automatic ejection upon death.
In the unlikely event that mechanism failed, there was the backup of the teleportation wristband, which could temporarily transport the victim to a safe location, so there wasn’t any significant danger.
Since the founding of the entire Weierdun Empire Academy, there had only been three incidents of artificial secret realm malfunctions, and all were successfully resolved without loss of life thanks to the teleportation wristbands.
The scenes generated by the secret realm were often dangerous wilderness situations, such as the dark nests of Goblins, the bloody sacrificial sites of Cultists, and so on.
It tested the students’ ability to cooperate and coordinate with each other and handle emergencies.
Of course, there were also conflicts unique to students themselves, which were left for the students to resolve.
The choices and results made by students in critical situations were scored by several deans or proctors.
A comprehensive score would determine whether the student passed this secret realm trial.
The benefit of this mechanism was sufficient transparency and openness.
With several examiners balancing each other, there generally wouldn’t be huge score discrepancies.
If such a situation occurred, an appeal could be made to remove the two scores with the largest difference.
By the time Ailundun had understood the rules for the official exam two days later in sufficient detail.
He already had a pretty good idea in his mind.
When Ailundun and Luofulei felt tired and were on their way back to their respective residences.
Not far away, on one side of the lake, a massive public-style building stood by the lakeshore.
The lake breeze blew quietly, and under the reflection, each stretch of the river sparkled with bright, crystalline points, like translucent scales.
They had walked near the academy’s library.
It was clearly noticeable that this was a main gathering spot for students of the Weierdun Empire Academy, as the crowds became dense and bustling again.
“Tomorrow, could you do me a favor? I want to make some Magic Engineering Tools to prepare for the assessment the day after…”
Ailundun turned his head slightly, thinking for a moment before speaking to Luofulei.
With Luofulei’s Magic Engineering ability, she could be a great help to him.
“What kind of Magic Engineering Tools? You know how to make these?”
Luofulei felt somewhat surprised.
“Some auxiliary-type Magic Engineering Tools. Well, mainly for self-defense use, nothing with wide-area damage. Consider it last-minute cramming.”
Ailundun smiled innocently.
The Sacrificial Staff of the Cultist.
Was it an auxiliary Magic Engineering Tool?
Did it have no wide-area damage?
He was indeed planning to use it for self-defense.
If I sacrifice the cultist first, then the cultist can’t sacrifice me, right?
He wasn’t lying.
“Don’t you need to make some Magic Engineering Tools? I can lend a hand, and if needed, I can also recommend some useful ones.”
“I don’t need to. I don’t have anything else planned for tomorrow, so let’s do it together.”
Luofulei shook her head but didn’t refuse.
Her instincts told her.
The Magic Engineering Tools Ailundun recommended probably wouldn’t be anything good.
“That’s great, thank you.”
Ailundun showed a very sunny and cheerful smile, looking exactly like a harmless, cheerful kid.
—
The next day, afternoon.
A gentle breeze blew, and the Weierdun Empire Academy became sunny and bright again.
Many areas of the academy had reactivated Magic Screens for monitoring and broadcasting the new round of assessments happening in a day.
Some bored upperclassmen often gathered in front of the screens to watch the annual assessment live broadcast, looking for some interesting entertainment.
At several campus corners, on the most prominent and commercially valuable screens.
Some valuable commercial advertisements were currently playing, of course, only from partners friendly with the academy could advertise there.
Among them were also some wealthy nobles who wanted to advertise their own children, preparing for the future student council president election and vote canvassing.
They hired professional photographers to create several giant close-up posters, hung them on the screens, and paired them with self-introductions.
It was the kind of thing that made even Ailundun, who just glanced at it while passing by, feel secondhand embarrassment.
In short, the academy’s atmosphere had completely changed.
Everything was preparing for tomorrow.
But Ailundun and Luofulei were not at the academy.
Although the academy had dedicated Magic Workshops, Ailundun and Luofulei were not yet enrolled and didn’t have the qualifications to use them.
Taking advantage of the one-day preparation time before the exam.
They took a carriage to the Association of Magic Fabricators in downtown Weierdun.
The sight that greeted them was a bustling commercial street standing alongside towering buildings, forming the ancient and majestic grand scene of the empire’s center.
About half an hour later, Ailundun and Luofulei arrived at the Association of Magic Fabricators of the Weierdun Empire.
They came to the main gate of the Association.
Ancient script began to shimmer, flickering with a dim light, as if it had a life of its own.
Before they could react, a mysterious force enveloped and swallowed them.
When they opened their eyes again, they were inside the Association of Magic Fabricators.
“We Magic Engineers have our own automatic doors too.”
Ailundun, visiting for the first time, couldn’t help but remark.
Luofulei’s reaction was much calmer.
Although it was also her first time at the Association of Magic Fabricators, she had visited many other associations, most of which used similar doors.
“The interior of the association wasn’t as luxurious as he had imagined; instead, it was somewhat quaint and simple. All areas were neatly and logically arranged, making everything immediately clear, with tasteful decor.”
It was currently the day before the Weierdun Empire Academy exams, a major event concerning the entire empire’s talent pipeline.
Many front desk staff could be seen attending to students who looked like… well, students.
Despite it being a weekday, it seemed very busy.
It wasn’t hard to guess that these people were also here for last-minute cramming.
However, no matter how busy, seeing new people enter.
A nearby service lady who had just finished being busy and was about to take a break immediately came forward, wearing a professional smile.
“Hello, esteemed guests, how may I assist you?”
“I’d like to rent a Magic Workshop, the kind for making some simple little Magic Engineering Tools. Do you have any available? Also, could I ask about the fee for the remaining workshop?”
Ailundun asked politely with a smile.
“We do. There’s one best workshop left right now. Oh, may I ask, is it for you to make Magic Engineering Tools?”
The service lady seemed surprised by Ailundun’s age, that someone so young knew how to make Magic Engineering Tools.
“Yes, we are both students of the Weierdun Empire Academy’s Magitech Institute.”
Ailundun smiled slightly, including Luofulei as well.
Although not yet, they soon would be.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, he decided to collect a little interest from the school in advance.
“I see.”
The service lady showed a knowing smile, her smile widening a bit more.
Students from the Weierdun Empire Academy’s Magitech Institute were their Magic Workshop’s main supporters.
Even the association president had instructed them to take good care of these students.
“Then allow me to introduce it to you. Our remaining best Magic Workshop costs ten gold coins per hour, material fees are separate. You can first list the required materials on this form, and we will deliver them shortly. During your actual crafting period, we guarantee no one will disturb you.”
The service lady explained one by one.
Ailundun roughly estimated.
Ten gold coins per hour… not exactly cheap.
That’s about the price of hiring Luofulei for two hours.
Luofulei, unaware she had become a unit of measurement, just stood silently behind Ailundun, scanning the surroundings.
“Then this one it is.”
“Very good. What materials will you need?”
The service lady smiled and handed over a slip of paper for Ailundun to record the required materials.
Ailundun wrote them down one by one from memory and immediately returned the slip to the service lady.
“I’ll go prepare them for you now. Someone will bring you the access card shortly. Please wait in the rest area for a moment.”
The service lady gave a final nod and went to make preparations.
Taking advantage of the gap, Ailundun and Luofulei rested for a bit.
Soon, another lady came before them, delivering an access card with a special magic lock seal, and led them down a corridor.
The corridor narrowed from wide to less wide.
“As they passed, unique magic-powered lamps along the hallway gradually brightened, instantly widening and illuminating their view.”
Finally, they arrived before a door marked with a “107” plaque.
The staff member in a gray-white uniform turned and handed the access card to Ailundun.
“Mister Ailandon, this is your access card. Simply channel your magical energy toward the door to unlock it.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Ailundun nodded.
—
Not long after, the staff had prepared all the materials they needed.
“Soon, the table was crowded with a dense array of magical materials. Considering he was a beginner and failure was inevitable, Ailandon had asked the staff to prepare an extra set in advance.”
“You really didn’t need to prepare this much.”
Looking at the table crammed with materials, Luofulei said softly.
Her light blue hair was as beautiful as ever, gently swaying with her words.
For a moment, it made Ailundun wonder if Luofulei used some special shampoo to make it so smooth.
“Why?”
Ailundun was curious.
“Because I’m here.”
Luofulei’s expression was calm, as if stating the most ordinary fact.
It wasn’t arrogance, but past experience told her she was just that capable.