The more they oppose, the more it shows that I am doing the right thing
Chapter 38 An Su Dare to compare test answers with me?

Noon.

The Alchemical Church district, Sixth Cathedral.

The full name of the Alchemical Church is the 'Church of Alchemy and Mechanical Magic,' worshipping the master of Alchemy and magic machinery.

All the saints of the Alchemical Church are proficient in alchemy. They are also skilled in creating alchemic magic circles, designing alchemic automatons, and manufacturing magic devices.

They also delve into certain designs and explorations of the 'Nether Game' world—of course, this important task is mainly accomplished by the Celestial Church.

The examination on the third day, which is also the final test, takes place in the 'Nether Game'—a game that pleases the gods.

Incidentally, that green-skinned fire train from An Su's hometown was also crafted by the saints of the Alchemical Church.

Using inexpensive, First Order senior magicians as the power source to drive the Magic Conductor Train forward is an ingenious design conceived by the Alchemical Church.

They study civil engineering, but not just civil engineering.

The interior of the Alchemical Cathedral has a very civil engineering vibe, standing six stories tall.

Metallic frescoes, pure white mercury statues, massive alchemic magic circles, and those pure iron gear crests—all highlighting their distinct style.

Sunlight penetrates the mercury dome, casting a dazzling metal glow throughout the cathedral, while outside, the leaves of the plane trees cast specks and splashes of green.

The hall of the Sixth Cathedral was very spacious, the size of a football field,

At the center ceiling hung a huge magic screen, capable of displaying the entire hall.

Tomorrow's exam will take place in the grand hall of the Sixth Cathedral of Alchemy.

And this magic screen will live broadcast their actions.

An Su always felt that the gazes of the surrounding candidates were malicious.

It's already noon.

News from the border city was rather delayed, and the first batch of morning newspapers had already been printed, making it difficult to amend.

But in the examination hall of the Septenary Church,

Especially among these saintly candidates, the news of An Su handing in his paper first had already spread to a small extent.

The candidates more or less already knew about An Su, they also knew this rascal had said, 'The last question is very simple; anyone who doesn't get it is a fool,' as soon as he left the exam hall.

Therefore, the looks directed at An Su became more complex.

Especially from those candidates in the same examination room as him.

Incomparable resentment, silent anger, thick malice with even a hint of envy and respectful admiration—such were the intricately mixed and accommodating emotions.

An Su was familiar with such gazes; in his previous life when he scored first in his grade, he often received similar treatment.

"Hmph."

He could even hear someone snorting coldly.

"What's so great about him..."

Facing these malicious bullying gazes, An Su remembered how he handled such situations in his previous life.

He would deal with these interpersonal issues very appropriately and amiably.

"Keep staring at me and I'll recite the answers to the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions," An Su said with a smile, his expression bright and sunny,

"Let's compare the answers."

In his previous high school days, An Su's favorite thing was to loudly recite his answers right after an exam—relishing the constipated expressions of his classmates was a delightfully gratifying pastime.

Upon these words, the majority of the hall fell silent.

As quiet as a group of cicadas in winter.

The looks directed at An Su no longer held anger or resentment, only respect and wariness.

This effect was even more efficient than the descent of the Evil God.

No one wants to compare answers with the top of the class unless you're the second-best, especially on the first day of exams—in any world, this is the same.

Their mental state for the rest of the examination would collapse.

Finally, the surroundings quieted down, and An Su raised his eyes to the second floor of the cathedral, squinting slightly.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Alchemical Church, several alchemical priests and clerics were observing the candidates below through an alchemic screen.

They were tomorrow's exam invigilators, and at the moment, they were gathered around a large round table, earnestly observing every candidate and occasionally engaging in quiet conversation.

Even though the candidates below were all prospective saints of the Radiant Holy See.

But if there were any who performed exceptionally well, as long as the offer was high enough, it was possible to lure them to one's own church.

After all, the seven gods are one family, so whom to believe if not them?

"Priestess Ai Xueli, which candidate do you favor the most?"

An elderly bishop holding a newspaper said, "I think this student named 'An Su Moningsta' is not bad, having left the examination hall early."

"From the borderlands," Priestess Ai Xueli replied without lifting her head.

"Oh, right, I remember now, you don't like people from the borderlands," the clergyman said with a sheepish smile.

"After all, they come from the borderlands. They always seem to have a certain odor."

Ai Xueli had no good impression of the borderland cities; she was a born and bred noble of the imperial city, with partial blood relations to the royal family;

She herself was also a genius, possessing the rare talent of all attributes, which is why she was proficient in most types of magic, apart from alchemy.

"On the Proportions and Reuse of a Magician's Memory Slots" — this paper published by Ai Xueli at the age of nineteen, allowed her to ascend to the position of priestess at a young age.

She was now twenty years old and had already become a nearly Fourth Order Magician.

'Magic prodigy' — this was the external assessment of her.

"It will be your responsibility to conduct the assessment tomorrow," the sectional bishop of the sixth church said slowly, sitting at the head of the round table. "Be careful when you act."

"Yes, Your Eminence."

Ai Xueli answered, her mind, however, was on other matters.

Her senior brother Paxi from the Order Church had just come to see her,

He listed three names and reminded her to beware of these three candidates from the borderlands — they were not to be underestimated.

But it didn't matter,

After all, they were merely from the borderlands.

That insignificant place.

...Hmph.

Indeed, she did not take it to heart.

Ai Xueli was very proud, and she indeed had the capital to be proud.

Feeling that it was about time, Ai Xueli stood up, gracefully nodding to the bishop.

She was dressed in a snow-white gown, with robes embroidered with brilliant golden patterns, and a gear emblem around the collar, as she lightly lifted the hem of her dress while performing the curtsy:

"Then I shall go and read the notice to the candidates. Your Eminence, I will take my leave now."

Perhaps because they had been waiting for the invigilator for a long time, the hall downstairs was starting to get noisy again.

But Ai Xueli, as if by magic, simply walked down the stairs unhurriedly without making a sound, and just by standing there, she quieted the surrounding candidates.

Ai Xueli surveyed the candidates around her and with barely parted lips,

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"I am your examiner for tomorrow, Ai Xueli Milton; you may address me as Priestess Ai Xueli."

"Alchemy is a marvellous discipline."

"Wisdom, courage, persistence — these are the three great elements of alchemy and likewise, they are the important qualities of magic."

"In tomorrow's exam,"

she said elegantly,

"Please apply your trifling wisdom, use your meager courage, and of course, your relentless spirit — employ these three great virtues and do your utmost to defeat me."

The whole room was astounded,

Defeat a nearly Fourth Order Priestess, what kind of joke was that?

"Please be quiet." Ai Xueli had already spotted those three candidates from the borderlands — their garments bore the emblem of the borderlands, and a faint smile appeared on her face,

"Now, I will begin to announce the examination rules."