"It's practically like murder."

Xueluo swept her hair back slightly and took a deep breath.

After getting off the train, she and Irina headed straight to the exam venue. First thing she noticed—something felt off. People had been bothering her since she stepped off the train.

But at the exam site, Xueluo found crowds already gathered. The exam hadn’t even started yet. It seemed many believed arriving early guaranteed passing.

Most here looked cultured in their attire. Yet on the edges, soldiers and mercenaries lingered.

Walking among those rough, fierce mercenaries with her two companions, Xueluo felt uneasy.

*[Though I hate to say it...]*

Guya’s voice whispered in Xueluo’s mind.

*[I think half these guys want to pin you down and grind you into the dirt.]*

Xueluo’s eye twitched slightly at Guya’s words. She saw it too—most seated mercenaries stared at her and her friends with hungry, meal-like glints in their eyes.

"Whoa... such an obvious vibe..."

Irina muttered softly, then hooked her arm around Xueluo’s.

"Big sister must protect me~"

"Hey, I don’t think that’s necessary..."

While Xueluo bantered with Irina, they slipped past the mercenaries’ cluster. They entered the cultured crowd, who dominated the exam hall’s front.

As they moved deeper, Xueluo sensed more strange gazes. These folks were subtler, though.

Soon, Xueluo reached the exam hall entrance and waited by the door.

All eyes snapped to her.

Their faces screamed the same question: *Is this girl really here to take the exam?*

Truth was, after the last Holy War, human productivity had crashed hard. In this world, even a magic-wielding woman might never get assessed.

Gender issues never faded with time.

Simply put—no one thought a girl like Xueluo belonged here.

"Make way! Move it!"

A loud voice cut through the crowd behind her.

Xueluo turned.

Edward escorted the Elmelloss Family’s young heir forward, surrounded by admirers.

"Elmelloss and Frosteren... What are nobles doing here?"

"Seems they’re taking the exam too."

Murmurs spread. Mercenaries and participants parted slightly, clearing a path. The Elmelloss heir strutted proudly—then spotted Xueluo at the door.

He smiled and strode over instantly.

"I didn’t see you when I got off the train."

He stopped just before her.

"I’ve been searching for you."

...

Xueluo’s lips curled in clear disgust at this show-off. Irina and Lia beside her wore matching scowls.

"Shall I eliminate him, Miss Xueluo?"

Lia leaned in, whispering.

"I can resolve this... permanently. Very quickly."

"No, no..."

Xueluo muttered, glancing at Edward watching from the sidelines like it was a show.

*[Ugh. This’ll be a massive headache later.]*

Just as Guya’s thought faded—

*THUD.*

The exam hall’s rear door slowly creaked open.