Tiyi hadn't seen senior Qingruo for days. To her surprise, Qingruo was here for this exam too. A complex flutter stirred in Tiyi's heart, inexplicably mixed with a hint of sweet anticipation.
This anticipation seemed beyond Tiyi's control.
"I don't recall ever seeing senior in a short skirt... She always wore long pants that didn't expose her body. Though she looked great in pants too. Why a skirt today? Is it the warm weather?" Tiyi pondered with quiet confusion.
"I am Morton, chief examiner for this assessment. This is Deputy Examiner Josennan. Hand over your admission letters for verification." A deep, gruff voice cut through Tiyi's thoughts. A bald giant over 1.9 meters tall stepped forward, hands behind his back, wearing a suede vest that exposed his muscular arms. Beside him stood a female swordsmanship instructor with healthy bronze skin and a fit figure.
Both were martial arts instructors at the academy. Yedi naturally recognized them, though they rarely interacted.
Tiyi moved to submit her letter when a burly, freckle-faced, buzz-cut fat man barged in to hand his first. Tiyi nimbly sidestepped. She wasn't afraid of the collision, but avoided unnecessary contact.
Who knew what point there was in rushing to submit first?
Meanwhile, Jolowi had an elderly attendant in black velvet robes submit his letter for him.
After Tiyi submitted hers, Jolowi stepped forward, hands behind his back. "Feg, do you smell it? The stench of heresy."
Tiyi, standing a few steps away with her back partially turned, felt a silent shock.
"Huh? Here? This is the Holy Academy, Master Jolowi," the fat man said, looking around confused.
Tiyi stood gracefully, unmoved, as if the words meant nothing. Yet, a trace of wariness stirred within her.
"Hmph, not necessarily. That's why you're naive. Seeing things simply makes you easy prey for heretics. In this top-tier academy, under strict rules and fierce competition, weak-willed and ill-intentioned women might be tempted by demons. I've always felt it isn't as holy as it seems." Jolowi paced, his gaze drawn to Tiyi's tall, graceful silhouette.
"Oh? I hadn't heard of another black-haired woman taking this exam. What did you trade for your letter?" His eyes leered over Tiyi's curvaceous figure, his meaning clear.
Tiyi had never provoked him. Causing trouble right before the exam—she turned away, walking aside.
"Heh," Jolowi sneered, following. "Hey, I'm talking to you. Where do you black-haired women come from? Don't know basic manners? Arrogance breeds evil, a plea to demons."
Tiyi sighed inwardly. She didn't want to waste words, but fearing his nagging, she turned, expressionless. "Fellow examinee, how did you get that outfit? Never learned basic respect from the Holy Scriptures? Is your faith just painted on your clothes? And examining yourself before judging others—that's beyond you, isn't it?"
"You—what did you say?" Jolowi glanced at his prized robe. "Do you know what this is? The formal uniform of the Kaines Order! Are you questioning us?"
Kaines Order? Tiyi recalled the carriage emblem. As Yedi, she'd heard of this witch-hunting faction—radical nobles' children, ruthless and consequence-ignoring. Even as an Empire pillar, Yedi disliked them.
"I have no interest, so how can I question? If questioned, it's members who 'glorify' the Order themselves." Tiyi shook her head, not wanting to argue with a youth member, and turned to leave.
"Stop! Explain yourself—" Seeing Tiyi ignore him and head toward the Student Council members, Jolowi snatched a carriage whip from his attendant and chased her.
"Huh? What are you doing?" Josennan shouted.
Jolowi didn't stop. He couldn't believe a mere black-haired commoner dared defy him and insult the Kaines Order! He quickened his pace, gripping the whip, and raised it high with a whoosh.
"Young master!" His two deadly attendants rushed to stop him, but Jolowi shoved them aside, eyes flashing ferocity.
The whip rose behind Tiyi, within striking distance. Restraint was wise, but she wouldn't be lashed. She gathered energy, ready to disarm him.
But she was halted by a warm yet chilling gaze approaching.
Qingruo stepped forward. Tiyi felt a faint fragrance as Qingruo stood before her.
"Examinee, what did you just say?" Qingruo's night-dark hair fluttered in the spring breeze, like the Queen of Night descending.
"This—" Fear flickered in Jolowi's raging eyes. He opened his mouth but couldn't speak. Arrogant as he was, he knew who she was.
Before him stood Qingruo—heiress of one of the Empire's three ancient guardian families, a youth idol, the strongest new-generation Holy Temple Knight. She was Student Council president here, whose influence commanded wind and rain—even the vice-principal heeded her moods.
"I don't care your family. If you pass, you're classmates. I won't allow discrimination or insults among peers. Put away your whip now, or go back to your family." Qingruo was usually gracious, but now gave Jolowi no face—not even to his family.
Only Qingruo, from the three great families and transcendent in status, dared speak thus to the Ifer family's direct heir. Jolowi was Lord Ifer's eldest grandson; in the Empire, bloodline equality held if the name was inherited.
Even the teachers present wouldn't dare offend him like this.
But Qingruo didn't care—this was entirely Jolowi's fault.
"...Sorry." Jolowi turned away, gritting his teeth, but dared not show anger. Swallowing resentment, he sullenly put away the whip.
An ordinary examinee causing trouble and attempting violence would have been expelled immediately.
"By the way, unclear which families black-haired girls come from? Shall I tell you?" Qingruo asked calmly.
"Uh, no, no... My deepest apologies, Miss Redvini. I truly didn't see you coming..." Jolowi hadn't meant a broad attack—he'd just blurted it out. He bowed his head in apology.
"Senior Qingruo..." Tiyi never glanced back at Jolowi. Her eyes stayed on Qingruo, watching her return to the Student Council representatives.
"Tch! What—" Only after retreating did Jolowi stomp his foot, crushing dry leaves underfoot.
The incident settled. Bald giant Morton verified the admission letters. Unaware of details, they saw only legitimate proofs—not knowing Tiyi was the dean's arranged candidate.
"Now, we proceed to the assessment. The Imperial Sacred Academy's exams demand solemnity. I'll overlook what happened—you're new. But remember: no repeats, whoever you are. Otherwise, immediate disqualification!" Morton growled. His build and muscles gave the words enough weight to intimidate.
"Next, the assessment content." Morton unrolled a parchment scroll, fixing his intimidating eyes. "Two parts. Basic ability test: speed-endurance and weapon attack power, each worth five points. Practical combat test: sparring with instructors, worth ten points."
"Total twenty points. Fifteen or above passes. Additionally, to study the academy's divine power manuals, you must take an extra divine power test."
