High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2742: Chapter 963: Registered Talisman Drawing Specialist

”The assessment for the Registered Rune Master is divided into two parts, with a theory exam in the morning and a practical exam in the afternoon.”

”The theory section includes the three core subjects of Basic Runes, Rune Structure, and Talisman Foot Ciphertext, as well as eight elective subjects: Cloud Script, Yin Talismans and Yang Talismans, Ink Talisman, Symbol Diagram, Reconstructed Texts, Dan book, Introduction to Talisman Schools, and Outline of Talisman Development History. Each person needs to choose two core subjects and three elective subjects for the theory exam, with each subject having a test duration of forty minutes. Including the ten-minute pre-exam briefing, the total is three and a half hours. All answers must be written on separate answer sheets that have anti-cheating magic. I hope everyone doesn’t try to use their limited skills to challenge the school’s extensive setup...”

On the podium, Professor Dolag Barton recited the exam precautions, occasionally interjecting with a few evaluative comments. Below the stage, all the candidates were selecting their theory exam papers on the newly distributed parchment.

Zheng Qing chose Basic Runes and Rune Structure as his core subjects; he was quite confident in these two.

For the elective subjects, he selected Cloud Script, Ink Talisman, and Yin Talismans and Yang Talismans, mainly focusing on the ancient talismans and the Yin Yang variations of the basic talismans. These were also his elective courses for this semester, which posed little difficulty for him.

However, it was this method of temporarily selecting test papers that felt quite novel.

Zheng Qing speculated that part of the reason for doing this was that it maximized the avoidance of candidate cheating.

After all, the test papers of others sitting around could be quite different from his own. Even those with superior methods capable of peeping at others’ answer sheets would find it hard to copy the correct answers.

”—The practical exam requires candidates to draw the standard talisman specified in the exam within the allotted time. Each talisman must be completed in two minutes, and a total of ninety standard talismans will be randomly generated...”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qing couldn’t help but rub his fingers together.

The assessment for the Registered Wizard (CPW) requires a proficient mastery of eighty-one standard talismans, and all eighty-one are commonly used and fixed.

However, the requirements for the Registered Rune Master are evidently higher, not only increasing the number to ninety but also having randomly generated content. Moreover, only two minutes are given for each talisman—considering all the steps from drawing to infusion in two minutes, the requirements are quite high.

Even with Zheng Qing’s proficiency in talismans, he felt a bit concerned, suddenly worrying whether he’d be able to complete all ninety standard talismans successfully.

”—Finally!”

Professor Barton lifted his eyelids, glancing from side to side: ”During the practical exam, each talisman only has one set of materials, including Yellow Talisman Paper, brush, cinnabar, etc., provided uniformly by the school. If you make a mistake on any talisman, you can apply for a second set of materials to remedy the situation. Don’t have psychological pressure. Every year, many candidates apply for a second set, or even a third set of materials. We have ample backup prepared.”

He patted the leather briefcase beside him, paused for a few seconds, then added: ”Here, I’ll slightly diverge from the topic and give everyone a small suggestion. During the exam, when you encounter a talisman you know, don’t skip it. Keep in mind that random generation is a test of luck. I remember one year, a candidate completed the first twenty talismans very well, the twenty-first went wrong, and he casually skipped to the twenty-second, drawing continuously from twenty-two until beyond forty, all test questions he couldn’t answer, and his mindset completely collapsed... such things are like picking roasted chestnuts.

For example, when there’s a pile of roasted chestnuts in a dish, some immediately eat the ones that are easy to peel, while others, when encountering those not easily peeled, prefer to painstakingly peel the skin and are unwilling to give up. In principle, the latter type has steadfast willpower, deserving praise. But in the exam room, such strategy will only backfire. Perseverance requires time, and the most scarce thing in the exam room is time...”

”Ahem!”

The third-party supervisor dispatched by the Wizard Council coughed forcefully twice, casting a reproachful glance at Dolag, seemingly reminding the invigilator not to speak unrelated content before the exam.

Professor Barton lowered his head to look at the materials in his hand, then smoothly shifted his tone and continued with the previous content: ”...So, if you find the brush unsuitable and want to switch to a feather pen, charcoal pen, or other pens, please be sure to contact the invigilator, that is, inform me. We can provide the corresponding preparation for you.

Additionally, both theory and practical exams last three and a half hours. If anyone needs to take a restroom break in between, please raise your hand and leave the exam room accompanied by the supervisor. Only one person is allowed to go each time. This is also time-limited.”

At this point, he paused again, looked around earnestly, and warned: ”Raising your hand might be awkward, but it’s less embarrassing than wetting your pants! Trust me, behind every reminder I give in the exam room, there’s a tragic story that’s too miserable to describe.”

Zheng Qing tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He wanted to laugh.

Yet he worried about losing those abstract concepts of merits—at this crucial moment, merits and luck had a similar intimidating power over the candidates, the influence of mysticism on wizards laid bare.

On the exam platform, there should be many who thought similarly to Zheng Qing, as low laughter flickered and disappeared. Zheng Qing looked around, only to see everyone sitting upright, as if the brief laughter was his illusion.

”Should that be all?”

Professor Dolag Barton put away the materials he was reading, tilted his head, and looked politely at his two temporary colleagues.

The senior commissioner named Jiang Jizhou from the Trident Sword continues to have a gloomy face, subtly nodding, perfectly exemplifying what ’rigid’ means in zombie.

But the round-faced warlock who had coughed twice just now—Zheng Qing remembered him as Gregory—stepped forward smiling, cordially saying to everyone:

”In any case, assessments happen every year, if you don’t pass this year, you can try harder next year. We hope nobody gets carried away and ends up with a summons from Danghag, wasting more time.

Remember, being caught cheating results in a minimum three-year ban!”

He extended three fingers and shook them in the air: ”—As for anything else, if anyone has questions other than reporting cheating, applying for additional materials, or going to the restroom, please feel free to raise your hand... Thank you for your cooperation. Lastly, best wishes for a successful exam, that everyone may obtain a Registered Rune Master qualification certificate.”

”May you receive favors from the heavens and safeguard your destiny!”

Professor Dolag Barton caressed the test paper, quietly offering a blessing.

”May you receive favors from the heavens and safeguard your destiny!”

His two colleagues softly repeated the phrase.

”May you receive favors from the heavens and safeguard your destiny!”

The candidates beneath the stage mumbled the universal blessing, though some were forming hand seals of blessing, others crossed their arms over chest, some were sketching crosses, and others closed their eyes, silently praying to their mentors from within.