184: Chapter 0184 Preparing for the Big Exam

Chief Swin looked at his focused appearance and explained:

"These are all items only Captain-level personnel can redeem.

For example, the 'swift spirit' sorcery can help you quickly evade attacks during combat.

The 'Spatial Beacon' is a secret item belonging to the Internal Affairs Department; it can pinpoint your location at a critical moment to call for support from nearby organization members."

He paused, "Is there anything you wish to redeem?"

Li Size's gaze lingered on "Comprehensive Collection of Common Zero Ring Alchemy Runes (Part I)"...

It introduced twenty-one common Zero Ring Alchemy Runes, of which only 'Sturdiness' and 'Sharpness' runes were currently in his possession.

Redemption required 500 merit points, and his heart began to struggle: should he redeem a rare sorcery or the Alchemy Rune collection?

He thought of the exoskeleton armor and the Bartlin sorcery machine tool he was developing; both required extensive knowledge of Alchemy Runes.

Finally, he took a deep breath and looked up: "Chief Swin, I want to redeem the 'Comprehensive Collection of Common Zero Ring Alchemy Runes (Part I)' from you."

Sven was slightly surprised, then smiled: "Oh? You aren't redeeming a sorcery or an item? Although this Rune Compendium is precious, it requires a large amount of time to study."

His eyes held curiosity, "Why choose this one?"

A confident smile curled the corner of Li Size's mouth: "Because Mechanical Alchemy is my specialty. With this Rune Compendium, I can develop more advanced Mechanical Alchemy items and rapidly enhance my own strength."

He lovingly stroked the rune patterns on the manual.

Sven nodded approvingly: "Good! Far-sighted!"

He took out a thick parchment book from the filing cabinet; the cover was imprinted with complex Alchemy Runes.

"This is the 'Comprehensive Collection of Common Zero Ring Alchemy Runes (Part I)'; it contains more than ten common Zero Ring Alchemy Runes. Study it well."

Li Size took the book, his fingertips gently tracing the cover, his heart filled with anticipation.

He opened the book to rare runes Li Size had never seen before:

Void Storage Rune: Opens a stable one cubic meter Void Realm space, capable of storing non-living things.

Elemental Conversion Rune: Convertsdifferent-attribute energy particles into energy particles of a single specific attribute.

Telepathic Rune: Enables barrier-free mental conversation within one kilometer, capable of linking 1000 people.

...Li Size was extremely excited. These runes would all be immensely useful to him, especially the Void Storage Rune, which meant he could finally acquire a legendary spatial item!

Sven watched him immersed in the book and smiled: "These runes are the foundation of Mechanical Alchemy. Utilize them well.

When you return from the Higher Academy, I believe you will become the most outstanding Mechanical Alchemy expert in the Internal Affairs Department."

He patted Li Size's shoulder: "I will help you arrange the work transfer; focus on preparing for the June Big Exam."

Li Size looked up, his eyes flashing with gratitude: "Thank you, Chief Swin! I definitely will not disappoint you!"

His heart was filled with motivation... The June Big Exam, the Higher Academy, Mechanical Alchemy—the future looked promising.

The sorcery ceiling lamp in the office still emitted a warm yellow glow, illuminating the Rune Compendium in Li Size's hand and the path leading to his future.

Li Size, having returned to Gray Mist Mountain Town, suddenly became quiet...

Because his women knew that in ten days, Li Size would participate in the National Unified Enrollment Exam. This would be the most important test of his life, and they all did not want to disturb him.

During this period, Li Size had witnessed too many Wizard Apprentices—both wild Wizard Apprentices and academy apprentices.

The huge gap between them made Li Size realize that only by entering the Higher Academy could he learn more systematic and precious wizard knowledge.

If he ended up as a wild wizard, obtaining such knowledge again would be too difficult!

Felina and Gelia also gradually became worried.

Although they already held blind admiration and trust for Li Size, they couldn't help but urge him to review diligently and prepare for the Big Exam.

But for Li Size, what was there to prepare for?

He already understood the Enrollment Exam very clearly: it consisted of only one test and two examinations.

The test covered the four major physical attribute values, and the examinations were divided into a theoretical exam and a practical combat exam. It seemed simpler than the Provincial Unified Exam.

Each student only had one chance to take the exam in their lifetime!

Participation was voluntary from the first grade to the ninth grade; one could participate early in the second grade or stay in a lower academy until the ninth grade without taking it.

This was because some people might not reach the standard value of 3.0 Mental Energy even by the ninth grade, like Lilith.

But once registered, it was the only opportunity; there was no coming back.

Li Size felt there was nothing for him to prepare, but he understood why the women attached so much importance to it, so he obediently stayed in the Laboratory.

The rune lamp in the Laboratory flickered with a faint blue light all night...

Li Size was intently staring at the semi-finished Bartlin sorcery machine tool. The 'Hurricane' rune was prominently carved on the barrel, but he was suddenly interrupted by Felina's voice:

"Husband, the Dean just got news from an old friend at the Ministry of Education: this year's practical combat assessment has a new regulation—carrying any sorcery items is prohibited!"

Felina's golden curls hung softly over her shoulders, her light purple eyes filled with deep worry, her fingertips slightly white from clenching them tightly: "The Dean said this is for the sake of fairness. You, who specialize in Mechanical Alchemy, will be at too much of a disadvantage... You must immediately halt these research projects."

Li Size's movements abruptly stopped. His fingertip rubbed the 'Sturdiness' rune just embedded on the gatling barrel. The prototype machine was only one final adjustment away from completion.

A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but he still took a deep breath: "The military also said they would send people to discuss cooperation on the winds kiss sorcery machine tool. I planned to schedule it for these next few days."

Gelia suddenly pushed the door open, the hem of her crimson uniform sweeping the floor and stirring up a gust of wind. Her ice-blue eyes were full of anxiety: "Husband! Are you still thinking about that?

The practical combat assessment is only half a month away. Did you forget what Sister Felina just said about prohibiting sorcery items? These mechanical connection items are also banned!"

Before she finished speaking, Felina grabbed her arm and gave Li Size a worried look.

Li Size looked at their nervous expressions and gave a wry smile, withdrawing his gaze from the gun barrel: "I know... It's just that this research has just made progress, and I'm a little reluctant to put it down."

He finally nodded: "Fine, I'll listen to you both.

The gatling production sorcery machine tool will be put on hold for now, and the military cooperation will be postponed until after the exam. I will focus all my energy on preparing for the exam."

In the following days, Li Size locked himself in the Laboratory, organizing and reviewing the sorceries he had learned.

To be fair, Li Size had only recently become a Wizard Apprentice, and he hadn't learned many Zero Ring Sorceries—fourteen in total:

Sorcerer's Hand, Fire/Ice Arrow Spell, Summon Skeleton, Dark Vision, Resistance Enhancement, Communication Spell, Lockpicking Technique, Feather Fall Spell, Light Body Technique, Sharpness Spell, Lesser Healing Spell, Thorn Vine, Eagle Eye Spell. He still lacked any offensive or defensive sorceries worth mentioning...

However, these sorceries all possessed peculiar effects to varying degrees and could be utilized at critical moments. Moreover, under the effect of his Pay-to-Win Ability, these sorceries had all been elevated to a terrifying level.