186: Chapter 0186 The Pre-Exam Tribulation

The Vice Dean’s office was located at the innermost part of the third floor.

Pushing open the door, Student Li Size saw an old man wearing a dark blue long robe sitting behind a large mahogany desk, a gentle smile on his face.

The old man’s hair was streaked with white and meticulously combed. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and behind the lenses, his eyes twinkled with wisdom. This was the Vice Dean of the Examination Court, Formal Wizard Walter.

Walter stood up and warmly shook Student Li Size’s hand: “Student Li Size, I’ve heard so much about you! Your sweep of last year’s Provincial Unified Examination was truly remarkable for someone so young!”

His hand was warm and firm, and his voice carried a magnetic quality. “Sit, sit. I just brewed some Magic Plant Tea. Would you like to try some?”

Student Li Size sat on the sofa and accepted the teacup Walter handed him. The enthusiasm from a Vice Dean of the Department of Education made him slightly puzzled.

The teacup was white porcelain, painted with faint purple spirit leaf patterns. The tea emitted a light, fresh fragrance.

He took a sip; the tea was mild with a hint of sweetness.

Walter sat opposite him and said with a smile: “Student Li Size, your talent in Mechanical Alchemy is exceptional. I personally admire you very much.

I suggest you consider staying at Monte Higher Academy in Monte Province. Although the Mechanical Alchemy major here isn't the best, I can offer you the best resources, including an exclusive Laboratory and a mentor.”

So, he wanted to persuade him to stay in Monte. A flicker of emotion crossed Li Size’s heart; he hadn't expected the Vice Dean to value him so highly.

He put down the teacup and said sincerely: “Thank you for your kindness, Vice Dean Walter. I will consider it carefully.”

His guard gradually relaxed; he felt that this Vice Dean genuinely meant well for him.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

A young staff member walked in and said respectfully: “Vice Dean, the documents from the other side have arrived. They are waiting for you to collect them in the lobby downstairs.”

Walter nodded and said to Li Size: “Student Li Size, I happen to need to go collect the documents. How about we go have lunch together after I’m done?”

Li Size didn't think much of it and stood up, saying, “Alright, Vice Dean.”

He followed Walter out of the office and walked down the corridor.

The corridor was quiet, only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.

When they reached the first-floor lobby, Li Size saw a few Patrol Officers patrolling in small groups. They wore black uniforms, had batons and sorcery pistols hanging at their waists, and scanned their surroundings vigilantly.

A sudden sense of unease flashed through Li Size’s heart. There were too many Patrol Officers, and the atmosphere felt very tense.

Just then, he suddenly recalled a piece of information Flora had given him last night:

“Li Size, there is new information about Bamaqi on the Dark Web! He recently met with a mid-level official from the Provincial Department. You are in the provincial capital now, so you must be careful! With the major exam approaching, he might have a scheme!”

Li Size’s heart skipped a beat, and he instantly became alert.

He looked at Walter beside him, then at the surrounding Patrol Officers, and suddenly understood something.

He pretended to clutch his stomach and said with a frown: “Vice Dean, I’m sorry, I suddenly have a stomachache and need to use the restroom.”

Walter paused for a moment, then smiled and said: “It’s fine, you go ahead. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”

Li Size nodded and quickly walked toward the restroom...

When he reached the corner of the corridor, he pulled aside a patrolling Patrol Officer and asked in a low voice: “Brother, what documents are waiting downstairs in the lobby? Why are there so many Patrol Officers here?”

The Patrol Officer glanced at Li Size, assuming he was a staff member from the Department of Education, and casually replied: “It’s the theoretical papers for the National Unified Examination! This is classified information, which is why we increased security here.”

Li Size’s face instantly turned pale—the theoretical papers for the National Unified Examination!

This was a scheme to ruin him!

He finally understood Walter’s motive: as long as he touched those papers, Bamaqi could falsely accuse him of cheating and permanently disqualify him from participating in the major exam!

This was worse than death to him!

Li Size’s heart filled with rage. He immediately took out his communication crystal and dialed his father-in-law Payne’s number. Only he could help him now:

“Father-in-law, I am at the Department of Education in the provincial capital. Bamaqi and Vice Dean Walter of the Examination Court are colluding to frame me for cheating! They are about to take me to touch the theoretical papers for the National Unified Examination...”

Payne’s voice immediately became serious: “Size, don't touch anything! Stay right where you are, and I’ll bring the special investigation team from the Provincial Police Department over immediately!”

Li Size nodded, hung up the flying message, and hid in a stall in the restroom.

Half an hour later, Payne rushed into the Department of Education building with a group of special investigation personnel wearing black police uniforms.

They went directly to the lobby and found Walter.

Payne walked up to Walter and said coldly: “Vice Dean Walter, you are suspected of colluding with Bamaqi in an attempt to frame examinee Li Size for cheating. You must come with us now!”

Marcus’s face instantly turned pale. He wanted to argue, but he was restrained by the special investigation personnel.

Payne walked to the restroom entrance and said loudly: “Li Size, you can come out now!”

Li Size emerged from the stall. Payne patted his shoulder and said to the surrounding Patrol Officers: “Everyone saw it, Student Li Size has been in the restroom the entire time and hasn't touched any documents!”

The Patrol Officers nodded one after another, confirming Li Size’s innocence.

After Walter was taken away, he quickly broke down under the interrogation by the Police Department and confessed Bamaqi’s scheme:

Bamaqi intended to use the false accusation of cheating in the major exam to completely strip Li Size of his eligibility for the National Major Exam.

Lilith, upon learning of Li Size’s ordeal through the flying message, immediately contacted her resources in the press.

The next day, all major newspapers and news websites in the provincial capital published the story:

“Bamaqi’s Scheme Fails Again, Genius Examinee Li Size Narrowly Escapes Framing”

“Vice Dean of Examination Court Colludes with Corrupt Elements, Attempts to Sabotage National Major Exam”

Li Size became famous again, this time for his quick wit and bravery.

On the day of the exam, as Li Size walked into the examination room, he felt the gazes of the surrounding examinees and teachers: some were filled with admiration, some with sympathy, and some with curiosity.

He took a deep breath, walked to his seat, and looked at the test paper before him, his heart filled with confidence.

He knew that in this major exam, he absolutely had to succeed!

Li Size sat by the window, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk.

On the test paper before him, 80% of the questions were basic problems from ordinary lower-tier academies, several levels easier than last year’s Provincial Unified Examination.

For example, questions like, “Briefly describe the effect of the Zero-Ring Sorcery ‘Light Body Technique’” or “List three Magic Potion Materials that increase the recovery speed of Mental Energy”—he could answer these with his eyes closed.

However, the remaining 20% of out-of-syllabus questions made him frown slightly, especially the final essay question:

“Analyze the combined effect and energy consumption of the runes ‘Sturdiness’ and ‘Hurricane’ in Alchemy.”

This knowledge point was something he had never encountered in the academy.