188: Chapter 0188 Point System

A resonant voice rang out. Li Size looked up and saw a Wizard in white robes standing on a high platform in the city center square.

His robes were embroidered with golden runes, and he wore the badge of a Second Ring Liquefied Wizard on his chest. His silver-white long hair fell to his waist, and his pale blue eyes shimmered with a majestic light.

"I am the person in charge of the Western Region Grand Examination, a Second Ring Formal Wizard from the Ministry of Education of the Crimson Soul Duchy—Kalen Von Hohenzollern."

His voice, carrying a faint trace of magic, spread throughout the entire city.

"Accompanying me are Black, the Director of the Monte Province Department of Education, and high-ranking officials from the Departments of Education of the ten western provinces."

Li Size followed his gaze and saw several officials in gray suits standing on the platform.

They all wore Department of Education badges on their chests, and their eyes were filled with seriousness.

Kalen Von Hohenzollern cleared his throat and continued speaking:

"Now, I announce the examination rules!

This Grand Examination adopts a point system, and points will be tallied directly at the end: Killing a Knight Rank Magic Monster earns 1 point; a Zero Ring Elementary Magic Monster earns 3 points; a Zero Ring Intermediate Magic Monster earns 6 points; a Zero Ring Advanced Magic Monster earns 10 points; and a First Ring Magic Monster earns 100 points!"

He paused and added:

"To accommodate students who are not skilled in combat, points can also be awarded for crafting potions or alchemy tools: Inferior grade earns 2 points; Zero Ring Ordinary earns 5 points; Zero Ring Excellent grade earns 10 points; and First Ring earns 100 points!"

"All non-essential personnel within the city have been cleared out, but basic facilities are fully equipped and managed by personnel arranged by the Ministry of Education!"

Kalen Von Hohenzollern's voice sounded again.

"You can exchange points for resources: Gold coins can be exchanged for Materials to craft Inferior potions or ordinary tools, as well as essential living supplies. Raw Materials for crafting other Zero Ring items must be exchanged using points. Using facilities requires spending points, and even entering the safe zone within the city costs 1 point per two hours!"

He looked at the examinees below, his eyes full of warning:

"Everyone starts with 1 point. If you feel unsafe when your points hit zero, you can apply to withdraw from the examination at any time and leave the Secret Realm! But remember, each person only gets this one chance in their lifetime! However, I must also remind you that there are First Ring Magic Monsters in the Secret Realm, and even a very small number of Second Ring Magic Monsters. These are extremely dangerous for you! Although Formal Wizards are constantly patrolling high above, you must still be careful not to die without even a chance to be rescued. Be sure to act within your capabilities!"

A faint golden light flickered between Li Size's eyebrows as he quickly analyzed the examination rules:

The points gained from killing Magic Monsters were high, but the risk was also great.

Crafting potions or alchemy tools was safer, but the points awarded were lower.

He touched the 20 gold coins in his pocket and calculated: First, use gold coins to exchange for Inferior Materials, craft a few bottles of Inferior potions to gain points, and then exchange for Zero Ring Materials to craft Excellent grade items. This way would be both safe and allow for rapid point accumulation.

His gaze swept over the surrounding examinees and he noticed some were already preparing for battle, while others were looking for Materials to craft potions. He couldn't help but sneer internally: These people have no idea how important points are; the fees for the safe zone are very high!

Kalen Von Hohenzollern's voice sounded again:

"Now! The Grand Examination officially begins! Good luck to all examinees!"

As Kalen turned and flew away, the examinees below immediately dispersed...

Some rushed towards the forest outside the city, while others stayed in the city to look for Materials to craft potions.

Li Size watched Kalen's retreating figure, took a deep breath, and walked towards the Material Exchange Point inside the city.

He knew that in this Grand Examination, he would definitely take first place!

The Material Exchange Point was located inside a stone building in the city center. A wooden sign hung at the entrance reading "Ministry of Education Material Exchange Point," engraved with faint golden runes.

Li Size pushed the door open, and an aroma mixing the fragrance of magical potions with the metallic tang of blood rushed out to meet him.

Behind the counter in the center of the hall, several exchange specialists in gray uniforms were looking down, organizing Materials. Glass jars containing powders and liquids of various colors were neatly arranged on the counter.

Li Size's gaze swept across the left wall of the counter, then he raised his hand and tapped the counter glass, asking an exchange specialist:

"Excuse me, Specialist, what is the price for Inferior Potion Materials?"

The exchange specialist behind the counter raised his eyelids slightly:

"4 gold coins per set, cash settlement."

Li Size's hand trembled upon hearing this. Was this selling Materials or robbery?

Li Size gave a forced smile:

"These Materials outside cost about 6 silver coins at most. Are you sure the price unit isn't wrong?"

The exchange specialist continued to look down, organizing Materials:

"Ministry of Education regulation: Buy it or don't!"

"Damn it!"

Li Size frowned and cursed inwardly. Did the Ministry of Education organize this national examination just to make money?

He sighed. Circumstances dictated submission. His entire skill set lay in alchemy; going out to fight empty-handed wasn't a good option.

And refining Inferior Potions was one of his strong suits. He didn't have enough points right now, so he could only swallow this insult.

After a moment of thought, he realized that Inferior Potions were only a temporary measure before gaining points. He couldn't rely on them to accumulate points and compete with the Geniuses from other provinces.

To earn a large number of points, he still needed to rely on Zero Ring Potions, or rather, Excellent grade Zero Ring Potions.

Li Size thought about the potion formulas he knew, pulled out the zero-ring healing potion, and continued to ask:

"Then what about the Materials for the zero-ring healing potion?"

The specialist replied impatiently:

"1 point per set."

"What about the Materials for the zero-ring mental power amplification potion?"

Li Size continued to ask.

"And how is the Laboratory rental calculated?"

The specialist frowned, looked up at Li Size, then looked down again, and said impatiently:

"zero-ring mental power amplification potion Materials are 2 points per set. Laboratory rental is 1 point per hour. Exceeding 15 minutes is uniformly calculated as one hour. Alright, if you want to buy, buy. If not, stop asking so many questions. Can't you see I'm busy?"

Li Size tapped the glass and pointed at the Inferior Potion Materials:

"Hello, I want to exchange for 4 sets of Inferior Potion Materials."

He didn't choose to exchange all his gold coins, leaving 4 gold coins behind; he still needed to cover his food, drink, and daily necessities for these ten days.

The specialist behind the counter looked up. His face still held an impatient expression, and there was a shallow scar near the corner of his eye:

"16 gold coins, thank you."

Li Size took out 16 gold coins and placed them on the counter. The specialist counted them and pushed four brown paper packets over.

The paper packets contained dried Machien Leopard bones and Vampire Bat saliva, which were the main Materials for refining Inferior Potions.

"Wait a moment,"

Li Size suddenly asked, "If I refine an Excellent grade Inferior Potion, will there be a bonus in points?"