The previously quiet grand hall burst into an uproar at the mention of the annual school professional competition. The students discussed intensely.

“Everyone dreams of showing off their skills in the annual school professional competition.”

“Yeah, I heard that the National Professional Alliance will select students from other schools and put them on a list for a talent training program.”

“Wow! My uncle told me that the talent training program especially nurtures people in their fight against Magical Beasts. Anyone who gets the opportunity to enter will have a bright future!”

The surrounding students would reveal looks of longing and envy every time someone mentioned the talent training program.

While the students discussed, the director approached the podium, cleared his throat, and said solemnly, “The National Professional Alliance organizes the annual school professional competition. Your teachers will explain the importance of this competition as I will not do so.”

“This year, we will continue to select sophomore students and form two teams. Those teams will represent White Deer High in this crucial competition. White Deer High has already made preliminary selections based on the teachers’ recommendation lists.”

“After that, the school will consider all aspects and finalize the participants representing the school. I will now announce the list of candidates.”

The students who were whispering amongst themselves turned their attention to the director. Alan, who had been chatting and laughing with Moss, became nervous at the mere mention of the candidate list.

Alan stared at the stage as he clenched his fists tightly, his face full of anticipation and anxiety. He never thought that he could participate in the competition. However, Alan had unexpectedly placed third in the Mystic Realm test, so he started to think that the director would mention his name.

Moss realized that Alan was nervous, so he guessed what his best friend thought. Moss gently patted Alan’s shoulder and nodded with certainty.

Under the audience’s expectant gaze, the director opened his mouth and read the names on the list, “From class one, Alan and Molly. From class two, Ell and Bailey. Students of class three… Class eight, Bamir and Bach. Finally, from class two again, Bass and Morning.”

Everyone was surprised when they didn’t hear Moss’s name.

Alan didn’t have the time to celebrate that he had made it onto the list. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “Why isn’t Moss on the list?!”

Cullen took joy in Alan’s misery at that moment. Previously, Cullen figured that his teacher might not recommend him for obvious reasons. As he thought of ways to remedy his situation, he realized that the director hadn’t mentioned Moss’s name.

Cullen bloomed with joy. He knew he wasn’t worthy of being on the list, so he dared not be too presumptuous. However, he could no longer suppress his emotions. Cullen cursed in his heart, ‘Hahaha! Serves you right, Moss!’

Miss Aisha was even more shocked and almost shouted. ‘I know I wrote Moss’s name on the list, so why…’

Then the director leaned into the microphone and continued, “In addition to the twenty-four students I mentioned, the school has also recommended Moss to be a candidate.”

The audience was relieved to hear Moss’s name. Several others were envious, while others raised doubts.

“Phew, I got scared there. I knew Senior Moss would make it onto the list. He performed excellently in the Mystic Realm test. Why wouldn’t he be on the list?”

“The school has recommended Senior Moss! It looks like White Deer High will continue to prioritize chivalry.”

“It looks like Knights can also participate in the annual school professional competition. I have to work harder in the future.”

A girl with an elegant demeanor, dressed in sophisticated red clothes, heard the students’ discussions and revealed an unusually sharp gaze. She said disdainfully, “How ridiculous! Even Knights can participate in the annual school professional competition?!”

The girl tilted her head to the right and leaned against the back of her chair, looking arrogant. It was evident that she questioned the school’s decision.

The girl’s name was Mill, and she was the granddaughter of a great swordsman of the Red Earl family. She was a Fire Mage. Mill refused to believe Knights could participate in such a great competition, especially in the individual PK and team PK sections.

Knights would suffer considerably once hit with an opponent’s magic attack. Hearing Mill’s dissatisfaction, the surrounding students in her vicinity expressed their opinions.

“I agree. How can a Knight participate in the annual school professional competition?”

“Hahaha, what a joke. I have never seen a Knight participate in the annual school professional competition since I can remember.”

“My dad said that Knights used to participate in the annual school professional competition, but that was long ago. Also, the Knights who participated performed terribly!”

As the group discussed the more sensitive issues, the scope of discussions quickly expanded.

Alan, sitting in the front row, heard the girls talking. He stood up, widened his eyes, and asked angrily, “What’s wrong with being a Knight? Don’t look down on others! Is there a rule that says Knights aren’t allowed to participate?”

Moss also heard the girls’ doubtful words, but he was already used to it. He knew that the best way to deal with doubt was through his actions. There was no need for Moss to waste his time and energy arguing.

But seeing as Alan stood up for him, Moss felt a warmth in his heart. Moss smiled and tugged at Alan’s shirt. He said calmly, “Just ignore them, Alan. I will use my strength and clear my name when the time comes.” Then Moss continued to look toward the stage as if nothing had happened.

The director heard the students’ and teachers’ discussions as he continued,

“Dear students, the higher-ups of White Deer High, attach great importance to this competition. The school will select the students mentioned, and we will announce the final results in two days.”

“To encourage the students who would represent the school to display their strength and capabilities better, we have developed a specific reward system. I will now invite the principal to explain the rewards system.”

The director clapped, and the audience followed suit. The principal looked at the anticipation-filled students and leaned into the microphone. She said, “According to White Deer High’s tradition, we will reward the team members who represent our school in the annual school professional competition. The reward will be bigger this time around.”

The students perked up their ears when they heard that the reward would be bigger. The principal didn’t intend to spoil everyone’s appetite and immediately continued, “The rewards system is as follows. Students who represent White Deer High will receive a memorial award.”

“Others who earn points in the competition will receive one-star equipment and potions. In addition, the students who earn the most points will receive two-star equipment and potions.”

“If a student makes the top ten of the annual school professional competition, the school will reward them with three-star equipment and potions.”

Three-star equipment and potions were things that most would never see. Now that the principal had mentioned these items as a reward, the audience became shocked.

The students were excited, and even the teachers on stage couldn’t remain composed.

…

The first test summary conference finally ended in a heated discussion. However, with such a significant competition, the teachers and higher-ups had a lot of work to do.