Insufficient balance

  Saying goodbye to Mark and Teacher Xiu, I returned to the hotel and suddenly thought of a problem. Judging from the current situation, my grades will definitely be among the top. Then won't I be challenged by many people in the future? Oh no, how could I not have thought of this? It seems that Mark's teacher is indeed wise.

  "Teacher Xiu, if I get exceptionally good grades on the exam, will a lot of people challenge me after I enter the Royal Magic Academy?"

  "Of course I will!"

  "Huh? Then why didn't you tell me to be more reserved?"

  "The only way to improve is through actual combat, Longbow. If you don't want to be defeated by others, you must work hard! The teacher is doing this for your own good."

  This is good for me, it seems that the days ahead will be tough. With a heavy heart, I finally managed to enter a state of deep contemplation.

  "Get up, Zhang Gong, let's go take a look at the list."

  As soon as I heard about the rankings, I immediately got up and rushed to take a look, hoping that my ranking wouldn't be too far ahead.

  Arriving at the entrance of the Royal Magic Academy, only to see four large yellow papers posted on the wall outside the academy gate, listing the top 500 names in individual subjects and the top 500 names entering the final assessment.

  I rushed over and looked from the back to the front, I must find myself among the last 400 names, never mind being in the top 100 now. Now I'm not as proud as when I just finished the exam.

  No way, I'm dizzy.

  My scores are:

  Magic Power: 9th;

  Magic Affinity: 1st;

  Magic Control: 2nd (that Mark kid somehow got 1st);

  Overall Score: 2nd.

  (The first place is some guy named Hailong Yang, who scored within the top 5 in every subject.)

  It's all over, it's all over, and now I'm in trouble. But fortunately, at least I wasn't the first one.

  At this time, a teacher came out of the school and walked to the total score list, covering Hai Longyang's name with yellow paper and writing Hai Longyang between 10th and 11th place.

  "All candidates, due to Hai Long Yang's use of improper methods during the test, the college has decided to lower Hai Long Yang's ranking from first place to tenth place. The rankings of the top ten students will be moved up one position." Upon hearing the teacher's words, the surrounding candidates burst into a heated discussion.

  "Wow, I didn't know this Sea Dragon. What tactics did Yang use? So unlucky, originally first place."

  "Hailong. Yang's ranking has dropped, and this first place is now Chang Gong."

  I didn't hear the rest of what they were saying because I was already stunned. Really, such good luck? No way! Even a genius can't be this lucky!!!!!!

  Suddenly I felt someone tap me from behind. Scared me to jump, I turned back and it was Mark.

  "What's wrong, Chang Gong? You look so down in the dumps! Didn't you pass the exam? Let me take a look at the list."

  "My name is here, my magical power: 18th; magical comprehension: 16th; magical control: not even first. This is terrible, but fortunately my overall score isn't too high, only 12th. Fortunately, it's okay. Let me take a look at yours."

  Mark stared blankly for a moment after reading the list, then suddenly grabbed my shoulders and exclaimed: "Wow, Chang Gong, you're so awesome! You're also first in overall score!"

  Mark shouted, and nearly 4,000 people in the audience focused their attention on us.

  I immediately reflected and didn't even have time to blame Mark, instantly transferring a short distance of 500 meters to escape the encirclement, then immediately transferred back to the hotel in several consecutive instants. And at the same time shouted: "Mark, you're going to die!"

  Now I can only hope that no one saw me clearly.

  Teacher Xiu has also returned, with a strange smile on his face.

  "Chang Gong, you truly are a good student of your teacher, to have actually gotten first place. Not bad, not bad. However, before tomorrow's exam, it would be best if you didn't go out. At least 1000 people outside are waiting for a match with you, hehe."

  I can no longer be surprised by Teacher Xiu's bad smile, now I can only sigh at the fate of my genius. There are many people among the examinees who are stronger than me, why am I the first. (The examiner teacher in the Royal Magic Academy entrance examination does not only look at the current ability of the students, but mainly considers the long-term development potential of the students.)

  "Teacher Xiu, can we go back to Senko City? I..."

  As soon as I said I wanted to go back, Teacher Xiu immediately got angry: "What? Going back, okay, you want to go back without me, probably your parents won't forgive you either. Think about the great expectations your parents had for you when you set out! You go back and tell them that you took first place in the exam but were afraid of competition among classmates and then ran away with your tail between your legs - will they be able to forgive you? How can you continue studying magic in the future?"

  I remembered the last words of my parents before they left, and I had nothing to say. (Although I am lazy, but my greatest virtue is that I am filial. Without my parents, there would be no me!)

  "Don't be angry, teacher. I was just joking. I'll work hard."

  Seeing that I had dispelled the idea of going back, Teacher Xiu immediately beamed with joy again. After all, I had taken first place in the first round of exams, and his face was also radiant!

  "Tomorrow's exam rules, I've already shown you, are as follows: first, 500 people draw lots for a knockout match, the winner gets 50 points and the loser gets 30 points. The score of the first round is added to the second round, with scores calculated according to ranking. First place, that is, you have 50 bonus points in the second round, which means even if you lose tomorrow's exam, you will definitely be able to get at least 0 points and advance to the top 200. The second place in the first round has bonus points, and so on. The 500th place has no bonus points, so a good score in the preliminary round is very beneficial for you. During the exam, it is not allowed to use phantom beasts or martial skills (it's a magic academy after all)."

  It seems I can no longer escape the clutches of the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy, it turns out that even geniuses have such a hard life! (Damn genius) Tomorrow, I must lose, I definitely will. I secretly made up my mind.