Chapter 31 He understands it, but he can’t draw it
"Written examination," Edith repeated. "Have you seen mine?"
She thought that this kind of entrance examination paper filled with all kinds of low-level mistakes would at most be corrected by ordinary teachers, but it actually had to go through the hands of the dean of the college?
"This year's test paper is special. The additional questions are not graded by ordinary teachers. Except for those left blank, all the rest should be handed over to us." Dean Keith said, pulling out another test paper from the side. This paper was not framed, but it was still flat, obviously well preserved.
"This is yours."
She pressed the test paper with her fingertips and pushed it in front of Tuttle, raising her chin: "Your mother came to inquire about the results in advance. After seeing the ranking, she said that you would definitely be dissatisfied, so she asked me to prepare in advance."
"Your mother really understands you."
Tuttle pursed his lips and took his paper with both hands.
This is a perfect paper.
Seeing his own handwriting again, Tuttle still believed that he had done his best.
In the dictation part, all the contents are exactly the same as the concepts in the book; in the practical application part, each question uses the most standard structure, divided into three parts: question interpretation, spell selection and explanation of principles, and it is meticulous.
Even the examiner was amazed at the rigor of the exam, and left a lot of praise on the first and second pages of the exam paper: "correct attitude", "details in place", "accurate choices"
Except for the last question in the application part, where I lost some points, I made no mistakes on the previous questions.
Tuttle turned to the last page. There were two five-point additional questions. He was given four points for the first one, which was about the same as he estimated. As for the second question - his eyes stayed on the paper and paused slightly.
0 points? That shouldn't be the case?
"Dean, this?" He looked at Dean Keith in front of him in confusion, "I don't understand."
The second additional question is more application-oriented. It gives a scenario and requires candidates to prevent the plague from leaking out of a hospital in a certain place by using no more than five portions of standard magic power.
He thought he had answered correctly - reinforce the walls, put on an automatic repair shield on the outside, install a force-reducing floor, and place beds to absorb patients.
In addition to this, he even designed a detailed self-circulating magic circle that converts leaked viruses into attack magic power, converting the viruses into the shield's own energy, making it self-sufficient, saving magic power, and eliminating the cost of sending people out for maintenance every day.
He blocked all conceivable ways for the virus to escape from the hospital. His ideas were clear, his steps were feasible, and he even demonstrated his creative talent by designing a completely new magic circle. Not to mention giving him full marks, but giving him three points is always reasonable. At the very least, 1 point should be given.
But why is it 0 points?
"Zero points, which means that none of my answers hit the mark." Tuttle looked directly into the dean's eyes. "I don't understand - even if there is a slight mistake in the design of the magic circle at the end, the previous steps are enough to prevent patients from running around and spreading the disease."
"Do you really think that's enough?" Dean Keith gave him a meaningful look. "If one of the patients is a wizard, he can blow up all your defenses with a wave of his wand."
Tuttle responded without hesitation: "There will be no wizard."
Mages are all nobles. Nobles have family doctors and will not go to hospitals that are filled with all kinds of germs. Naturally, they will not be isolated in epidemic rooms - huh?
He was stunned. "So, as long as the nobles who are recuperating at home run around, the epidemic will never be prevented? Even if someone is sent to capture them and put them in the hospital ward, as mages, they can blow through the house and escape?"
Dean Keith: “That’s right.”
"I don't understand." Tuttle was still immersed in thought, "Even if this is the case, I shouldn't get 0 points. There must be some steps in the previous steps that are on point."
"So I hope - and your mother also hopes - that you will take a look at this paper."
The dean pressed the paper in Edith's hand and moved it in front of Tuttle: "Take a look."
Tuttle's attention was quickly drawn to her. He stared at Edith's answer motionlessly, and the confusion in his eyes not only did not disappear, but became deeper and deeper.
“Why did she get full marks?”
Edith's answer was simple: one portion of magic power was used for screening, one portion of magic power was used for isolation, two portions of magic power were used to construct a healing array, and the last portion of magic power was used to create a protective shield.
If there is any difference between him and his, it is just an extra healing process and fewer protective measures - shouldn't this be even less in line with the requirements?
"Edith, can you please tell me what you think?" Keith looked at the person in front of him kindly.
Edith nodded. "First, screen all the patients, whether noble or non-noble, and put them in the hospital. Then isolate them to prevent cross-infection. Use protective shields to prevent outsiders from entering by mistake, and use healing arrays for treatment."
Tuttle countered, "Two problems. First, a simple shield cannot protect against mages - just like the problem the dean just pointed out. Second, two portions of standard magic power cannot construct a magic circle that is sufficient to heal so many people. Your assumption is unreasonable."
Edith tilted her head: "Why do we have to defend against the mage?"
"I'm treating his illness. He can survive if he just stays in the house. Why would he leave the hospital and seek death?"
Tuttle felt himself choking.
Yes, why did I assume they would run away?
"Because you assume that the only way to cure the disease is to kill all the patients together, thus stopping the spread of the disease." Dean Keith continued, "Of course, I'm not saying that your idea is wrong - the reason why you directly gave up the option of curing is that in your eyes, five parts of standard magic power cannot achieve the effect of treatment. Things that are not feasible should naturally be abandoned."
"But Edith did."
She turned the paper over and revealed the magic circle Edith had drawn on the attached page. Although it was a hand-drawn pattern, the layout and structure on it were as neat as if it was assisted by magic.
Tuttle frowned, observing layer by layer, occasionally writing on the table with his fingers.
When he finally understood the principle of the magic circle and came back to his senses from the breathtaking shock, he suddenly realized that he was soaked in cold sweat.
I understand.
But he couldn't draw it.
This was a strange feeling. Even though he was still a freshman and had not yet systematically studied the knowledge in the academy, he could still feel that when he graduated and became a real researcher, he might not be able to design such a magic array.
What on earth is this, what on earth is——
Dean Keith sighed.
If such a magic array were placed in front of an ordinary student, he would probably look down upon it - because he would not be able to understand it, but because the picture is simple, it is not difficult to intuitively understand it.
If it is placed in front of a student with a higher level of ability, he will be able to understand the symbols on it and comprehend the principles behind it. He will feel admiration but not too despair - he will just think that if he studies for another two years, he will be able to reach this level.
But for a student like Tuttle, who has sufficient knowledge and has built his own design system, it is a devastating blow.
"It's not that difficult, it's all spells you know." She looked at the student in front of her gently. The boy who always held his head high in the past now lowered his head, his lips trembling uncontrollably. "But you just can't think of it, right?"
"You don't need those advanced spells you admire, nor do you need those rare materials that can only be obtained by going deep into the maze. Just control the basic spells and magic power to the extreme, and you can use the least magic power to build the most effective magic circle. Your mother is right, you rely too much on the advanced magic they taught you, which is beyond your peers."
"You are not much smarter than them, but you learned much earlier than them."
Tuttle froze in place.
The dean's voice continued. She was entrusted by Tuttle's mother to take this opportunity to educate this overly conceited child: "You see, a truly smart person, even if he or she comes from a poor family and can only be admitted as a companion, can still use the only knowledge in his or her brain to combine the most perfect answer."
Only then did Edith realize the problem.
In order to hide her identity and to cater to the students' cognitive level, she was smart enough to only combine basic spells and simplify the implementation steps. However, she forgot that normal nobles would receive education in advance, and it would be more normal for them to know a few advanced spells.
Moreover, just as the simpler the ingredients, the more they can highlight the chef's cooking skills, the simpler the spell, the more it can show her proficiency in magic, and she will stand out in the crowd.
I'm still not careful enough...
Fortunately, although it was against her will at the time, things got back on track unexpectedly - everyone thought she was forced to use simple spells because of her poor background.
Well, that's fine.
She immediately restrained her emotions, smiled, behaved well and sensibly, and tried to get closer to the image of herself in the dean's mind. The more he looked at her, the more he liked her. He stood up and took Edith's hand.
"I looked at your previous answers. They are all feasible, but they may not be neat enough. It doesn't matter. It's just a small gap." Tears flashed in her eyes. She didn't know what she thought of. Her fingers tightened. "The examiner gave you a low score at first, but I changed them all back. You started from a different point than others. There is no reason to hold you to such a strict standard."
Edith glanced at the papers on her desk.
......She said, how could she get the highest score for her answer which was entirely organized in her own words!
After comforting Edith, Dean Keith seemed to be afraid that Tuttle would think too much, so he put the two papers together and compared them directly: "But don't think that I gave Edith a back door. Although her method does not conform to the norm, each item can be implemented in a practical way."
"You only lost two points on the last question in the application section because you only promoted crop growth according to the question's requirement and did not pay attention to flood prevention in the fields. However, the missed points may directly wipe out the farmers' hard work for the whole year in reality."
"Edith got full marks because the question was worth full marks, and you got 8 points because your level is only 8 points - which is consistent with your mother's evaluation of you: sufficient knowledge, but too narrow vision."
Edith pretended to comfort him: "It's okay, 8 points is impressive."
Tuttle: “…”
Enough, enough! No more public executions!
......
After repeatedly emphasizing that she did not need the dean's help to pay tuition, Edith finally waved goodbye to Dean Keith, walked out of the office, and breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't want to get rid of the role of Hedda's companion for the time being. The Turner family was a good shield. No matter what Hedda's father was like, at least the Duke's identity was there, which could help block a large number of unfriendly eyes.
Also, the hatred she attracted would most likely be transferred to Duke Turner, causing him to be targeted by others - both she and Hedda were happy to see this.
Now that this is handled, the next step is to go to the other three deans' offices to hand in their refusal notes... She was thinking aimlessly when someone behind her patted her on the shoulder.
"What's up?"
She turned around and found that the person who touched her was Tuttle who came out with her. He seemed to be startled by her as well, and paused for a few seconds before he recovered and looked at the hand on the other person.
Tuttle: "..."
Damn it, how can you shoot so fast at this time!
Seeing Edith frown slightly, his mind suddenly went blank and he spoke without thinking.
"Well, I mean, if you want to learn some advanced spells that are not found in books, you can come to me." Dean Keith's words that vaguely revealed Edith's background made him feel strangely uncomfortable. Tuttle turned his head away as if embarrassed, "Well, what I mean is that many ancient spells are hidden in the hands of the nobles. If you want to go deeper in this field, it will be difficult to rely on school alone."
"My mother studies spells. If you want to, I can teach you. Don't think too much. I don't want to help you. I just don't want others to think that I am relying on my family's glory when I win over you in the future."
"I will definitely defeat you fairly."
Edith raised her eyebrows and looked at the person in front of her with a sense of freshness.
It would be fine if Dean Keith misunderstood that her family was in trouble. After all, she had gone through a clear process when she registered as a civilian. How could this person suddenly misunderstand her?
"The advanced spells you plan to teach me won't be used in the exam." Edith shook her head. "Even if they can be used, you shouldn't use them. They are things left behind by your family. Even if you choose to make them public, you should make them public yourself."
"But...if you really want to fight me fairly on this, you're welcome to sign up for this year's college league."
Edith said calmly. The internal competition of Bo Yunis College was too famous. Even she, who had no interest in fighting, was dragged to watch the two finals. At the finals, all the nobles would be present, and even the queen would be there in person.
If you want to find the flaws of the nobles, that day is the best time.
She will definitely compete, this year.
"You want to sign up?" Tuttle frowned.
"Of course, it's held every two years, once this year and once in the third grade, so I can participate in at least two sessions." Edith said as if it was a matter of course, "If I participate in two sessions, I can get two awards."
Tuttle: "But the college league is a free-for-all. You might run into third- and fourth-year players, or even shameless fifth-year players."
The next second, he seemed to suddenly think of something, his eyes firm: "If you report it, I will report it too."
Edith: “?”
She didn't understand why the person in front of her was still arguing in the previous sentence, but made the same choice in the next sentence, but it didn't matter. With Tuttle's current level, he didn't pose a threat to her.
Edith chuckled, "I'm looking forward to it."
After saying that, she no longer paid attention to the man's attempt to continue chatting, turned around, yawned, and walked away.
......
"You came just in time," Hedda said, standing alone at the edge of the team. Seeing Edith coming late, she curled her lips in time, "I thought you saved the world by the way."
Edith patted her on the back perfunctorily. "Sorry, I'll go to the bookstore to buy adventure novels for you next time I have a day off."
Hedda was coaxed into submission in an instant.
Edith arrived a little late. The teacher had already taken the freshmen around half of the campus and learned the location and arrival point of each teleportation point.
Beunis College is too big to be fully toured in one day, and the teacher did not intend to drag this group of students who were sad about their test scores to continue walking, so he stopped after introducing them to the dormitory.
"That's all for today. I've introduced the teaching area, library, practice field and other study-related facilities. You can explore the rest of the facilities on your own tomorrow." She pushed her glasses and asked another male teacher to take the boys in the team away. She turned around and waved to the remaining girls, "Next, we'll assign dormitories."
"Four people in one room, no exceptions. Don't show off your parents' titles in front of me, it's useless. You choose yourselves first, and I will match the rest."
As soon as she finished speaking, Edith felt countless burning gazes coming from all directions.
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