Qualification Testing

The line gradually shortened, and Zhou Ke turned his attention to the test ahead.

"Bro, this second round is called the [Aptitude Test]. It's a one-on-one match against another student," Zhang Yang explained, glancing at the setup for the second round.

"But it’s only for evaluation—no one gets eliminated. Losing doesn’t matter."

Zhou Ke looked ahead as well.

The person overseeing the second round was a senior female student.

She had short hair, fair skin, and an exceptionally beautiful appearance, dressed in elegant and ornate clothing.

Many freshmen cast eager glances her way, and a few bold guys even tried striking up conversations.

However, the girl remained indifferent, her expression icy.

She ignored all attempts at friendliness, methodically organizing the freshmen for their tests.

As Zhou Ke got closer, he noticed a small badge pinned to the collar of her uniform—a heart-shaped ruby brooch.

His gaze lingered for a moment.

"Hey, bro, don’t tell me you’re checking out senior sister Zhuang?" Zhang Yang had clearly noticed Zhou Ke’s stare.

"Don’t even think about it! She’s famously known as the ‘Ice Queen’ of the school—proud, aloof, and cold as ice."

"Yeah, she’s gorgeous, but good luck getting close to her. I’ve heard no guy has ever been seen by her side."

Zhou Ke averted his eyes. "I was just looking at that badge on her chest."

Zhang Yang nodded. "Oh! That thing? It’s the emblem of one of the Four Great Noble Families. Just like Ye Lingtian’s [Ye Family], senior sister Zhuang is from the [Zhuang Family], another of the Four Great Nobles."

"The Ye Family is known for their [Spade] Divine Card, while the Zhuang Family represents the [Heart] suit."

"So, their family emblems match their respective symbols."

The line continued to shrink until it was finally Zhang Yang’s turn.

"My turn, bro. I’m up for the second test."

Zhang Yang stepped forward.

"Stand here," senior sister Zhuang’s voice was frigid.

Following her instructions, Zhang Yang positioned himself in front of a testing device—a large computer with a connected helmet.

"Put it on." The short-haired senior still refused to waste a single word.

Zhang Yang obediently sat down, placing the helmet on his head.

Across from the computer, another helmet was set up. Soon, another student took the seat opposite him.

This student was dressed just as lavishly.

Zhou Ke noticed that he, too, wore a noble family badge—this one shaped like intertwined vines forming a [Spade].

If Zhou Ke remembered correctly, wasn’t that the emblem of the Ye Family?

The boy across from Zhang Yang wore a haughty expression. "A minor noble like you dares to compete with me?"

"Damn it! Why did I get paired with Ye Lingtian?! There’s no way I can win..."

Zhang Yang looked like he wanted to cry but forced a smile, extending a hand.

"Brother Ye! Nice to meet you!"

Ye Lingtian glanced disdainfully at Zhang Yang’s attire. "I don’t shake hands with minor nobles."

Zhang Yang’s smile faded as he awkwardly withdrew his hand.

"Student, the test is arranged by the school. Please wear the helmet," senior sister Zhuang shot Ye Lingtian a sharp glare, her tone even sterner.

"And refrain from making classist remarks."

Ye Lingtian looked up at her, irritation flashing in his eyes as if he wanted to retort.

But when his gaze landed on the badge on her chest, he lowered his head and stayed silent.

He put on the helmet.

With a few taps on the computer by senior sister Zhuang, Zhang Yang and Ye Lingtian vanished in an instant.

She cleared her throat. "Next."

Zhou Ke took a deep breath and stepped forward.

At the same time, another student approached the seat opposite him.

This one wore a black hooded cloak, their face hidden.

What kind of outfit was this? A bit edgy.

As Zhou Ke moved forward, senior sister Zhuang unexpectedly lifted her head slightly and spoke to him directly:

"You’re the one with a magic level of 43?"

The moment she asked, gasps erupted from the students behind him.

"Wait, did I hear that right?"

"Senior sister Zhuang actually initiated a conversation with a guy?"

"This guy isn’t even from a major noble family. What gives?"

Unsure how to respond, Zhou Ke simply nodded.

Senior sister Zhuang ignored the murmurs entirely, pulling a business card from her pocket and handing it to Zhou Ke.

"I hope you’ll consider joining the [Crimson Heart Society]. It’s one of the school’s top three clubs. Here’s my card."

The crowd exploded with chatter.

"What?! She’s inviting him to join the Crimson Heart Society?"

"I’ve never seen senior sister Zhuang recruit a freshman before."

"Wow, the sun must be rising from the west. The Ice Queen’s persona is crumbling."

Senior sister Zhuang glared at the line of freshmen.

Miraculously, they fell silent instantly—not a single word dared to follow.

Zhou Ke took the card and read:

[Zhuang Xingyao, Heart Jack of the Divine Card, President of the Crimson Heart Society, Elite Cup Champion, Heir to the Heart Scepter]

He didn’t fully understand, but it sounded impressive.

He pocketed the card. "I’ll think about it."

Dozens of eyes burned into Zhou Ke’s back, as if they wanted to tear him apart.

"He’ll ‘think about it’?"

"Which family is this guy from, acting so arrogant?"

"Rumor says he’s just a commoner."

"Does he even realize what he’s saying?"

"Damn, my biggest dream since enrolling was to join the Crimson Heart Society someday, and he’s ‘considering’ it?"

"Magic level 43... Life’s just unfair."

Zhou Ke tuned out the noise behind him.

"Alright, both of you, please sit at the computer and put on the helmets."

"This is the second round of the entrance exam—the [Aptitude Test]."

"Once the system selects the test criteria, you’ll be transported to the examination site."

Zhou Ke placed the helmet on his head.

The cloaked figure did the same.

Zhou Ke noticed a [Simulated Wheel] on the computer screen, each segment labeled with a different attribute—

Strength, Intelligence, Luck, Psychology...

Zhuang Xingyao gave the wheel a light spin.

It whirled rapidly before gradually slowing down.

Finally, the pointer landed on one segment—

Luck.

"The test criteria for this round is: Luck."

"As the saying goes, luck is also a part of strength."

"In this assessment, the student with superior luck will be the winner."

"Prepare yourselves. Three, two, one—"

"You will now be transported to the examination site."

With a tap from Zhuang Xingyao, Zhou Ke felt the world around him twist violently.

It reminded him of the sensation when he had teleported with Professor Chen Yun—an intense compression, as if he were being squeezed through a narrow space.

His entire body ached, and breathing became difficult.

Then—

The air suddenly cleared.

Zhou Ke looked around. He had arrived in a new place.