The test paper was a very standard folio size.
If based on the size of a typical Talisman, it could probably only hold eight Talismans at most.
However, there was only one Talisman frame on the test paper; if written inside, only one Talisman could be written.
Zheng Qing couldn't help but look around.
Everyone was seriously dealing with the paper in their hands.
Forget it.
Zheng Qing held his brush, filled it with ink, dabbed it on the inkstone, calmed his mind, and the first Talisman from the Talisman Post naturally appeared in his mind.
Light touch, heavy lift, free control of release.
In less than ten seconds, a complex Talisman lay perfectly within the frame. Since it didn't require spiritual infusion, this Talisman was considered complete.
The test paper seemed to sense something; the surface of the paper rippled slightly, and the completed Talisman slowly seeped into the test paper, disappearing from view. In the blank space next to the Talisman frame, a crimson symbol "1" appeared.
Zheng Qing suddenly understood. He dipped his brush in the inkwell and began to draw the second Talisman.
Time passed by minute by minute.
On the podium, Zhang Huaigu turned the hourglass in her hand.
An hour had already passed.
A restless stir quietly emerged in the originally silent grand lecture hall.
The new students began to silently exchange glances, trying to find a hint of inspiration in their friends' eyes.
Even the few serious-looking top students in the first row hadn't moved their pens for nearly ten minutes.
Lecturer Zhang nodded. She also felt that this was basically the limit for this batch of new students.
Past baseline tests usually lasted about an hour; for the remaining two hours, the Lecturer would randomly comment on some new students' Talisman structures and writing errors.
Thinking of this, she walked down from the podium and began her pre-collection inspection.
If everyone stopped writing, she would end the examination.
As expected.
Almost everyone had already put down their pens and were frowning, racking their brains for unreliable memories.
For Zhang Huaigu, this meant the examination was over.
The University's certification standard for qualified Talisman Studies students was the ability to proficiently recall and write three hundred and sixty-five commonly used Talismans from memory.
Even if it took an extra second to think while writing, it was still not proficient!
If First University approved such unproficient students, the Wizarding World would question the University's professionalism.
This was absolutely not allowed.
With these strict thoughts, Zhang Huaigu walked to the last row of the classroom.
Then, she saw a new student.
A very proficient new student.
Like all new students, this new student wore a proper red academic robe, with the collar buttons and waist silk sash neatly tied according to the school regulations.
This new student's face was slightly round, and his eyebrows were not thick, but paired with his bright eyes, they conveyed a stubborn Qi.
At this moment, he was tightly pursing his lips, fully focused on outlining a Talisman.
On the test paper, the crimson number had already jumped to three hundred and forty-nine.
Three hundred and forty-nine!
Zhang Huaigu's heart seized, and she almost gasped aloud—this was already the best score in previous years! It had almost reached the requirements of a Registered Wizard!
Her powerful Wizard mental fortitude allowed her to maintain a calm demeanor.
The Talisman the new student was outlining with his brush was very familiar to her; it was the E-numbered Talisman from the Zhen System under Yang Yao conditions.
Many fourth-year older students would not even learn this Talisman. This was because this Talisman was too profound, falling within the scope of study for Registered Wizards.
However, this new student perfectly presented this Talisman on the test paper with proficient technique.
Yes, proficient and perfect.
It took less than ten seconds, there wasn't a single error in the Talisman's outline, and the control of the overlapping strokes was so natural it made one want to cry.
Lecturer Zhang's delicate eyebrows furrowed together, contrasting with her fair and gentle face, making her appear exceptionally refined.
Her fingers behind her back lightly traced, drawing a string of Talismans in the air.
This was a simple barrier, which could protect the new student from external disturbances.
The Talisman left her hand, transforming into a halo of light that enveloped him.
Zhang Huaigu stood quietly beside the male student, without a hint of impatience.
Time flowed by minute by minute.
More and more students slumped and put down their pens, beginning to stare blankly at their test papers.
The Lecturer had not spoken, nor had she collected the papers.
Soon, the clever students, following Lecturer Zhang's gaze, saw the only student still writing furiously in the classroom.
Then, more and more eyes gathered on that slender figure.
Whispers spread through the classroom along with curious glances.
Zheng Qing's identity as a Publicly Funded Student was revealed and quickly spread.
A sense of understanding was added to those scrutinizing gazes.
Immediately after, a strange, envious atmosphere permeated the air.
The Lecturer in the back row of the classroom remained silent, only quietly watching Zheng Qing, who was focused on drawing Talismans.
Zheng Qing was completely unaware of this.
Not only because his mind was extremely focused and clear of distractions while drawing Talismans, but also because of the simple barrier Zhang Huaigu had cast around him.
One hour.
Two hours.
Three hours.
When three hours and nine minutes had passed, Zheng Qing finally put down his purple-tipped brush.
One minute earlier than expected; if he were at home, his teacher would probably praise him! Maybe he would even cook some of his signature dishes for him!
He thought proudly, then began to flex his fingers, rotate his shoulders and neck, and simply stretched his limbs following the 'No-Fist' routine—this was his habit after every Talisman practice.
As he put down his pen and began to stretch, everyone in the classroom let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally finished!
Zheng Qing thought so.
The other students thought so.
Zhang Huaigu also thought so.
She retracted the protective barrier and looked at Zheng Qing.
"Are you finished?" Instructor Zhang's tone was very gentle.
"Finished." Zheng Qing handed over his paper, feeling a little uneasy as he looked at the ambiguous glances around him: "Am I the slowest?"
"It is a bit over time." The Lecturer's tone was unexpectedly kind: "How many did you recall?"
"One thousand two hundred and ninety-six." He was indeed the slowest, Zheng Qing was a little dejected, and honestly reported the number: "I only learned this many."
"Good." The Lecturer took the paper, waved her hand to signal everyone: "Class dismissed, everyone worked hard this class!"
Then she hurried out of the classroom, carrying a large stack of test papers.
Because she walked too fast, she stumbled when stepping down from the podium, almost falling.
After watching Lecturer Zhang leave, the classroom immediately erupted into a clamor.
Whoosh, a large group of new students rushed to the back of the classroom, surrounding Zheng Qing, startling him.
"One thousand three hundred! You're something!" Xin Fatty frowned, with a bitter expression: "And you acted like you knew nothing in front of me, do you know how annoying that is!"
"The International Wizard Federation only announced one thousand two hundred and ninety-six valid Talismans, where did you get one thousand three hundred? If you're stupid, don't talk so much." Xiao Xiao opened his black notebook and looked at Xin Fatty with disdain.
"You're not stupid, how many did you write?" Xin Fatty glanced at him.
Xiao Xiao promptly shut his mouth.
"Should I borrow a pen and enshrine it in the dorm?" Zhang Jixin yelled excitedly from the other side, reaching out to grab Zheng Qing's purple-tipped brush.
"Eating his brain would probably have a better effect." Xin Fatty seriously rubbed Zheng Qing's head.
Through the other people's brief explanations, Zheng Qing finally understood what had happened.
Besides him, the most any other new student, Liu Feifei, had recalled was only over two hundred Talismans.
According to Xiao Xiao's explanation, throughout First University's long history, the most any new student had ever completed was three hundred and sixty Talismans.
In other words, he had broken the University's record.
A huge sense of relief filled his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Truly worthy of a Publicly Funded Student!"
"So amazing!"
"Now I finally know why you received that invitation."
Almost every male student leaving the classroom would pat his shoulder, praising him with envious looks.
And the female students would continuously size him up with curious and bold gazes.
Zheng Qing felt his face had never been so red.