Chapter 11: The Annual Assessment – Sparks of Fate
"Okay, stop shouting. The assessment starts now! Anyone who makes noise again will be disqualified!"The bald examiner's deep voice cut through the murmuring crowd like thunder. Even the most arrogant students fell silent. The air itself seemed tense, trembling with anticipation.
Han Sen stood quietly near the back with Mo Fan and Zhang Xiaohou. Beside them, Mu Bai adjusted his sleeves, his eyes glinting coldly as he leaned toward Mo Fan.
"I really want to see Miss Mu Ningxue's expression when she watches you get expelled in front of the whole school," Mu Bai whispered venomously. "She'll regret ever thinking of running away with a loser like you."
Mo Fan turned his head, his face calm but his tone dripping with mockery."You have bad breath, and I can't smell crap. Don't get so close to me."
Mu Bai's jaw tightened, his fingers clenching.Let this kid laugh while he still can.
That day years ago still haunted him—the day Mo Fan had pinned him into the mud, beaten him bloody in front of Mu Ningxue. That humiliation had never faded. Today, he would return the favor—before her very eyes.
Rumors said that Mu Ningxue, along with Mu Zhuoyun, would be attending this annual assessment. If Mo Fan was expelled in front of her, his reputation would be reduced to ashes.
And the school didn't take kindly to slackers.
It was normal for weak students to be quietly asked to leave, their departure unannounced. But for those whose stardust barely grew at all after a whole year of training… the school made an example of them—publicly, brutally.
Han Sen listened silently, his gaze unreadable. He knew this system well—public humiliation as motivation. But he also knew something else: Mo Fan wasn't weak. He was just waiting for his storm.
As the wind stirred the flags above the training field, Tang Yue appeared at the edge of the stage, arms folded, eyes scanning the crowd with sharp interest. Her calm presence silenced even the loudest students.
"The annual assessment begins now!" the bald examiner announced.
Thirty classes began simultaneously, each around its own massive Star-Sense Stone. The process was simple—students would touch the black crystal, meditate, and allow the stone to display the brightness of their stardust. The stronger the glow, the higher the grade: D, C, B, A, and S.
Each student had three attempts. Their best result would be recorded.
The first student, He Yu, stepped forward nervously, trembling under the crowd's gaze.
"You can start," said the bald examiner.
"Come on, He Yu! We believe in you!" called Xue Musheng from the side.
"It's okay even if you don't do well!" added the friendly dorm leader Jianhua.
He Yu nodded, eyes shut tight as she pressed her palm to the cold Star-Sense Stone. For a heartbeat, there was only silence. Then—light bloomed.
A faint glow spread through the stone, first dim like morning mist, then flaring brighter—white, then silver, then near golden. Gasps rose from the crowd as the light flooded outward, illuminating the entire platform.
All three examiners spoke almost simultaneously:"Grade: A!"
He Yu opened her eyes in disbelief. "Really? I—I'm A?!"
The crowd erupted.
"Oh my god, A-rank!""She was crying earlier—I thought she'd fail!""Never trust a timid girl again. She's a monster in disguise!"
Han Sen smiled faintly. Interesting. She's improving faster than the simulator predicted.
Even Tang Yue nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Her control is stable. She's focused."
Xue Musheng looked proud. "Excellent start. This class may reach the top three this year."
"Next—Zhang Xiaohou!" the examiner called.
Zhang Xiaohou froze. "Ah? So fast?"
"Go," Mo Fan said quietly, clapping his shoulder. "Remember, keep calm and focus."
"Don't act like a wise old man," Zhao Kunsan snorted. "It's making me sick."
Mo Fan rolled his eyes. "Kunsan, is your mouth permanently on repeat mode?"
The examiner coughed sharply. "Quiet!"
Zhang Xiaohou hurried forward and pressed his hand to the stone. A faint green glow shimmered—then brightened steadily, swirling like a miniature storm. The light spread across the surface, forming delicate wind-like patterns.
"Grade: B+," the examiner declared.
Zhang Xiaohou grinned from ear to ear. "Haha, not bad! Brother Fan, I'm not trash after all!"
"Good job," Mo Fan said, hiding a small smile.
Tang Yue noted his result. "Wind affinity—stable. Average growth. But his mental control is remarkable for a first-year."
As more students tested, grades filled the record: C, C+, B, A-. Murmurs grew. Everyone waited for Mu Bai's turn.
When he finally stepped forward, a hush fell.
Mu Bai's hand touched the stone—and instantly, cold light burst forth, pale blue-white like frozen lightning. Frost crawled across the ground, glittering under the light.
The crowd gasped.
"Grade: A+," said the bald examiner solemnly.
Cheers erupted. Zhao Kunsan pumped his fist. "That's my bro! That's my Mu Bai!"
Tang Yue smiled faintly. "Impressive control for his level."
Mu Bai turned slightly, eyes landing on Mo Fan. "Try not to embarrass yourself when your turn comes."
Mo Fan didn't answer. But Han Sen noticed the faint flicker of electricity in his friend's eyes.
Finally, the examiner called, "Next, Mo Fan!"
The crowd turned. Whispers rippled. Everyone knew his reputation—the underachiever, the one who never improved.
Han Sen folded his arms and muttered under his breath, "Time to change their minds."
Mo Fan approached the Star-Sense Stone slowly, placing his hand upon it. For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then—crackle!
A faint blue spark flashed across the stone's surface, so quick it was almost invisible. The crowd snickered.
"Is that all?" someone laughed.
But the bald examiner frowned. He could feel it—an extremely concentrated energy, suppressed, coiled tight like a predator waiting to strike.
The light on the stone pulsed once, then twice, before dimming again.
"Grade: B…" the examiner said slowly, "but… thunder-element fluctuation detected."
The crowd fell silent. Even Tang Yue's eyes narrowed slightly.
Han Sen smirked. "Well played, Mo Fan. Hiding lightning behind calm."
Mu Bai clenched his fists. Impossible… he's improving this fast?
As the assessment continued, storm clouds rolled overhead. Thunder echoed faintly, a reflection of the unseen power awakening among them.
Tang Yue watched the three boys—Mu Bai, Mo Fan, and Han Sen—her eyes glinting with realization. "Interesting… three different thunders. Three different destinies."
Lightning split the sky in two, and the annual assessment of Tianlan Magic High became the first spark that would ignite a storm across the entire city.