In fact, Audrey wasn't the only one shocked; Noe Rose was also completely bewildered, her squinted eyes wide open as she rubbed her eight eyes one by one, wondering if she had squinted for too long and damaged her vision.
Because she was worried about her Little Ati, she didn't leave the entire time, but watched the exam unfold.
At first, she kept her gaze fixed on Audrey, and her Little Ati's performance did not disappoint her.
She was able to answer more than half of the questions correctly.
This was not easy, after all, her exam paper had a perfect score of 100. A score of 10 was considered a normal student, 20 was a top student, 30 was a genius, and Audrey's score was estimated to be around 60, just barely reaching the passing mark.
For a Little Witch who was only 16 years old, this was an astonishing level. Audrey was indeed worthy of her title as the most talented individual in her family for nearly a thousand years. Such a knowledge reserve was already comparable to some excellent graduates of previous years.
However...
Noe Rose only remembered that another student was also taking the exam after Audrey had almost finished her paper. Driven by her meager sense of teacher responsibility, she casually glanced over. This one glance, however, made her unable to look away, and she even forgot about her Little Ati afterwards.
There was nothing she could do; who could blame her? That troublesome student was just too terrifying!
When Noe Rose looked over, she happened to see the troublesome student beginning to create a puppet. It was fine when she didn't look, but once she did, she was startled. After all, those component structures were too familiar to her; this was clearly the same craftsmanship she used when creating the experimental Giant God Puppets displayed on the first floor.
Although those Giant God Puppets were failures to her, a master Puppeteer, even these failed works were highly sought after outside, absolute high-end manufacturing rarities.
Every year, just by dealing with these "failed works" that she deemed unsatisfactory, she could generate massive profits for the school. This was also why the school tolerated her, an idle teacher who only took funding but didn't accept students, for so long. The income she earned was far more than the funding she requested; otherwise, no one would truly support an idler.
But what did she see now? A 16-year-old Little Witch freshman, who had just enrolled, simply passed through her warehouse, and she immediately learned these Puppetrys?
Good heavens, where did this wild prodigy come from? Does she have some kind of unique Demonic Eye?
Noe Rose thought to herself.
In the Witch World, some talented Demonesses can awaken powerful abilities called Demonic Eyes. These miraculous eyes have a wide variety of functions, and some extremely powerful ones are practically cheat-like existences. For example, her Little Ati, Audrey, possesses a famous Demonic Eye called "Domination."
Noe Rose had heard people say before that some Demonic Eyes could shamelessly plagiarize others' research achievements, for example, a magic spell you painstakingly researched would become theirs just by them looking at it. This was very enviable, Greed-inducing, and hateful. Bah, no, it was very shameless.
Now she suspected that this Little Witch might also possess such a "free-loading" Demonic Eye, capable of acquiring her Puppetry just by looking at it.
Fortunately, as she continued to watch, she relaxed. While the initial appearance and basic structure of the crafts were similar, when it came to creating the core Puppet Heart, the Little Witch was already using a completely different technique from her own.
Hmm, so, the good news was that her core technique hadn't been freeloaded, but the bad news was that her normally proud and confident technique had truly been seen through with just a glance.
Damn it, it would have been better if it was a Demonic Eye cheat, Little Ati, you're making me look like a fool.
Realizing that the other party's craft wasn't truly stolen from her, Noe Rose shifted her gaze and stopped peeking at the prodigy Little Witch's technique.
Demonesses have always prioritized the protection of intellectual property. Stealing or pirating others' research achievements is a grave sin in the Witch World. Even as a proctor, she could not casually observe others' techniques. This was a matter of principle.
Although she had always lacked professional ethics, it was because she never truly considered herself a teacher. She had only agreed to Brewster Academy's invitation and signed on because being affiliated with the school made it more convenient to communicate with other academic giants. Her true essence remained that of a Puppeteerobsessed with Puppetry, a researcher, a scholar.
Her pride as a scholar prevented her from doing something as undignified as peeking at a student's technique, even though the technique this student was now displaying was a completely new one that she had never seen before, making her very curious.
"Anyway, there's still plenty of time. I'll just ask her to exchange techniques later."
The Spider Witch thought to herself.
At this moment, she had already acknowledged the ability of this seemingly troublesome Demoness student. With this one Puppetryalone, she was already sufficient to pass the exam.
Such talent had already given her the idea of taking her as a disciple. In a sense, this one seemed even more suitable to be her successor than her Little Ati. After all, her Little Ati was an artist and not very suited for her War-specialized Puppetry.
Before, she had no choice, but now she wanted a better disciple.
She just didn't know which Puppeteer family this troublesome girl came from. After all, taking a disciple would definitely require notifying their parents.
As one of the top Puppeteers in the world, Noe Rose was intimately familiar with other Puppeteer families. However, the technique this student had just displayed was not in her memory. Could it be the disciple of some reclusive old geezer? That would be troublesome.
But no matter, I'm determined to have this student. If they don't give her up, then I'll just take her by force. Anyway, below the Apex Witch, my puppet army is invincible, they can do whatever they want.
Noe Rose thought to herself. Demonesses were just that willful.
However, the Puppetry was not all; the architectural prowess the other party later displayed was even more astonishing to Noe Rose. Although this complex architectural method was somewhat overly cumbersome in the eyes of an architectural master like herself, she had to admit that she was very satisfied with the final product.
Especially the design of the structure; it had a lot of character, subtly showing the style of a master. If she hadn't seen this Little Witch build it with her own eyes, she might have thought it was the work of some great master.
However, this palace seemed to be in the style of those immortals from the East. This was quite rare.
The Witch World is only the overlord of the West Universe, and across the vast Void Sea, there is also the East Universe, primarily inhabited by immortals. Those immortals created a powerful civilization even older and more prosperous than the Witch World. Legend has it that in the early stages of the Demonesses' rise, they even received help from immortals who had journeyed there.
However, over the past tens of thousands of years, the Void Sea has experienced frequent storms, making it difficult for even powerful immortals or Demonesses to cross. Therefore, exchanges between the East and West Worlds have become rare. A Demoness with insufficient knowledge might not even know of the immortals' existence.
Indeed, this Little Ati has an impressive background.
(Just background, used to enrich the world view. This book should not involve the East Universe, simply digging a hole for future use in writing Xianxia themes.)
In short, Noe Rose now liked this troublesome girl more and more. What was originally a rather distasteful heavy makeup now, in her eyes, was just part of the Little Witch's personality.
Well, young people, what's wrong with having some personality? Someone so talented at such a young age, let alone just wearing heavy makeup, even if she went out without clothes, she would only be leading the trend of the times.
The Spider Witch thought to herself.
Alright, she admitted it was a bit of a double standard, but what's wrong with being a Demon Witch and having double standards? She just looks down on failures and favors geniuses. If you don't like it, hit me.
"Teacher, I'm done. Here's my paper."
The voice of her dear beloved disciple interrupted the Spider Witch's wandering thoughts. Noe Rose walked forward with a truly gentle smile and took the exam paper. For a moment, she even forgot that her cute Little Ati next to her had also finished long ago.
"Let me see."
Because she hadn't paid attention to her beloved disciple's written exam portion before, Noe Rose didn't know how she had done on the theoretical questions.
But it didn't matter.
With that kind of craftsmanship, even if she turned in a blank paper for the theory, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.
However...
"Uh..."
Looking at the densely written exam paper in her hand, the Spider Witch's hand trembled. Her eight eyes widened again, but this time, what was revealed was not killing intent and indifference, but shock and bewilderment. And perhaps because her eyes were so wide, she not only didn't look terrifying but even a little cute.
After a long while, after repeatedly checking the exam paper, Noe Roseforcibly regained her composure.
My goodness, a perfect score. Where did this prodigy come from? This couldn't be some old geezer pretending to be young and playing a prank on me, could it?
How could any Little Witch possibly get a perfect score on this devilishly difficult exam? Could it be that she hasn't eaten, drunk, slept, or rested since birth, just constantly studying?
"Master, please put away your divine powers. Don't joke with me. I'm really not planning to slack off this year. I'm genuinely serious about recruiting students."
The Spider Witch looked at the obedient black-skinned hot girl in front of her and said cautiously.
The Spider Witch was in trepidation...
I've written 5000 words today, not a single drop left. Damn it, I still have a fairy tale to write tonight.