Volume One, Chapter Two: The Medical Examination Issue

The next morning, at dawn, Chuguang went straight to school. When she arrived at the classroom, everyone was busy working through practice problems, and she felt compelled to sit down and begin solving them as well.

For people like them, ordinary townsfolk, the regional exam was the only way to get into a big city.

The entire class had over sixty students, all neatly arranged at that moment.

After she arrived, Shui Ying patted her on the shoulder. “I heard you had another episode yesterday. How are you? Are you okay?”

Chuguang shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“There’s a physical exam today. Have you eaten breakfast?”

Shui Ying and Chuguang were roommates and had always gotten along well. She knew about Chuguang’s health and pulled out some milk. “We don’t need blood tests, so you can eat breakfast.”

Chuguang understood. “I ate before coming.”

As they spoke, someone working on problems ahead looked up. “Shui Ying, why are you feeding her? She might be leaving today anyway. What a waste.”

The speaker was Wang Ling, one of the top ten in the class.

Chuguang couldn’t remember the names of the others but knew these people harbored deep hostility.

Unlike the college entrance exam, the regional exam was based on ranking.

Chuguang’s scores were solid, while the anxious ones were those just below the admission cutoff line.

Seeing that Chuguang might fail the physical exam, their eyes brimmed with schadenfreude.

Chuguang glanced over. “How do you know I won’t pass the exam?”

“Heh, still pretending? Wang Ling chuckled and wrote a word down: ‘You have a congenital disease, which is practically public knowledge. Orders have come down—fail the physical and get out. Don’t just stand there doing nothing, who are you bothering?’”

The others lowered their heads in silence.

Shui Ying scoffed coldly. “Some people sure talk loudly. Everyone knows what they’re really after: if Chuguang can’t make it, a spot opens up, increasing their chances. Dream on. Besides Chuguang, who else in this school can really make it? Laughing at her won’t get you those coveted urban residency spots.”

“Not for us, and certainly not for her—a level three disabled,” Wang Ling sneered disdainfully.

Shui Ying’s anger flared.

Chuguang pulled her back. “Stop it. Whether I pass or not depends on the examiners. Talking now is pointless.”

Soon, an announcement came for their class.

“Class One, it’s your turn for the talent awakening test. Proceed immediately to the main playground…”

The sixty students in the classroom rose at once and rushed outside. Upon arriving at the playground, many students were already gathered at the testing platform.

The so-called testing platform was simply a circular mechanical stage. Standing on it, a beam of light scanned the body and displayed data on the machine’s screen.

Its accuracy reached 99.99%.

The counselor saw Chuguang and hurried over. “Chuguang, how’s your health? Are you feeling well?”

Chuguang was the most promising candidate of their year. If possible, the counselor hoped she would pass the physical exam.

The others looked on with strange expressions.

Despite her nervousness, Chuguang’s face remained calm as she took a deep, steadying breath.

Just as she was about to step forward, someone shoved ahead. “Teacher, let me go first. Whether Chuguang passes or not, the result is the same. Why waste everyone’s time? Let me test first—I might get in a few more practice problems.”

Shui Ying was about to retort but was stopped by Chuguang. “Let them go first. Even if given a few more months, they still wouldn’t beat me. If they want to cling on desperately, why should you stop them?”

Shui Ying agreed.

Wang Ling sneered silently.

The first student stepped onto the testing platform.

This device was designed to awaken supernatural abilities. Once awakened as a Spirit Master, one could directly settle in big cities.

However, supernatural powers fully awaken before the age of eighteen.

At their age, it was almost certain none had such powers.

The only way into the big cities was through academic achievement.

Chuguang touched her necklace, which still felt warm. Though it had dulled, she didn’t understand why, but her body had never felt so gentle before. The heavy sensation she’d felt earlier disappeared, replaced by a profound comfort.

Yet the physical exam was ultimately machine-based—no one knew if it would detect this change.

One by one, her classmates stepped onto the machine and received their results with bright smiles.

Soon, all had been tested.

Chuguang was the last.

The counselor hesitated. “Chuguang, don’t push yourself. With your grades, you can do well even in Qing City.”

Chuguang was somewhat famous—not for her grades, but for her health condition.

She took a deep breath. Before stepping up, the counselor spoke to the examiners. “This child has some special health issues, a few minor ailments. Please be thorough. Thank you…”

A nearby student snickered. “Teacher, you’re joking, right? Everyone knows Chuguang is fragile, always complaining of pain. Her grades are good, but you can’t just ask the examiners to look away because of that.”

“That’s unfair to the rest of us.”

The counselor was speechless. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“It’s well known she won’t pass the physical exam. Why argue? No matter how much you say, it won’t change that.”

Chuguang shot a glance at the speaker. “Interesting. Tests have always been fair and just. Are you implying the examiners would compromise fairness over a few words?”

The examiners frowned. “Enough. Everyone shut up. Sort out your grudges after the tests. The next class is waiting.”

The speaker gave a sheepish smile.

The examiner looked up. “As usual, before testing, please stand on the awakening platform for a moment. While the chance of awakening powers is low, it’s standard procedure.”

Chuguang inhaled deeply and stepped up.

As soon as she did, the previously silent machine erupted into frantic noise.

The playground buzzed with commotion.

“This machine has never made a sound before. Why now?”

“Obviously, she’s failing her physical exam. Everyone else was fine—why would she cause a problem?”

Amid the curious murmurs were notes of schadenfreude.

The examiner glanced at the machine, surprised, then raised their voice. “Quiet! Wait until she finishes testing!”

“But she can’t possibly pass! The problem was already detected!”

Hearing these sudden voices, Chuguang panicked. Though her body felt comfortable, it was only temporary. According to the textbooks, her health was still deteriorating.