Physical mage, challenge me to a solo duel!

School Magic Hall.

On the stands, gongs and drums resounded, magic spells played, school flags fluttered, and the crowds were immense.

They used the fireball spell like fireworks, throwing it into the sky with a series of popping sounds.

The Magic Hall is a circular building, much like a stadium, with concentric rings of stands surrounding it.

However, the interior of the magic hall is built with special arenas, the main body of which is constructed from materials that have a strong ability to withstand magic.

At this moment, Bai Jingting, the principal of Lanling Magic High School, sat in the center of the stage, with the admissions leaders of Imperial Capital Magic University, Imperial Capital Magic Medical University, Huaxia Magic Military University, and Huaxia Magic Military University sitting next to him.

The two annual final exams also serve as an opportunity for the magic university to conduct a preliminary inspection, or rather, to scout out its location.

There are three main ways to get students into the magic university: through the unified entrance examination, internal recruitment, and direct admission.

The unified examination is a standardized test for all senior high school students. It involves multiple rounds of selection, including written tests, martial arts tests, and departmental tests. Those who pass the final test are admitted.

These students are the main force and the largest group at the magic university.

Internal admissions means that the magic university identifies its preferred students from the magic high school in advance and admits them directly without having to take an exam.

These students are often exceptionally talented and powerful mages, and there are even cases where multiple magic universities compete for them.

"Recommendation" means that the magic high school recommends the magic university. These spots are a benefit that the magic university bestows upon the magic high school, and it's an unspoken agreement.

Of course, there can't be many of these spots; at most one or two a year, and many magic high schools don't even have the qualification to offer them.

Furthermore, the magic university also has minimum standards for students admitted through the recommendation system. These students can be slightly weaker than those admitted based on merit through the unified entrance examination, but they cannot be too much weaker.

Students with mediocre performance will not be admitted even if they are recommended for admission.

However, magic high schools wouldn't do something so foolish as to waste their spots. Even with the strongest connections, students with average talent wouldn't get a recommendation. So, students who are recommended are basically guaranteed admission to the magic university they've been accepted to.

"Dear students, the year 96 of the Magic Calendar is coming to an end, and our semester is also drawing to a close..."

On the stage, Bai Jingting's deep voice resonated throughout the entire Magic Hall via microphone:

"This semester, you have studied diligently, strived hard, worked diligently, and forged ahead with determination, shedding countless drops of sweat and overcoming numerous difficulties. Now, let us give ourselves a round of flowers and applause—a recognition of your efforts!"

Amid cheers and shouts, thunderous applause resounded throughout the audience.

After a moment, Bai Jingting waved his hand to signal, and after the applause subsided, he continued, "This competition at the end of the semester is to give you a stage to showcase yourselves."

A young man should soar to great heights, reaching for the stars and chasing the sun.

Your brilliance, dormant for a semester, is about to burst forth, shine, and dazzle!

Applause rang out again, and Bai Jingting began to stir up the emotions of many students.

"Before the competition begins, allow me to introduce the people next to you." Bai Jingting raised his hand and began by introducing the person next to him on his left: "This is Lieutenant General Xie Yuanyu, the director of the admissions department of Huaxia Magic Military University."

Xie Yuanyu was an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties. He was wearing a sky-blue military uniform and had a robust build. After Bai Jingting finished his introduction, he greeted the students very kindly.

"This is Lieutenant General Chu Guangguo, the director of the admissions department of the Huaxia Magic Military University," Bai Jingting continued, introducing the second person on the left.

Compared to Xie Yuanyu, Chu Guangguo was much younger, around forty years old. He wore a crisp black military uniform, and his face was as cold and stern as if carved by a knife, exuding a unique and murderous aura.

After the two on the left finished their introductions, Bai Jingting moved to the right: "This is Director Zhuo Yancheng of the Admissions Department of the Imperial Capital Magic University, and Director Kou Ganlin of the Admissions Department of the Imperial Capital Magical Medical University."

Zhuo Yancheng looked to be in his fifties, somewhat portly, and nodded to the students with a smile. Kou Ganlin was in his forties, his hair neatly combed, and his gaze quickly swept over the students.

Generally speaking, tasks like taking the final exams at magic high schools are handled by regular teachers in the admissions department. If a magic high school has a good academic ranking, the most they might get is a deputy director.

The fact that the admissions directors of these four top magic universities gathered at Lanling Magic High School was clearly out of respect for Bai Jingting, this extraordinary mage.

After introducing everyone, Bai Jingting got straight to the point: "Then, the individual competition for Lanling Magic High School will begin immediately."

"Hello, teachers and students." A tall girl walked onto the stage. She was wearing a tracksuit, and her long hair was simply tied in a ponytail. She looked very neat and tidy.

After greeting everyone, she continued, "I am Ma Xiaoting from Class 1 of Senior Three. I am honored to have this opportunity to host this event."

After a brief self-introduction, Ma Xiaoting began to earnestly perform her task: "A total of thirty-one students have signed up for this individual competition, including three from the first year of high school, eight from the second year of high school, and twenty from the third year of high school."

We will use random matching, with two players battling each other in multiple rounds until the final three are determined.

The first round is the competition to narrow down the field from 31 to 16. One lucky winner will receive a bye and automatically advance to the next round.

So, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the two students in the opening match: Ma Botao from Class 1 of Senior 3, versus Wang Jiang from Class 3 of Senior 1.

As Ma Xiaoting finished speaking, Wang Jiang, carrying a long halberd on his shoulder, slowly walked onto the arena.

Looking at the imposing halberd on the general's shoulder, Ma Botao asked Ma Xiaoting, somewhat bewildered, "Xiaoting, is this... compliant with regulations?"

Having studied at Lanling Magic High School for so long, Ma Botao has experienced four final battles, and even participated in one himself, so his experience is quite rich.

It's not that no one uses weapons in the competition, but at most they use short weapons like brass knuckles, boxing gloves, daggers, and military daggers. But this is the first time I've seen such a powerful long weapon.

Ma Xiaoting gave Ma Botao a very subtle glare before beginning to explain the competition rules: "During the battle, it is forbidden to use magic crystals to restore magic power, and it is forbidden to intentionally harm or kill others."

The match ends when either fighter falls off the ring, voluntarily surrenders, loses the ability to fight, loses consciousness, or is rescued by the referee. Both fighters must stop immediately.

Ma Botao scratched his head. There were only two prohibited rules in the competition, and he understood that the weapon used by the freshman opposite him was obviously compliant.

"Now, please welcome referee Mr. Shen Yuan to the stage."

The gaunt Shen Yuan stepped onto the arena. There was no other way; as a support mage, he was a professional at protecting others, and the referee's position was the most suitable.

Ma Botao had spent three years at the school and was quite familiar with the teachers. He moved closer to Shen Yuan and whispered, "This year's freshman is really brave, Teacher Shen. You'd better protect him later."

Shen Yuan gave Ma Botao a deep look, but said nothing more.

He had learned about the achievements of these new students in Lingnan Shaqiao.

Shen Yuan knew perfectly well who he would protect later.

Taking the microphone from Ma Xiaoting, Shen Yuan said, "With me on the sidelines and Director Zhang from the Medical Department backing us up, all the participating students can give it their all."

"Now, get ready."

Wang Jiang and Ma Botao stood at opposite ends of the arena.

"The match begins!"