[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-above-the-mage":3,"chapter-above-the-mage-above-the-mage-chapter-120":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Above the Mage!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2257124,4404,"Chapter 120: Admission Task","above-the-mage-chapter-120",120,"\u003Cp>“Jelica is assigned to Master Tang Nade; as for that wild mage, Commissioner Quik, you handle his placement.” Xie Er’s gaze settled on an elderly man seated two seats to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Commissioner Quik nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In one month it’s admissions day. The committee must coordinate all preparations thoroughly—no more blunders like the year before last.” Xie Er’s tone had turned stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than half the people present sat up straight at this, clearly recognizing this matter concerned them directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, this year’s college budget should favor the Potion Department more. Hmm—the additional portion will be deducted from the Rune Department’s allocation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dean, the Rune Department’s budget has already been cut four times—it’s already at rock bottom,” the senior official in charge of budget allocation ventured cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xie Er remained unmoved. “The college’s budget is limited. Those who deliver more get more. Equal distribution is not an option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Rune Department has produced no meaningful contributions or results in years. Reducing its funding is only natural.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.” Clearly awed by Xie Er’s authority, the official immediately submitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a room within the Guest Hall of Seris Magic College.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De sat restlessly, rising from his chair at intervals to pace back and forth in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enduring countless hardships, he had finally reached Shengxi City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though still uncertain, he had to take the risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after spending one night at Hains Hotel, he rented a carriage the next day and traveled out of the city to Seris Mountain, where Seris Magic College stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gao De presented the college staff with his “letter of recommendation,” they were plainly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, they assigned him a room to rest temporarily and said they would deliver the “letter of recommendation” to the dean—final arrangements would be decided by the dean himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Gao De took up residence in the Guest Hall of Seris Magic College, waiting patiently for the college’s final decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited an entire day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, a college staff member came once to verify his age and mage rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, no one else came to see him or inquire about his situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did anyone restrict his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, except for briefly going downstairs to eat a meal, Gao De spent most of his time quietly in his room, going nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving in an unfamiliar place, unaware of the rules and regulations, caution was best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Gao De was still anxious, footsteps returned at last outside his door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And clearly, they were not just one person’s footsteps—there was a disorderly clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De perked up, sensing the moment of decision had finally come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door knocked. Prepared, Gao De opened it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three people stood at the threshold, two in front, one behind—all dressed in the college’s neatly tailored staff uniforms, their chests embroidered with the college’s emblem of honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader was a middle-aged woman with a stern face, radiating undeniable authority; the man beside her was much older and carried less weight of command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man behind them appeared younger and more efficient—clearly a typical “foot soldier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao De?” the woman spoke first, her voice soft yet clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Seris Magic College, Gao De had abandoned his alias “Google Ditu” and used his real name. He stepped aside to let them enter, nodding: “That’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. I’ll speak here and leave,” the woman waved her hand, indicating they could talk at the door. “I’m Commissioner Rachel of the College Committee. We’ve verified your letter of recommendation—it’s valid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao De, age thirteen, Second-Rank Mage Apprentice, admitted via letter of recommendation from the Tenth Dean of this college, Gavin Hog. Per regulations, we will admit you with the highest privileges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Gao De was composed, hearing this news made him breathe a quiet sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was finally done. All his hardship to reach Shengxi City had not been in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De felt a pang of nostalgia. In his past life, had he ever faced such worries?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took an exam, and the acceptance letter arrived naturally—sometimes even delivered personally by school staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here is the map of Seris Magic College.” The woman raised her hand. Behind her, the “foot soldier” hurriedly handed over a bundle of items. The middle-aged woman took them and passed them to Gao De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First came a finely detailed parchment map, meticulously depicting every corner and location of the college.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the college’s rulebook. It contains many important notes—review it often. Don’t break the rules. It’s your own responsibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the key to your room—Zone One, Room Thirty. It’s a beautiful place. I’m sure you’ll like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is your identity badge—the official proof of your student status. Don’t lose it. Replacement costs one gold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, do not lend it out. The badge records your credits, academic progress, and serves as your access authorization. Each student’s privileges differ.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You hold the highest privilege. You may use facilities locked to lower-privilege students, and access knowledge others must pay for—free of charge. There are many privileges. I hope you prove worthy of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lastly, report to Hardship Cliff before eight tomorrow morning to receive your admission task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At Seris Magic College, only after completing the admission task does a new student truly become a member of this college and begin formal coursework. Only then will the college assign you a mentor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One reminder: if you fail the admission task, even with Dean Gavin’s ‘letter of recommendation,’ you cannot be officially admitted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will remember,” Gao De replied respectfully, though still unclear about what the admission task entailed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place where everyone was immeasurably stronger than him, maintaining proper respect could never hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commissioner Rachel nodded in satisfaction, stepped aside, revealing the elderly man who had stood silently beside her, studying Gao De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Lar has something to discuss with you. Talk it out—I’ll leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Rachel added one final warning to the elder: “Remember what the dean instructed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lar gave a slight nod, expressing gratitude to Rachel and assuring her: “Rest assured. I will not violate any college rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De watched silently, a flicker of suspicion and a bad premonition rising within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a newcomer—why would college leadership want to speak with him? Clearly, they had ill intent. Gao De muttered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the overall atmosphere remained civil, so his composure held steady, his expression showing no trace of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you two talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commissioner Rachel glanced at Gao De’s still youthful face, sighed faintly in her heart, and departed with the “foot soldier” behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1106,"2026-06-19T14:28:48.629Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b5aa682cea169b3299aae041584aeafc6265058f1ef3164838d92fbd443d4b9b","above-the-mage-chapter-121","above-the-mage-chapter-119",529,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabove-the-mage-cover.jpg"]