The next day, at the academy's training grounds, all the new students were gathered.
One of them asked, "What's going on? Weren't the interviews over? We even picked our mentors. Why is there another test?"
Someone else agreed. "Yeah, I thought we were about to start classes."
From the crowd, a teasing voice rang out. "I've got some inside info. Want to hear it? Just kidding. I'm not telling."
Suddenly a beautiful woman with purple hair stepped onto the stage. Her voice was stern. "I know you all have a lot of questions. You're wondering why, after meeting your mentors, we're holding this academy-wide test."
Her expression turned grim. "Yesterday an urgent report came from the front lines. The demon tribe has intensified their assault. The fortress on the third wall's outer ring is in critical danger. The academy has received orders to quickly dispatch a new wave of reinforcements to the front."
Hearing this, the students below erupted into panicked chatter. "The front lines? We just enrolled. Aren't we supposed to study and train first?"
The female instructor snapped back. "If the nest is destroyed, can the egg survive? If that fortress falls, the demon vanguard will march straight to Fuan City. Do you think you can train peacefully in the academy then?"
She clenched her fist, her voice booming with authority. "This is not a request. It's a draft. In humanity's time of crisis, no one gets to stand on the sidelines."
In the crowd, a pink-haired boy looked worriedly at his sister. But amid the chaos Lin Fang's expression remained calm, almost unconcerned by the announcement.
The girl with the pink space buns gently patted her brother's shoulder to reassure him. "It's okay. Don't worry."
Then she glanced toward Lin Fang, thinking to herself, He's so talented. I wonder if he'll be chosen to go.
The instructor's voice commanded from the stage. "All new students will now follow the guides into the training grounds and prepare for the combat exam."
Lin Fang merged with the crowd heading into the arena, a flicker of worry in his mind. My profession is just a farmer. They probably won't pick me for the front lines, right? Otherwise my entire farming plan is going to be a complete mess.
Stepping onto the stage, his first opponent was a provocatively dressed girl. She taunted him. "Spirit farmer, huh? I hear you're good at dodging."
Before Lin Fang could reply, she raised her magic staff high. She struck a confident pose and yelled, "Now burn to ashes in my flames."
A pillar of fire rushed toward him, but Lin Fang dodged it with a simple lean. He calmly critiqued her. "Too slow. And your magic concentration is too weak. This flame couldn't even roast the sweet potatoes in my field."
Infuriated, the girl began chanting a much more complex spell. "Oh, spirit of fire, sleeping at the world's end," she continued, "I now command you—"
But Lin Fang just watched quietly. The second she was about to finish the spell, he dashed forward, landing a solid punch to her gut. "Your casting time is way too long."
His opponent let out a sharp cry as she was sent flying. A burst of green energy erupted from his strike. The referee declared, "Winner, Lin Fang."
After that, a series of victory announcements flashed across the big screen. Lin Fang effortlessly defeated opponent after opponent. He dusted off his hands, thinking, Beating this many should be enough. I can probably afford to lose the next match.
"Lin Fang versus Ran. Lin Fang wins."
"Lin Fang versus Chu Mo. Lin Fang wins."
And on and on it went.
As he stepped off the stage, instructor Vera approached and handed him a bottle of water. Lin Fang sat down, saying politely, "Thank you."
Vera looked at him with admiration. "With your current talent and potential, you are more than qualified to reach a higher stage."
Lin Fang looked up, curious. "A higher stage?"
Vera explained, "Accumulate enough credits and pass the exam, and you can be promoted to the more advanced upper academy. They have better cultivation techniques and stronger masters there. You'll even have the chance to get legendary weapons or powerful demonic beast mounts."
Lin Fang thought of dragons soaring through the sky, but calmly replied, "Thank you for the kind offer, but I don't really need any of that."
Vera was stunned. "You don't need any of it? Then what do you want?"
Lin Fang turned back with a smile, explaining, "I just want a better, bigger piece of land to farm in peace."
Vera just chuckled. "You're misunderstanding me. What I mean is, what's your ultimate goal?" she asked. "For instance, after you're done with these lands, what's next?"
Lin Fang answered without a second thought. "My plan is to farm even more land. So more people have a place to grow things. So everyone who wants to farm can."
Hearing this, Vera was stunned. More land? Did he plan to take over all the territory? What an ambitious kid.
Just then, who should appear but the director himself. "If I recall," he started, "you already cultivated the wasteland west of the city, right? Is that still not enough for you?"
Lin Fang grinned, scratching his head. "When it comes to farming, the more the better, of course."
At that moment an announcement blared. "Next match. Lin Fang versus Ailing."
Hearing his name, Lin Fang's face lit up as he raised a hand. "That's me," he called out, heading for the arena.
The director watched him go. "Such an honest kid."
Vera then asked, "Are you really just going to give him what he wants?"
The director glanced at her. "You want to recruit him?"
Vera simply gave a charming smile. "He's a rather interesting young man."