"I'm here, teacher." Hank recovered from his momentary distraction.
"Hank, I should have reminded you... whether it is learning or Origin Stone skills, you need to practice with concentration."
The Master frowned - although he had a stern face to begin with, the frown that was more furrowed than usual clearly showed that he was not in a good mood.
Hank always felt that the wrinkles on Master's head could kill mosquitoes, but today he felt that the look could even kill flies.
"...Remember your teachings, teacher." Hank lowered his head and did not dare to speak.
The revered master shook his head and sighed in despair.
"You better be able to, Hank."
The old man became more and more irritated as he thought about it. He raised his hand and scratched the increasingly obvious "light dome" on the top of his head. Hank had been paying attention to the pitiful amount of hair on his head. At present, he could clearly count the number of hair on his head.
There are also seven sparse hairs.
Well...according to his old man's opinion, being hairy does not count as bald.
Although he wanted to say it, it was no different than having only a pair of old horns left.
"I have finished yesterday's homework...please take a look at it." Hank took out the homework from the book bag on the side - several nearly brand-new textbooks. He handed them to the old man.
The old man took the textbook, raised an eyebrow, and looked through the homework he assigned to Hank yesterday with a very dramatic expression.
From mathematics to chemistry, physics, alchemy, source stone research to intermediate level...
They are all perfect correct solutions - there is no sloppiness, the problem-solving process is clean and neat, and the answers are obvious and impeccable.
The old man handed it back to Hank, his expression softened a lot.
"That's pretty cool."
Hank breathed a sigh of relief silently.
I was fascinated by reading last night and drew a few drawings. When I was about to go to bed, I realized that I didn’t finish my homework...
After staying up all night, I got distracted in class.
It seemed that there was barely anything wrong. Hank had been worried just now because he was worried that the teacher would be furious when he saw the mistake.
Although Hank had never seen a teacher get angry because of homework, according to several seniors, whenever he was angry about homework, he would reprimand him manically:
"How can you still make mistakes in what you have been taught! The way of a scholar cannot tolerate such low-level mistakes!"
Then there would be severe scoldings and beatings on the horns and heads with canes.
Hank really couldn't imagine what that would be like. Normally, the Grandmaster would have scolded him so horribly because of his desertion, but it would be so terrifying to take action...
"Then... let's do a little test." As he said that, the old man took out a handwritten test paper - there were only three questions on it.
Then, the respected master took out an hourglass.
"Old rule...finish it before the hourglass runs out. Let's get started."
The old man turned over the hourglass. Hank did not dare to delay, so he quickly picked up the pen and started reading the questions.
Seeing Hank's focused look, the old man sighed slightly.
This child...
How should I say good things about him?
Maybe he didn't realize it himself, but he was definitely a rare genius in the past hundred years.
Although Hank has not acquired profound Originium skills, based on his nearly fifty years of teaching experience, Hank's talent cannot be underestimated.
...No one can avoid making mistakes. People are not born with knowledge, so how can they learn everything clearly that they have only learned once?
But Hank did it.
As long as given time...
However, although Hank has outstanding talents, he is attracted by things other than the scholar's way - this is the biggest headache for the old man.
As the last disciple of the old man, Hank naturally wanted to train him to become an outstanding scholar and contribute to the race, Leitania and even Terra.
But it was precisely because Hank was his last disciple... The old man couldn't help but be silent when he thought of this.
...No, I'm afraid it's more than that.
"Huck, Hannah..." the old man whispered two nostalgic names.
"He is so similar to you...in every aspect."
But...how will you let him choose?
Even if he takes the same path as you, do you still want to support him?
As a substitute for his father and mother, the respected master naturally wants to support this lovely child, his last disciple, in pursuing the path he truly likes.
But I really... don't want to lose any more students.
——The hourglass runs out.
"Stop writing," the old man said. "Hand over the test paper and let me take a look."
Hank's pen paused - he still had one question left to finish.
But you can't disobey the teacher's order... Hank gritted his teeth, lowered his head and handed in the test paper.
The teacher looked at the test paper, but there was no movement. Hank became more and more nervous as time went by, fearing that the teacher would blame him.
"...Hank." The old man spoke - this sentence made Hank tremble with fright.
"Yes, I, I'm here, teacher." Hank stuttered back.
This was just the calm before the storm...Hank couldn't imagine how his master would scold him.
"Come, come... sit closer. Come in front of me." The old man pointed to the straw ball in front of him. Hank quickly came to the old man and sat cross-legged on the straw ball.
The old man handed the test paper back to Hank: "Hank, tell me the truth - what is going on?"
"...The disciple is incompetent, so he still needs guidance from his teacher." Hank lowered his head and did not dare to look directly at the old man.
Unexpectedly, the old man gently lifted him up and said, "No, kid, I don't want to blame you. I'm just... curious. What do you think of this test paper?"
Hank was stunned: "This... this test paper is quite simple. I didn't finish it because I didn't have the ability, so I asked the teacher to guide me."
The old man's eyes became much darker.
Hank was shocked - could it be that his master was disappointed in him?
"I'm so sorry! Teacher, I didn't mean to... I just, just... I'm sorry, teacher, I let you down!"
The old man shook his head slightly. "No, Hank... I'm not disappointed, on the contrary, I'm very happy. It's just... fate has its way with people."
The old man just continued to shake his head: "No, of course you don't understand, Hank..."
"This is the test that every Leitanian scholar must pass before finishing their studies - the so-called graduation exam."
The old man looked dazed and continued:
"This test paper was supposed to be given to you in two years' time, but I didn't expect...my old and foolish brain actually gave it to you by mistake."
The old man pointed to the huge gray hourglass in the corner of the classroom and said, "And the hourglass it was originally supposed to be used for should be that one."
Hank's eyes widened and he didn't know what to say.
"This last question...can you do it?"
"I..." Hank hesitated: "I'm willing to give it a try."
"Then come and write it down."
Hank picked up the test paper, handed it to the old man after a moment.
"Please take a look."
The old man looked at the answer with a reassuring smile on his face.
"Hank."
"I'm here, teacher."
"I have nothing left to teach you..."
The old man touched Hank's head - just like he did before they became master and apprentice, when Hank was just a child.
——In the eyes of the old man, he is still a child.
"Go down the mountain."
Good October, happy birthday to my motherland!
Let me report to you our results in September:
Billboard 47 (this neighbor returned it at the end of the month)
Recommended vote list 18 (542 photos, I guess I will fall off the list next month...)
Authorized monthly list 10
Diligence List 41 (67,420 words, I can’t help it, I haven’t written any extras this month)
Maybe it’s not bad overall?
There are still problems like this when writing about niche fans... I will just comfort myself like this first.
I will work hard and continue to do my best! Thank you for your support!
In addition, another orz was dropped from the collection, and I cried bitterly.