Chapter 73 - 73 60 Interview

73: Chapter 60: Interview 73: Chapter 60: Interview “Does it not work on too strong people? Wait a moment, let’s call someone in.” Originally, Lu Ping’an thought that once he reached 1-tier, his investment would be able to be used on third-tier professionals. However, after trying it in the classroom for a round, he quickly gave up. Perhaps, it’s because those who can be examiners are unlikely to be ordinary noobs at the third-tier. Even so, Lu Ping’an could still hear the lively discussions among the examiners. “… high-level Gardener …” “Rules? Life … kind of like … ” “Double major in Magic Potion, bright future … core of the club …” The six interviewers across from him, except for the one in the middle who always maintained a poker face, began communicating with their colleagues after seeing Lu Ping’an’s “ripening” ability. Generally speaking, interviewers should maintain a composed demeanor and should not reveal the interview results to the interviewee, as it might interfere with the interviewing process. The fact that they openly and directly discussed it in low voices showed how shocking Lu Ping’an’s ability was to the true experts in “logistics professions.” Just the on-site instant ripening of plants alone, which should have been a core ability possessed only by seventh-tier Gardener powerhouses, already meant that Lu Ping’an had boundless prospects in the “Gardener’s path” of cultivating Magic Plants. In fact, only a very few people knew that seventh-tier powerhouses had this ability, as all high-level abilities were “secret.” At that level, there was not much need for “instant ripening” as it would be a waste. It’s true that there are plenty of Gardener series abilities that accelerate plant growth, but they can only “accelerate” growth, and the conditions and processes required for biological growth cannot be omitted. This kind of direct maturation without the need for a culture medium or a nutrient environment is all the more incredible for those who truly understand the field. “Only high-quality Rule System abilities can be so unreasonable, right? Life system abilities still have to follow some basic principles…” Watching the discussions of the examiners, Lu Ping’an also breathed a sigh of relief. “So, I should be able to get a high score in the ‘logistics-oriented’ category…” He had inquired before that the Ancient City University interview was not as casual in scoring based on impressions like some grassroots recruitment processes. On the contrary, it had a complete set of scoring mechanisms to minimize subjective impression-based scoring. Out of the ten-point system, two points are for “current situation,” which is what the profession’s newcomer can currently offer. For a 1-tier professional, they can generally start with one point. For this item, Lu Ping’an estimated that his two 1-tier professions and one zero-order profession should have no problem getting him 1.2 to 1.4 points. Another two points are for the “academic path”, which refers to combat ability (impression points from previous combat tests) plus panel ability for ordinary majors, and “logistics-oriented” for logistics majors. Looking at the above examiners engaged in lively discussions, Lu Ping’an was sure he should be able to score high in this category as well. These four points are actually an easy-to-get “hardware score”. After many people finish their interviews, they find that they only got one or two points from the first two items. In a sense, it’s because the next six points are really hard to get. Three points are for “future prospects,” which is the result of the examiner’s assessment of your future based on your Path and statements. Many people start from zero points in this item, and those who can get one point are considered strong contenders. At first, Lu Ping’an thought the examiners had high expectations and were too strict. But after learning about the “Path,” “four-tier road” and other aspects, Lu Ping’an knows that many people are not on the right track from the beginning, and they don’t know what the examiners want to see. “As the examiners have seen, I have some talent in the Gardener’s Path. However, I believe that the greatest use of my abilities is actually in the grafting and development of Magic Plants. In fact, after Awakening my talents, I managed to develop two 2-tier Magic Plants in just about a week and received the official naming from the Church of the Lady of the Forest…” If the previous part was the examiner’s top-down examination of the examinee, the following part made several examiners restless. “… new Magic Plants? 2-tier ones? I don’t have any…” Developing new species is extremely difficult – thousands of attempts may ultimately yield nothing, and the time cost required for “plant” growth is the most important factor, rather than the resources needed for each attempt. Expensive laboratories and biological environments can speed up the growth of Magic Plants, but they can only accelerate it, and the resources and time needed are still massive. “…My best accomplishment so far is mastering the cultivation process for two different 2-tier magic plants…” What to do when examiners discover that the student taking the test knows even more than they do? Instantly, the urge to retreat into themselves surfaces among several third-tier examiners. Lu Ping’an, however, doesn’t notice and continues demonstrating on his own accord. He’s completely unaware that the examiners don’t actually care about a student’s fighting ability. Developing these items is not something a student should be involved in, let alone achieve results. “This here is a graft hybrid of the poisonous evergreen vine and the monkey shield tree, officially named ‘Lu Ping’an’s Twisted Poison Whiskers’. The academic name is too long for me to remember, but it did earn me two points in this year’s academic journal evaluation. I just don’t know what they’re good for…” As he speaks, completely oblivious to his excessive self-praise, the teachers wearing their pained masks above can’t help but cringe. A new species of magic plant produced without even mastering the academic naming conventions? Is there no justice in this world? Even managing to give it their own name, is the official module duplication rate this low? Is this a completely new, template-free species? Also, it comes with academic points for professional promotion? Ha. Done within a week’s time? My projects take at least a year from start to finish, how many years do we have in a lifetime?! Oh, you have an irrational Rule System ability that lets you see the outcome right away? Why don’t you come up here and teach me instead! “Clang!” An overwhelmed elderly professor, unable to bear the weight of life and the injustice of fate, collapses into a sitting position on the ground. He looks up at the ceiling, his face a picture of despair. Don’t look down, your glasses will fall off; don’t cry, the seals will laugh at you. “Um, this teacher…” A speechless Lu Ping’an wonders if he has accidentally ruined everything. As an outsider, he has no idea that developing a new species independently is an ability only those at the highest level should possess. Even Chris, with her excessively high expectations, could not have reminded him of this. “Ahem, no matter, you continue introducing. There seems to be something wrong with his chair. What kind of work is logistics? Someone come, help Professor Wen change his chair.” The chief examiner’s quick recovery gets them past this awkward moment. “Um, alright, this is ‘Lu Ping’an’s Exploding Hibiscus Lei.’ It’s modified from a simple hibiscus lei module, but its power is more than ten times that of a 1-tier hibiscus lei. Its triggering explosiveness is also the same as a first-tier. Don’t worry, they won’t explode in my hands. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I haven’t given them the conditions to do so.” After this small accident, Lu Ping’an quickly ends the introduction, ready to move on to the next part of the exam. “My personal combat skills should be pretty good. So, if I pursue the path of a combat gardener, I should possess a certain combat capability. My future abilities will be built around gardening as a core. I might also study magic potions for revenue balance. My growth talent should allow me to excel in both development and combat…” Lu Ping’an speaks confidently, but is suddenly interrupted by the pondering Professor Wen. “A combat gardener? Are you insane? You’re wasting your talent!!” This incredibly impolite behavior makes Lu Ping’an think he has stepped on a landmine. He looks up and sees an excessively flattering old face. “You come and work with me, and I’ll guarantee you direct scientific research. I’ll make all the lab arrangements for you and guarantee you a job at a top company. I have several projects, and we can work together…” “Ahem! Professor Wen, it seems you’re quite tired. Step out and take a break…someone, come over here.” Vice Dean Li can’t stand to see his fellow examiner’s shamelessness any longer. Watching as the drag-out professor continues to shout, “If you’re not satisfied, we can discuss it. I even have a beautiful granddaughter who just started school this year,” Lu Ping’an opens his mouth, unsure of what to say. Meanwhile, the candidates waiting outside, serious and anxious, are startled by the sudden opening of the door. Every year, they hear stories of strict interviews and students getting dragged away, but this year even a professor is taken away? Is this going too far?! Is the chief examiner unbelievably strict? Or are the test questions too difficult to bear even for the examiners? “Professor Wen spends most of his time on research and can be a bit…childish. Yes, perhaps a side effect of his ability is acting up. That’s right, it’s just a side effect of his ability. He’ll be fine after a brief rest.” Having finally found a passable explanation, Vice Dean Li wipes the stress-induced sweat from his brow and forcefully resumes hosting the exam. Lu Ping’an smiles and nods, deciding it’s best not to push his luck at this point. From the looks of it, his 3 “future points” are secure, which leaves only the final 3 points from the comprehensive assessment. At this point, the summoned “test subject,” a second-year upperclassman, enters the room.