As Lu Cang pondered Magic, his thoughts inevitably turned to Death Spells. And in contemplating Death Spells, it was only natural to think about the soul.

Furthermore, his very nature as a Death Priest was intimately connected to the manipulation of souls, so Lu Cang’s study of the subject was quite profound.

Still, his understanding of the soul ultimately paled in comparison to his knowledge of Combat Skills and Magic.

[Please elaborate on the relationship between the soul and the physical body.]

’The very first question was already this difficult.’

Difficulty was relative, of course. To someone who knew the answer, it wouldn’t be hard at all. For Lu Cang, however, it certainly wasn’t simple.

This was nothing like the effortless ease of the previous subjects.

Nevertheless, Lu Cang began his answer: [The soul resides within the physical body, drives consciousness, and acts as the vessel for awakening one’s Spirituality...]

In any case,

He managed to answer the first question, though it was a struggle. Lu Cang was confident his understanding was sound.

Only after encountering a field he wasn’t proficient in did he truly appreciate just how terrifying the White Tower’s questions were.

It also meant that the people inside the White Tower were truly knowledgeable individuals.

[How does one separate a soul that is incompatible with its physical body?]

Lu Cang fell silent when he saw this question.

’Would you believe me if I said it was second nature to me?’

Lu Cang thought for a moment.

The answering methods weren’t restricted; practical demonstrations were a valid way to respond.

So, with a raise of his hand, a Slime zombie appeared before him.

’I hope none of the other candidates happen to be looking my way.’

But if they did, there was nothing he could do about it.

Besides, anyone taking the exam on the soul would likely have some knowledge in this area. Seeing a Slime zombie probably wouldn’t be too strange for them. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Lu Cang had created this zombie with his own hands.

After appearing, it shuffled forward two steps before Lu Cang extracted its soul, pulling it right out.

That was Lu Cang’s answer.

The question paused for a moment, then switched to the next one.

’Looks like that counted as a pass.’

[Please elaborate on the relationship between the soul and Reincarnation.]

Seeing this question, Lu Cang froze for a second, then immediately turned and walked away.

’Reincarnation?’

’What is that? I have no idea.’

’Or rather, while I’d heard of it, that was the extent of my knowledge. I hadn’t read a single thing about the theory.’

’Let alone try to answer a question about it.’

Lu Cang had no intention of wasting time, so he walked right out the door.

He glanced at the scoreboard.

[Lu Cang: 340 Points (Magic, Riddles, Combat Skill, soul)]

[Yuna: 336 Points (Ocean, Stars, Demons, Moon Phases)]

’Heh, looks like she ran into something she’s not good at, too.’

Lu Cang immediately turned and rushed into the door for Death.

The little girl froze for a moment, then also turned and dashed toward the door for Mathematics.

The two of them rushed in and out.

Their scores continued to rise.

However, the rate at which they gained points grew slower and slower.

At first, they could answer two questions.

Later, they could only answer the first question. Eventually, even answering the first question became difficult.

Lu Cang had figured out the point values as well.

The first question was worth 10 points, the second was 30, and the third was 60.

As for the fourth question... who the hell knew.

The fourth question wasn’t designed to be answered at all. It likely asked about the most fundamental problem in its respective field.

Back in the Magic exam, even when Lu Cang answered with his own understanding of the Root Source, he didn’t receive any points.

’It seems it was asking for the true essence of the Root Source.’

’Not one’s personal interpretation of it.’

DING—DING—DING—DONG

Finally.

With the ringing of a bell, the White Tower’s assessment came to an end.

[Those who scored 60 points or more in the assessment will be granted the title of White Tower Scholar.]

Lu Cang looked at the rankings.

[Lu Cang: 393 Points (Magic, Riddles, Combat Skill, soul, Death, Ritual, Demons, Dungeon, Nests, Spirit, Divination, Enchantment)]

[Yuna: 388 Points (Ocean, Stars, Demons, Moon Phases, Mathematics, History, Divination, Future, Psychology)]

In truth, ever since the subject of the soul,

Lu Cang had basically just been going in, hazarding a guess on the first question, and finding himself unable to answer the second.

Yuna saw the final rankings.

Her legs gave way and she slumped to the ground, staring blankly at Lu Cang’s name.

Lu Cang heaved a long sigh, a wave of retrospective fear washing over him.

’Finally, I won.’

’Where do all these geniuses in this world come from?’

’I almost lost to her.’

It would have been one thing if she were older, but she looked to be about the same age as him.

That made Lu Cang want to lose to her even less.

Lu Cang’s figure flickered slightly, and using Flash of Light, he appeared right in front of her.

"You must be Yuna."

"You’re amazing. I can’t believe you know so much."

Lu Cang extended a hand to Yuna in a gesture of friendship.

Only then did Lu Cang get a good look at her.

’She really is a very pretty girl.’

Her long black hair was disheveled, and her well-defined features gave her a cool, detached air, like one of those literary girls who seems to spend all her time in a bookstore.

A world apart from a certain mean-spirited Divination Master with short, lavender hair.

’Or perhaps, she was more like a younger version of the classic, aloof campus beauty.’

At that moment, however, Yuna was staring at the rankings, her eyes filled with confusion and a hint of utter despair.

’So she lost. It’s not the end of the world.’

’At worst, she can go home and cry into her pillow.’

’There’s no need to look so hopeless, is there?’

’Could it be her parents are the type to beat her senseless if she doesn’t get first place?’

’If that’s the case, then maybe I really have done her a great disservice.’

Lu Cang’s hand remained outstretched.

The girl didn’t react.

However, Lu Cang didn’t feel awkward. In this setting, it was only natural for candidates to be either hanging their heads in defeat or overcome with emotion.