[This exam uses a role-playing scoring method. There are no answer sheets or standard answers. In addition to the predetermined scores, there are opportunities for extra points and possibilities for point deductions.]

“At the end of the exam, participants with a composite score ranking of C will retake the exam, while those with a ranking of D will be directly eliminated.”

[Scores for this exam will only be announced at exactly 12 midnight each day. Apart from that, only the candidates in each group will be aware of the real-time changes.]

[Now playing the exam question.]

[In 1347, the Black Death spread near Carlton Hill. Half of the townspeople died in this plague, and Carlton Manor was no exception. The Duchess, her newborn son, the steward, and most of the servants all passed away one after another that year. On Easter of that year, the Duke mourned the deceased, and guests arrived one after another to offer their condolences, assuring the Duke that they had brought doctors they knew to cure the illnesses of everyone there.]

[Question requirement: As guests, candidates must not defy any of the Duke’s requests, or the entire group will be penalized.]

[For any questions, you may inquire with this session’s invigilators 154, 922, and 021. Invigilator 078 is temporarily absent due to health reasons.]

The four people in the carriage exchanged glances.

After a moment, Zhou Qi cautiously asked, “The guests arriving one after another—do they mean us?”

Zhao Jiatong: “Probably.”

“…Is there a doctor here?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the point of treating anyone?!”

Gao Qi said, “That’s actually not the main issue. Based on my experience, the requirements of the exam are often the key point. Rather than worrying about whether there’s a doctor or not, we should worry about whether the Duke has any odd habits or might make strange demands.”

The carriage had just stopped, and the coachman was about to open the door for them.

His first words were, “Um… we’ll be entering the manor soon. I must remind you all that the Duke is actually quite easy to get along with—he just has a few strange quirks. You… you should be careful.”

“……”

The next second, the carriage window was opened.

The painting of the flat-faced cat was thrown out on the spot.

Gao Qi was the first to disembark.

Many carriages had already gathered at the entrance of Carlton Manor.

The sky darkened, black clouds shrouding everything, while flashes of lightning crackled overhead twice, adding an eerie quality to the castle-like architecture.

A rumbling thunder followed closely, crashing down…

“What awful weather…”

Gao Qi muttered, then turned to look at the examinees who had been sent over.

His gaze swept across the crowd, then suddenly froze—his face instantly turning grim.

Zhao Jiatong stepped down right after him. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Seen a ghost?”

Gao Qi said, “Damn it, it really is haunted!”

“Huh?”

Gao Qi pointed not far away and said, “001!”

Zhao Jiatong followed his gaze and saw Qin Jiu getting off a carriage.

Several flashes of lightning struck in quick succession, startling many examinees and making them shrink their necks.

Only he glanced up once before averting his gaze, turning his head to survey the square.

“How unfortunate… It seems he’s looking for someone?” Zhao Jiatong said. “Huh? Is he looking over here?”

Gao Qi’s back stiffened instantly: “Fuck me, he’s not just looking over—he’s actually coming this way! What does he want?”