You're the Least Worse Than the Worst Before You
Participants began to stop what they were doing after Fang Luoyang's voice echoed in the hall. A large part managed to complete the forge, while some failed.
"Do not worry if you could not complete the forge, we will evaluate to the point where you stopped" Fang Luoyang's words were such a blessing to those who could not finish the challenge on time.
"We will evaluate according to the judges who evaluated they in the first round, the first group of seventy people, after the group of sixty and so on"
Fang Luoyang and the six judges were on the table of the first candidate who was assessed by the first judge. The candidate was quite nervous, it was possible to see it face wet with sweat. The judges did not say anything, just looked at the item that was made and write some things on a parchment, before going to the next candidate.
The seven did the same actions dozens of times, before stopping at a certain table. The person who was there was a young man, he is a demonic beast, looked ordinary and was wearing red cloth clothes, on his desk was a shiny armor with some jewelry in the middle and sides.
Six judges looked at armor as if it were a common item, while the seventh judge showed a smiling face.
"Young man, you have a talent for the art of forging, I am impressed with the result" The judge who spoke was the one who approved seventy participants, he was the judge who would be the easiest to pass.
These words made the young man very happy and sad at the same time, happy because he was better than the previous ones who received no comment from any of the seven judges. And sad because only one of the judges commented, and was the easiest judge of all.
The participants who were judged earlier were envious of this comment because they did not receive any, but they could only regret the lack of skill.
Fang Luoyang and the six judges continued their visits to the tables, some of the young men succeeded in impressing one of the judges, while one managed to impress two, the judge who approved seventy and who approved sixty.
At low the number of participants approved by the judge, the harder it would be to impress him, to be able to impress a second judge being in the first group of approved was an impressive achievement, it shocked many at the scene.
Finishing with the first group, the second group started. Fang Luoyang and the six judges repeated the same process, some had the recognition of two judges, while few managed to catch the attention of three.
Fang Luoyang and the six judges analyzed the first six groups before taking a break to separate the last group. No participant disagreed with this, because everyone was curious to know what each of them did and see if they could get the attention of the last judge, Fang Luoyang.
It was not only the participants who were curious, the people in the audience were also interested in it, if there is someone with talent who did not get it the expectations of the Mercantile Alliance, but has a good foundation, it could be invited to join them.
Ten people stood side by side as they held their respective items. Many were looking at the sword of Liu Yang which was covered with a piece of totally old and torn leather, some were shaking as it tried to hold back the laughter.
"You are the last, I hope at least one of you shows me something interesting so that I do not lose face when I approve of you." Fang Luoyang's words were very hard, but she also showed that her criteria were quite tough.
"I will call by the order of approval, Sun Jing, you will be the first, show your item" Fang Luoyang's words stunned the participants and part of the audience, they would never imagine Fang Luoyang would evaluate by order of approval, many began to trying to guess the order that would be, bets began to be made among the people in the audience.
"Senior Sun, you're the best, show them you're the best in the competition !!"
"This is the big brother Sun, he's the best forge apprentice in our sect !!"
...
Many screams began to echo, the people who were shouting were fellows and acquaintances of Sun Jiang who came with him to the auction.
Sun Jiang was a young man of the dragon race, his appearance was medium, but he could not hide the arrogant and noble aura that showed. When he heard that he was the first, his arrogance rose to the height of the heavens, lifted the face and straightened his body. Looking at the other competitors with an arrogant look, it was as if they were all under him.
Sun Jiang took a step forward while holding a necklace of exquisite appearance, there was shiny jewelry on the three ends of the ornament that was stuck in the silver chain, the ornament was silver with lines of runes drawn and there was a black gem in the middle.
A block of stone suddenly emerges from the floor.
"Put the item on top of that." Fang Luoyang ordered Sun Jiang to put the necklace on top of the stone block.
By the time Sun Jiang put the necklace on the stone block, a large image appears to the audience and to the participants, the image showed the information of the item.
Dark Illusion Necklace - A forged necklace with items containing dark powers.
Rank 3 Necklace
Effect: Allows the use of the Create Illusion Level 3 spell.
Weight: 200 grams
Requisite: Level 100
Create Illusion (Active) (Level 3) - Creates an illusion to confuse an enemy within the user's two hundred meter radius. Higher effect on lower level targets than the user. Less effect on targets with a higher level than the user.
Cost: 100MP
Not only did the other participants get stunned by this item, but the audience too, they would not imagine they could see an accessory that would allow anyone to use a mental attack. One must know that spells that affect the mind were rare.
"Young man, you have enough talent for the forge, I'm impressed with the result"
"Young man, you have potential, but still need improvement"
"Young, despite age, you have enough ability"
"Young, great job, despite having some flaws, is quite impressive"
"Young man, you made some mistakes during the forging process, that made the item lose quality"
"Young man, there are several imperfections in the chain and the ornament, some people would not buy this item because of these imperfections"
The evaluations of the judges were friendly at first, but it was getting tougher as the judges were changing, only Fang Luoyang did not comment, because to her, this item was not worthy of her comment.
Everyone noticed that Fang Luoyang did not comment, they could not help thinking: If Sun Jiang was the first one, because Fang Luoyang is not making a comment, or is it that the forge of the item did not meet your expectations?
"Miss Fang, is it possible that my item did not meet your expectations?" Sun Jiang could not stand the curiosity and asked Fang Luoyang.
"Junior Sun, your forging skill reach to my expectations"
"Why did not miss Fang comment on my item?"
"I did not make a comment because it was not worth it." These words shocked everyone on the spot, they did not believe what they were hearing.
"Why is not it worthy ?? You said that I was the first in your theoretical assessment. "Sun Jiang could not handle the blow he received, he started to get agitated.
"Yes, I do. But your first place is to be the first less worst among the worst, so you've been approved, you've been a bit better than the participant before you. If that participant had analyzed better than you, he would have been approved "
Fang Luoyang did not speak fast or slow, her words were orderly, she did not speak aloud, but everyone could hear. Everyone was shocked by these words, many began to think about who would be the real first place.
Many lost the bets, others started betting again.
Sun Jiang could not stand the blow he received, he spat blood and fainted on the spot. A gray-haired old man wearing a Sun Jiang-like uniform appears on the stage and takes him away, followed by his companions.
No one dared to laugh at Sun Jiang, despite being the last one to be put on Fang Luoyang's assessment, this was worthy of attention because to be approved by her, this person should be a talented elite.