"You should have all this memorized."
The overly helpful, nameless wizard gave the examinee a reproachful look and slightly emphasized his tone: "—The examiners may not necessarily ask about these things, but if they do, you must quickly and accurately describe how you originally practiced the Transformation Technique. Only then will they not mistake you for having mastered it through a Black Magic Ritual or some other external trick."
Zheng Qing understood the reasoning.
The problem was, why did he feel that this enthusiastic man's description of learning Transformation Technique sounded even more like some kind of Black Magic Ritual?
His hand unconsciously rested on his belt, his fingers nervously tapping his Grey Cloth Bag.
"But," Zheng Qing decided he should be more cautious, so he argued in a very small voice, "back when I practiced the Transformation Technique, I never used Mandrake leaf?"
The black-robed wizard's expression immediately grew serious.
