In the grand theater music classroom of the Demon Academy, an immersive concert was in progress.
At the center of the stage, a demon with blue flames erupting from its head was passionately performing. Its figure was clearly visible under the spotlight, its roaring voice resonant and wild, like a howl from the deepest depths of hell. Every note was filled with the power of death metal.
The judges' faces also showed serious and engaged expressions as they listened to the singer's voice, some frowning, others with eyes closed.
As the lights dimmed, the entire venue plunged into darkness. Then, the stage burst into a play of light and shadow, and the song exploded in the silence, reaching the climax of the entire performance. Magic sparks of light and fire instantly illuminated the entire stage, and many students in the back rows immediately erupted in cheers that echoed throughout the theater.
For a moment, Lanqi felt as if the Demon Realm Academy was experimenting with some very new teaching methods.
But the more bizarre it was, the more sinister this difficulty 2 classroom appeared.
According to Bachel, it was certainly going to be several times more difficult than the difficulty 1 demonic magic script exam room from earlier.
Lanqi scanned the entire grand theater music classroom.
The four music instructors sitting in front of the stage, who seemed to be judges, didn't appear to have very strong magical power despite their apparently high status. Instead, it was the teacher standing behind the curtain, who looked like a host, that emitted terrifying waves of magical power.
The host teacher seemed to be the controller of this classroom and the maintainer of its rules. His proper attire and accessories suggested that his position in this demon academy was even higher than the dragon demon and owl demon from the previous exam room.
Sure enough.
Lanqi, Huberrian, and Bachel, sitting in the audience, soon received exam guidelines delivered by the host teacher's winged, black eyeball-like assistant familiars.
The brown-covered handbook read:
[Demon Realm Music: Graduation Exam and Public Performance]
[Location: Corridor G24, Demon King's Bestowed Theater]
"Another exam?" Lanqi muttered as he opened the handbook.
"There are more graduation exam-type courses near the end of the semester," Bachel mumbled beside him.
It was his first time being brought into a difficulty 2 classroom.
He had completely lost his nerve as soon as they entered.
During this period, entering any classroom might lead to an exam.
But for the sake of the 5 credit coins that must be paid daily, one had to take the exams even if reluctantly. Failing to pay the credit coins still resulted in execution.
Only those students with large surpluses of credit coins could have a relatively easy time during this exam season.
"We're here now, might as well," Lanqi nodded, then began to read through the course guidelines.
The handbook was very thin and took only a minute or two to finish.
The rules were actually quite simple.
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Students in the classroom could freely choose when to take the exam—
That is, to go on stage and perform demon realm music:
[Exam Requirements: Your music needs to be approved by at least two music instructors.]
[Performance time is limited to within 2 minutes. Each invited music instructor has sworn to the Demon King that they will judge the performances strictly and fairly based on their own areas of expertise, in accordance with their musical faith.]
[Note: Students are not allowed to use any magic while watching performances. Only during the performance on stage can all magic that enhances the performance effect be used. It is strictly forbidden to use offensive magic to harm the music instructors below the stage.]
[Violators of the rules will be directly erased by the Magic Eye. Those who fail to meet the conditions will be executed on the spot. Those who have not taken the exam by the end will also be executed. Those who meet the exam requirements can leave the exam venue when class ends.]
It further explained that whether taking the exam early or late, no one could leave midway. Students needed to act as audience members throughout, providing feedback and basic interaction for the live performances.
Because in addition to being a graduation exam, this was also a demon realm public performance, and it couldn't lose its most important element of liveliness.
Lanqi looked up and noticed a giant Magic Eye floating at the top of the classroom, seemingly observing the entire panorama of the classroom and transmitting the images to other places.
"Lanqi, are you good at music?" Huberrian, having finished reading the handbook and placing it flat on her lap, turned her head to ask Lanqi.
Since Lanqi chose this classroom, he must have some confidence.
As for her, although she had been cultivated in the arts since childhood, she couldn't claim to be proficient.
"I'm okay with music, but when it comes to anything involving art, there are some commonalities," Lanqi said, arms crossed, staring thoughtfully at the performance on stage.
Music isn't something that can be mastered overnight. Unless there's a mistake in operation, the Shadow World wouldn't present an unsolvable situation. So this exam shouldn't purely test the challenger's artistic cultivation; there should also be hidden ways to pass.
Of course, sometimes, if a challenger is exceptionally talented, they might be able to complete a speed run without relying on mechanisms.
For example, in the previous demonic magic script exam, if there really was some overpowered person who could directly write out the exam paper, they could naturally walk out of the exam room with swagger.
"Then I'll just watch you," Huberrian nodded. Since Lanqi didn't give any special instructions, she would just protect him when he needed help.
However, she hadn't initially thought that Lanqi would be so confident in art.
"It's over, it's over..." Bachel's face turned pale with fear when he finished reading the contents of the guide.
He now deeply regretted his greed in following Lanqi into this level 2 classroom.
Judging by Lanqi's calm expression, he might have a way to pass, but this kind of solo performance meant there was no way to bring him along!
"Calm down first, you still need to guide us, so we'll cover for you," Lanqi patted Bachel's shoulder, telling him not to panic.
Bachel nodded vigorously upon hearing this.
His last bit of reassurance depended on this radiant demon big shot beside him.
Then Lanqi looked back towards the stage and the four instructors.
It was still unknown how difficult it would be to gain the music instructors' approval.
Just then, the performance of the student they saw when entering the classroom ended, and it entered the judges' announcement phase.
While waiting for the results, Lanqi and Huberrian exchanged a glance.
"What do you think?"
"Pretty impressive."
They both felt that, to be fair, the level of this musical performance was extremely high.
At least this student had gained the approval of Lanqi and Huberrian.
However.
On the four large chairs directly facing the stage.
Only one instructor's facial expression suggested satisfaction with the performance, while the other three's expressions were as stern as iron.
"I think it was okay."
"I don't quite approve."
"Not good enough."
"Too poor."
So, the host teacher, in a wordless judgment, raised his hand, displaying his unique coldness and decisiveness. The next moment, the demon student's body seemed to bloom into a flower of blood, his corpse crashing down onto the stage, a damp crimson spreading out beneath his feet, as if an abrupt carnival had suddenly ended!