"Second modification," the announcer continued. "In addition to your assigned tutors, each team will carry an additional escort. Members of the military service and guards from noble houses have voluntarily offered their time to ensure student safety."
"To prevent cheating," Larissa murmured near Ren, low enough that only her neighbors heard, understanding the subtext immediately. "Seems they think Zhao is helping Ren."
It wasn't subtle.
The opportunistic nobles clearly suspected Ren's success in previous exams had been partially due to help from his tutor. So they added their own observers, people loyal to their factions, to watch and report any "irregularities" real or imagined.
"Third modification," the announcer continued. "In this evaluation, quality will have double weight over quantity."
This time, the auditorium exploded in conversation, voices rising in confusion.
