Chapter 116: Sneak Attack

Jess didn't come early, so he was basically one of the last to take the exam.

When it was his turn, he entered the door and saw DuShang take a sip of tea. There was already a hint of fatigue on his face.

"Jess Sesso." He looked this way and pointed to the seat opposite and said, "Please sit down."

"Your topic is..." DuShang opened his notebook and said, "The Alliance Internment Act, right? This is a rather complicated topic. When you are ready, you can start. Let me hear what you have written."

Jess nodded and took out his manuscript and began to read.

He roughly sorted out the end of the Orcish War and the subsequent discussions of the Alliance on how to deal with prisoners in Orcish language. He presented the views and difficulties faced by various countries in the Alliance regarding prisoners. In short, he objectively and without personal feelings narrated the entire process.

If this were on Earth, taking an English or some other language exam. In Azeroth, it would be corresponding to a Dwarvish or Elvish language exam. This kind of article is definitely only a very elementary level. It's almost like copying a boring narrative and reading it out dryly and straightforwardly.

But it's completely different for the Orcish language exam. Jess spent ten days just writing this short article in Orcish runes. It took a lot of effort to get the pronunciation of each word right. And for DuShang, there are even many runes whose pronunciations and meanings the teacher can't remember. He even needs to interrupt Jess several times to look up words on the spot.

In short, learning Orcish language for the human world at this time is not like learning a mature language. Instead, it's more like archaeology or investigation. You definitely can't apply the methods of learning other languages.

Being able to complete the compilation and reading of such an article is already a very high-standard exam content.

By the end of reading, Jess was almost on the verge of collapse. After all, he didn't have any Orcish pronunciation methods to look up. And the pronunciations of these runes are completely different from any language he has seen, even Chinese. Slowly, he almost felt that he didn't understand what he had written.

Even after cramming for a month, there are still many deficiencies.

But in the end, he still managed to finish reading smoothly, and the teacher basically understood the content of his article.

DuShang nodded, thought for a while, and asked, "What do you think of the Alliance Internment Act? Remember to answer in Orcish."

Jess had prepared for this question. He said in Orcish, "A very courageous decision. However, it seems good but is not conducive in the long term."

DuShang said in Orcish, "Explain the long-term disadvantages."

Jess said, "This decision means that all kingdoms are always in a state of lacking money, making all kingdoms very vulnerable."

He thought for a while, organized his language, recalled what he had prepared, and confirmed the Orcish words. Then he continued in Orcish, "If war or other accidents occur again and the orcish laborers are not activated in a short time, and all kingdoms do not get enough benefits, they will face disastrous consequences."

"Disastrous consequences." DuShang nodded slightly and said in Common, "Very good wording, Jess. Very good."

Then he asked in Orcish again, "List possible wars or other accidents."

In fact, what Jess wanted to say in that paragraph just now was the Scourge invasion. Of course, it's impossible to guess that there will be a large-scale attack by the undead army now. However, he has also made simple preparations for this.

"Demons attacking, the Troll Empire, lurking ogres, black dragons and red dragons, the orcish legion in Blackrock Spire."

DuShang didn't understand two words. He confirmed the pronunciation and meaning with Jess again. Jess was still guessing if he pronounced it inaccurately. Now his mind is full of tenses, accents, rune positions and other messy things.

After everything was clear, DuShang nodded and asked in Common, "What did you eat at noon today?"

"Dry bread, eggs. I bought a glass of juice at the Blue Recluse. Master, usually I can't eat so well. I think since the final exam is coming soon, I need to supplement more sugar." Jess replied casually in Common.

He thought the exam was over, so he relaxed all of a sudden.

"Repeat this sentence in Orcish." DuShang suddenly said.

What?!

This really stunned Jess. He had prepared more than a dozen possible questions. As a result, this old guy DuShang is not playing fair?

Of course, he couldn't directly express his dissatisfaction. In this kind of language exam in the form of conversation, the teacher can test however they want.

Jess touched his forehead and could only think of all the Orcish words he still remembered and try to piece together sentences as much as possible.

"In the morning, shriveled food, bird eggs, fruit water." After saying that, he looked at DuShang with expectant eyes, expecting him to let him go.

"There are still two sentences." DuShang said.

Are you messing with me?

Jess reluctantly said in Orcish, "Usually, my food is not as good as today. But for the final trial, I must obtain more... more... sweet... sweet things."

DuShang nodded and quickly wrote something in his notebook. The rather relaxed expression just now has become a lot more solemn.

Jess felt that it was over. What he said was simply at a kindergarten level. Kindergarten kids can speak much more smoothly than him.

Since everyone takes the exam alone in the classroom, Jess has no idea at all what others have said.

During normal classes, in order to communicate knowledge and understand quickly, everyone uses Common to communicate. There are very few opportunities to hear others speak continuous Orcish sentences, so it's impossible to figure out everyone's level.

But he always feels that it's over. Nervousness, plus only a month of preparation time, and DuShang is playing tricks here. This time, he definitely has to pay for his own ticket.

Maybe he will be laughed at by Marin again after going out, not to mention Gerred.

From entering Azeroth until now, almost nothing has gone smoothly for him... The only thing that feels like heaven is taking care of him is that no matter how unlucky he is, he hasn't lost his life. That's still not bad.

Originally, he thought he was quite talented in language. But now? He has failed in the language exam.

Failing in something you think you are good at and finally realizing the cold reality—that you have no talent at all is simply too uncomfortable.

Thinking like this, he felt more and more uninteresting until DuShang looked up and asked, "Hey? Why are you still here?"

"Uh, sorry, Master DuShang." He packed up his things and was about to leave.

"By the way, Jess, you are from Lordaeron, right? Do you plan to go home during the Winter Veil?" DuShang asked.