One hour had passed since the exam began.
The forest was no longer quiet. Branches were broken here and there. While the ground was scarred with burn marks, frozen patches, and deep cuts left behind by spells and blades.
The air itself felt heavy, saturated with lingering mana and tension.
Calix stood still for a moment, breathing steadily.
His blade was lowered, faint traces of mana still clinging to its edge. In front of him, the defeated student's body dissolved into light, scattering like glowing dust before vanishing completely teleported out of the exam area.
The badge on his chest flickered sharply.
023
A low whistle escaped Calix's lips.
"Not bad," he muttered to himself.
Around him, several bodies already turned into light marked where earlier fights had ended. Some battles had been quick. Others had been messy. A few had almost pushed him to his limits.
Almost.
