Chapter 42
Sevile looked at the magic crystal recording again. Monsters' bodies were littered throughout the forest.
But some areas were concentrated.
He placed the crystal down slowly. The kill count was shocking enough for all the magic faculty to stay awake and check the combat recordings to make sure their eyes weren't playing tricks on them.
One team had achieved a kill count unrecorded in history.
"It seems they were making use of the opportunity of the exam as practice. But there is no doubt that the student in command excellently led his team and ensured their safety before doing this."
"If it weren't for this recording, I would have doubted that someone leaked the exam pattern to them or that a senior student was playing tricks."
"But none of that was involved. That leaves us no choice but to believe what our eyes are seeing. He is Azek Willowheart, who overcame contamination. Nothing less should be expected from his strategic mind."
Professors sighed in resignation.
Serbian raised his hand. "I have directly experienced his style and observed him closely, and I think he is fit to be part of the teams heading to the Northwest."
"But he is only a first-year student, and even third-year students aren't allowed to go there until they have a proven battle record," another professor objected.
A heated discussion followed. Sevile looked out the window. It was going to be a sleepless night.
---
A huge commotion broke out across the academy.
A first-year team had passed through the senior-level exam with unprecedented results.
Students gathered at the scoreboard and couldn't stop looking at the name displayed on top.
Azek Willowheart - Position 1st
Theory: 91%
Practical: 100%
Edrin Ironheart - Position 2nd
Theory: 88%
Practical: 100%
Mathew Ironheart - Position 3rd
Theory: 86%
Practical: 100%
Lilian Winterfall - Position 4th
Theory: 91%
Practical: 89%
Daniel Rotherham - Position 5th
Theory: 90%
Practical: 84%
While Marian and Callisto also ranked in top positions, Rebecca Somerville's jump from her last result astonished everyone. She was ranked in the top 10 as well.
And the reason was displayed on the scoreboard as well:
Practical Evaluation Score
Azek Willowheart
Mathew Ironheart
Edrin Ironheart
Rebecca Somerville
1st Position - Grade A+
Kill Count: 172
Mana Crystals: 9
This practical result was a wake-up call to some senior classes in the academy. A junior team had gotten such results without undergoing as much practice as them.
Azek slowly made his way to the scoreboard. He was still feeling exhausted despite sleeping the whole weekend, therefore he had a bit of laziness in his steps.
But onlookers looked at it differently.
"Someone who is utterly confident in his own position."
"His footsteps aren't hurried at all."
"Others were nervous wrecks throughout the weekend."
These were thoughts replaying in the heads of bystanders.
He made his way to the scoreboard and saw Edrin in front of him.
A refreshed smile greeted him while Azek held back a yawn. Students in front of them subconsciously made way, so it didn't take much effort to reach the scoreboard.
Azek looked at the results. Surely the evaluation they got was the highest.
Edrin was smiling non-stop.
Mathew came from behind. "Could you stop giggling like an idiot? It seems really obvious that your name has been in the top positions for the first time in your life."
Edrin looked at him and gave his brightest smile.
"Of course, why shouldn't I be happy? My mother can tell everyone proudly at the next gathering that I ranked above you."
Mathew's expression immediately distorted.
"Alright, let's go to class first. We're getting a lot of attention."
Azek gently nudged them toward the lecture hall.
Although Mathew's eyes were still blazing, he kept his mouth shut until they made it to class.
Today was the start of the second semester, and they were going to begin practical strategic lessons, monster detail history, and intermediate-level spell theories.
And there was a change in faculty teaching them as well.
Professor Serbian would now take over their class for practical combat.
This was usually taught in the third year with theory lessons in the second year, but now it was decided to have students learn this subject early due to Azek's performance.
He entered the class with Mathew and Edrin.
Rebecca was sitting in the middle seats and nodded her head in greeting. Unlike their first encounter, her posture had become more relaxed and composed, and she had short hair now.
The atmosphere in the surrounding was gloomy.
The discrepancy between the first and second rank in practical evaluation was earth-shattering.
It was as if Azek was standing a whole league above the rest of them. The sheer kill count was something that gave them shivers.
Out of spite, some students went to snitch to the professors about the legitimacy of the results, and the result was a harsh scolding. Sevile even asked the faculty to show the image on the scoreboard with the result, but others disagreed as it concerned their pride and the frightening shock it would send to young students' minds.
The ethics committee made sure to check the said students names and send letters about their conduct to their families. There would be another embarrassment those students would have to face soon. But after this action, nobody dared to question the exam's transparency.
Professor Albert entered the class and started the lecture. Azek looked at the pile of books and lightly stretched his arms. It was the start of another gritty semester.
---
Three days later, Azek was summoned to the faculty office.
When he reached the office, Professor Albert and Serbian were discussing something.
He was now getting included as part of the senior students' group heading to the Northwest front.
The Royal Magic Knight Brigade was ready to depart northwest, and students from the magic academy always accompanied them to get used to magic combat in a safe environment. Because, in the future, there was a high chance they would be joining their ranks, so the Magic Brigade always enthusiastically welcomed and trained these students.
Now, a first-year student's name was included as well.
Some students were already standing in the faculty office with rapt attention. Azek observed them.
Professor Albert's voice resounded.
"It's a rare opportunity to get directly trained by the Royal Brigade, so make sure to take full advantage of it. You won't have to worry about anything else. The Brigade has already departed, but some reinforcements are going right now, so all of you will go with them."
He finished and looked at them.
Five students stood in front of him, all top performers.