A week passed away in a blink. The exam was already present in front of Amon.

The morning sun bathed Arcadia Academy in a calm, golden warmth. Completely opposite of the storm raging inside Amon's stomach.

"Theory exams… damn them."

Amon could face vile monsters while running away from them, but textbooks? They were his natural predators.

Students streamed through the marble hallways toward their exam halls. Second-years wearing red ties walked calmly, while first-years like him. Blue ties,buzzed with nervous energy.

He saw Aisha walking ahead of him.

She was acting flustered every time she met him. 'Probably because she remembers what happened that night… how cute~'

"Hey Aisha! Good morning!" Amon called out and greeted her.

Her ears twitched the moment she heard him. Aisha stiffened. She turned her face back—just a little.

Then she gritted her teeth. A growling noise escaped her.

"Bastard," she muttered and moved faster, not stopping at all.

Amon remained frozen.

'Damn! She called me bastard. When I didn't even do a thing.' he thought.

Amon adjusted his tie and exhaled. Right now, the exam was important.

"I can do this. I can… probably do this."

A soft voice answered beside him, "Try to sound more convincing, Amon…"

Eliana Sylvaris' blue eyes sparkled with mischief. Her silver-green hair flowed in a graceful wave, her elven ears twitching with amusement.

Seraphina Luminous stood beside her like an angel—composed, refined, eyes like calm sunlight. She offered him a small nod.

"Good luck."

Her voice was cool, but the encouragement warmed him instantly.

Before he could thank her, someone flicked his forehead lightly.

"Don't get fail," Eliana said with a smile.

"Fail? Me?" Amon scoffed, rubbing his forehead. "I am one of the most smartest students."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. Eliana snorted. Even the passing students smiled.

"Sure," Eliana grinned. "Just don't cry later."

Amon puffed his chest. "I don't cry. Men don't cry."

"Mm-hmm." She patted his shoulder mockingly. "You're definitely a real man… no, a hero of this academy."

He opened his mouth to retaliate, but the bell rang.

Dong!

Students straightened. Faces shifted from casual chatter to grim determination.

Amon swallowed. "Alright… here goes nothing."

---

Exam Hall

Mana Theory Test

Rows of desks stretched across the grand auditorium. Mana-suppressing crystal orbs hummed along the walls, preventing cheating. Students sat with tense backs and clenched quills and pens.

Amon found his seat—third row from the back. Good.

He sucked in a breath… then froze.

He could see all of his classmates here. Arnold, the dark-blue-haired man, was sitting at the first bench of his row. He looked like a protagonist for whom this exam meant nothing. Like he already had big things to do ahead.

'Acting like a protagonist.' Amon thought.

Marcus was in the second row. The young master looked confident and arrogant. In the same row Seraphina and Eliana sat.

Aisha in the first row.

Presiding over the hall was Professor Aria, a cheerful woman known for her piercing violet eyes and wearing a witch hat over her wheat-blonde hair. Her flowing indigo robes swayed like silk blades. Rumor said she once froze an entire class with a mental barrage spell just for whispering. Even though she was always cute and mischievous.

'It's witch professor.'

Her gaze swept the hall.

"First years," her voice rang, sharp but playful, "your Mana Theory exam begins. You may start."

Scrolls unfurled. Quills dipped.

Amon stared at the questions.

Q1: Explain the fundamental distinction between internal mana flow and external mana manipulation.

Q2: Describe the stabilizing principle behind elemental balance.

Q3: Define the perfect way of mana circulation in the Awakened-level stage.

Amon blinked.

What language is this?? Elvish? Ancient runes? Sudoku??

He pressed his palms to his temples and dragged every lesson from his brain.

He tried to remember every lesson that had been drilled into him by Seraphina and Eliana for the last two weeks.

He scribbled. He scratched. His handwriting steadily devolved into ancient hieroglyphics.

He wrote with passion. With effort. With determination.

And also a little bit of desperation.

One hour in, his wrist cried for mercy.

Two hours in, his brain leaked smoke.

By the end, he flung down his quill like a warrior after battle.

Professor Aria's heels echoed as she walked past each desk. She paused next to Amon's paper…

She smiled at him. "Oh my~ Amon. I wish you pass the test. I mean, you never paid attention to my lectures at all."

Amon wanted to click his tongue in irritation. But he gave her the most honest kind of smile.

"What are you saying, Professor Aria? I am one of the most disciplined student. I always pay attention."

Her gaze narrowed ever so slightly. She was wondering how this guy was so honestly lying through his mouth with that smile and expression.

"Well, we will see~" she said.

She moved on.

Amon slumped back. 'I gave my best… goddess help me.'

---

Hallway — After Exam

Students spilled out, groaning.

Eliana approached first, grinning like a fox.

"So? Alive? Or should I prepare funeral flowers?"

Amon dragged himself upright. "I survived. Barely. But I survived."

Seraphina joined them, calm as ever. "You did well, I'm sure."

Her faith made him feel warm. Far better than Eliana's teasing.

He grinned. "Thanks… let's hope the examiner thinks the same."

Eliana nudged him. "Only five more exams to go."

Amon's soul left his body for a moment.

Then he straightened, fire returning to his eyes.

"I, Amon Vale, shall prevail. Theory is not enough to trample me."

Eliana raised a hand dramatically. "May the goddess pity your answer sheet."

Seraphina hid a small smile behind her book.

And Amon walked ahead,

Seraphina grabbed his collar from behind.

"You are going in the direction of the dormitory. Let's go to the library. Still need to prepare for tomorrow's exam."

"Hey I just gave an exam. At least let me go and rest for a while," Amon tried to retort. But they did not listen to him.

Thus Amon was dragged to the library.

Amon was such a fortunate man. Even he knew it.

'I am so lucky to have such caring friends… but I really don't want to study right now.'

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