Chapter 20: Test 4
"The practical exam will take place in the forest I am sure you have grown familiar with.
This will be a test of your mana sensitivity... There are three different types of orbs to collect ---blablahblah"
After hearing him speak, I mentally sounded him out.
I did not like looking at the Vice Principal's face after knowing the old son of a bitch had tried to kill me.
I already knew the way in which the exam would work and had a plan devised.
There were five golden orbs total to be found around the forest, and I was already aware of their locations.
My optimized route would also allow me to pick up several silver orbs along the way.
Even if something went wrong and I couldn't get all five orbs, I'd most likely still take first place home.
Several teachers stood behind the vice principal as he continued explaining the challenges we would face.
I briefly made eye contact with professor Alvera, and she gave me a wink, as if telling me to win.
After I nodded in response, she gave a light smile.
'This is good... Alvera will probably be spectating me, Ataraxis won't be dumb enough to try anything on me.'
Her silent encouragement provided me a barrier of safety from the necromancer who threatened my life.
"Alright then, I wish you all good luck. Your teachers shall escort you to your starting positions."
We would randomly be placed around the forest.
There were no rules against teaming up, and there were also no rules against stealing orbs from others.
Thievery was certainly a risk for me, but my strengthened light magic would be enough for me to blind an enemy and quickly build confusion stacks on them.
I smiled in anticipation of my victory.
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Several teachers were gathered in a room, watching students through various crystal balls.
"Oh? He's one's already gotten a golden orb?"
A teacher pointed out that a student had already managed to get a golden orb, propelling him to the top rank immediately.
A few other teachers gathered around the ball that Alvera was watching.
"Hmm.... He's going directly for the nearest golden orb as well. How unusual."
An old teacher fixed his glasses, ensuring what he was seeing was real.
"Perhaps there was a leak? This is quite unexpected."
A fat teacher stroked his triple chin, proposing foul play.
Alvera felt a need to defend the student she favored.
"Nah... He ain't the type of kid to cheat."
Professor Theo concurred with her.
"Uh... Yeah, that guy... Ares... I don't think he'd cheat."
The old teacher from earlier spoke up once more.
"The Castellan family boy? I heard he was quite a failure though?"
Alvera spoke up with pride.
"Heh, old man, you've got old news. He's rising up the ranks quite quickly these days. I'd even say he's quite the genius."
Professor Naviron chimed in.
"Hoh, that feisty kid from the entrance ceremony? It's good to see that he's growing well."
The old teacher from earlier stroked his long, grey beard and made another statement.
"A genius, hm? Well.. If he's truly finding the gold orbs through his senses alone... Then I suppose calling him a genius is quite fair."
"What's all this talk about a genius?"
The large crowd of teachers circling the ball immediately stood at attention.
Vice Principal Ataraxis had asked the question.
The teachers gathered all held great respect for him, a kind man who knew when to be serious.
He always pushed himself for the sake of his students, clearly having a physical effect on him as seen by his sunken face and the dark circles under his eyes.
Despite his slightly frightening appearance, he always showed teachers the utmost respect.
Professor Alvera opened her mouth to reply to him.
"This student, Ares von Castellan... His mana sensing capabilities are unbelievable. He's been able to track the golden orbs immediately."
Alvera spoke formally, which was rare for her, out of respect for Ataraxis.
"Ah... Yes, I've seen that student... Indeed, we should keep an eye on him."
A miniscule hint of malice entered the eyes of Ataraxis for a split second, noticed by nobody.
Nobody except one.
Theo Letzt frowned.
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It didn't take long for me to get my first golden orb, and I was on route to obtain the second.
Everything had been going to plan, and I was able to mostly avoid other students in the forest.
Those that I did run into were mostly unwilling to fight me, a Class A student who was growing more notorious by the day.
I currently had a golden orb and three silver orbs, totaling eighty points.
Running through the forest in the white and gold academy uniform, my blazer and tie fluttered in the wind.
Even though things were going smoothly, I was still on high alert in case one of the heroines decided to rob me, or if another god forsaken death knight decided to appear.
Sadly, it seemed my luck was not good today.
'What the hell is even the point of Lucky 7? Stupid perk...'
It was not a death knight, no.. Instead, it was Aria, and I saw her robbing another student for his orbs.
"Seriously? Only seven bronze orbs? Are you really a class B student? This is pathetic, you must be hiding more!"
She stood atop a defeated student with her rapier pointed towards his neck.
He had been disarmed earlier and his sword was thrown to the side.
"Alright! Alright! Those are all, seven bronze and one silver! Please, that's everything!"
My face was blank, witnessing a famous princess acting like some sort of thug.
Her long ears immediately picked up on me approaching, and she looked at me in embarrassment, as if she did not want to be caught doing this.
"Y-you... Wait.. No, this is perfect! Give me your orbs, Ares von Castellan!"
Her embarrassment quickly faded, replaced with avarice.
'This is such a chore...'
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