บท 9: Return
Five months went by in what seemed like the blink of an eye. The school year was finally over and the students could now return to their homes for a one and half months break. However, the atmosphere in the academy was currently mixed. Some had a look of longing on their faces, some were sporting a smile on their faces, their expressions sunny and light-hearted. Others were mournful, feeling regret and depressed as they randomly walked towards the academy's entrance with their luggage. The results of the promotional exam were already out and those who were promoted to the next class, as well as those who had to leave the academy, all knew themselves now.
Of the 720 students who got admitted, only about 492 students had managed to score up to 70%, meaning that they were the only students allowed to progress onto the next class. In summary, 228 students were expelled from the academy and sent to the other academies in the kingdom, with the Second Dawn academy taking priority in selections. This accounted for almost 32% of the original population of students or a third of them. Such a high failure rate was unheard of in most academies, but in the First Dawn academy, this was nothing. In previous years, there had even been a 50% failure rate. That there was only a 'meagre' 32% this year was a sign of massive improvement to the academy's staff and the two major sponsors; the royal family and the Purple Sun sacred land.
"So, it's till next year, right?" James emotionally sighed.
"Yeah."
Noah said as he stared out the window.
"I heard that there would be a new dorm arrangement for us. That means that we might not be seeing each other as often."
"If that is what you are worried about then you should go write a letter to the director." Asher yawned.
When Noah and James glanced at him, there was no sign of reproach to his statement but simply respect, admiration and gratefulness. The gratefulness was because of what Asher had done for them. It was thanks to his training and the private lectures he organized with the duo that they were able to get promoted in flying colours. For that reason, they were both respectful and grateful to him. As for the admiration, it was because of Asher's final score in the exams; top 10 in the entire academy. They had never expected that he possessed the ability to do so.
It should be known that the test Asher took first place in, was only held amongst the students in their division; about 240 students. In the first-year class, there were a total of three divisions and one of them, unofficially named 'division Z', contained the largest concentration of renowned geniuses in the academy. What that means was that Asher's feat of taking first place in his division could easily be replicated by some students in division Z, so it wasn't a ground-breaking achievement. However, reaching the top 10 in the entire set counted as one as this meant that even considering the 240 students in division Z alongside the students of the other two divisions, Asher was still in the ranks of true geniuses.
Truthfully, Asher could have got higher than that or even taken first place, but his physique limited him. The promotional exams still placed a lot of emphasis on one's physical and magical abilities, apart from their mental prowess and theoretical knowledge. Asher's null body was a limitation to him and this made him lose out in the promotional exams to the other nine students ahead of him. Nonetheless, to have been able to reach the top 10 even with his deficiency was enough proof to show how incredible he was.
As for why Asher didn't implement any 'playing the pig to eat the tiger' tactics and hiding his skills, it also had to do with his null body.
If he was too weak and useless, it would breed suspicion in the hearts of the royals since as the scion of a great family, he should still have access to impressive potions and pills to boost his strength. However, if he performed superbly to the point that he was close to the peak, it would be more reasonable for them. Following the principle that a tiger father doesn't beget a dog son, it would be more logical for the son of the famous duke Darius to be an impressive child, even if he still had a null body, than for him to turn out useless and average. The only thing was that there would be a limit to his impressiveness, otherwise, the royals would have to be on alert.
On that basis, Asher did not need to hide himself and decided to let his skills flourish and astound those around him.
"Enjoy the holidays now, but don't spend too much time having fun. The second year would be a lot tougher and the elimination process still isn't over. Remember, it's usually only 200 or so who graduate from the academy and only 20 of them get special treatment by the sacred land."
Noah and James frowned at those words, but there was nothing they could do or say about it as it was the truth. History had proven over and over that the First dawn academy didn't graduate more than 200 or so students. Even at its best, only 212 made it out. There were still 492 of them present, so this meant that more than half of them would eventually go home or to a different academy.
"Sighs. You've really done a good job at making my holiday seem like an extended training session." Noah cried out.
"You're welcome." Asher smiled as he left the room with a small bag behind him.
Most of his baggage was in the mansion in the city, so he didn't have much to carry. He only came back to the academy to say his goodbyes.
'I can finally go home, and begin my plans.'
A glint flashed across Asher's eyes.
With the exams now over, everyone was heading home. Some would be celebrated while others would be comforted or punished. It was for a fact that not everyone's situation would be the same. But for Asher, things were a lot different. Today would mark the day he began his quest.
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