In the Arena
Dav: (gripping his weapon) You're still far from hitting 50,000 thrusts, so let's get started right away so we don't want to fall behind.
Selene: (grabbing her sword) I'll do even more in these two hours!
Narrator: While they trained, in the classroom, Elysia, Gabriel, Cedric, Fin, Leo, Arthur, Lucas, and Leona let out quiet sighs and focused as they began to answer the questions on their sheets.
Kael was monitoring from below to ensure no one was cheating, with the other professors watching from every side of the large hall.
Elysia: (reading) When does mana become a problem?
A – When it's at a minimum
B – When casting a spell that's too powerful
C – When you focus too much
(Thinking) Definitely 'A'.
I hope the rest of the questions are as easy as this one.
Fin: (hands on face, reading) Why is mana essential for a mana user?
A – To win and cast more spells
B – To avoid fainting or dying due to lack of mana
C – To be able to use protective magic
(Thinking) The first two are both kind of right… I’ll have to decide quickly.
Gabriel: (reading) What does the term ‘Berserk’ mean when using excess aura or mana?
A – Becoming stronger
B – A state of rage and lack of lucidity
C – A skill that allows that
(Thinking) I know it can be a skill some have, but here it’s talking about ‘excess’.
So I’ll go with 'B'.
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Leo: (reading) Is vocal magic activation usually only possible by saying the spell aloud, or…?
A – Only with vocal activation
B – Without vocal activation
C – Both
(Thinking) Easy one, 'C'.
Narrator: None of them seemed too worried or tense.
In total, there were 60 questions, and time was passing, so they had to choose without wasting too much of it.
The classroom was silent, with only the scratching of quill pens on paper, the soft clinking of ink pots, and the footsteps of professors keeping a close eye on the students.
Valeria and Evelyn, leaning against the wall, spoke quietly while watching the students and discussing what they'd do once the exam was over.
Evelyn: (making a funny face at Valeria) So you're going out with your prince today? For a day of shopping and fun? Eh, eh?
Valeria: (embarrassed, whispering) Stop it! You already know we’re just going out to reward the kids after the exam.
Evelyn: (with a teasing but curious look) Only the kids? Uh-huh? Come on, tell me the truth! If they fail, you'll still go out just the two of you, won't you?
Valeria: (with a fond smile, whispering) Iris will be coming with us too, so I hope we’ll all have fun together.
Evelyn: (looking at her with sparkling eyes, amused) Doesn’t it bother you that Iris will be there?
(Waving her hands exaggeratedly to emphasize the question)
Evelyn: (still smiling) Not that I have anything against her—just to be clear! It's just that I always see both of you around him.
Valeria: (with a sweet smile, whispering) Iris is a wonderful woman, and I’m happy she’s with us.
She brings a big smile to both of us.
She helps me with clothes—though I often end up giving her advice, since I’m just a little older than her.
She’s like a big sister to me, even if I call her little Iris.
Evelyn: (softened, smiling with a gentler expression) That’s really nice to hear.
She’s a good cook too, and she always brings a smile to everyone, every time.
Valeria: (cheerful, glancing at Evelyn with affection) It’s true.
(Looking at her curiously) What about you? How are things going with Kael?
Evelyn: (pulling a funny irritated face) That idiot! Next time I see him, I’m going to choke him slowly and make him suffer!
(The two look at each other for a second in silence, then start laughing with their hands in front of their mouths)
Kael: (sneezing, shivering) Is the AC on? Why do I feel chills down my spine?
Evelyn: (watching Kael) He’s just… him.
He’s not after fame or riches… He loves his work and really admires Dav.
He always talks about him like he’s been his hero his whole life.
After all, he’s just a 26-year-old who saw a legendary hero in person.
He used to watch him on TV during the Divine Calamity, and now… he gets to learn from him in person.
A 16-year-old boy who once watched his idol on a screen… and now gets to be at his side. Maybe Dav learns from him too.
What can I say? Life, or destiny, connects us to the people we long to meet one day.
(Hand on her chin) I still wonder what he sees in this old 29-year-old woman…
A bright and energetic boy like him, ahh… these youngsters!
Valeria: (chuckling) Then I hope I carry my 25 years well and don’t get called a little girl someday, ahaha.
Evelyn: (looking at Valeria) You’re so beautiful, Valeria…
I look like a mad scientist who just escaped a lab with all my experiments and golem testing… AHAHA.
Valeria: (hugging Evelyn) Good luck to you too, with your prince.
Evelyn: (smiling wryly) Thank you, my lovely lady.
END OF CHAPTER 115