Suddenly, a gentle flute melody played around the area.
"That's the afternoon melody from the budding Chimes plant!"
Favian immediately checked the time and just as he thought, there's about a few minutes left until the tests starts.
"You have to go to the seats prepared for the Rose class now before that old man lashes out again. You know how he hates tardy people. And it doesn't help that he's exhausted so he's extra cranky today."
Favian huffed as he lightly pushed Raghnall to the direction of the seats.
"Okay, fine." Raghnall waved goodbye to Favian before slowly walking towards the prepared seats for the Rose class.
Although it was a Plant Sanctuary, it didn't only consist of plants. Its very center had a huge area that resembled a regular gymnasium. It had a rectangular flat space that's usually used as a testing site and stone bleachers as chairs. Each stone bleacher at each side of the area consists of designated classes. Since only high rank classes are usually encouraged to watch and take the test, the classes sitting on those bleachers were the Pansy class for Mages, Oleander class for Witches and Warlocks, Lotus Class for the Priests and Priestesses, and of course, the Rose Class for the talented.
Raghnall found his spot in his class and sat down comfortably. Actually, his favorite spot is always the seat nearest to the stage yet farthest from most of the other Rose class students. That's always the golden spot for him because he hates interacting with people he finds boring and annoying.
Seeing his deliberate act of self-alienation, the other Rose class students couldn't help but sneer among themselves.
"Does he think that he's so great that he deems us unworthy to sit with? Hah, look at him! Acting all high and mighty just because he's a Triple high rank."
A Rose class student spat out as he glared at Raghnall's back. Meanwhile, the other students together with him sneered and glared too as they began to talk to one another.
"Hmph! I tried to be friendly and talk to him yesterday but he won't even look at me! So rude! And I got so embarrassed! Guess he thinks we're not 'worthy' enough for his company, huh?"
"What?! To think that a commoner acts so high and mighty to us! How dare he!"
"He may be strong, and he may look good, but he's still just a commoner. Just give him enough money and he'll probably bow down to us soon! Hah!"
"Heh, don't mind him too much, girls. He's simply just a loser who couldn't even find friends except for that other loser from lily class."
"Well, they oddly fit each other. A beggar and a charity case."
Then, the students began to giggle and laugh as they continued on with their conversation.
Raghnall drowned out what the rest of them were saying and just simply focused on one thing that he heard.
'They oddly fit each other.'
Hehe. Someone said we fit each other.
He felt himself unconsciously smile when he heard it but he forced his lips to go back to a straight line, trying to conceal it.
That person surely has a great eye.
He coughed to prevent another smile from forming as he watched Inna among the participants of the test.
Inna didn't seem to notice Raghnall's stare as she tried to figure out what's actually happening.
After she separated from Raghnall, she just kept marching forward until she came across this huge crowd. They were wearing blue robes that were similar to hers so she figured that they're students who would want to take the test as well. But she's been waiting for so long that she's starting to grow bored.
Just as she was about to ask someone, a heavy fog enveloped everyone. And after a few moments, multiple screams of surprise surrounded the whole area. Hearing them, Inna began to panic. She looked left and right, searching for an exit but her vision was heavily impaired by the fog.
Then, just as she was about to go full on YOLO, she felt something grab her torso and pull her up. She squirmed in resistance but it tightened in response so she decided to stop lest it'll get tighter and she wouldn't be able to breathe. Then, she felt a scream rising up in her throat when the 'thing' began to whisk her at random directions. But her pride wouldn't let her release such a girly scream so, she stayed silent the whole time.
After a few moments of being oddly dragged around in silence, Inna was left positioned directly in front of a wooden table. On top of the wooden table were a stick made of charcoal as her pencil and a piece of paper.
Then, Inna finally figured it out.
This must be the written test!
Then she frowned as she picked up the makeshift pencil.
"They didn't have to be so rough about it."
She murmured as she tried to massage her sore hips from all the thrashing about. She tried to look around for a clue on what to do next but it was hard for her to see anything because the fog was still there.
"We'll now be starting the written exams."
An old hoarse voice echoed beyond the fog.
"Here are a few instructions before we begin."
Suddenly, a part of the fog formed a figure of a hunched back old man in front of Inna. The old man had one arm on his back while the other one was caressing his long beard which looked like whiskers of a catfish. Then, the smoky figure began to talk to her as if it was alive.
"Simply write the letter of the answer you deem is appropriate towards a certain scenario. A single letter answer only. If you deem that the answer was not in any of the choices, then simply write 'E' on the paper."
"Each question will only last for one moment and if there is no answer on the paper in under that moment, the number will be deemed incorrect. The answers will immediately be checked through a spell embedded in the paper. Changing of answers is also not possible."
"If you were to get majority of the questions right, the fog will disperse around you and you will proceed towards the practical test. If not, the fog will throw out such disgrace of a students and will be locked up in detention cells to further learn more about our country. If I hear any complaints, your time will be doubled."
"Next, no magic should be used in this exam. If I so much as see little mana being converted, into the detention cells you go. And if you try to disperse the fog, that will count as cheating and you will be thrown towards the detention cells to await further punishments. The fog is there to avoid anyone trying to cheat. And it can also detect changes of Mana around so if there is a fluctuation of Mana, there is someone trying to cast a spell."
Then, the figure made up of smoke errily faced Inna as though he was looking into her eyes.
"I may not be with you as you take the test, but I am able to see every move that you'll be doing so no funny business."
"And if you have any questions, reserve it at the end of the test. But I will not be entertaining questions from students who fails this test. Now, let's begin."
Then, the figure raised his hand and letters began to form from the smoke.
"Question number one, figure out if this statement speak the truth or not."
"The stament is regarding Anemoly's Law number 673: Magic-users and Fighters are allowed to fight inside a city, as long as they are granted permission from the Chief Captain to do so."
"And the choices are:
A. All Truth
B. All Lies
C. Mostly Truth
D. Mostly Lies."
Inna looked at the floating words in confusion.
What does this test mean by 'mostly'?!
When can she say that it's 'mostly'?!