The annual magi exam.
An exam hosted every year in the capital of the empire always boasted a high percentage of nobles pass rate.
However, the first exam hosted by the 3rd Prince John Emberson became the turning point.
The first day of the exam had its viewers witness a bloody fight from the very start.
Proceeding to the 2nd day of the exam which was hosting the 2nd stage of the exam had even more ruthlessness and bloodshed.
People going after points.
The lucky ones to encounter a mini-game and going after them, only to realise the mini-games were even more dangerous than people.
The unfortunate nobles or high standing students encountering those that they had pushed down.
Many nobles who were watching from outside gritted their teeth in anger seeing their children suffering at the hands of mere commoners.
However, they couldn't do anything other than sit there and watch. Attempting to forcefully enter was resulted in a quick action of being taken down by the mercenaries stationed around the exam ground, not to mention the barrier surrounding the exam premises which stopped anyone from going in or out.
Never had the nobles felt so helpless in their lives.
Every exam had a guaranteed pass rate for nobles. Yet this was the first time that not only did the majority of the nobles were on the brink of failure most of them are being chased around and being hunted like dogs, by the very people the nobles looked down on.
None of this was as bad as what happened to 2 families. They all sighed seeing that they didn't suffer as badly as them.
The Springwood and Sprinkles family.
Everyone witnessed the carnage held by the rank 2 student Ellis.
After hearing what he had fed the girl of Sprinkles family with, many who were unaware of what both families did to Ellis, wondered how the hell did they offend that maniac.
As soon as Ava was taken out of the exam hall, her father ran out with her to quickly go and find the antidote to the birthless poison.
There are often women amongst the nobility who uses their body for benefits from other nobles. Since these women have exceedingly large amount relationship, close to one man a day, they have to take a birthless pill to make sure they don't end up being pregnant.
Most women in the empire considered there was nothing more precious and important as being able to give birth and raise their own child. But to make sure they don't lose their clients they take a birthless pill to assure them they stay barren. These type of women care little for theirs or other people's family, and only for wealth and power.
Women like these were usually hard to find amongst other nobles, due to them hiding their secret very well, as well as to protect the identity of their clients. However, once someone found them out then the social isolation and ousting they will face can be naturally imagined. Along with that once they are exposed it was guaranteed no man will go to her, in fear of his status being ruined as well.
Ava's fate was sealed if her father couldn't find that cure within the time limit: being branded as one of these women even though she didn't even commit anything wrong. Along with, not being able to marry into another family.
Even though many people can bear witness to what really happened to her, they all knew very well the destructive power of false rumours.
And not to mention the greatest disaster to any women in the empire, not being able to give birth.
Compared to her everyone knew Phil had it easy. His arm could be healed as long as they had enough connection with the imperial healers serving under the emperor and money to pay for the healing.
His, accumulation can also be brought back by eating John's food.
However as soon as Phil was taken out, an hour later, his father quickly took him to be examined. He had noticed how Ellis had slipped a pill into his mouth. He was worried it was another poison.
"Darn that bastard. He came prepared." Phil's father gritted his teeth as he carried his son and his charred, burned arm off.
Ellis sat in a corner, reflecting on what he had just accomplished.
People often said revenge was not worth it.
Unlike what people said he felt relief from his heart, as he completed part of his revenge.
He was glad he had prepared for this long ago.
He had used his first salary for working with his highness to buy these 2 pills -hoping to use them on the fateful day they were to slither into his palm.
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The test proceeded as normal.
However, what no ever expected was the royal princess to not go back to the camp.
Instead, she walked off to the opposite direction of the camp, while her friend, Law just silently watched her.
Law came back to the camp, seeing his downcast expression no one asked where Natasha was. After all the feeling of betrayal stung, especially when it was done by your best friend.
The camp held up surprisingly successfully, under the assault of the predator for the rest of the remaining time. However, those watching the test knew it was because Ellis didn't purposely report the location to other predators, thereby easing their pressure.
Then end of the test arrived at the end of 48 hours with an announcement.
"Everyone stop! This concludes the end of phase 2, Survival." The voice of K announced.
"Those who have successfully passed this round will have a golden border on their badge. Other than those with golden badge, can the rest of you as well as those who don't want to proceed with the exams make their way out of the barrier that is about to open please."
Amongst the 10,000 students only close to 10% passed the test by the end of round 2.
Many students tiredly made their way out, having been starving for the past 2 days without food and water.
Yet what awaited them outside was a feast.
Contrary, to many people peoples guesses there were still quite a lot of nobles amongst the 1,000 students who passed the exam.
After all, to the students who had nothing but a golden ticket, when you are offered money more than you could ever make, who would reject it.
They could take the test again next year, but would they ever be able to get a chance to make this much money even if they worked hard as a graduate rank 1 magi for 5 years? Especially when considering their barely financially stable family back home, who was relying on them to pass the exam.
"The students who have passed, food is being arranged for you at the safe zone. This time, there is no limitation to using the safe zone. Our staff will be inside the safe zone to guide you in an orderly manner. The predators will be given priority.
The safe zone will be open until tomorrow afternoon, after which your next test will start.
You won't be able to leave the exam venue for your own safety and to limit cheating.
So, eat and rest properly for tomorrow. Goodbye." Announcing that K had left.
The remaining students without waiting for anything else quickly made their way towards the safe zone like ravished beasts.
As Ellis arrived at the safe zone many avoided him and stayed away from him, after hearing what he had done. After all, associating with someone as bloody and cruel as Ellis is asking to be killed, especially when his target was a noble.
The most anyone else in this exam done was beat their target of vengeance up, not leave them half-dead like Ellis.
Not only Phil, but many students had heard how Ellis had tortured other students in a similar and ruthless way as well.
Ellis grabbed his plate of food and grabbed a bottle of water and made his way out.
Coming opposite him was Natasha.
Seeing him, she stood still for a second with complicated expression running through her eyes, before walking forward.
As they passed each other Ellis said in a quiet voice, "Thanks for the stone."
Natasha's heart stood still at that moment as terror went across her face. 'How did he find out? Did anyone else find out?'
As she turned around to ask him, she saw that he had already walked quite a distance away, alone.
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In a room filled with hundreds of screen sat a person who watched the short exchange between Ellis and Natasha, in amusement.
Seeing the half-sister of John freeze like a deer caught in headlight was priceless.
Although there were plenty of cameras around the exam site, the students weren't aware of that unless they could identify the hidden cameras.
I had already seen Natasha covering her face and coming out that night. I made sure no one would notice the exchange by controlling what the people in the waiting hall saw.
'Hope you don't cross my path little lamb.' I thought while anticipating the knock I will soon hear on my door.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Come in." I ordered as I turned around in my wheelie chair, to face the messenger that had arrived.
A young teenager walked in, as the sword on his waist swayed in his movement.
"I passed the message to the boy, your highness." Luke replied as he bowed towards me.
"Boy? There is not much age difference between you and Ellis." I teased him.
His face suddenly showed a case of carelessness before quickly covering it up.
"Anyway, thanks, Luke. You can get back to work, and I hope your lips are as tight as the grip of your sword." I smiled towards Luke, who nodded seriously to me, understanding the meaning behind what I said.
He left the room closing the door.
'What the hell is going on here? A time traveller, who transmigrated into his parallel worlds body. What next a system user?' I cursed my rotten luck as I looked back at the screen observing all the students.
"Where are you, infiltrators? I have weeded the useless ones out to find you." I mused out to no one inside the empty room.