Alvin and Connor didn't look well after hearing the place of the exam. "Is there something wrong in this Dark Canyons?" Linfel asked.
Felia and Tratil sighed. "Don't worry. Regardless of the place of the exam, these two would probably look like that. They haven't taken a single Field Exam yet, after all."
The instructor's voice boomed from the front. "The objective of this exam is to collect the Flags scattered along the path. But don't worry, you won't need to carry them. Once you're within ten meters of a Flag, your Magical Energy Signature will be detected, and the Flag will be added to your Field Exam results."
"Be aware that Flags in the same region are all connected to each other. That means it is useless to keep walking near the start of the exam location and collecting the Flags in that place. The points for that kind of easy Flag will only be computed once."
"You will know if you already have that kind of Flag through its color. If the color is the same as some of the Flags you got previously, then there is no need to try to approach it. You won't get anything from that."
"To accumulate more points, you will need to go further into the Dark Cayons' Maze. Usually, it takes around ten hours to reach the deepest parts."
Felia whispered to Linfel. 'Ten hours is in the case of the A and B classes. For Rank F Maguses and Familiars like us, it would already be a miracle if we could make it halfway to the end at all.'
Linfel nodded, expecting something like that.
The instructor didn't stop. "Each flag is worth 50 points. However, the last flag at the deepest party will give you 100 points. Not only do these points get added to your exam result, but they will also be converted into Academy Credits once the exam is over. In total, it should be possible for you to get a thousand Academy Credits if you collect all Flags."
'A THOUSAND!' Linfel's eyes lit up. That's the same as ten days straight of work in the Star Magic Energy Receptors. Linfel then looked at Alvin, excited. "To the very end, we go!"
Alvin and Connor felt a chill on their backs. "Out of question! Do you know what kind of Magic Beasts you can find in the deeper parts of the Dark Cayons? Near Level Two! Near Level Two Magic Beast! If you are truly unlucky, you might really find a Level Two Magic Beast in there! We will die for sure if we get close. Let's cover 20 or 30% of the way. It should be safe enough."
Felia couldn't help but show a disappointed expression. "I wonder what Milia will say when she hears that a member of her Floating Blades Faction didn't have the courage to leave the initial area. Would Alvin still be part of the Floating Blades Faction by tomorrow? No, that matters little. All I can imagine is the disgust on her face every time she looks at you two from now on..."
Alvin and Connor were taken aback. "T-This is blackmail!"
Felia nodded without care. "You can be certain it is!"
Alvin and Connor struggled for a while and gritted their teeth in the end. "Fine! However, we will not commit suicide either. If it truly gets too dangerous, we will turn back!"
Felia was satisifed. "That's good enough, Master."
Tratil agreed. "Indeed, Master. The important thing is for you two to get experience in this kind of perilous situation. Don't forget what we heard back in the Floating Blades Faction."
Linfel looked at all of that and couldn't help but mention it. "It is impressive what the prospects of procreating with good genes can do. As evolved as humans got, their search for the opposite gender is still very much a deciding factor."
"P-Procreation..." Alvin and Connor had their minds wander for a second as the image of the goddess of the Floating Blades Faction appeared in their minds. With two young men still at the age of fifteen, such a dream situation was enough to make them risk their lives.
The instructor obviously didn't pay attention to Linfel's group and continued his explanation. "Students will be dropped on different outer regions according to their ages. Everyone here is between twelve and fifteen, so you will dropped in the southwest region. You will find the higher-ranked students of the same age being left there as well. Whether you want to join forces or go alone is up to you."
The instructor then warned the students. "However, the entire exam field is being closely monitored. Anyone trying to follow stronger students while doing nothing to help will have their points removed. We didn't come here to breed cowards."
There goes Alvin and Connor's idea of simply tagging some strong A and B Classes...
As for Linfel, he already decided that he would take a different path from everyone else. Of course, he would drag Alvin and Felia with him. Exploring with big groups could be considered safer, but it was also slower. Besides, he wanted to try out his combat power in this world of Magic Energy.
"Last but not least," the instructor added. "there are 100% bonuses for the first ten students to add a Flag to their names. So, 100 points for each Flag and 200 for the last one if you are within the first ten. Of course, I know what some of you are thinking. It would be too unfair since we even have students in their last year of the Academy already at the age of 25. However, Life is not fair, let alone the Magus World. Deal with it."
In fact, the exam was still slightly fairer than everyone thought. That's because older students would be dropped at much harder-to-progress regions while younger ones like Alvin and Connor would start from easier ones. It's just that the instructor and the other workers and teachers of the Academy wouldn't tell anyone about it.
"Alright, we should be arriving in the next thirty minutes. Organize everything you find necessary, and be prepared to jump!"