The academy hummed with a tension that was both electric and restrained, like a storm gathering over still water. Semester exams were finally upon us, and although this wasn't my first experience with academic pressure, it felt different this time. For days, the halls had been filled with frantic whispers, books clutched under arms, and students furiously muttering spells under their breath, as if the words might magically stick to their brains. I'd overheard enough conversations about sleep schedules ruined, mana reservoirs stretched to the brink, and last-minute cramming sessions to know that everyone was feeling it—even the ones who tried to look unfazed.
Today, however, there was a subtle shift. Theory Day was here, and while the tension in the air was thick, there was something else, too: excitement. We were finally getting this show on the road, with the combat exam looming as the real, inevitable climax. Episode Three wasn't supposed to be a friendly classroom exercise; it was going to be a brutal, sweaty display of magic and endurance, the kind that would be talked about for days.
But for now, Theory Day was more like the appetizer—the "mental conditioning," as our instructors liked to call it, which sounded like a fancier version of, "Let's see how many obscure principles we can shove into your head."
As I entered the exam hall, I glanced around. The rows of desks were filling up fast, each one marked with a student's name, quills, and crisp stacks of parchment awaiting our arrival like a challenge issued from on high. This wasn't a scene from some epic spell-casting duel, but you could feel the pulse of anticipation all the same.
Just as I found my seat, Dorian slid into the desk beside me, looking far too smug for someone about to tackle magical theory. He tossed me his usual smirk, the kind that radiated confidence so intense you had to wonder if it was genuine or just a mask. Probably a bit of both.
"Ready to put your brain cells to work, Lucius?" he quipped, twirling his quill like it was a weapon, like he was about to duel the exam paper instead of fill it out.
I raised a brow, leaning back with a casual shrug. "If it keeps me from thinking about tomorrow's chaos, then sure. Theory's the warm-up lap. The main event is tomorrow."
He let out a low chuckle, but even he couldn't fully hide that edge in his eyes. Around us, the energy of the room was palpable. Some students were glancing around nervously, their expressions caught between forced calm and creeping dread. Claire, a few rows ahead, turned around to give me an encouraging thumbs-up, mouthing "Good luck" as she grinned. I returned the gesture with a lazy salute, earning a snicker before she turned back to face her own exam paper.
The loud clack of Isaac's heels echoed through the room, silencing any last murmurs. He stood at the front, arms folded, his gaze sweeping over the room with that look instructors loved to use—the "I'm watching you" expression, designed to keep us on our toes.
"Alright, everyone. You know the drill. Begin."
A collective rustle filled the room as we all grabbed our quills and leaned over our papers, diving into the first page. The first question was basic—practically a warm-up for our brains.
"Explain the core principle of mana circulation in high-magic environments."
My quill scratched over the parchment as I filled in the answer without much thought. Easy. Next question.
"Describe the balance between elemental resistance and vulnerability when casting spells of opposing natures."
I allowed myself a faint smirk, grateful for the fact that this was something I'd actually studied. "Magic rock-paper-scissors," I muttered under my breath, jotting down my answer. Wind beats fire, fire beats ice, and so on—simple.
As I worked my way down the page, the questions started growing trickier, each one a little more obscure than the last, like the exam writers had made a game of it. "Define the 'Ancestral Mana Flux Theory' and its implications in spell creation."
I frowned. The Ancestral Mana Flux Theory? Oh, come on. That was buried so deep in the archives that I was pretty sure it was a question designed purely to catch us off-guard. The academy really wasn't pulling any punches this year. But I managed to piece together something passable, remembering a few key points from that midnight study session with the dustiest book in the library.
Dorian wasn't looking as smug now. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him squinting at his paper like he was trying to decipher ancient runes. He caught me looking and mouthed, What the hell is Ancestral Mana Flux? I just shrugged, grinning. You're on your own, pal.
Another question, another answer. Every now and then, I let my mind drift, imagining what tomorrow's combat exam might hold. Claire's thumbs-up from earlier crossed my mind, and I wondered if she'd be in the same testing group. Not that I doubted her abilities, but it'd be good to have someone I trusted out there on the field with me, someone who knew how to handle herself.
About an hour in, I realized my focus was wavering. The questions were starting to blend together, each one more obscure than the last, and I fought to keep my mind from wandering too far ahead. A few rows over, one of the students let out a barely-audible groan, followed by an intense scribbling sound as they tried to salvage their answer. I'd seen enough to know they'd be either bolting out of the hall or collapsing in the aftermath.
Eventually, the clock ticked down, and Instructor Isaac's voice rang out again. "Pens down. All exams collected at the front."
I let out a sigh of relief and leaned back, flexing my cramped hand. Around me, some students sagged in their chairs, while others looked visibly rattled. Dorian gave me a smirk, but even he looked a little more exhausted than usual. Claire stretched, grinning as she gathered her things, and we exchanged a look that said, At least we survived.
"Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Claire said, falling into step beside me as we made our way out of the exam hall. Her usual spark of confidence was back, and I could see the glimmer of excitement in her eyes, no doubt already thinking ahead to tomorrow.
I chuckled. "Can't say I'm too rattled by a few history questions and mana circulation diagrams. But tomorrow? That's a different beast entirely."
Her grin shifted, growing sharper, and I could see that focused, almost predatory look she got whenever combat came up. "I heard the scouts will be right there on the field. They want to see us in action, Lucius. Real, on-the-ground magic. I hope you're ready to impress."
I rolled my eyes, keeping it casual. "Oh, don't worry. If the Order scouts are here for a show, I'll give them one." Not to mention, I'd have to survive whatever twisted version of Episode Three was waiting for me. That part, however, I kept to myself.
She raised a brow, smirking. "Careful, that confidence of yours might just outshine Dorian's."
I laughed, but the truth was, tomorrow's combat exam had me in the same excited-but-nervous headspace as everyone else. As we stepped into the main hall, it was clear we weren't alone in feeling the weight of what was coming.
The academy corridors were buzzing with chatter and barely contained energy, students spilling out from every corner like they'd been holding their breaths through the entire exam. Conversations overlapped in waves as everyone dissected the morning's questions and speculated wildly about tomorrow's challenges. Here and there, people gathered in little clusters, some laughing off their nerves, others already swapping study notes, theories, and a few anxious glances.
"Do you think the scouts are only looking for top-rankers?" I overheard one student whisper to another, his voice just loud enough to catch the attention of everyone nearby.
"Nah, I heard they're here to see everyone," someone replied with an exaggerated tone. "They'll want to know who's going to make it in the real world and who's just here for the grades."
Claire shot me a knowing look. "Sounds like some people are in for a rude awakening tomorrow."
"Hey, if they're here for the grades, maybe we can loan them a few mana potions to get through the fight," I said, grinning. The banter was helping, but that tension kept simmering in the background, and it seemed everyone was feeling it.
Around us, students were eagerly sharing everything they'd heard about past combat exams, their voices a blend of excitement and nervous bravado. "Last year, I heard they had a full-on spell maze," one girl said, her eyes wide. "Traps everywhere, and a professor in disguise attacking students at random!"
"Or maybe they'll throw something big at us, like… an actual monster," a first-year whispered, clearly more frightened than the others, his face practically glowing with the terror of imagined beasts.
I snorted. "If they release monsters in the arena, I'll let Dorian handle it. He's always bragging about his 'natural battle instincts,' right?"
Claire laughed, giving me a nudge with her elbow. "Somehow, I think you'd be the one stealing his thunder."
As we reached the exit, students poured out into the academy courtyard, spilling over the stone steps and grass in every direction. The cool breeze was refreshing after being stuck inside with the smell of ink and stressed-out classmates. The grounds were alive with the murmur of voices and an electric sense of anticipation, like the calm before a storm.
One group of students had already set up a little circle near the fountain, sparring and showing off new spells they'd been practicing. Small, colorful bursts of magic flickered in the air, lighting up in rapid succession as one of them demonstrated a particularly flashy spell. Cheers erupted from the crowd around them, others whooping in excitement.
"Guess no one's waiting until tomorrow to show off," I said, nodding in their direction.
Claire tilted her head, watching the impromptu spell showcase with amusement. "Think they'll have anything left by tomorrow?"
"If they do, I'll be impressed," I replied, smirking. "Let them get it out of their system. We both know there's no faking it when it's the real deal."
Claire nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. "You're right. I wonder what the instructors have planned… I mean, the rumors about those scouts, the special exam arena—I bet they're cooking up something big this time."
"Whatever it is, I plan on being as prepared as possible." I gave her a mock salute before heading off in the direction of my dorm. "Good luck with the rest of your… pre-exam warm-ups. I'd say don't overdo it, but I know that's not your style."
She laughed and shook her head, calling after me, "Save some of that swagger for tomorrow, Lucius!"
As I left the courtyard behind, the noise of my fellow students slowly faded. In the quieter path back to the dorms, I passed more students on their way out to join the courtyard crowd. Everyone seemed to be buzzing with a mix of nerves and excitement, some still clinging to their notebooks like they might cram in a few more notes, others laughing and trading jokes as if trying to keep their spirits high.
Back in my room, I took a breath, settling into the familiar silence. I gave my gear a once-over—spell components, mana potions, and, finally, the sword I'd stashed in the back of my closet. I hadn't used it much since that incident a few weeks back, but it seemed different now, almost as if it had been lying in wait. I pulled it out carefully, feeling the cool weight of it in my hand, and ran a thumb along the edge, half-expecting the runes to light up like before.
This time, the blade was quiet. The runes glowed softly, steady and calm. No wild magic, no fainting spells. Just a faint hum of power, like a heartbeat. Holding it now, I could feel a subtle change—a kind of strength that hadn't been there before, or maybe one I hadn't been able to sense until now.
With a final glance out the window, I took in the academy grounds, glowing under the soft light of the evening sky, scattered groups of students still out there, laughing, testing spells, soaking in the night before the big day.