(Grade S, rank 4.)
Nick was bewildered to say the least. Out of over 800 students he ranked fourth and not only that, he was given the highest grade classification possible.
(Why would my grade and rank be so high? I only used scrolls to fight while everyone else are actual Apprentice Magicians. Then again, I did beat Don Bartholomew but from my inexperienced perspective Don was probably also inexperienced and seemed to have the temperament of a boastful child. Did beating him really earn me such a high grade and rank?)
Ray Menzes spoke from behind the hologram:
"These grades are final and your ranking will not change until your end of year exam. Traditionally, the end of year exam is talked about at this point to prepare you for what is to come. The end of year exam will be a sort of survival challenge that we have every year and will be hosted within a private realm that the academy controls. Let me be clear, the mortality rate of students at Magician academies is so high because of challenges like this so from now on you should focus on improving yourselves because if you don't you will eventually become meat on someone else's chopping block. Ranks 1 through 10 stay here, I will escort you to receive your reward. An audience with the Dean that involves you asking him magic related questions is an opportunity that should not be wasted. Think properly about what you are going to ask."
Nick was very happy but that feeling was disturbed by a uneasiness that rose up within him, he could feel someone watching him closely; this awareness was also a skill he developed from growing up, always being the 'weird' one.
Nick glanced at his right side to see Cindy Reece staring him down. She had an expression of clear confusion. Nick didn't really care about her confusion and wasn't going to interact with her unless he had to.
(That's the look you give someone when they've done something that you didn't think they were capable of. You don't even know me idiot.)
Nick ignored Cindy and decided to think about his reward.
(What should I ask the Dean? Maybe I should ask why I got such a high grade and rank because I've got no clue. Come to think of it, two Regular Magicians saw something about my scrolls that interested them, could it be that whatever they were interested in is the reason for my high results. Hmmm...that seems to be very likely. If Norman and Devon noticed then it is very likely that the academy's other faculty noticed as well when I fought Don so it should not be all that harmful to ask the Dean questions about my magic scrolls.)
"All students beyond rank 10 are to leave this building right now!"
With Ray's command, dozens of students left the exam building talking about their experiences during this exam. Cindy also left while continuing to stare at Nick while she left. When she left the building, the uneasy feeling that Nick endured suddenly went away.
(That woman's weird herself, giving me such unease.)
After almost all the students left, there remained only ten students, four women and six men. They all seemed to be around Nick's age or a little older. Nick kept to himself and waited for instructions.
Ray walked towards the students saying:
"All ten of you, follow me to the Dean's office, no unnecessary talking is allowed."
Nick preferred that also but he had to ask something.
"Mr. Menzes, why are we walking to the Dean's office? With your awesome powers, couldn't we teleport there or something?"
Ray stopped walking, turned around and squinted his eyes at Nick. He answered with clear annoyance in his tone.
"While there are general spells and tools that allow Magician's to do similar things, you should stop thinking that all powerful Magician's can do anything with their magic. Almost all of us have our area of expertise and don't much use magic beyond that related to that area. What you are referring to is space related magic and while there are Magician's and tools that can teleport people, I am not such a Magician and I do not have such a tool. Although, I do know basic space magic, my magical affinities and my expertise are not related to that kind of magic energy so it would not benefit me to learn a teleportation spell. Take note students, almost all powerful Magicians are specialized. My unsolicited advice is that you should learn what kind of magic best suits you and limit yourself to mostly those related spells in preparation for your end of year exam. If you don't heed my advice, you may not make it to your second year."
All ten of us silently nodded in response to Ray's advice.
30 minutes later we reached a cube like building with many carvings on it's exterior walls. The symbols carved into the building almost looked like Valteese but due to his constant studying, Nick new that this was not Valteese. Ray spoke when we reached the buildings entrance.
"Do you see these carvings. They are the laws of a former Dean of this academy. With them here, even if a spell was cast that is powerful enough to destroy the entire academy, this one building would still stand."
Ray then lead the students into the building. Based on a map put in the lobby reception area, this building actually had thirty floors but from the outside it seemed to be only five storeys high. Ray made us take the elevator to the 29th floor. It was a quiet ride and even the feeling of inertia was absent the entire time. When we got off the elevator we could see a hall with five doors on each side of it and there was also a door at the end of the hall, it was a fancy look wooden double door with markings carved into it that were similar to those on the exterior of the building. Above the door was a sign written in a cursive styled font that read, 'The Dean's Office'.
The group walked up to that door and before Ray opened the door he turned to us saying:
"Act with caution in this room, the Dean is not as tolerant as he may look. You should always assume that you are under surveillance and for your own sakes, do not ever attempt to lie to the Dean when he asks you a direct question."
With that, Ray Menzes opened the double doors and the group walked in. Nick thought while entering:
(This is my chance to learn more about magic. I'm going to get as much useful information out of this old man as I can.)