"This is a true test of skill. I'm sure the professor will understand," Yi-Han said.

Professor Uregor had done his best to create the problem, and Yi-Han had done his best to solve it. It was a fair match between them. In such a match, there should be no lingering resentment.

'He doesn't seem to have an understanding expression, though.'

Professor Uregor's expression was definitely not that of a teacher understanding his student's victory. His frowning, displeased look seemed to say, "I'll get you back next semester's exam."

Yonaire felt anew that people could speak with just their expressions, even without saying a word.

'Will it really be okay?'

At this rate, he might have to make a Philosopher's Stone in the second semester...

Suddenly, Yi-Han muttered, "...But I can't just fail on purpose, can I?"

"..."

Yonaire looked at her friend with sympathetic eyes. It wasn't that Yi-Han didn't grasp reality. He grasped it but was deliberately turning a blind eye to it!

Professor Fluerwerk spoke to the entering students in a slightly apologetic voice, "What should we do about this? Unlike other professors' exams, mine will be boring."

"Wh-what kind of exam is it?"

Instead of answering, Professor Fluerwerk waved her wand. Test papers, quills, and ink bottles appeared on the students' desks.

"A very traditional exam where you solve problems and write answers, right?"

"Wo-wow!"

"Thank you, Professor!"

"You're the only one, Professor!"

"!?"

Professor Fluerwerk was startled by the students' enthusiastic reactions. Why on earth?

"So this is what Yi-Han meant when he said he's happiest when sitting and studying," Gainando said in a tearful voice.

Instead of running around here and there, they could sit calmly and only move the quill.

'That's not what I meant, though.'

As the students took their seats, the test papers flipped over.

Question 1. If the content of the following passage is true, select all the answers from the options that must be true.

-Imperial mage Tadingo tries to summon five demons to make a contract. At this time, the demon Zercluo must sign a contract before the demon Voluda can, otherwise, the contract cannot be made...

Seeing the dense questions, Yi-Han felt his mind calming down. It was the opposite of his friends' expressions darkening.

'It's not that difficult.'

"I-I was deceived by Yi-Han. Riding a horse is better, isn't it?" Gainando sobbed next to him, but Yi-Han ignored him, pretending not to hear.

Muhaddin, a priest of the Ciseners Order who revered knowledge and scholarship, prayed lightly and grasped the quill.

Although it wasn't easily revealed because they didn't boast, the students of the Immortal Phoenix Tower had a high average grade.

As priests, they mercilessly abandoned lectures they weren't interested in, but considering this, one could see how hard they studied.

Even among those students, Muhaddin was famous for being well-read and brilliant.

Naturally, for Muhaddin, an exam like <Basic Imperial Language and Logic> wasn't that difficult, just a relatively easy obstacle to pass.

'If only the other exams were like this.'

Muhaddin had no interest in riding a horse and avoiding spells flying at him. He also had no interest in wielding a staff and subduing summoned spirits.

Muhaddin just wanted to sit, read, and study. For Muhaddin, who hadn't had such an exam in a long time, it was quite satisfactory.

'This is number 3. Hmm... Ah. Am I solving it too quickly?'

Muhaddin realized he had already solved half of the exam questions and was surprised at himself, raising his head. The hourglass in front showed there was plenty of time left.

'I can solve it a little more slowly...'

Tap-

Yi-Han stood up from his seat, submitted his test paper in front, and bowed his head.

"Thank you for this semester, Professor."

"I should be the one thanking you for meeting such an outstanding student like Wardanaz."

Professor Fluerwerk answered in a light and bright voice. Yi-Han was slightly moved.

"The bureaucrats are the ones who take on the hard work of the empire, the pillars supporting the empire."

"Oh my. Why go that far... We're just menial workers! It's something student Wardanaz doesn't even need to be interested in."

Yi-Han left with a slightly darkened face. Thanks to her good mood, Professor Fluerwerk didn't notice the change in the classroom atmosphere.

Muhaddin came to his senses with a start and bowed his head.

'...I must be solving it too slowly!'

Dukma from the Jay family, a White Tiger student, exchanged glances with his friend.

-Ready?-

-Of course.-

Their preparation was for the <Basic Imperial Language and Logic> exam. To be more specific, it was cheating preparation, but cheating preparation could also be considered exam preparation in a way.

Cheating in other lectures was meaningless, but it was quite effective for exams like <Basic Imperial Language and Logic>.

'I thought I could cheat in at least one lecture, so I prepared, and finally!'

If Yi-Han had heard, he would have said, "You pathetic bastards, you could have studied in that time," but the White Tiger students were serious.

Fortunately, it seemed Professor Fluerwerk hadn't prepared much either. It was a golden opportunity.

'I succeeded in naturally sitting behind Wardanaz.'

'All that's left is to peek without getting caught.'

Some time after the exam started, Dukma felt it was about time. He took out a small telescope with a blue lens from his bosom. It was an artifact he had purchased from a Black Tortoise student for a large sum of money.

If he used this, even Wardanaz's test paper...!

Tap-

Yi-Han stood up from his seat and submitted his test paper.

The two students were dumbfounded and lost for words.

"???"

"???????"

'He finished it all??'

'Already??'

'What kind of guy is he...?!'

'No! Come back!!'

No matter how much they shouted inwardly, Yi-Han didn't return. Gainando, feeling their gazes, was startled and shouted, "You bastards! Trying to peek at my test paper! Professor! These guys are trying to peek at my test paper!"

"N-no!"

"We were just surprised! We just looked because we were surprised!"

The White Tiger students had to give up their cheating attempt with tears in their eyes. In the first place, since Wardanaz was gone, the only one left to copy from was Gainando, so there was no point in copying anyway.

"They're really bad guys! Those bastards tried to steal a look at my test paper!"

"?"

"??"

The Blue Dragon students tilted their heads at Gainando's words. Rather than being surprised that the White Tiger students tried to cheat, it was a bit strange that the target was Gainando.

"Why him of all people?"

"W-well? Didn't they study less than Gainando?"

"Is that possible?"

"I don't know. The White Tiger guys hardly study at all."

"They must have been really desperate..."

"Then I'll go take the healing magic exam."

"Ah. I'll go with you, Wardanaz."

"I have to go too."

The students who were (forcibly) taking healing magic moved their steps with Yi-Han. As they headed to the classroom, the students lightly complained.

"Still, making us take it so forcefully. We have to take exams too."

"It's unimaginable. Right?"

Instead of answering his friends' words and getting hurt, Yi-Han only showed a gentle smile.

"Ah. Wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"I have to go to the tower. I left my illusion magic book behind."

"What are you talking about, Wardanaz? The healing magic exam is now, you know?"

"Yeah. The exam right after this one is the illusion magic exam."

"..."

"...W-we'll bring it for you."

Declining his friends' consideration, Yi-Han headed to the tower alone.

'Actually, I'm not too worried about the illusion magic exam.'

Among the remaining magic exams, the most feared one was definitely the enchantment magic exam. Being the very last one to submit also made people's hearts heavy throughout the final exam week.

In comparison, the illusion magic exam was...

'The epitome of a reasonable exam.'

Yi-Han, who went to the tower and took out the book, headed to the classroom on the west side of the first floor of the main building. The healing magic exam was waiting there.

'Healing magic doesn't seem too difficult either.'

According to what he heard from Professor Garcia, basically, healing magic required a lot of time and practice to actually use on people. As such, there would be limited problems that could be given to first-year students.

Yi-Han expected a test paper format like <Basic Imperial Language and Logic>.

"Wait. What are you doing there?"

"!"

Two familiar senior students walked from the direction of the classroom. It was Phil and Chil, the two seniors in charge of healing magic.

If seniors who shouldn't be seen in the magic academy were seen, it meant...

"Are you here for the exam?"

"That's right."

"I thought you'd be surprised, but you're not?"

"Excuse me?"

"Don't new students usually get surprised when they see seniors? It was like that in our time."

Phil said, puzzled. Einroguard students usually got a shock upon seeing their seniors, which started from the second year. Until then, they wouldn't have seen seniors casually passing by.

"That's not important right now. Follow me. The exam location has changed."

"Did something happen?"

"A third-year blew up the classroom during the exam."

"Wasn't that a different classroom? I thought a second-year student's artifact exploded."

"..."

Hearing the spine-chilling stories, Yi-Han followed the two seniors. This crazy academy!

"Come to think of it, your other friends came first, so why are you late alone?"

"I left my book behind, so I went to get it."

"Ah. That's... Oops. I forgot mine too. Just a moment."

Phil turned back the way he came, apologizing. Chil shrugged his shoulders as if dumbfounded and said, "Let's wait a bit. Sorry about this."

"It's alright. There's plenty of time."

As Yi-Han stood in the hallway and tried to take out his book, Chil looked around and chose a classroom, opening the door.

"Don't read while standing. Sit and read."

"It's fine... Thank you."

"It's nothing."

Chil's eyes looking at Yi-Han were full of pity. Having to take all the classes, and even healing magic on top of that. Even if he bore all the curses in the world, it wouldn't be as painful as that.

If he didn't show this much kindness to such a junior, that senior would have to fall into the hottest spot in hell.

Grrr...

Squeak...

"?"

Entering the classroom, Yi-Han was puzzled by the groans of some animals. Looking around, there were cages stacked, and inside them, animals were sitting with bandages or looking sick.

"What is this?"

"Ah. They're injured animals brought from nearby towns. It's this semester's final exam."

"!"

Yi-Han was surprised. Not only the animals but also how coolly the exam question was revealed.

'Is this okay? Is it because there's not much difference?'

It was a bit confusing, but since the exam was about to start, and considering the nature of healing magic, Yi-Han chose to remain silent.

"Is the exam to heal these animals?"

"That's right. If you're interested, you can practice it in advance. I'll watch over you."

Yi-Han was slightly moved by his senior's consideration. Letting him practice the final exam in advance.

Damn... No, there was a strong sense of camaraderie among students struggling with difficult subjects.

"Is it really alright?"

"Yeah. The students taking the exam won't be able to heal them all anyway, so we have to cure the rest. Even if you make a mistake, I'll be next to you, so it'll be fine."

There was a reason why Chil gave this special treatment. It was because this wasn't the first-year final exam but the second-year final exam.