The scene shifted to three days later. The Royal Academy grounds, usually buzzing with youthful energy, felt heavy with unease. A cold morning breeze drifted across the courtyard as the students made their way toward the examination hall for the Eligibility for Finals Exam — a test they were given only three days to prepare for.
As Kazuki walked through the stone corridors, he could feel the tension in the air. Students whispered nervously among themselves, their faces pale with anxiety. Some clutched their notes, revising till the last moment, while others sat slumped against the walls, defeated before even entering the room.
Kazuki, however, wore a calm smile.
He stepped into the exam hall, and the atmosphere inside was even heavier. The massive room, lined with long rows of wooden desks, was deathly silent except for the sound of panicked breaths. The examiners stood at the front, holding sealed scrolls containing the question papers. Almost every student looked on the verge of breaking.
Some of the students shot glances at Kazuki as he walked to his desk, surprised at how relaxed he appeared. A few even muttered under their breath.
"How is he smiling right now?"
"Maybe he already knows the paper."
Kazuki ignored them, taking his seat, and casually leaned back against the chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as if this was just another regular morning.
The bell rang.
An examiner's voice echoed across the room."Begin."
The sealed papers were placed on every desk, and students hurriedly unrolled them. The rustling sound of parchment filled the hall. But as eyes met the questions, a wave of panic spread like wildfire.
The paper was far beyond their expectations. Complex theory, critical history of the kingdoms, magic principles, battle strategy reasoning — all intricately woven into nearly impossible scenarios. Even the academy's best students struggled to comprehend the first few questions.
A bead of sweat formed on many brows.
Yet Kazuki picked up his pen and began to write smoothly, the same faint smile on his face.
"It doesn't matter how many tricks you play on South Ryehem," Kazuki thought to himself as he scribbled down his answers. "You won't succeed in your plan, North Ryehem."
He knew this exam wasn't a coincidence. It was a small piece in a far bigger plot.
An hour later, during the exam interval, students were allowed to step out for a short break. The courtyard was filled with anxious murmurs.
"I could barely answer half of it.""Half? I only did three questions.""Even the toppers are breaking down…"
Some students were already crying, and others sat on the ground, heads buried in their hands.
Inside, Kazuki remained seated at his desk, calmly sipping water. A few students glanced at him, both annoyed and baffled by his composed demeanor.
"He's not even a little shaken?" one whispered.
The bell rang again, calling them back for the second half of the exam. Resigned groans filled the air.
The next session was no better — riddled with unexpected, mind-numbing problems. Students who were usually confident now stared blankly at their papers. The pressure was unbearable.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, chaos broke out. Several students clung to their papers, unwilling to let go.
"Please, let us reattempt!""This can't count!"
But the teachers, unfazed by their protests, collected the answer sheets methodically. No exceptions.
As the last paper was taken, Kazuki still wore that same easygoing smile.
A boy sitting a desk away from him, trembling, finally asked."A-Aren't you scared? This was impossible! None of us could even solve half of it!"
Kazuki glanced at him, leaned back in his chair, and chuckled softly.
"I'm not part of that 'us', so let me go."
The boy blinked, speechless, as Kazuki stood up and walked out of the room, leaving the suffocating atmosphere behind him.