CHAPTER 178: EVALUATION TEST [4]

"Alright, you guys have two hours for this."

Professor Thorne’s voice carried across the lecture hall. Sharp and clear.

He stood at the front, having just finished distributing the exam papers.

"Start."

His single word hung in the air for a heartbeat.

Then—

Papers rustled. Quills lifted.

And...

Scratch! Scratch! Scratch!

The sound filled the room. Dozens of students writing in unison.

Alaric sat at the last bench of the first row. Head down, hand moving steadily across the parchment.

His quill didn’t pause. Didn’t hesitate. Just kept going, line after line, filling the page with neat, precise script.

He didn’t look up. Just wrote.

An hour passed.

And with that, it’s done.

"Phew!"

He exhaled in relief and stretched his arms overhead, lacing his fingers together and pushing upward.

He left out a groan as his spine popped.

He rolled one shoulder forward, then back. Used his opposite hand to message his shoulders.

Then he lifted his gaze and looked around the room.

Most students were still hunched over their papers. Quills moving frantically. Some chewing their lips in concentration. Others pausing to think before continuing.

Then his eyes caught on someone specific.

A boy at the first bench in the third row.

Who was also hunched, writing non stop.

"Hmm..."

Alaric’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Now what happened to him?

It had been a week since the Crimson Tide ended.

And the academy also had relaxed its heightened security. Patrols were lighter. Curfew less strict. Things settling back into routine as the investigation about the attack at the capital was coming closer to the conclusion.

But that wasn’t what caught Alaric’s attention.

It was Oliver’s behavior.

He had changed.

Nothing obvious enough that others would notice. But as his roommate, someone who’d had to endure Oliver’s constant rambling, his anxious worrying about every little thing, Alaric had caught the signs.

Now, he seemed more...

"Confident and direct."

The words came out his lips as he watched the other boy write. Oliver’s posture was straighter now. His movements deliberate rather than hesitant.

Alaric closed his eyes. Propped his elbow on the desk and rested his cheek against his palm.

"Well, good for him."

The words came out barely a whisper. Almost to himself.

Whatever had happened, it wasn’t his problem.

He had enough of his own.

Just like his...

Status.

He commanded internally, and a cyan panel popped in front of his eyes, it wasn’t flickering or glitching like it had been before.

[STATUS]

Name: Brandon ___ (Past Life: Alaric Noir)

Race: ____

Age: _____

Bloodline: _____ (Partially Awakened)

Title: Slave, Model Servant, Prince of Blackthorn, (The Fallen King)

Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##

Sub-Path: Flame, Lightning

Rank: C

EXP: 30/15,000

Stats:

STR: 132

AGI: 132

END: 132

WIL: 132

CHA: 132

INT: 132 (??)

Free stat points: 345

DP: 0

Skill Tree:

Basic Lightning Spells (F) [New]: Lightning Bolt

Intermediate Fire Spell (B): Fireball, Flame Arrow, Burst Step

Scorchblade Arts (S): • 1st Form – Flame Blade • 2nd Form – Flame Slash • 3rd Form – Blazing Mirage

Dominion’s Gaze (A)

Regnant Strike (B)

Obedience Chains (A) (New): [Allows user to bind foes with chains of absolute authority, making them unable to resist any command from the host. Only works on those who have lower willpower than user. Effect remains until user unbinds the target. Can bind 3 maximum.]

Gluttony (S) (New): [User can take and absorb the skills of enemies they have defeated.]

Loyal Subjects (S) (New): [User can bestow stats to subjugated targets using Domination Points.]

Scanner Shop: Advanced Tier Items

Obedience Meter: 1 (70%)

Loyalty Meter: 1 (80%)

DP Exchange: Unavailable (Insufficient Domination Points)

Inventory Upgrade (New): Can store 1 living thing in the inventory

Fuse (New): Can fuse items in the inventory to make them more powerful

(Usage: Once a day)

System Level: 4

Next Upgrade: 100,000 DP

??? (System Level 5 required)

"So I’m—no..." His free hand moved and pressed against his chest.

"This guy is not human, huh?"

He muttered, staring at the blank space next to Race.

His fingers curled slightly against his shirt.

He had asked system about it, why it wasn’t showing him even all of his stats, but it didn’t responded.

Just gave its typical, level not enough bullshit.

"And probably much older too."

He paused for a moment and narrowed his eyes. "And when did I get the Lightning too?"

Then—

"Time’s up."

Professor Thorne’s voice cut through the hall like a blade. Pulling him out of his trail of thoughts

Around him, multiple movements erupted.

Quills dropped.

Hands lifting away from papers.

Some students groaned—the ones who’d left questions blank, probably scrambling to finish that last sentence. Others sighed, shoulders sagging with relief. A few grinned like they’d already won.

Professor Thorne moved down the aisles and collected papers with methodical efficiency.

He put the stack of the sheets on his desk and then motioned others to leave.

Students began filing out. The scrape of chairs. Footsteps echoing. Voices rising as they compared answers in hushed, anxious tones.

Alaric stood too, grabbing his bag and started walking towards the exit.

"Hey, Alaric."

He paused mid-step as someone called after him.

Turned his head slightly and saw Oliver walking toward him through the thinning crowd.

Smiling. Actually smiling, not that nervous, twitchy expression he used to wear.

"So... how was the written test?" He asked as they fell into step together. Moving down the corridor with the flow of other students.

"Fine."

Alaric’s answer came flat. He didn’t even look at Oliver. Just kept his eyes forward.

"Just fine?"

Oliver’s eyes narrowed. Then he clicked his tongue.

"Put some effort in there, Glimor. You could at least say ’it was tough but I did my best,’ or ’the third question gave me—’"

"Would it make any difference?" Alaric cut him off. Gave him a side glance

Oliver just sighed and gave a shrug.

"Guess not."

The response came too easy and unbothered.

Alaric’s eyes narrowed at the reaction.

His gaze lingered on Oliver for another moment, but he said nothing.

Just turned forward again and kept walking.

Toward the training grounds.

Where the last phase, the practical test, would happen.