CHAPTER 38: THE TEST’S LAST HOURS

Chapter 38: The Test’s Last Hours

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The general science test booklet felt thicker than the last one, and as Arios flipped through the pages, a mix of relief and concern washed over him. He was a science student in his past life, and the first sections on biology and physics looked familiar. The questions on biology were straightforward: identifying the parts of a cell, explaining the process of photosynthesis, and naming the major organs of the human body. He breezed through them, his pen moving with confident strokes.

The physics section was similarly simple. He answered questions on Valerius laws of motion, calculating the velocity of an object in freefall and the force required to accelerate a given mass. He even solved a complex problem on thermodynamics that required him to calculate the change in entropy for a system. He smiled to himself, a comfortable rhythm settling over him as he worked. This was his turf.

But his confidence wavered when he reached the "Alchemic Chemistry" and "Manatheic Synthesis" sections. This was where the magical world deviated from his own, and he was grateful for the late- evening study session with Elisa and Veyrion. The alchemic chemistry questions required him to identify the properties of various magical ingredients, such as a Tear of the Serpent’s ability to stabilize volatile potions or a Sunstone’s capacity to amplify fire-based concoctions. He recalled Veyrion’s patient explanations and worked through the questions, relying on his newfound knowledge.

Manatheic Synthesis was the most challenging. The questions focused on how different mana affinities reacted with each other during material creation. One question asked him to describe the process of forging a mana-infused sword from raw iron and a Wind Crystal. He remembered Elisa’s meticulous notes and scribbled down the steps, explaining how the wind affinity would make the blade lighter and faster while maintaining its structural integrity. He felt his mind straining as he tried to recall every detail, but the information was there, thanks to their thorough tutoring. He finished the test with minutes to spare, a deep sense of satisfaction settling over him.

As he closed his booklet, he saw the chaos of the exam hall. Students were frantically scribbling, their faces pale with anxiety. But his eyes were drawn to Rian Blake, a lot of rows behind. Rian’s posture was rigid, his face a mask of panic. He was staring at the blank answer sheet in front of him, his pen motionless in his hand. Rian’s eyes were darting from his paper to Kyousuke, as if desperately pleading for a signal.

Kyousuke, however, was also in a daze. He had breezed through his own test, but his mind wasn’t on the questions. He was watching Rian, his expression that of building rage. He had watertight plan. He had planned on blackmailing Mr. Calborne for the test questions, ensuring Rian would pass and become his powerful pawn. He had even planned on going a step further and reporting Calborne to the administration, eliminating any chance of the instructor ever ratting on him. Kyousuke’s hands clenched into fists, his rage slightly becoming uncontrollable as he realized his foolproof plan couldn’t come to fruition.

A cold, hard reality began to set in. Someone might have known what he was going to do. The realization hit him like a physical blow, and he felt a slight something, kin to a primal fear, which he hadn’t experienced since the start of the academy. He scanned the hall, his eyes narrowed, looking for a potential culprit, but he couldn’t find anyone.

Meanwhile, Arios felt the shift in the atmosphere. He could sense Kyousuke’s mood shift and Rian’s despair. A subtle smirk formed on his lips. His move was a success. He knew that Kyousuke’s entire strategy rested on having Rian pass with a high score. By reporting Mr. Calborne, Arios had cut off Kyousuke’s access to the test questions, forcing Rian to rely on his own knowledge, which Arios knew to be nonexistent. The dominoes were falling exactly as he had planned.

The sound of the hourglass running out of sand echoed through the silent auditorium. "Time’s up!" Professor Vaelian announced. "Please put your pens down and move to the front of the hall for your ten-minute break."

Arios stretched and walked out into the hallway, feeling a rush of triumph. He was in control of this game, and for the first time since he had been reborn, he felt truly alive.

The next two exams were a different experience. For Civics & History, Arios found himself relying heavily on the notes from Elisa and Veyrion. The questions covered ancient kingdoms, political systems, and key historical figures from this world. He wasn’t a master of these subjects, but he knew enough to pass with a respectable score. He found himself thinking, *It’s a good thing I have my study group. I would have failed this for sure.*

The Magical Arts exam was a different story. The questions focused on mana theory, spell casting principles, and the history of magical artifacts. His natural affinity for magic, a remnant of his past life, made it easy for him to recall the information. He answered questions on how to safely refine mana, the different types of magical affinities, and the process of enchanting items. He even answered a question on a legendary spell from the anime that Kyousuke had later mastered. He finished the exam feeling confident, knowing he had aced this one.

As the final exam ended and the students were dismissed, a wave of relief washed over everyone. The students stumbled out of the auditorium, their faces etched with a mix of exhaustion and hope. Some were laughing and chatting excitedly, while others walked silently, their heads bowed in defeat.

Arios met up with Lucy outside. She looked tired, but a genuine smile was on her face. "It’s over!" she said, throwing her arms around him. "I think I did it! I think I actually passed!"

Arios hugged her back, feeling her warmth and the genuine joy radiating from her. "I knew you could," he said softly. "You put in the work."

He watched her walk away, a bounce in her step, and then his gaze drifted to Kyousuke. He was standing with Rian. He was whispering something into Rian’s ear, but Arios didn’t need to hear it. He could see the shift in Kyousuke’s eyes and the despair on Rian’s face.

Arios had faced his first major hurdle, and believed he had won. He knew the results would be out soon, and he was ready for whatever came next. The game had just begun, and he had already made the first move.

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[A/N:] Your gifts and power stones are a great way to boost the book’s visibility in the algorithm. I appreciate your support.