CHAPTER 57: SOME CHANGES

Chapter 57: Some Changes

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"That ends the first match of this combat test," Professor Vaelian said. "But before we continue, I have an announcement to make," he continued as he moved slowly to the front center of the hall. "There has been an adjustment to the way this test would determine who would be expelled from the academy."

Immediately, the hall was filled with intense murmurs as Professor Vaelian’s words hit like a bomb.

"What does he mean?"

"I hope it’s not what I’m thinking, I’m not that good in physical exams."

"What’s going on?"

"Is the written test useless now?"

"I’m going to fail!"

"That’s enough with the side talks," the professor said as he fixed his gaze on the students. "This change arrived after a thorough discussion between myself and the other judges. I, in my full capacity as the sole coordinator of the Class 1-D mid-semester test, reserve the right to make changes upon recommendations."

What’s this? Arios thought, his expression one of utter confusion and shock. This wasn’t in the anime, I’m sure of it. Is this Kyousuke’s doing? No, there’s no way he could have done anything.

"Initially, I wanted the lowest scorer in the aggregation of both the written and combat tests to be the one getting my recommendation for expulsion. But then something arose, a better way of doing things," Professor Vaelian said.

Then Professor Vaelian locked his eyes on someone and started moving towards the back of the hall. The students’ gazes followed his every movement, a collective anticipation building with each step he took. Arios was among the most keyed-in to the moment. He had crafted a plan that made sure Kyousuke would be cornered, but the way things were going, it felt like everything was for nothing.

With a subtle motion of his hand, Professor Vaelian placed it on the shoulder of none other than Rian Blake.

"This here is the lowest scorer in the written test with a staggering 28," Professor Vaelian said, his hand resting firmly on Rian Blake’s shoulder. The touch alone felt like a brand of shame. Rian’s face was a study in humiliation, his eyes fixed on the floor, the knowledge of his failure now a public spectacle. "He completely failed, and there’s no way he can’t get expelled, even though he does very well in today’s test. Does that mean it’s over for him? That shouldn’t be the case. A student shouldn’t enter such an exam with the knowledge of being a victim of its outcome, rather thrive to be it’s victor. That’s not the way things are done in this academy. Every student should be given the environment to thrive and show what they can do during their lowest moments. That’s what makes not only a good scholar but a great Mage Knight."

As the professor spoke, Rian’s head started to rise, a flicker of something new in his eyes. The shame was still there, a deep well of despair, but now a fragile hope was blooming. The new arrangement was simple, and for Rian, it was a lifeline he never expected to be thrown. His body shook with the sheer weight of it all— the humiliation, the fear, and the sudden, overwhelming relief.

Professor Vaelian’s voice then echoed across the hall, delivering his final statement. "The new arrangement is simple. Anyone who is defeated by the lowest scorer in the written test would be expelled."

The hall quickly erupted, with it’s familiar murmurs.

"What? Are you kidding me?"

"Only one of us gets to duel him? Who?"

"I’m not fighting Rian, he’s a brute!"

"Wait, what about my score? Is it all for nothing?"

Arios, who had been listening intently, felt a cold dread settle in his body. He had planned for every contingency. He had prevented Kyousuke from getting the test questions, which would had helped Rian cheat. He had prepped Greg to be a formidable opponent. He had an entire strategy laid out, all to make sure Greg would pass the combat test and be saved from expulsion. But all of that was for nothing. His gaze darted to Kyousuke, who was still standing at the back of the hall, his face a perfect mask of calm,This clearly has to be his doing, Arios thought as he clenched his fist in show of rage.

Just as the murmurs reached a fever pitch, a hand shot up in the air. It was Javier, an open student who frequently spoke. "Professor," he called out, his voice shaking slightly. "If only the lowest scorer can get another student expelled, what’s the point of participating in the physical exam for the majority of us? Only one person would face Rian, so what would be the point for all of us?"

Arios felt a surge of respect for Javier. It was a question on everyone’s mind, a logical query that had to be answered.

Professor Vaelian smiled, a thin, satisfied curve of his lips. "An excellent question, Mr. Javier. I am glad someone is still thinking with their head rather than their gut." He paused, letting the silence build. "You’re right. If that were the case, the test would be a pointless spectacle. But there’s something some of you may have forgotten: the reward for the top scorer in the exam. The protection points."

He continued, his voice gaining momentum. "The way these points are given has also been changed. Rather than handing them over to someone who did overall best in both the written and physical exams, a mere average formula that does not take into account the complexities of human potential, I have conceived a new, advanced relative geometric formula. It is a formula that would take into account everything in both the written and physical exams."

Professor Vaelian then proceeded to explain the attributes that would be factored into the new formula, his words sharp and clear. "The formula would weigh your total score from the written exam, your physical ability, your tactical prowess, your mana control, your ability to adapt under pressure and many more"

He then held up his hands, his fingers moving in a complex, almost arcane gesture. "The formula I’ve conceived is a thing of beauty. A perfect way to determine a student’s true potential. It’s not a simple calculation, but a perfect measure of your overall worth."

Then a purple holographic formula materialized beside Professor Vaelian, filled with mathematical symbols and operation signs.

"Where ’P’ is the number of protection points awarded," he explained. "’W’ is your overall score from the written test, ’C’ is your overall score from the combat test, ’T’ is a measure of your tactical ability, and ’M’ is a measure of your mana control. The Greek letters, alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and other Greek letters are coefficients that are set by the judges to determine the weight of each measured attributes. The protection point awarded would be given to the students who had the highest result from the formula, who will now have the ability to either protect themselves or a friend from expulsion."

Another student, this one braver than the last, raised a hand. "Professor, what if Rian loses his match?"

Professor Vaelian’s expression turned cold, his easy smile vanishing. He looked at Rian, who was once again trembling, his newfound hope teetering on a knife’s edge.

"Then he would be expelled."