CHAPTER 37: UNCONVINCING RESULTS

CLANG! CLANG!

A translucent barrier appeared around the masked man. The two arrows struck at the barrier and fell on the ground, causing no damage.

Just then the pendant around the masked man’s neck cracked. It shattered into pieces as the shards fell out.

Elena and Mor were about to rush at him again, but they stopped in their tracks, their expressions that of confusion and shock, seeing the masked man laughing out loud.

"Hahahahahaha!! Amazing. I never imagined you people would be this strong. I accept my defeat." He said, turning towards Elena and Mor as he removed the mask covering his face up.

"S-Senior Nash?" Mor exclaimed, getting a clear look at the masked man’s revealed face.

The roots retreated inside the earth as Silvan appeared from within the dome. The two archers from the warrior classes hidden behind the foliage came out.

Except Elena and Silvan, who didn’t know who Nash was, the rest of them had a shocked as well as a look of worship in their eyes.

"How come you’re the masked man senior? We thought you were the thief." The archer from the B class rushed near Nash, her eyes shining as she playfully asked.

"Taking the midterm tests just like you all." Nash said with a smile.

Their brows creased in confusion, they couldn’t understand what he was taking about, it was not making sense at all.

"All the third years are taking their midterm tests too. And just like you all are given a mission, we are tasked with taking your tests and evaluation."

They nodded their heads in understanding. Realizing what this was all about.

"Your team is strong. I never accepted to be defeated by you all."

"You definitely held back senior. How could the strongest S class of third year lose to us so easily." The archer girls said.

Silvan and Elena’s eyes opened wide in shock. They never expected him to be the strongest of the third year. They fought with their everything, believing this was definitely a professor who was testing them.

"Hahaha! Not at all. I really gave it my all! I lost since your team is really strong." Nash shook his hands, denying her praise politely.

"Since I lost, which shouldn’t have had happened, you all have passed the test with full marks. Here!" Nash threw the box towards Silvan, which was the proof of their achievement, proof of defeating him.

Silvan was surprised at the box suddenly being thrown at him. He got perplexed, somehow catching the box with both his hands.

"Your midterms end here, and you have achieved full marks, both as a team, as well as in individual contribution." He said with a wide smile.

*****

"Congratulations to all the teams for completing your midterms successfully. You all have worked hard for the last three days. And I must say, I’m impressed with the results all of you brought." Zarnak said.

The professors as well as the students were back in the auditorium. The three days had passed and the midterms were over.

All the teams were gathered below the stage, most of them excited, all smiles, while a few of them nervous.

One team among them though had their moods down and two of their teammates were missing. The three of them were Clara, James and Brook.

The students surrounding them were stealing glances at them, discussing amongst themselves, some passing scornful comments while some mocking and giggling at them.

"By now, you all would have realized already, that the evaluators of each of your teams, were your third-year seniors. They have been observing you throughout the test period and scored you based on your performances." Zarnak continued.

"Their scores are right here in my hands." He waved the stack of papers in his hands, which had the scores of all the teams. "And I’m proud to say that all the teams have passed with flying colors."

Cheers erupted from the crowd. The students screamed and jumped in excitement, finally relieved at passing the midterms.

"All of your team and individual scores will be put up in the notice board. You can check it there."

"Now, I guess you all have been waiting for this moment. Let me announced the top three teams of the midterm." Zarnak said, scanning the crowd with a smirk, bringing all of their attention back.

Silence descended, the mood shifting instantly. Everyone’s eyes now focused on Zarnak. Their curiosity peaking with every passing second.

"At third position is team 84."

Thunderous applause rocked the auditorium as the eighty fourth team jumped up excitedly, screaming and hugging each other in joy.

"At second position is team 28."

A far more intense round of applause followed. But the team who should be celebrating stood silent and nervous, because their captain had a rotten expression on his face, with his fists clenched tight. He was none other than the proud dragon of the S class, Carson Dragnos.

His eyes were spitting fire, teeth clenched hard. He wanted to be at first place no matter what, but seeing that spot taken away from him, he couldn’t hold back his anger, depriving even his teammates the joy of achieving the second spot.

"And now, the first position. Something unexpected has happened this year, as the first position is being shared by two teams." Gasps of shock followed when the words left Zarnak.

All of them had a guess as to which team would be at first place. But they couldn’t think who was the other team to be in first place. Carson was already in the second place, if his team is not the other one, then no matter how much they tried, they couldn’t think of anyone else.

"They are team 52 and 54."

There were no thunderous claps, nor any cheers. There was only a deathly silence. The jaws of the students were almost touching the floor. Their eyes opened wide in shock.

They couldn’t believe what they just heard. They had all expected Elena and Silvan’s team to be in the first place anyway, but even if God himself say’s, they could never believe the weakest team would share the same position with the strongest one.

They still hoped this was just a mistake on Zarnak’s Part. But even after waiting a few minutes, he never opened his mouth to deny this. Just when they were losing patience, they heard a shout from someone within the crowd.

"I can never accept this sir!" Carson couldn’t hold back anymore. He couldn’t accept the fact that the team with the weakest ones, especially with Grey, had defeated him and snatched the first spot.

"What can you not accept?" Zarnak’s brows furrowed as he asked him in a cold voice.

"They would have definitely cheated. All members of that team are the lowest rank students of each class. I can never believe they would have defeated a third year with their strength. They have cheated their way out somehow." Carson bellowed.

"You are right. they have not defeated a third year." Zarnak said.

A wave of confusion spread among the students. If they have not defeated a third year, then what have they done for them to be in the first place. But the next words stupefied them, the shock far more intense than Grey and his team being in the first place.

"They have killed a Shadowheart class eclipse beast."