NOVPUBIt was the southern part of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in the morning.
Half an hour has passed since eight o’clock.
The entire complex of buildings was eerily silent, except for the occasional fleeting shadows seen through the dim windows.
Today was the end-of-the-month assessment day, from nine in the morning till nine in the evening.
All students participating in this crucial examination had arrived at the examination area—a vast site enclosed by a tremendous barrier—before eight o’clock.
Interconnected through a labyrinth of sky corridors and basement levels, the buildings within the examination area served a variety of purposes. Students were given an hour to familiarize themselves with the terrain, understand the examination announcement, and choose their preferred starting room.
During this preparation time, all students were prohibited from using spells, brute force, and Magic Cards, nor could they leave the confines of the barrier.
Only if they were seriously injured and triggered the near-death warning line, they would be deemed failure and would be escorted out by a teacher.
In the quiet corridor of the examination area’s basement, Lanci and Zestira Lilom were walking.
The end of the path was swallowed by infinite darkness.
Even the silence seemed to deepen within this obscure corridor.
Scattered light occasionally flickered in the distance, then went off. Golden patterns adorned on the marble floor tiles lit up in radiance and mystery whenever they were hit by this light.
The pair walked lightly, observing the intricate decorations and location markers
They passed various corridors, all of which were lined with Magic Fluorescent Screens that displayed real-time notifications, updated announcements, maps, and the location they were in, and so on.
The place Lanci and Zestira were currently at gave off the impression of an underground railway ruin.
"These are the remnants of the ancient railway stations from the Demon World, which have now been integrated into the Protoss Royal Magic Academy and even have trains running after the examination starts."
Zestira explained to Lanci as he was vastly engrossed in the details of the station.
"No wonder there are still tracks visible."
Lanci nodded.
Observing for half an hour, he noticed that while the examination area of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy was much different than that of the Purgatory Corridor Academy, it was almost as expansive—the monthly examination areas were in no way inferior to the quantity of classrooms initially open at the Purgatory Corridor Academy.
A distinct impression was given that the entire examination area was indoors, but the area was altered during every monthly examination, making it difficult for students to find the classrooms they wanted beforehand. Instructions were to be guessed and luck was the determinant, with specific details on the type and difficulty level of the examinations only available at the doors of the classrooms. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Beyond some basic fixed mechanisms, some rules were subject to change during every monthly examination and were announced after all the students had entered the examination area.
This hour of preparation was also meant for understanding the regulations.
Zestira only explained the basic rules to Lanci once.
For instance, students could earn credit points by successfully completing the examination in a room.
The examination area ranged from various examination-style teachings to plain examination halls alongside the resting areas. The resting areas consisted of places like cafeterias, infirmaries, stores which posed no danger yet required spending credit points.
There were five two-hour examinations and four thirty-minute rest periods during the twelve-hour examination. The separation barrier between the examination area and the resting area could only be removed during the rest periods.
A minimum of three rooms had to be attempted to qualify; otherwise, a severe deduction of credits was imposed.
Passing a level-one difficulty room guaranteed a minimum of 10 credit points, while a level-two room guaranteed 20 credit points. If the performance was exceptional, even in a level-one examination, extra credit points could be earned.
Lanci understood everything after hearing it once, and did not ask Zestira any questions, which made Zestira think that he was already familiar with the rules, and thus she did not elaborate further.
"In the resting time, everywhere is safe, they do not allow attacks, and during examination time, any place outside the examination hall is a free combat area, sometimes, according to the rules, security restrictions inside the examination hall can also be lifted for combat."
It was this single detail Zestira emphasized while walking by Lanci’s side.
Although the risk of severely harming other students was far too great, some preferred severe measures.
She and Rocky were among the weaker ones in terms of combat strength, thus relying on protection mechanisms and striving to avoid encounters with senior students participating in the examination or noble students with powerful servants under unrestricted conditions.
"If the examination performance is not good, won’t the teachers strike them down?"
Lanci stroked his chin, puzzled.
Even though the rules of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy encouraged competition among students and had quite a few additional mechanisms like external interference from authorized professors and senior students, it lacked the intensity and thrill that education should inherently provide.
Zestira was a little taken aback.
She didn’t quite catch the absurdity of Lanci’s statement.
What kind of a school would kill their students at the drop of a hat?
Aren’t schools in the South Continent all about respect, friendliness, and mutual aid?
"Of course there’s no such rule."
Zestira answered Lanci’s question with her usual patience.
The two chatted occasionally as they walked down the dim tunnel, their faces lit by the rows of identical signs on the side.
Suddenly, the light became a bit brighter.
"Something new?"
Lanci noticed the new announcement that started playing on the magic screen, many of them about additional rules for this examination.
It’s now eight forty-five, seemingly a reminder that the exam will officially begin in fifteen minutes.
"These are extra items specific to this exam, like bounties, initiated by the students themselves, offering points for any enemies on the day of the monthly exam," Zestira explained, looking at the notice board.
Though the school takes fifty percent as a service charge, if a student’s bounty is high enough, there may be additional rewards.
Because it’s anonymous, it’s also a chance for revenge.
"Don’t worry, Teacher Rocky McCarthy. Although I’m despised by many students, they wouldn’t spend double their points to set a bounty on me."
Those with deep hatreds typically offer around a hundred points.
After all, points are hard to come by.
A hundred points is not a small amount, enough to motivate others to focus on hunting.
That is, unless there’s a particularly high bounty on someone.
Sometimes, powerful students, compared to the points they could earn from acing all five exams, would focus more on bounties and other extra tasks, which could yield even higher point returns.
"I see."
Lanci mused.
"By the way, teacher, you haven’t offended any upperclassmen at school these past few days, right?"
Zestira looked at Lanci’s expression, thought a bit, then asked calmly.
"Zestira..."
Lanci suddenly seemed to realize the problem,
"Once the exam begins, even if the whole world becomes your enemy, I will protect you."
He said gravely.
"I don’t want the whole world to be my enemy."
Zestira said, puzzled.
However, just as she finished speaking,
The next second,
She saw the photo clearly visible at the top of the bounty list on each magic screen in the corridor,
And the bounty information——
[Bounty: Zestira Lilom (Servant: Rocky McCarthy)]
[Total: 135,655 points]
[Since this total amount sets a new campus record for monthly exam day bounty, a Protos Royal Magic Academy Ancient Reserve Pink Divine Grade Magic Card will be added to the reward.]
[If the bountied individual successfully completes the exam, she will receive 20% of the total bounty in points and a Pink Holy Level ancient reserve item of her choice.]
Zestira: "???"
Huh?
Is there some mistake?
Suddenly, she felt like the whole school wanted her dead!!
