I walked up the stairs to an empty chair and sat. I looked over at my friend Wren who gave me a large toothy grin.
“Did You sleep well?”
“Relatively.”
“Let me guess you didn't even study for the exam?”
“No, I didn't but I will be fine though. ”
“I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you're at the top of our grade. You're probably going to get a perfect mark on this exam and you still don't even need to study it's frankly unfair. ”
“Well, to be fair”.....
“ I know I know, you've practically been taught all of it already but still it's annoying”
A strong voice ended our argument before we could truly begin.
“Cadets please take a seat.”
All of the cadets were already at or around their seats. Not needing to be told twice they quickly took them. They knew not to test Professor Mescrim's patience. After all, a few weeks ago one of their classmates had ended up in the Infirmary after they refused to comply with her orders.
“As you all hopefully remember today is your exam. However, before we begin I have a brief announcement. Before you leave school today If you have awakened and want to participate in the tournament make sure to register after lunch“
I yawned. Entering the tournament wasn't news nor was my participation. I wasn't particularly looking forward to it but orders or orders
“Now with a bit of housekeeping out of the way, I will start passing out your exams.”
After I received the exam from Professor Mescrim I looked it over. The exam was simple. It was all the information I already knew. After all, I had practically taken this class last year, but that still didn't mean I was not going to give it everything I had. Once I finished looking it over I waited for the professor to announce that we could begin. When she did, I quickly finished with well over two-thirds of the time remaining.
“Cadet Grindelwald, that was fast are you certain of your answers?”
“Yes ma'am”
“Mumm” the professor glared at me before taking a look at my exam. A surprised expression briefly crossed her face as if she didn't expect my answers. Well, then you are free to go.
As I turned to walk away I looked over at where Wren was still taking his test. He looked up at me giving me a pleading expression. I smiled at him and waved as I left the room.
----------------------------------------
Although the test seemed like a breeze for Alex it was in fact quite the opposite for Wren. Not just in Its material but because of how boring it was. Ever since I awakened four months ago, I had been having a harder and harder time focusing. Mom said it would pass as I advanced. The problem didn't get any better … it got worse. I'm usually able to recognize when I'm getting distracted like now. But stopping it was like trying to stop a dragon in fligh. Impossible. When Alex left leaving me high and dry, I felt kind of screwed over. But in my heart, I knew Alex could do nothing to help me. It was just annoying how good he was even though he was 2 years younger than me.
All right focus on the questions. Question 8: What is the result of pulling an opposing mana type into your core? I tried to remember the charts provided in class with all the opposing and adjacent mana types. Is it the third-ring rule?
I looked up watching Professor Mescrim Her attention seemed drawn to her desk and the test on it. Looking around the room no one seemed like they were paying attention to me. And so I looked over the desk in front of me. I gazed at what was her name again… It didn't matter, I hoped that she was on the same page as me. To my chagrin, I didn't see anything.
I once again looked around, Professor Mescrim was still very focused on her desk. In fact, she was looking at the exact test she was a minute ago. I didn't notice anything until I felt a pinch. Not a literal pinch but a metaphorical one. I glanced over at Yor Shadowheart, only to see her stunning sapphire eyes aimed at me.
I waved. It didn't change anything. She still looked steaming mad. I pretended like nothing had happened. I guessed based on when I felt I was being watched that she didn't start looking at me until after I was done trying to cheat. That meant I was home free. I mentally high-fived myself. I was so smooth. That begged the question of why. I caught that I was once again off-topic and pushed myself back to focus. I would think about Yor’s behavior later.
I remembered Alex admitted righteously rambling about opposing and adjacent mana types. I don't remember what he said about the opposite but I remember him saying a decent was dependent on the elemental relationship. I also felt like I'd heard Mom complaining about Earth Mana wrecking her cultivation. I know Earth is opposite to Wind. I was not that dumb.
Armed with this new information, I wrote the most logical answer. If you draw an opposing Mana type into your core It may result in a loss or weakening of cultivation in addition to other side effects.
Looking up again, I glanced over at Yor. This time she was focused on her test. Reaching into my bag I pulled out an extra pencil and began to twirl it through my fingers. Slowly but surely progressed through the questions. To stay focused I fidgeted with just about anything I could get my hands on.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The professor called out after all the other students had left.
“Cadet Whitecastle I understand you want to finish your exam but if you're unable to understand a question just ask.”
I glanced up from my paper
“No, I don't need any help sorry I'm just struggling with these last couple of questions. I'm almost done.”
“Good, you have 10 minutes!”
I got back to it paying I would not get distracted again. 10 minutes later I turned in a completed paper. The professor. in a more grumpy mood than usual snatched it out of my hands. She flipped through the papers.
“Not bad Cadet. I was expecting a lot worse considering how much you zone out in the middle of my classes. But seems like Cadets Grindelwald's good work ethic has rubbed off on you.
Her compliment surprised me“Thank you, professor.”
“I don't usually give advice but I'll give you some. Friends are important at the Academy but they're more important when you get out into the real world. A good friend will get you through just about anything.” For the first time I saw her smile. “hold your friends close, especially ones you make here they're one of your few relationships that you can truly trust.”
I was awestruck by the professor's warm almost caring tone. As fast as the warmth entered it left much faster.
“Now cadet if you would get out of my classroom.” With that message, her normal grumpy self had returned.
I turned and almost ran out of the room.
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Alex was feeling pretty good. The test was easy the only thing that was slightly challenging was the last question about Cath's law of Mana Conservation but other than that it was all material I was very familiar with. After I’d finished my test I went back to my room and got a nice nap. I had just gotten up and dressed. Nice and fresh for lunch. I grabbed my food, a nice roast for the last day of the year, and went to my seat. I waited quite a bit longer for Wren than usual.
Wren and I have grown quite close in the last 6 months. I don't think we have ever missed a lunch. although Wren is usually late as someone or something stops him. It's not like I'm used to waiting for him but it's been well over 15 minutes.
I looked around the lunch hall to see if I could find him. He wasn't in line for food. As I was checking tables I thought I saw a tuft of red hair. which sent a twinge of jealousy through my system. that jealousy died when I realized it wasn't Wren and instead, it was a fourth year. “Come on Alex have some faith in him. He'll be here eventually.” 20 minutes later He showed up.
He looked wrecked. His uniform was Wrinkled he had several ink splatters over his hands and his hair was disheveled.
“You just finished your test didn't you”
Wren nodded
“Well, how was it.”
“**Uhhh** don't remind me.”
“ That bad”
“ Yeah, the last three I had no idea about. And I kept getting distracted”
At his words I thought about my friend's behavior. He was a normal guy maybe a little bit arrogant at times but dependable and a good friend. Throughout the last 6 months, I discovered some of his strange tendencies. Wren got distracted not because he wanted to in fact the opposite was true. It was just that when he sat down he couldn't help but fiddle or look around or tap or something.
In fact, as Wren scarfed down his food his feet seemed to make some abstract beat that I couldn't make sense of.
“ So how did your test go,” Wren mumbled with his mouth full.
“Gross close your mouth.What would your mom think if she saw you like that.”
Wren failed.
“Don't worry I'm not going to tell her, I haven't even met her yet.”
Wren slowly nodded.
“Anyways my test was pretty good the last question about Cath's law stumped me up for a minute or two but I remembered it”
Wren just looked at me.
“ You're kidding me right”
“Why would I do that”
Wren groaned throwing his hands up in the air.
“Geniuses !! What am I supposed to do when freaks of nature like you exist? You're not only the top of our class when it comes to cultivation, but also in academic weapons.”
“That's not true You and Yor as well as probably half of the class soundly beat me in history. ”
“ Don't talk about that monster.”
I inwardly smiled at Wren's reaction to the girl.
“So what even is Calf's theory of mana?”
“Calf states that Mena cannot be created or destroyed it can only be changed in density , affinity, and intent”
“Well, that makes no sense. What happens when the cultivator burns Mana for a skill?”
“ Professor Mescrim went over this. Mana gets reabsorbed into the atmosphere, that's why when the high-ranking cultivators fight outside of realms the Mana concentration spikes”
“Ohhh oh, I remember now like the Golden Plains?”
Only half surprised I nodded“The golden planes Mana concentration Rose significantly due t a conflict between Duchess Waters and Duchess Harrison”
“I have no idea how you remember all of that. ”
“ And I don't know how you somehow you always find an opening in me even though I have almost a whole realm on you”
“No, you don't you only have 5 stages I advanced to the fifth stage on Montag”
“And a barrier.”
“And A barrier” Wren grumbled. “I mean what am I supposed to do? I can't even win I maybe get one or two hits on you but that's it”
“You know I haven't even fought anyone else in our class”
“Pfff they're just scared”
“Exactly.
For a moment we both were silent.
“Anyways, didn't your mom say something about your attention problem being fixed once you reach the Foundation Realm”
“ She said it gets better especially once we get control of our Affinitys but it doesn't really go away until Earth”
Both the boys continued to chat and finish their meals until the bell rang.
“You have to do your history and I have my math exam. I'll meet you in the hallway when you're done.”
“Don't remind me”
“You'll be fine. We studied history last night. Just make sure you don't confuse the formation with the fracturing. It will be fine”
“Fracturing fraction that that's when the elves and dwarves left right”
I nodded.
“And the formation is the creation of the two great powers right”
“Got them both.You'll be fine also I'm sure Professor Smith will let you do your exam if it's really bad”
“Good point”
Math was a little bit more challenging but I was still able to beat Wren. Luckily this time I only had to wait a few minutes after I had finished for Wren to join me in the hallway.
As they walked over to the Great Hall they saw a plethora of other students. Ranging all the way from 3 years like themselves up to The comparatively towering 15th years. One of the older Cadets, probably in their 9th or 10th year glanced at the two younger boys. She smiled and walked over to them.
“Are you two signing up for the tournament.?”
“Yep,” Wren said enthusiastically.
“I am too mind if I walk with you.”
“Sure thing.”
The three along with many others eventually arrived in the grand hall. There were tables set up for each respective class. No Tables were present for the first and second years they were too young to participate in the tournaments.
“ So are you two or what third years?”
Both the boys nodded simultaneously.
Well, then you're in for a treat. The tournament is tough but fun as long as you don't get paired up with monsters. You'll be all right. Wren quickly glanced over at Alex before paying attention to the older Cadet.
“Do you want to know a secret?” Both boys again nodded. Okay, but you got to keep it super secret. she said as she pressed her fingers against her lips.
Again the boys nodded.
Okay, the secret is.