The next three weeks passed quickly and suddenly the exams were here. Despite my extensive preparations I was nervous. The first day consisted of written exams. The questions were not too difficult. Or was I missing something?

“I think that went ok.” I said to Helena, after the exam. “But… I could have missed something. Water and earth combined make the best healing, right? Because it’s blood magic. Then light is the second best, earth and water alone are the least effective.”

Helena put her hand on my shoulder. “Yes and now relax. The exam is over! Tomorrow we can show off our practical training!”

“Well, I am still not the best with weapons. I am confident in my magic though…” I replied.

“You are better than you think. Have you seen Valeria? She had extra lessons for half a year and is still worse than you!” Helena said.

“I suppose.” I admitted. Thanks to the mana circulation technique and our frequent training I was doing fine. Especially since we had the advanced group fighting as well. I had to admit that the extra classes paid off. All four of us were progressing rather quickly.

The next day I found myself facing Peter, our teacher. It was time for the combat exam. I used a staff, while he wielded a longsword. I managed to deflect his initial attacks and get a few counterattacks in. Of course, he was not going all out. It was just an exam.

I was looking for his next strike when he stopped and stepped back. “Congratulations, you pass. You have come a long way Koyuki.”

“Um… thank you, sir!” I responded.

Helena hugged me once I left the arena. “I told you it would be fine!”

She had done pretty well herself. Archibald sneered in my direction but said nothing. He might have been unhappy that I did not embarrass myself.

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Later it was time for some magic. I levitated rocks, formed a water and ice shield, fired necrotic bolts,...

The magical exam included my advanced classes. I had to brew a potion for my alchemy class. But it was just a salve to enhance undead skeletons. While I passed it was not anything special. I had devoted most of my time to my other classes. Advanced death magic was an easy pass, I had created more, and better, undead than the other students. And advanced water magic was easy as well. While I had slightly neglected offence, I was still able to throw some ice daggers around. And my shields were really solid.

Magic was awesome and I passed with ease. Afterwards I had a big smile on my face. Of course, we had not gotten the results of the written exams yet. And we still had our own special exams.

Those were on the third day. While the other students were finished, and just waiting for the results, we had to demonstrate our advanced magic.

All four of us were in a room, with Irene and Erik. It was a reinforced training room.

The headmaster addressed us: “Students, you have demonstrated a lot of talent during your first year. Now you can show me how far you have come. If you demonstrate advanced magic, and pass the mana requirements, you will be senior mages. That does not mean you graduate but it will come with an increase in your stipend.”

More money? My ears perked up.

“Now, as I understand it, you have formed groups of two. So Helena and Koyuki, show us your spell.” Erik said.

Helena grabbed my hand and walked forward. She was the main caster. We had trained quite a bit and I was somewhat confident. I trusted her.

And I focused on that trust. She was my friend. We fought together. I would give my life for her and she would do the same for me. Our mana connected, I formed the runes and handed her complete control of the magic.

Helena released the spell. Snow formed in a large part of the room. The floor froze in a 10 metre radius around her target and I could feel the cold from where we stood. We had done it! We created an area of ice and snow.

Erik and Irene walked towards the spell and stepped into it.

“Nicely done.” Irene said.

Erik nodded. ”Not bad. The cold would hit any unprepared enemy quite hard. Frost would have formed on their skin and without proper defenses they would freeze to death.”

He seemed completely unaffected, of course. His hand was touching the snow and he was examining it.

“You might need to work on your speed but you have demonstrated the ability to perform an advanced spell. My recommendation would be to work on casting that alone next. But both of you have passed. Now, Cassie and Skadi, show us what you have.” Erik said.

I looked at Helena and grinned, she grinned back. We were both sweating a bit but we were feeling fine. Then we walked back to the group. Meanwhile Irene simply waved her hand and all the snow was gone, melted. It was a reminder that we still had a long way to go.

Cassie and Skadi stepped forward next. I was really curious about what they had prepared.