The 'club arc' of the game [Astra Magical Academy] lasts somewhere around three weeks. We started the North Zircon Conquest around three or four days after the 'arc' started, and it took us another three or four days to capture the region, so we had two more weeks to relax a bit and prepare for future events.

Time passed quite peacefully with me occasionally 'playing' with the fishes in North Zircon and coming to the library every now and then to find information on the remaining two regions. Other than that, normal stuff happened.

In the blink of an eye, it is now the end of November and the start of a new arc in the storyline.

⌈Arc 3, Chapter 1, Practical Exam⌋.

This is the first opportunity for the player to increase their performance score, which is the main factor determining their class placement. Normally in the game, the player can go up to A class after the first year if they play well.

In this exam particularly, it's a duel format. Each student will have an assigned opponent appropriate for their performance level, and their duels will be judged by the professors and some other people. Outside of that, students can challenge staff members, professors, and supervisors for some additional teachings as well.

Now, Chloe told me all of these, but I honestly don't care all that much.

The only reason why it's 'all that much' instead of 'not at all' is because this is a crucial test for Claire's growth. From her duel, we can correctly evaluate her performance, in turn giving us a general idea of how to shape her in the future.

A, this girl is inherently different from the player, who has a reset button and can be controlled mechanically.

B, the original storyline is twisted right now, leading to referencing it down to the details being quite unreliable.

From these factors, we can safely assume that Claire's growth is worldly different from the game's Claire. For one, her level is lower than in-game Claire right now, I wonder who stole her experience.

Anyway, I need to stop thinking about it too much.

There's one thing I've noticed over the last few weeks though, it's the dramatic increase in the number of imperial guards in the academy. People clad in jet-black armor wander the ground of the academy regularly, and their levels are nothing to be scoffed at.

Along with that, basic security measures have also been paid more attention to by the academy staff. It's a good change for sure, but it honestly doesn't do much in terms of preventing demon-related incidents.

The cult is well-hidden around the world, while demons are pretty much unstoppable due to their spontaneous nature.

''Phew...''

Still, it's snowing quite hard here as well.

I look at the sky full of tiny white dots blankly before turning away and heading to the Kier Arena, where the exam will take place.

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I'm quite curious about the performances of A-class students as well, though I know Chloe will be exceeding the others.

Just like any other facility, the Kier Arena is also absurdly large. Fortunately, my position is somewhere at the lowest observing seats. It's together with the professors' seats since they want to judge as closely as possible.

Merely five minutes later, I arrive at the spot.

''Hm...''

The scale of this is clearly larger than the evaluation test. I'm seeing more personnel and imperial guards here, the latter causing students on-site to look quite stressed. Not my problem. Let's wave at Claire though.

Let's see, my seat...

''Excuse me.'' I tap a guy's shoulder.

''Ah, sorry for obstructing.'' He immediately apologizes and steps away.

So I get to my seat and comfortably sit down.

Now, they divide this test into four days, with one equal group for each day. They are also sorting the duels according to performance score, from lowest to highest, so we'll see the weakest ones fight on the first day.

And that first day was two days ago. I couldn't be bothered to watch them, so I went out to play with Chloe instead. Anyway, the bottom of group three is where Claire belongs right now. My job as a supervisor starts when we get to group four, by the way.

After waiting for a while, someone flops down the seat beside mine.

''Hah... It's cold.''

Chloe is here. She puts a bag of potato chips into my lap casually.

''Thanks, Chloe.''

''No need to. You ran errands for me all the time, it's only fair if I do it for you too.''

''Mhm... Hm? Are they out of slight salts?''

''Yep, unfortunately.''

''Hm... I guess cheese is also fine.''

[Ahem]

''Oh, it's starting.''

A rather husky female voice sounds.

''...Scarlett.''

Let's put the potato chip bag away from this hungry blockhead...

''Not even 'My Lady'?'' Scarlett shrugs and sits on my right.

Ignoring that, I begin to eat my potato chips while the professors are settling things down.

[Err... The first duel for today is between Nathaniel Johnson and Juliet Rose. Please step on stage.]

Two very nervous students step up. Their levels... 22 and 23. Not too impressive, I suppose.

So the three of us just leisurely chat while the duels are going on. Chloe and Scarlett are both daughters of Duke houses, so they have a lot in common... Or not. Scarlett just likes to fight, and only fight.

The reality is that the conversations are quite awkward. Only topics about me flow quite well for some reason.

Me? I'm busy eating.

I'm also watching the duels, I suppose, but they're quite unimpressive. Just two students waving practice weapons or magic at each other...

Eventually, it seems our protagonist's turn has come.

[Next, Claire and Matthew Julius.]

Claire and a male student step onto the stage.

''Let's focus.'' Chloe says.

''Is there anything special about her other than light element?'' Scarlett asks innocently.

''Quiet.'' I put my index finger on her lips.

'''' ... ''''

[The match starts... Now!]

Claire immediately pulls out her practice sword and shoots herself at the opponent. Simultaneously, they both begin to burn their mana—the opponent into some water spells, while Claire into her sword.

The two clash.

''Hm... Speed, precision, techniques. All are pretty good.'' Chloe ponders. ''But why is she using dual-element infusion...?''

''Mhm. Her MP reserve is not particularly large.'' I reply.

''She got this though.'' Scarlett chimes in.

''Obviously.'' Chloe shrugs.

As the duel goes on, it's quite obvious that Claire has the advantage in this matchup. With wind magic to support her AGI stat, she rapidly presses her opponent with quick and precise strikes. However, her MP is decreasing quite fast. She needs to finish this soon.

''Oh.''

It seems Claire is also aware of it. With a final burst of magic, her sword turns into a giant claymore of green-white energy, and Claire herself quickly corners the opponent with it.

Claire points her sword at the guy's neck.

''I lost!'' He raises both hands and shouts.

I can already hear some judges muttering 'Impressive' among the claps, and they're right. She has the potential for sure.

''By the way, pretty maid.''

Suddenly, Scarlett speaks up.

''...Mhm?''

''I'm dueling you later.''

Why...?!