RotDG Chapter 53: Midterms II

Once again, this is 2/2 of the chapters I will be posting today. They go up at roughly the same time, so make sure you're reading the correct chapter.

“I did it…” I sighed as I slumped against the wall.

Both Myrla and Kelton exchanged a glance at my reaction. They were my two closest friends I’d made here in the Holy Academy since the semester began. Unlike me, they weren’t completely exhausted after the exam. In fact, they looked relatively unphased. After all, this was the first of our midterms that we were going to be having over the course of the week. And to them, this was probably the easiest, because it was purely a written test.

But for me, it was the exact opposite: this was the hardest of all the upcoming midterm exams.

Why? Well, it was simply because I had to unlearn everything I knew about the War of Fate— which I had experienced firsthand myself as the Death God— and relearn every single event that took place through the heavily tinted lens of the Church of Life. 

They twisted every fact to spin the narrative that they were unequivocally the good guys, ignoring any and every mistake or underhanded action that they had ever made. Not only that, but their version of history painted my former companions and I in such a terrible light, they actively ignored any good that I had ever done.

Even though I had spent weeks memorizing every single detail of their revised version of the events that had transpired, it took a lot of mental fortitude on my part to stop myself from trying to correct the exam questions. Especially those questions that heavily slandered those who were closest to me in my past life.

But I mustered up all the willpower in my soul to stop myself from doing that, instead answering the questions like a good student would, even as I internally cursed the Church of Life and Professor Andra throughout the entire exam.

“I got every question correct— I’m sure of it,” I whispered to myself as I straightened.

Myrla rolled her eyes at me when she heard that. “Come on, Eli. You’re supposed to be my rival. If you’re already struggling when it’s just the first midterm, how are you going to deal with the rest of the exams?”

“That’s right. Especially tomorrow’s elemental magic aptitude test…” Kelton added from the side.

I scratched the back of my head, not sure what to say in response. Kelton was still under the impression that I wasn’t very good at elemental magic spellcasting, considering my performance back at the entrance exams three or so months ago. 

But, since then, I spent some of my free time practicing the basics of elemental magic. Considering my wealth of experience in my past life with mastering all forms of magic, it didn’t take a lot of time for me to learn the General Skills for each element, such as [Basic Fire Magic] or [Basic Lightning Magic] for example, before consolidating all of them into a single General Skill called [Elemental Magic Proficiency].

Doing so, of course, earned me a few levels. And now, I was a Level 7 Silver Rank.

Name: Nox (Eli)

Race: Human

Rank: Silver - Level 7

Class: [Soulfire Healer]

Class Skills: [Lesser Domain Of Light], [Heal], [Holy Fire], [Basic Light Magic Conjuration], [Boon Of Vitality], [Aura Armor Of Light], [Boon Of Strength], [Purifying Touch], [Lesser Poison Resistance]

Titles: [Returning Death God], [Velmond’s Blessing], [The Bloodied Blade]

Title Skills: [Remembrance Of The Fallen], [Death Magic Supremacy], [Basic Blessing Of Life], [Aura Blade]

General Skills: [Elemental Magic Proficiency], [Quick Dash]

Attributes:

[Strength: 85]

[Speed: 85]

[Magic: 604]

[Vitality: 105]

[Dexterity: 90]

Free Points: 0

I took a quick peek at my Status, before shaking my head at my friends. “Well, let’s just say I’ve been doing a little bit of training…”

Kelton quirked a dubious brow in response. “I don’t think a little bit of training is enough to make that big of a difference.”

But Myrla spoke up, gesturing for us to get moving.

“Oh, I’m sure Eli can handle the practical tests just fine. I’m more worried about him burning himself out.” She took a step back as she continued. “Anyway, right now, we still have another class to attend, so let’s get going.”

“Right, right.” Kelton trailed after her.

I nodded and followed them as well, leaving the exam hall behind and heading back to our classroom. 

***

The reason why the written exams were held in a special hall was to prevent cheating of any kind from taking place. There were only four of them in total, and they were the same rooms which the other classes in our year— and even our upperclassmen— used to take their tests. That was why our exams for our different subjects were held on different days, rather than having them all happen on the same day.

It was also why we had to walk across the campus to get back to our classroom. Because the exam halls were located at the north wing, while our regular classes were held at the west wing. So it took a while before we returned back. 

However, I had to part ways with Myrla and Kelton, because we didn’t actually have the same class right now. Even though all three of us were in the Class of Solarin, we had chosen different electives. They were taking a class on the Basics of Enchantments, while I was taking a class on the Sacred Art of Spirit Summons.

So I waved goodbye to my friends, before entering my lecture hall.

Most of our classmates were already settling into their seats as I entered. I swept my gaze over the room, pausing briefly as I caught a glimpse of Prince Claudius. He winced when we locked gazes, before he looked away.

Ever since our duel about two and a half months ago, he hadn’t bothered me once, which was honestly relieving, because I didn’t intend to deal with this juvenile nonsense for my entire four years in the Holy Academy.

So I didn’t bother him either. Both of us just mostly ignored each other. Which was what I did right now as well, looking past him until my gaze landed on Cecil.

The elf sat at the back of the class as usual, but he perked up when he saw me. Although, it was a subtle movement. I smiled at him, and he gave me a small nod in return, before I finally settled into my seat next to Julie.

She was my seat-neighbor, but we weren’t really close friends, since she was from a different class. However, she was a little bit clueless, and oftentimes had to ask me for help to keep up with what was going on. We just exchanged a quick greeting, before the door to the lecture hall swung open as our lecturer for the class entered the room.

Archdeacon Emmett strode in with a stack of papers, greeting the class as per usual. “Are we ready for our mock test today?”

A few students groaned as he set the stack of papers down onto his desk. He just chuckled, before starting to distribute the mock test.

“With our midterm coming up at the end of the week, I want to make sure you’re all well-prepared for it. So don’t give me that reaction. This is for your own good.”

The mock test was quickly handed out to everyone in the room. There were more questions than I expected, but as I flipped through its pages, I knew I wasn’t going to have any trouble with the mock test at all. However, not everyone shared the same sentiment as me.

Julie clutched her head as she leant back in her seat. “Wait, there’s going to be over two hundred questions? And we’ll have to answer them all in under two hours? How are we supposed to do that?”

I heard a few similar voices of complaints being echoed throughout the room as Archdeacon Emmett raised his hands, quieting the class.

“It is true, compared to most of your other midterms, this is quite a lengthy exam. But that is by design, since this will be our own written test this semester. Because, as we all know, your final exam will be summoning and taming your own spirit.”

That made sense. Even to Julie, who still looked like she was dreading having to go through all the questions in the exam. But then, Archdeacon Emmett continued as he closed one eye.

“However, there is something I did not mention at the start of the class that is… quite important,” he continued, causing a susurration to wash over the class. Even I perked up at that, and he strode towards the blackboard at the front. “I never mentioned this before, since I wanted to keep you all as motivated as possible throughout the semester. However, every semester, I always like to offer a special opportunity for those who feel like they have already understood the theory behind spirit summoning.”

My eyes flickered when I heard that. I had a hunch of what it could be— in fact, it could be quite useful for me if it was what I thought it was. But I didn’t make any assumptions, keeping my mouth shut for now. Instead, I listened as Archdeacon Emmett wrote on the blackboard. When he was finished, he stepped to the side, letting us take in what he wrote down.

Julie leant forward quizzically, reading what was written down, before wondering aloud. “Wait, what’s an accelerated exam supposed to be?”

“Good question, Ms Julie,” Archdeacon Emmett said as he smiled at her. He turned to face the rest of the class as he cleared his throat. “As the written exam is very time-intensive rather than actually being difficult, if you so desire, you may skip your midterms entirely and go straight into taking your final exam instead.”

Once again, the classroom began to fill with the voices of excited students. But they quickly hushed as Archdeacon Emmett continued.

“Now, this does not mean you will be able to relax while everyone else is busy studying for the midterms. As mentioned on the blackboard, it will be an accelerated exam. Meaning— you will be taking the final exam in front of the class next week, rather than taking it alongside everyone else at the end of the semester.”

This time, someone else instead of Julie piped up. It was Prince Claudius. He rose to his feet, staring at Archdeacon Emmett in shock.

“Wait, doesn’t that mean…?”

“That’s right, Mr Claudius. And please, sit back down.” 

Our lecturer shook his head, and the prince flushed, plopping right back into his seat. 

“Whoever who opts to take this accelerated exam will be trying to summon and tame a spirit next week. This also means they will be judged for this class solely on their performance during the accelerated exam. So if you fail that, there’s no second chances— meaning, you’ll fail the class completely.”

And upon hearing that, the class went dead silent as a small smile began to tug at my lips. Interesting…

***

Archdeacon Emmett swept his gaze over the lecture hall as he finished his explanation of the accelerated exam. Every semester, he gave the same offer to a new batch of students in the Holy Academy. And as usual, nobody was ever brave enough to take it up.

Because why would they? It made no sense— ordinarily, even if a student in this class failed to tame a spirit, they would still be able to pass the class if they did well enough during the midterms. 

So it was only the smart choice to opt out from this accelerated exam. That was why nobody ever chose to take it up. Which begged the question— why even offer this in the first place?

For Archdeacon Emmett, offering the accelerated exam would help him pick out the students in the class who were truly exceptional, without letting any of his biases cloud his judgment. After all, every semester, every single teacher in the Holy Academy would give a list of Initiates they believed to be exceptional to Headmaster Kaelen Angelus, so that they might be considered to become a part of the Divine Scholars.

Most students didn’t know what the requirements were to join the Divine Scholars, besides the fact that they had to excel in their classes. But they all certainly wanted to be a part of the group. Because they represented the best of the Holy Academy, even partaking in inter-academy tournaments with other schools, all the while receiving special privileges from the Holy Academy itself, receiving a wide berth of opportunities when they graduated.

Unfortunately, just like every other semester, nobody took up this offer. Archdeacon Emmett sighed as he lowered his head.

“So it seems that nobody is interested, huh?” he said in a disappointed tone. 

But then a hand shot up, and a boy sitting at the front row of the class rose to his feet. “Actually, Archdeacon Emmett, I would like to take this accelerated exam.”

And Archdeacon Emmett… smiled when he saw who it was. A white-haired boy with black eyes stood there— the very same one who proved himself to be beyond exceptional time and time again— smiling as the rest of the classroom stared at him in shock. 

“Ah, Mr Eli. Are you absolutely certain about this? You are aware of the risks, are you not?”

Eli just nodded as he placed a hand on his chest. “Indeed I am. But I believe with every ounce of my being that I am capable of summoning and taming a spirit right this very instant. So let me take the accelerated exam, and I will prove it.” 

And in response, Archdeacon Emmett smiled, staring at his first ever student who ever took up this offer. 

“Very well, then. Come with me, and I will brief you on all the details.”

A/N:

So sorry for the delay, I just realized I scheduled the chapter for the wrong time, and it didn't come out with the other chapter.

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