Final Evaluations
Final evaluations were right around the corner. Students threw themselves into preparations, looking half-dead from exhaustion. Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute were no different. If anything, the two had to redouble their efforts just to hold onto their previous standings.
"Ughhh."
Ashytara stretched with a weary groan, letting out a strange noise like all the energy had drained from her.
"Tired?"
Ludenberg asked, watching her, though dark circles shadowed his own eyes.
"Exhausted. You think it's easy?"
After a brief, peaceful break, the pair faced a mountain of assignments and the mounting pressure of finals. The practical exam was no issue after the friendly matches, but cramming for theory classes left little room to breathe—which explained their ragged states.
"Hoo."
Ludenberg sighed, feeling theories churning chaotically in his head. He rubbed his temples in slow circles.
"Head hurts."
"Mine too."
"These professors are too much. Do we really need this many assignments? Before finals, of all times?"
"It's the backlog from before. I thought we'd cleared a bunch last time, but I didn't expect even more to pile up."
"Exactly..."
"At least we don't have to worry much about the practical."
"True. They said it'd be simple this time. Duels for judgment, right?"
"Yeah. Just one-on-one fights this round—no base occupation or defense from midterms."
After all the bizarre events at Ortara National School and with no time for other practical prep, the professors had no choice but to scale back. They would have set up traps otherwise, but time constraints forced a straightforward duel format between students.
"Theory weight got bumped up huge instead. Pretty unusual for the Knight Faculty."
"...Yeah. Look at the upperclassmen dropping like flies."
"Anyway, hope these wrap up soon."
"Same. Glory Festival's got me way more hyped."
"Festival... Oh right, I've got prep for that too."
"You do."
"Agh."
Ashytara clutched her head, seemingly despairing at her lack of freedom even during break. Festival prep wasn't a one-day affair—it demanded weeks, and even then, it often fell short. Her hope for laid-back time with Ludenberg looked slim.
"Don't get too down. I'll stick around Solemnute."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Call anytime you're bored."
"Well... okay then."
Ashytara felt her lips twitch upward despite herself. Break started with a month of Founding Day and Glory Festival prep. The thought of not seeing him had darkened her mood, but now? She couldn't help but brighten.
"Alright, back to it. Finals prep."
"Yeah."
The two dove back into assignments and theory review.
Finals unfolded as expected. Professor Calvin Giod's Erosion Studies remained as convoluted and brutal as ever. Fueled by resentment over the delayed exams from Ortara, the difficulty seemed doubled compared to usual. Even Ludenberg, near-perfect in the subject, left blanks on his sheet—other students' fates were obvious without asking.
And sure enough, faces exiting the exam hall were grim as death.
Professor Rohan Heywards's Saint Law class was no better. Problems incomparable to midterms popped up relentlessly.
Professor Nah Tes's history was somewhat salvageable with rote memorization, but the real killer was elsewhere: Professor Eldora Solenute's literature. No midterm meant far trickier questions than other theories—opinions on ancient novels and epics unearthed from ruins, with no clear answers to force endless head-scratching.
The Six Theologies were merciless too, especially Solem and Lanur. They twisted basics from core texts into nightmare multiple-choice.
The professors seemed to vent frustrations over the tight schedule with vicious, labyrinthine questions. Students, oblivious, just parroted that this was the toughest round ever.
Dean Calix Solenute reviewed the theory sheets, vowing no more reckless scheduling next time.
Amid the chaos, practicals wrapped up too. Results were predictable: Ludenberg and Ashytara claimed top and runner-up. Eden Asta and Mion Altis followed.
In his duel, Eden showed marked growth from some mysterious training, but Ludenberg's merciless strikes sent him tumbling pitifully. Still, not as limp as the friendly match—enough for Eden to savor his progress.
But satisfaction was all it was. Facing Ludenberg head-on now, Eden truly grasped the wall before him and steeled himself. Any slack, and despair would crush him.
Ludenberg eyed the crawling Eden without a word. No barbs, no old grudges. He'd save it all for the Glory Festival.
So he held back. He craved giving Eden unbearable humiliation before everyone.
Not long now.
Finals mirrored midterms. Knight Faculty top: Ludenberg, naturally. Runner-up: Ashytara, locked in. Top ten barely shifted.
But below? Major shakeups. Cletta Peliche, Philia Rosette, and Leila Satin surged. Cletta cracked top 30, guaranteed Innocence next semester. Philia and Leila hit Ador.
Steady, unseen efforts with Cletta paid off.
Leb Heinz, Marvin Ashus, and Gawin Greta climbed similarly, escaping Ador for Innocence. Beatings from Ludenberg motivated them to train harder—for fewer future thrashings.
But joy was bittersweet; daily Ludenberg encounters loomed, sleep uneasy.
Amid shifts, the grueling first semester ended with closing ceremony. Students in the grand hall grinned, liberated from assignments and exams.
Calix surveyed them. Knight or theology students—all shed entry clumsiness. Sharper eyes, bolder poise. Professors attested skills incomparable to start.
Proof Solemnute Adem's semester wasn't wasted. Pushing students forward was its role—and this term, it delivered.
His gaze lingered on the ash-gray haired boy. Unbelievable growth, endless effort: the force behind first-year knights' rise. Ludenberg Lavante.
His semester feats impressed all: toppling peers sans divine power, shielding citizens in Solemnute raid, felling high erosion beasts and Salvation Cult knights. Ortara friendly: crushed prospects from nations to claim victory.
No student left unmoved. His presence spurred others positively. Sure, freak talent played in, but climbing sans key divine power? Pure abnormal grit.
Calix smiled proudly, beginning his address. The somewhat lengthy two-month break began.
Ludenberg packed. First, back to Lavante Duchy for unfinished trials. This break, he'd max out lagging progress.
He'd grown plenty already; Raha deemed him ready for the third trial anytime.
Glory Festival a month out—perfect for tempering via trials.
Of course, he'd slip to Solemnute whenever Ashytara had time.
Bags done, he headed to the skyway boarding platform, meeting promised Ashytara.
"Here?"
"Yeah. Gotta head to Lavante, finish training. Festival field's Adem students, but ungraduated knights can join too. Can't slack against them."
"Ah... So less often than I hoped."
Ashytara pouted, but he shook his head.
"It's fine. Plenty time for you."
"...Yeah."
"Worst case, fortnight in Lavante, fortnight straight to Solemnute. Sparring imperial knights counts as solid practice."
"Thanks."
Ashytara smiled at his indulgence, nestling into his arms. He hugged her once, then saw her off.
"See you."
"Yeah."
Ashytara boarded for Solemnute. Ludenberg followed on the Lavante skyway.
Break began.
