Midterms (1)
The day of the midterms had dawned. Gazing at the rising dawn glow, I woke up and lightly stretched my body. The whole school was buzzing with excitement since it was exam day. Even early in the morning, kids were studying or training here and there. Extras who didn't even get a name in the game were living this hard. So how much harder did I have to live? A sigh escaped into the chilly dawn air. After blowing out a few breaths that fogged up, I started jogging lightly. By the time I finished, the sun had climbed high, brightly illuminating the world.
Heading back to the dorm after my workout, I spotted Senior Dinua Erebos standing awkwardly in front of my room.
"...Senior?"
"Ah, I-Ian...."
Spotting me, she broke into a bright smile and approached. Then she pulled a small stone from her skirt pocket and handed it over.
"Th-the thing you asked for... This came out during my summoning ritual...."
"...Is it okay to give me something like this?"
"Y-yeah. If it'll help you, Ian...."
I took the Soul Stone from her and gave a light smile with my thanks.
"Thanks a lot, Senior."
"No problem. If anything else comes up, just ask again...."
"Sure, I'll hit you up next time too."
With this, all preparations were complete. Morning had arrived. The exam was about to start.
The classroom buzzed with the voices of kids prepping for the exam. Wanting to be one of them, Sheera Acacia spotted me and immediately rushed over, clinging tight.
"Ian, sleep well?"
"...Yeah."
"What about me? Aren't you gonna ask about me?"
"...Did you sleep well?"
"Nah, couldn't sleep a wink thinking about you."
Her face, fresh and glowing like she'd gotten at least ten hours, made it obvious she was just teasing me. Ignoring her, I sat down, but Sheera stuck to me like glue, chattering away.
"Everyone here?"
Soon, Oliver Crockett entered the classroom. He called roll, confirming all the kids were present, then got to his point.
"As you all know, today is midterm day."
Gulp. Nervous swallows echoed through the room. Oliver smirked at them.
"Don't stress too much about the exam. You've got plenty of chances left... and these results can be overturned anytime."
Leaving behind some rare good advice, he distributed the test packets. The kids, receiving sealed envelopes, realized what was inside and tensed up. Their first self-assessment since enrolling at Canopus Academy. The moment to objectively gauge their level had come.
Oliver checked his watch, then announced once time was up.
"The exam starts now."
Riiip— Impatient kids tore open their envelopes right away. "Ah," "Whoa"— exclamations burst out everywhere. Curious what could cause that, I opened mine. Inside were just three sheets of paper, with a single exam question.
[Write everything you know about Summons]
"...Huh?"
I paused, pen in hand, staring at the paper. "Write everything you know"? Screw this up and I'd be totally sunk.
"Hmm...."
"Something wrong?"
Oliver approached me as I groaned over the paper.
I shook my head like it was nothing. But he dropped one line before heading back to the podium.
"Write what you know. Right or wrong doesn't matter."
He met my eyes as he said it, like he was pointing right at me.
Fair enough. I've shown off a bit.
This question was basically made for me. Not mainstream knowledge, but my unique insights no one else had. They clearly wanted to squeeze it out.
Can't spill everything, though.
Deciding how much to reveal, I started writing casually. Three hours? Plenty of time.
"Time's up! Stop there."
Time flew by like an arrow. I set down my pen and looked up. Despite the grueling three hours, not a single kid had left early.
Impressive.
I had enough knowledge to write all day, but what did the others know to sit that long?
Too proud to leave first since no one else did?
Makes sense. No fixed answers in this essay format—three hours barely scratched the surface. And everyone here was top-tier summoner talent, brimming with pride and honor.
"Put your completed tests back in the envelopes and stand."
The kids stuffed their papers into their torn-up envelopes and rose. Some looked exhausted, others indignant, like three hours wasn't enough.
"Eat lunch, then return here this afternoon."
The class filed out en masse. On my way, I ran into Sheera.
"Ian! How'd the exam go?"
"So-so."
"You look pretty pleased for 'so-so.' Confident?"
"Not confident so much as... gotta beat someone."
"Who?"
"The top spot."
Stella Iritz—just one girl to beat, but to do that, I had to claim the peak.
"Guess I am essential then."
Sheera grinned wickedly. She was hooked on my vow to topple Stella.
"Alright. I'll make you number one."
Her words slithered over me like a snake. Kingmaker. Sweet.
Lunchtime, I called over Karl—our other teammate—and the three of us strategized. Afternoon rolled around quick. We headed straight to the classroom.
Kids had grouped up: some in perfect threes like us, others not. Late-entering Oliver nodded at the divisions.
"Some of you couldn't form teams. I can guess why."
The absolute shortage of 3-stars. The staff knew it too and offered a fix.
"Those without teams can group among yourselves now."
"...Even without a 3-star Summon?"
"Yes."
But they hesitated to bunch up. 1- and 2-stars couldn't beat a 3-star, plain and simple. Only a few formed teams—five in total.
Oliver took their rosters somewhere, returning soon with the bracket.
"Here's your matchup. Non-participants get separate tests for scores. Won't beat last place, though."
I eyed the bracket. Sixteen teams total, only four with 3-stars: me and Stella, plus two heirs with family heirlooms.
Winner from these four.
Stella in semis. Sooner than expected. I glanced at Sheera, signaling scout duty. True to her word, she quickly fetched intel.
Checking opponents' order and Summons, I realized no fancy tactics needed.
"Trick too early, others copy. Headache for us."
"Then?"
"Go standard: 1-, 2-, 3-star order. Karl? Careful. Matchup favors you, but lose and we're done."
"Y-yes... I'll be cautious."
First match started. Predictably, Sheera lost; Karl and I won. I praised him.
"Good job."
"Th-thank you...."
No upsets after. My team, Stella's, and a count's made semis. Twist: marquis heir expected in semis lost quarters to the count's team on bad draw.
Final four: three 3-star teams, one with two 2-stars.
[Semifinals to begin shortly...]
Time came. Our turn against Stella's team. I locked eyes with Sheera.
...Use it?
Obviously.
No words needed. Sheera swapped our order submission. Karl went first.
Noah gawked stupidly. "Huh? Why you...."
Stella, quicker on the uptake, shrieked.
"That's cheating!"
"Why?"
"'Cause 1-stars fight 1-stars...!"
"No such rule. That was just for team formation."
Stella scowled. I smirked. One win in the bag.
"Coward...!"
Noah yelled it at me. Tough luck. Victory's world is ruthless. Win by any means—that's the rule.
But.
Noah!
"...What?"
Karl lost. Then it hit me—Noah was this world's protagonist.
"S-sorry...."
Head bowed, Karl returned. I frowned. Didn't see that coming.
"It's fine."
Sheera stepped up with a smile. I recalled her other surefire win con.
"...Gonna use it?"
"Yeah. But okay? If I do...."
"Fine. Go for it."
"You trust me?"
She headed out. Stella's 2-star summoner grinned smugly.
"Forfeit? No way your 1-star—let alone Bluebird—beats my Gale Hawk."
"Nah, pass."
"...Gotta learn the hard way, huh?"
She summoned. A sturdy hawk, no match for powerless Bluebird, took flight.
Sheera licked her lips. "Looks quick."
"Obviously, just forfeit—"
"Summon."
A purple snake emerged from Sheera's hand. Violet Mamba slithered up her arm, tongue flicking at the hawk.
"Snake feeding time."
Instantly, the Gale Hawk was devoured.