Chapter 38: The Exam's Hall

It took them a few steps for them to halt. Their eyes widened with surprise.

The city from outside was worthy of admiration enough but inside was a whole other world as if they passed a gate to another dimension. Tall buildings that pierced the sky were everywhere. Even the most humble building looked like a luxurious inn or a hotel.

Such a thing was unexpected to the duo; these two that grew accustomed to the greenery and the tiny houses were now engulfed in what could be the most outstanding place they went to.

Don't get it wrong, Ray did live a life of extravagance before since he was nobility, but the years he spent in the lower realms did change his way of living. Before, he would concentrate on his duties as a family heir and leave the extra stuff to the maids and butlers that worked there. But in the last two years, he learned to take care of his needs without any help, and now he just liked that type of life since he felt more like a human and not a machine.

Yet even with that kind of life, he could only admit that this city was impressive. After a few seconds of sightseeing, they continued walking in the main street.

The street was long and guided them straight to another part of the city. They walked along with many like them, who also grasped with awe while looking left and right.

"This quite amazing. I guess It should be expected from this academy." Commented Ray while strolling casually with his hands in his pockets. His handsome face and very sturdy build made him look like a model and made many ladies walking beside him mutter while blushing. He was undoubtedly very lethal to women, especially those who never had contact with the opposite sex.

"Hmm...Flora?" When he didn't hear a reply from his lover, Ray called Flora while looking at her confusedly. She was looking straight ahead and walking casually without much to mention. But Ray knew Flora more than anyone else; he can confidently say that he could read her mind like an open book.

Her eyes seemed a little bit colder than usual; even her aura was seeping slightly as if she was on the verge of losing control. She seemed pretty angry.

It took Ray a few seconds before he understood and snapped his finger while grinning cheekily. He then approached her and whispered in her ear with a breathy voice making her shudder slightly.

"Don't tell me...are you jealous?" His question was on point as Flora blushed instantly and started fidgeting with her fingers. Her adorable gesture made him giggle with a loving smile on his face.

He then took her hand and said quietly, "You're the only one for me. I will never look at anyone else except for you."

Her eyes widened in surprise before gazing at him. His eyes conveyed all his emotions, and it was enough for Flora to relax and smile again at him.

"I know...Dummy." She muttered under her breath, but her voice reached Ray and generated another laugh from him. This warm atmosphere around them is something normal at this point. It was as if they were made for each other.

Even their preferences in food, clothing and even their opinions on some issues are basically identical. Someone will say they were really a match made in heaven.

Anyway, the long main road took them to a new place. In front of them was a massive circular building standing tall with an overbearing aura different from the other buildings in the city. It looked like an old coliseum where Romans fought before for entertainment purposes, but the difference between the two is that this one was wholly covered. In contrast, the old coliseum was open with no ceiling Whatsoever.

"This place keeps on impressing me." Said Ray after whistling in admiration.

Ray had never seen this particular kind of architecture before in his life since he didn't really attend these stages where people go to enjoy all kinds of shows.

"Yeah. I think this is where the exam will be held." Answered Flora while checking the front entrance that was full of people. And indeed, from the size of this place, accomodating hundreds of thousands of students was within the realm of possibility.

They didn't waste much time and walked to the entrance.

Some guards were scattered around the perimeter of the coliseum, but no one stopped them as they were already checked before.

Passing through the doors along with many others. Ray and Flora found themselves in a huge hall...so huge in fact they could barely see the other side of the building from where they were standing. It was undoubtedly massive from the outside, but the inside was a lot more bigger than they expected.

Most of the hall was made of some kind of white stone and marble that shined brightly under the light of many massive chandeliers scattered across the area. The hall's ceiling was held by multiple massive pillars that were organised left and right and were also made of marble and decorated with some aesthetic drawings and pictures that added a beautiful touch to the general outlook.

"They really are taking care of us, aren't they." Commented Ray while looking around him. His idea of this place keeps on changing, and his respect for the headmaster of such a place kept on growing with each second.

"I see that others are waiting. Let's find a place and rest for a bit from the journey." Suggested Ray while pointing at a considerably secluded corner in the room.

Even though their bodies were adapted to heavy labour coupled with their mana, they rarely get tired, but even so, they were on constant moving from one place to another for a whole month, and that will affect their bodies and also their minds since this was no easy feat to do.

The couple reached the corner and leaned on the cold, hard wall for support. Flora just stayed silent while looking particularly nowhere; as for Ray, he glanced around him one last time before closing his eyes. He didn't sleep, but he was in a half-conscious state that made him constantly alert for any danger lurking around him. He learned this technique in the journey since sleeping in the outside encircled by the forests and monsters that live in it requires them always to be ready for an ambush.

A few seconds later, he heard Flora's soothing voice in his ears, "You can rest a little bit. I will protect us."

Her words made Ray smile slightly, but he didn't answer as his mind relaxed and the urge to sleep took him to the wonderful world of dreams.