All the second-year students were also present, drawn by the rumours and speculations surrounding the new first-year class, ever since the new batch arrived, whispers had circulated that some of the first-years were stronger than their seniors.
Instructors even frequently used the first-years as examples during lectures for them, which had bruised the egos of a few second-years who couldn’t accept the idea of being surpassed by their juniors.
This growing rivalry meant most of the second-years came to observe the tests, eager to see if the rumours were true.
The exams functioned as a grading system, any first-year mage who surpassed the hallmark set by the first two tests would be allowed to advance to second-year classes ahead of schedule.
While those who failed would have to wait until the next academic year to move up, it was also an opportunity to identify the strongest mages within the first-year class.
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