Chapter 9: The Quarterly Exams

At the Academy of Magic and Swords, the end of each quarter was marked by the Quarterly Exams, an event that students awaited with both anticipation and dread. Divided into three stages—Theory, Individual Practice, and Group Exam—the exams were designed to test everyone's knowledge, skills, and teamwork.

For Cael, who had been isolated for so long, the exams would be an opportunity to show his strength, but also a test of his patience. He didn't like the idea of ​​interacting more than necessary, especially in a competition that required effort.

The morning sun illuminated the hallways of the Academy of Magic and Swords. The silence in the exam room was almost palpable, broken only by the sound of quills scratching against paper. The magical barriers that separated the students at their desks glowed faintly, a reminder that cheating was impossible.

Cael sat at his desk in the corner of the room, a strategic position he chose to avoid prying eyes. He held the quill between his fingers, his eyes fixed on the test before him. The theoretical questions required a detailed knowledge of history, magic, and strategy, and he knew that despite his strength in combat, he needed to prove himself in that field as well.

"Humility, Cael," he thought to himself. "You don't need to excel, just pass."

The head examiner, Professor **Thalor**, walked between the tables with a serious and penetrating gaze, observing each student. He was known for his strictness and for not tolerating carelessness.

Professor Thalor, a tall, thin man with a stern look behind his thin glasses, entered the room, carrying a large grimoire that seemed to weigh more than any sword. With a wave of his hand, the barriers increased in intensity, and he began to speak:

"You have two hours," Thalor said, his voice grave. "Remember, theory is as important as practice. Even the most skilled warrior cannot survive without a good understanding of the forces that govern the world.

Cael read the first question:

*"Explain the difference between enchantment and aura, providing practical examples of their application in combat."*

He frowned slightly. It was a straightforward question, but it required a detailed answer. After a brief thought, he began to write:

*"Enchantments are spells applied to objects or weapons to enhance their properties. For example, a sword enchanted with 'Flame Blast' deals additional fire damage with each strike. Aura, on the other hand, is the manifestation of the user's mana around the body, and can be used for defense or attack. While enchantment is static, aura depends on the user's ability to control it."*

Satisfied with his answer, he moved on to the next question:

*"List the five primary magical elements and provide an example of how they interact in combat."*

The other students were writing frantically, some clearly nervous. Lana, sitting a few rows ahead, bit the tip of her quill as she tried to remember a magic formula. Ren, next to her, seemed more confident, writing fluidly.

Cael looked at them for a moment, then returned to his test. He wanted to keep a low profile, but he knew that being diligent was necessary.

*"The five primary magical elements are fire, water, earth, air, and light. In combat, they can be combined or countered. For example, a fire spell can be weakened by a water spell, but strengthened by an air spell, depending on the skill of the mage."*

---

Despite his natural ability, Cael was determined to keep his answers simple and straightforward. He didn't want to seem arrogant or draw unnecessary attention, especially after the recent events that still loomed over him like a shadow.

As he wrote, he felt Professor Thalor's gaze on him. The examiner stopped beside his desk, studying him for a moment before moving on. Cael remained calm, but his heart beat a little faster.

"He's watching me more closely because of what happened earlier," Cael thought, but quickly dismissed the thought.

Two seats away from Cael, a student known for being somewhat of a cheater was surreptitiously trying to use a small artifact to peer at the answers of the student next to him. Before he could complete the act, one of the magical barriers emitted a shrill sound, drawing Professor Thalor's attention.

"Mister Gareth, it seems you have not understood the basic rules of this test," Thalor said, with a sharp look. "Zero points."

The incident increased the tension in the room even more.

--

The last question required creativity:

"Describe a strategic situation in which the combined use of magic and physical abilities can turn the tide of a seemingly lost battle."

Cael thought for a moment. He didn't want to exaggerate his answer, but he also didn't want to underestimate his analytical skills. He began to write slowly:

"In a fight against a large enemy, a mage might use an earth spell to create barriers or restrict the movement of opponents, while a swordsman uses his speed to attack vulnerable points. The combination of magical defense and physical aggression can unsettle the enemy, especially if both combatants are in sync."

When he finished writing, he glanced at the magic clock in the corner of the room. There were only ten minutes left. He quickly reviewed his answers, making sure they were clear and well-organized.

---

"Stop writing!" Thalor announced, waving his hand. The test papers floated up and piled neatly on his desk.

The students began to file out of the room, some discussing the questions among themselves. Lana looked relieved, while Ren maintained his usual confidence.

Cael, however, left silently, ignoring the curious glances. He knew he had done enough, but he preferred not to listen to the comments of others.

"One step down," he thought. "Two to go."

As he walked down the hall, he heard some murmuring about his performance. "Did he do as well as he seems?" "He's just brute force, he must not know anything about theory."

Cael smiled slightly to himself. He didn't need to prove anything to anyone, just keep moving forward at his own pace.