Chapter 17

EP.17 Class Assignment Exam (1)

After the opening ceremony, the students were assigned to dormitories according to the guidance of the faculty.

The West Hall, East Hall, and Central Hall.

Among the three dormitories, the newly established Central Hall was given priority based on the academic records from the entrance exam.

The process was strictly based on academic performance.

There was no room for the influence of social status.

Aphria is a place of learning recognized by the king. Inside Aphria, everyone, regardless of who they are or whose child they are, is classified as a student.

And.

Even if she were a princess, that fundamental principle remains unchanged.

“Hmm...”

Having entered Aphria as the second-ranked student, proving her capabilities, the 4th Princess Ayla was inwardly amazed at the room she had been assigned.

‘I didn’t really expect much, but this is...’

She hadn’t expected much from the facilities. In fact, she had a rather audacious idea of experiencing the life of commoners by entering the dormitory, but...

“...Isn’t this a bit too good?”

Surprisingly well-equipped, Ayla felt a strange sense of disappointment.

*

“Sylph.”

- Did you call, Master?

“Can you clean up the dust a bit? And ventilate the room.”

- But, Master, this isn’t a laboratory, is it? There’s hardly any dust, and the air seems clean.

“Still.”

- Yes, then...

Sylph, a low-level wind elemental.

The elemental, resembling a dandelion seed, emitted light. Soon, the curtains in the room fluttered, and the bedding rustled.

“Thank you, Sylph. Go inside and rest.”

- Yes, Master.

Having dismissed the summoning, Resty sat on the bed. The Central Hall, she had heard about it, but being here felt like a new experience.

‘It’s spacious.’

It was wider than the dormitory in the magic tower where she had stayed. There was no smell of chemicals, and when the window was opened, fresh air flowed in immediately.

“I won’t need to ventilate from now on.”

She had summoned Sylph out of habit, but it didn’t seem necessary now. Sitting on the bed, Resty began to organize her thoughts.

The opening ceremony was over.

The main classes wouldn’t start for three days.

And, it seemed that a class assignment exam would be held for the top students from the entrance exam to further categorize their abilities.

“Enjoy your time exploring the academy for the next two days.”

“Resty, your major is Summoner, right? The Department of Summoning Magic is located in the large building you can see by turning around from the Central Hall.”

“Please drop by sometime.”

The image of the teaching assistant who had stuck to her and guided her came to mind. The assistant, who had been keeping an eye on the others, had stayed close to Resty.

“...”

The teaching assistants’ gazes were not friendly. Caesar, who had intentionally ignored those gazes, waited calmly until the assistants’ attention returned to him before continuing.

“As you know, we were unable to accurately classify the students based on the entrance exam. Especially, the top students were too clustered.”

The students’ level was much higher than that of last year’s graduates. This led to the need to reclassify the overly clustered top students.

“Therefore, we will conduct a class assignment exam for the top students to further differentiate their levels.”

As Caesar touched the documents, a large map appeared in the air.

“The class assignment exam will be held in the Harmain Forest near Aphria.”

Harmain Forest.

“As you know, the mana in the Harmain Forest is always in a saturated state. This causes the flow of mana to become distorted and makes it difficult to control the mana one possesses.”

“So, that’s what we want to test.”

The assistant beside Caesar continued.

“How well can they control their mana? Can they suppress their talents from running wild? That’s what we want to see.”

“Controlling mana is fundamental, and if a student lacks this foundation, even if they have outstanding talent, we have to start teaching them from scratch.”

This was not a decision made by the teaching assistants.

It was the fundamental principle of the exam set by Professor Roselle and Dean Aaron, among others, who had evaluated the talents of the new students for this semester.

- A mage must always perfectly control what they possess. If they can’t, it’s merely a bomb that could explode at any time.

If their talent was seen in the entrance exam.

The class assignment exam would test how well they understood and controlled their talent.

And, it was the teaching assistants’ job to concretize this exam. The professors had only set the broad framework.

“So, we plan to have students compete in four designated areas based on similar fields.”

The map was divided into four zones.

“Each zone has a central ‘Mana Stone.’ The longer a student can maintain contact with the Mana Stone, the higher their score will be.”

Caesar nodded slightly.

“We will allow some interference and competition.”

Of course, Caesar added.

“However, we cannot allow excessive competition that might harm the students. Teaching assistants will be dispatched to each zone as supervisors.”

As he moved his fingers again, red dots appeared in the four zones, indicating where the teaching assistants would be dispatched.

However, one spot remained empty.

Among the four zones, the northern zone had no red dot. It was a zone that seemed to be deliberately left empty, as if no one wanted to go there.

“We have already chosen the zones we will supervise, but there is one person who hasn’t made a choice yet.”

Caesar narrowed his eyes and looked at the woman sitting opposite him.

“Professor Lania?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you joined as a teaching assistant quite late, and with the adoption ceremony and all... I understand, but...”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Since you’ve joined as a teaching assistant, it would be good if you could choose a zone to supervise.”

“Well...”

“Ah, but there’s only one spot left.”

Caesar pointed to the northern zone.

“Would you mind supervising this zone?”

Northern Zone.

There was a reason all the teaching assistants avoided this spot. It was because of the students assigned to this zone.

The apprentice of the White Tower Master, Duke of the North, Rak.

The apprentice of the Black Tower Master, Nightmare of Dusk, Belnoa.

This zone was prepared specifically for these two at the request of the two Tower Masters. The battle that would unfold here would be difficult for even the teaching assistants to interfere with.

The warrior of the North who tore apart trolls.

The assassin who dyed the slums in blood.

If they clashed, one of them would surely be seriously injured, and the teaching assistant supervising that zone would bear the responsibility.

‘I don’t want to get involved in the competition between the towers and end up with unnecessary responsibility.’

Caesar smiled inwardly and glanced at the woman with ash-colored hair sitting opposite him. Frankly, he didn’t like her.

This spot was originally Caesar’s.

At least, that’s what he thought.

He had applied for Professor Roselle’s assistant position for the past two years, but was repeatedly rejected and ignored.

‘And now, some unknown woman is sitting in that spot? And she’s even adopted?’

He didn’t show it outwardly.

However, most of the teaching assistants felt the same way about this woman, Lania.

‘Good for her, parachute appointee.’

They would all be mocking her like that. Believing this, Caesar smiled kindly and spoke.

“Anyway, there are only two students assigned to that zone. It should be fine, right?”

To that question.

“Yes, sure.”

Lania only nodded.

3.

‘Why is that kid grinning like that?’

That was the first thought that came to mind as soon as the meeting ended. I don’t know what’s so funny, but it’s a bit strange to see him laugh every time he looks at me.

‘Am I that amusing to look at?’

I don’t think so.

“Still, it’s a peculiar way to proceed.”

I know about the Harmain Forest. I’ve heard about it before. It’s definitely the forest that an ancient mage gifted to the kingdom.

‘But why here?’

I tilted my head as I looked at the map I had received. As far as I know, the true value of the Harmain Forest lies at its center. The ‘Mana Spring’ gifted by the ancient mage. That’s the purpose of visiting the Harmain Forest...

Is there really a need to conduct the exam in the outskirts?

We could just throw everyone into the center and select the ones who can walk out unharmed for the advanced classes.

“...Well, they must have their reasons.”