The instructor narrowed his eyes, his lips twitching in annoyance. "You were in there for ten and a half hours. You overstayed the trial limit."
Ethan froze. Ten and a half? That couldn't be right. He was aiming for three. Maybe four at most. His focus had been sharp, sure, but he hadn't felt time slip that far. And why hadn't the platform booted him out after five? This was complete and utter bullshit.
The instructor didn't press the issue further, just scribbled something on a glowing clipboard and waved him off. "You passed. Barely. Move on."
Ethan didn't argue. He turned and walked toward the portal for the next test, his mind already turning over what had just happened. Hopefully, more people would just assume what the instructor had assumed and let this small slip-up pass by.
At least the next exam was very straightforward. When Ethan appeared on the other side of the portal, he saw students struggling to hold onto a ball of mana.
