Tsukishiro's third exam final started.
With his stance in position, he ran towards the dogs. They were relatively slow and easy to finish off. In a single slash, he wounded the wild-possessed dogs.
And as soon as those wild dogs were killed, they disappeared, and a new wave of enemies entered through the gates. This time, there was a single boar embedded magic amidst the wild dogs.
So this is what they mean by the waves getting stronger and stronger.
He thought to himself. He entered once again another stance, before dashing on forward and embedding his blade with dark magic.
In a swift and smooth motion, he effortlessly killed the monsters.
It wasn't that difficult in the first few waves. Most of the monsters were significantly weaker than what he used to hunt at the depths of his home mountain.
However, as more waves came and came, it became harder, and harder.
41 seconds remaining.
And then the 11th wave came.
There, were five magic-infested serpents, and in the middle of their menacing presence, was a magic-infested grizzly bear. At this point, the wave reached a level beyond normal difficulty.
A magic-infested grizzly bear is at least an A+ rank monster, or in some rare cases, almost an S-.
"The aura of that bear is so strong. Add to it the agile serpents. This is going to be hard."
He summoned dark magic to strengthen his physical capabilities. Then, he dashed toward the monsters. However, as he got close, the bear let out a roar that pushed all around him back, including Tsukishiro.
He raised his arms, trying to resist the strong force. However, as he does so, all five serpents shoot out venomous poison towards him.
Instinctively, he jumped and dodged the poison. However, the shockwave of the bear's roar caught him and pushed him even further, to the nearby wall.
Despite his efforts, it was hard for him to stand up and resist the continuous shockwave of its roar. The serpents are quickly closing up on him, and if he doesn't stand up, he will be injured.
He tried casting a long-range spell to try and hit the serpents. However, with their quick agility, they all dodged the magic.
He felt the same fear he felt when he was young wash over him right now.
He wasn't able to do anything... again... and again... maybe right now, again.
Concluding that he couldn't do anything anymore, he dropped his weapon and raised his hands in the air. "I-I surrender." He yelled out.
As he did, all the monsters were immediately turned into ashes by some unknown force. Then, the door of the entrance opened, and entering was the proctor.
"Good Job. The 11th wave is a feat. Stand proud." He said, before lending a hand to Tsukishiro and pulling him up.
"This concludes all three exams. Go home, young boy. Go back to the academy tomorrow to see if you passed."
Tsukishiro was disappointed, that he wasn't able to continue on further, and still bowed, and exited the room.
And so, all of his three exams are now finished. He now has to wait until tomorrow, to see the results.
...
Doubts filled his mind. He knows, that he did his best. It's just that, the 11th wave was too strong for him.
He sat on the bed restlessly, twitching his fingers around.
Nervousness filled his chest, as he overthinked on whether he'll pass or not.
The disappointments of the past wash over him once again.
What if, I fail? Is the dream crushed?
He thought to himself.
The night doesn't stop for him. It continues. And so, is his melancholic feeling.
...
The morning sun rose in a golden glow.
All the students who took the exam gathered in front of the grand bulletin board at the Saintellia Academy. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Some, whispered prayers, some, held their breath, and some, clenched their fists in anticipation.
This is the day, where they'll know their fate.
Is the fate of being a magician, the path for them?
Tsukishiro stood anxiously among the crowd. His heart pounds louder, and louder, his night sleepless.
What if, he failed? What if he succumbed to nothing after all the years he trained for this?
Thoughts rushed through his mind as he slowly pushed the crowd forward, weaving through the sea of the nervous examines. He looked over the enormous board, with all the names and a rank beside it inscribed in a glowing, gold, set of letters.
He darted his gaze all around the board, searching, and searching. His heart pounded even louder, and his breath began getting heavier as seconds passed without him seeing his name. Until—
Kato Tsukishiro : B- : PASSED
His breath caught.
He blinked not once, not twice, but thrice, to see if he was imagining everything. But no. The inscription remained even if he blinked a thousand times. It was a fact, and it is firmly written on the board.
He had passed.
His body trembled in excitement, as tears slowly and unconsciously well up in his eyes. A quiet, yet shaky chuckle escaped his lips.
Everything was real. It is real. He had passed.
All the years of training weren't wasted for this year. The sleepless nights when he trained back at the village weren't for nothing. The weight was removed from his shoulder.
He slowly stepped away, wiping his tears with his hands. He then glanced one last time at the board, smiling to himself, and went back.
...
A mix of emotions surged within the anticipating examinees. Some were disappointed and crying, while some were overjoyed and triumphant. However, amidst that wave of people was a girl standing, emotionless.
It was the same girl Tsukishiro bumped into. She had long, white hair with streaks of green at the tips. She was emotionless and unreadable.
She looked over the board, searching for her name. After a few seconds of searching, she found hers.
"I passed, I guess," she murmured to herself, her voice void of emotion and almost uninterested.
As she was about to turn around and leave, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder.
Hey, isn't that?!
That's the prodigy, right?!
It's the prodigy!
The crowd began getting hyped. She turned around to see what the ruckus was about and saw a person, amidst the crowd. The crowd was too tall for her to see the features of that person.
Just then, she overheard two people talking from behind her.
That prodigy was so cool! Do you remember the third exam? The prodigy immediately cleared all 20 waves, in just under four minutes! That's almost a new record!
Seriously?! I only cleared 7 in the span of 5 minutes, and yet the prodigy managed to finish all of them?!
I know right? And they say, the prodigy also possesses the rarest magic of all!
That's crazy! But, I heard that the prodigy is an "outsider".
Aw, that's too bad.
Both of the young boys laughed as they talked.
"A prodigy, huh?" The girl was satisfied with what she heard and proceeded to turn around and leave.
...
Tsukishiro walked through the bustling streets of the Golden District, his smile still as bright. His excitement hadn't worn off yet. Every time that he is reminded that he passed, a wave of joy surges within him.
He was victorious, and he had made it.
As he walked through the lively street, the smell of freshly baked bread greeted him. Attracted, he turned to the direction of the pleasant smell and saw a store selling different kinds of bread.
Almost like a magnet, it pulled him to it unconsciously.
"Hello there, young man. You are lookin' pretty good today, aren't ya? Want to buy sum fresh bread?!" The man behind the counter said.
He looked at the rows of bread lined in front of him. All of them smelled good and looked delicious. But, there was a specific bread that caught his feelings.
It was a yellow, fluffy, cornbread.
"How much for this?" He asked as he pointed at the cornbread.
"A single, gold coin will do, young boy."
He thought for a moment, before proceeding to buy five of them.
The storekeeper immediately packaged it into a bag, before Tsukishiro grabbed it and paid, proceeding then to turn around and leave.
"A bread of victory, hehe." He murmured, as he grabbed the bread.
Then, excitedly, he bit into it. Its soft texture melted in his mouth.
"T-T-This is... otherworldly." He remarked, his eyes ecstatic and the amazingly delicious bread. Without thinking, he quickly munched on the rest of the bread, devouring it like a vacuum.
He proceeded to munch on the remaining four bread, as he walked. And before he knew it, he was in front of the inn.
He opened the door, and the sound of its creaking attracted the gaze of the old man behind the counter.
"Looking bright young kid." He grunted,
"I passed, hehe." A grin unconsciously formed on his face as he can't help but smile.
The old man nodded in affirmation, before gazing back again to his newspaper.
"50 Gold coins per week. Best deal." The old man said, his voice unchanged, yet not unkind.
Tsukishiro nodded, before going upstairs, carrying a joyous smile.
As he stepped into his room, he immediately threw himself into bed. He lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"I... passed." He reminded himself once again. It felt unreal, and almost like a dream. It would embark on his new life. And to him, it is both exciting and terrifying.
He turned to his side and saw his previous, worn-out, and torn tunic.
He was reminded of his struggles during his early years. He was reminded of that faithful day when Youko left the village. The fear of being left behind. Just a few years ago, he was a boy with a friend, who was a prodigy.
The constant praise for her was a constant failure for him. It was two different sides of the same dream. But nevertheless, he never stopped believing that he would finally catch up.
"I'm going to do my best..." He murmured proudly to himself.
With his proud smile remaining, drowsiness reigned over him, and he slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
...