The Midterms

The day of the midterms had come. Everybody was anticipating the day as if a fortune teller had given them the information about the date of the end of the world. And if that was the case I was one of those men who came super prepared with almost a thousand supplies and equipment that would secure my survival in the apocalypse!

For every second to every minute of the week, I studied as if I had nothing else to do with my life. I absorbed the knowledge from all my classes and tried my best to fully understand zen.

The exam started in the afternoon. All students from first to third year gathered in the study hall which was located on the first floor. The room itself was as wide as a cornfield and there were hundreds of desks filled with a single paper and at least three pencils.

In that room was where the first half of the midterm which was the written test was taking place. I wasn’t even a bit worried because I was confident in my understanding of all the lessons.

“Do you think they offer extra credit?”

I turned to Iris who was right next to me with a nervous expression. She was shaking, sweating, and clinging to me as if I were a lifeline that kept her from drowning in the ocean.

“What? You didn’t study for the written test?”

“I thought we were going to do this test after!” Iris squealed. “I would’ve had time to skim through the textbooks!”

I chuckled as I scratched my girlfriend’s head, which caused an annoyed grumble from her.

“Dummy! That’s what you get for not taking your studies seriously!”

“Students!”

An explosion of glittery violet smoke erupted in the middle of the study hall which spooked everyone. As the colorful fog faded we saw a gorgeous middle-aged woman with dark purple eyes that hid behind ovular glasses. She had mid-back length light brown hair which was very curly and her dress was a lavender skirt that partly covered her legs whereas she wore black stockings that matched the design of black webs. And on her head was a big black witch hat with purple highlights and symbols of stars.

That woman was the vice principal of Elendria Academy—a witch from the corners of Eleiweth, Helena Willow. She is a retired Holy Knight who was well known for her impressive magical ability that could warp the stars of the night sky.

“Take your seats and wait for further instructions.”

Without delay, we all sat down. I choose a desk in the far back. Iris tried to sit next to me but that seat was taken by another student which caused her great annoyance. With no further choice, she had to choose a seat at the very front of the room.

Once everyone was seated, Helena projected her commanding voice to the entire room.

“This test serves the purpose of challenging your knowledge. A Holy Knight must not only have a steady hand but a steady mind. Think through every question and answer to the best of your ability. Ready? Begin!”

Instantly everyone picked up their pencils and started writing. All the questions were open-ended and the majority were familiar with the lectures of the classes. I took my time answering each while smiling, I was positive that I would pass.

As time went on other students had finished before me and handed their test to Helena. The first to finish, which was to no one’s surprise, was William who walked up to the witch professor with such zest and confidence it was irritating to behold. I managed to finish my test when there were only thirty minutes left on the clock.

When I got up and handed my paper to Helena I saw her eyes squint behind her glasses and her mouth curled in disgust.

“I honestly believed you would’ve been the last to finish, Null…”

The woman didn’t bother trying to ride her disdain for me.

“Sorry for not meeting your expectations…”

I replied in a sarcastic tone as I forced my test into her hands and stomped all the way out of the room. Looking back I saw there were at least forty students left in the room, Iris was one of them.

I sighed and shook my head while I witnessed my girlfriend almost cry as she repeated the pattern of writing and erasing.

“Her score is going to be soooo low…”

Thirty minutes had passed and the written test was finally over. The final students walked out of the room with exhausted looks on their faces. Iris was pouting as she stumbled over to me.

“I feel like that shouldn’t have been as hard as it was…”

“It wouldn’t have been so hard if you had studied the material properly.”

I told Iris nonchalantly. In response, she stuck out her tongue.

“Meanie!”

Helena Willow came out of the room with a stern face. Using some spell, the tower of papers she had in her arms vanished in a violet cloud and was never seen again.

“The second half of the exams will now begin!”

The vice principal raised her arms to the sky and doors around the hallway bursted open. There were three massive doors that each held the letters A, B, and C at the very top; each of them leading to different rooms.

“Third years to Arena A! Second years to Arena B! And first years to Arena C!”

Our class congregated at the door down the hall which harbored the letter C. On the other side of the door was a wide circular-shaped arena with another class on the opposite side.

Standing at the center of the arena was the headmaster of Elendria Academy. He was a short, slightly heavyset man with balding brown hair and a large mustache. He had golden eyes and wore a burgundy vest over a long-sleeved white collared shirt and black tie, brown trousers, and fancy black shoes that squeaked every time he walked.

His name was Osran Chalice and he had been the headmaster for almost thirty years.

“Welcome my wonderful first years!”

Osran’s loud and energetic voice made the entire room shake.

“This is where you will take your second test! Here your battle prowess will be pushed to its limits! And I bet you are wondering who your opponents will be~…”

The headmaster then showcased the other students on the other side of the arena. It admittedly took us a while to realize who those students were. And when we did our hearts nearly dropped to the floor.

“I-is he serious?”

Iris said in a low and frightful voice.

Seeing our obvious fear, the jerk of a headmaster laughed aloud.

“That is right! Your opponents will be your upperclassmen— the fourth years! To pass this part of the exam you must defeat your enemy in a duel either by ring out or knockout!”

“We have to win!?”

One student shouted from the crowd in our class.

“Screw you! They’re fourth years! That’s impossible!”

Osran chuckled in response to our class’s angry remarks towards him.

“Being a Holy Knight means you must be prepared to fight battles where the odds are against you! Whether that means you are outnumbered or fighting an enemy who has more power than you! Regardless, you must never give up! You are fighting for the glory of Eleiweth—for all of Ocaleveth!”

While everyone was still complaining, I was inwardly cursing the situation.

“Shit! I knew it was gonna be a duel but against the fourth years? And I have to win!? Damn! Not to mention that Toto still isn’t done with the katana! All I have is the school-issued sword!”

The headmaster then jumped off the arena and cupped her mouth in his hands as he shouted.

“First opponent…Iris Brimstone! You will fight Arthur Thornton!”