Chapter 24 – The Final Academy Exam

The Great Hall of the Magic Academy was alive with restless voices as students waited for their turn to face the final exam. Today was the most crucial day of their lives—not just for graduation, but for the future paths each of them would take. Along the walls hung banners adorned with sigils of dragons and sacred seals of light, a solemn reminder of the significance of this ceremony, held only once every few years.

Zareen stood with his team on the left side of the hall. He drew in a deep breath, his heart pounding faster than usual. He had faced many training sessions before, but today felt different. Every gaze in the room seemed to weigh on him.

“Relax, Zareen. We’ve trained for this so many times,” said Rina, a soft-spoken healer in his group. She gave him a reassuring smile.

“I know,” Zareen replied, though his tone was quiet. “But it feels like… this is more than just an ordinary exam.”

Across the hall, Gino stood with his own team. His posture was sharp, his expression brimming with confidence, as though the entire world was waiting for him to show what he was capable of. Though they were on different teams, Zareen could feel Gino’s gaze on him every now and then—a silent reminder that their rivalry was far from over.

---

### The Exam Announcement

Senior Instructor Ardian stepped onto the podium at the center of the hall. His dark-blue robes, embroidered with ancient runes, billowed slightly as he moved. When he spoke, his voice echoed clearly through the room.

“Students,” Ardian began, “today you will face the final examination. This is not a mere formality. It is proof of your long journey, the culmination of the years you have spent studying and training here at the academy. There will be three stages: first, the knowledge assessment; second, the individual magic trial; and finally, the field test with your team.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the gathered students. A few swallowed hard.

“Remember,” Ardian continued, his voice firmer now, “you are not being tested simply to see who is the strongest, but to prove you can survive, work together, and maintain control under pressure. The world beyond these walls cannot be faced alone.”

---

### The Knowledge Test

The first stage was held in an enclosed examination hall. Scrolls filled with questions on magic theory, history, and world lore were distributed to each student.

Zareen stared down at the parchment, his heart thudding. Some questions were familiar—lessons he had learned during his secret sessions with Gifa in the hidden library. His quill moved steadily, though he bit his lip whenever he hit a difficult one.

*“The seal of the 24th hero failed because…”* He remembered Gifa’s lesson and wrote down the answer with confidence.

Gino, seated a few rows away, looked calm and composed. His quill danced across the parchment as if the answers had been waiting for him all along. Several students sneaked glances at him with admiration, but Gino remained focused, unfazed by their attention.

---

### The Individual Magic Trial

The second stage was more nerve-wracking. One by one, students stepped into the central arena to demonstrate their magic before a panel of instructors.

When Zareen’s name was called, he walked forward with steady steps. His staff felt heavier than usual—not from its weight, but from the weight of everyone’s expectations.

“Zareen, demonstrate your ability,” one of the examiners instructed.

He inhaled deeply and began. First, he performed a simple healing spell. A soft green light enveloped the practice dummy before him, mending the cuts on its surface. Small cheers erupted from the students watching.

Then he turned to offense. Carefully, he chanted a fire incantation. A small fireball formed at the tip of his staff and shot forward, striking the target dead center. It was modest in size compared to others’ spells, but its precision and control earned approving nods from the instructors.

“Your control is good,” one examiner remarked. “You know when to attack and when to support.”

A faint smile crossed Zareen’s lips. For him, that was enough.

On the other side, Gino put on a spectacular show—massive flames and a shimmering magical barrier that left students awestruck. “Amazing as always,” someone whispered. Zareen simply watched silently, sensing the growing fire of competition between them.

---

### The Team Field Test

The final stage was the most intense. The students were divided into teams and taken into a magically constructed forest filled with illusionary monsters. Their objective was clear: survive, work together, and retrieve a magic stone hidden deep within the woods.

Zareen’s team moved carefully through the forest. Rina kept to the rear, monitoring everyone’s condition with her healing magic, while Arven and Dario prepared to unleash attack spells.

“Stay close. Don’t spread out too far,” Zareen instructed, still getting used to giving commands.

Their path was suddenly blocked by shadow wolves. Arven quickly cast a fire spell while Dario summoned a barrier to intercept their leap. Zareen stepped forward, casting a binding spell that slowed the monsters just enough for Arven’s next attack to land true.

“Nice work, Zareen!” Rina called out from behind.

A small smile touched Zareen’s face. Slowly, his teammates were starting to see him not as an afterthought, but as a crucial anchor for the group.

Meanwhile, Gino’s team advanced through their section of the forest very differently. Gino insisted on taking the front, dealing with almost every monster himself while the others merely provided backup. Though they were progressing quickly, frustration brewed among his teammates.

“You’re not giving us a chance to fight!” one of them complained.

“The only thing that matters is victory,” Gino replied coolly.

---

### Rival Paths Cross

By chance, Zareen’s and Gino’s teams met in a clearing in the forest. The air seemed to tighten as the two rivals locked eyes.

“Looks like you’re starting to figure out how to lead,” Gino said with a smirk.

“And it looks like you still haven’t figured out how to work with others,” Zareen shot back lightly.

They both chuckled under their breath, but their gazes held a promise—their rivalry wasn’t going anywhere.

---

### Results Announced

Once the field test was complete, all students gathered back in the hall. Instructor Ardian addressed them.

“Most of you have passed with admirable results. Some of you excelled in attack, others in support. But remember—this is just the beginning. The true test lies beyond the academy.”

Relieved cheers and sighs spread through the crowd.

Ardian raised his hand for silence once more. “For those who passed, your identity cards will now update to reflect your growth: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. And in rare cases… there are those whose cards remain unchanged.”

Every head turned toward Zareen. His black card had not changed at all.

“Unidentified…” some students whispered, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.

Gino’s card, meanwhile, shone brilliantly as it shifted to **Platinum**. Pride lit up his face, though somewhere deep inside, he was unsettled by the mystery surrounding Zareen’s unchanging card.

---

That day ended with relief, pride, and new questions. The students had graduated from the academy, but real life was just beginning. And beneath it all, the fire of rivalry between Zareen and Gino still burned—waiting to be tested in the wider, harsher world beyond the academy walls.