Echoes of the Lost Elf-Chapter 46 - 45 : Exams

The classroom was filled with idle chatter as students settled into their seats, some still groggy from early morning training. However, the moment Professor Elias Duskbane entered, the room fell into an uneasy silence.

With an air of cold elegance, the vampire professor strode to the front, her deep crimson robes flowing behind her. Her piercing ruby eyes swept across the room, her mere presence demanding attention.

"Students," she began, her voice smooth and authoritative, "your Term 1 Theory Exams will commence in one month's time."

A collective groan rippled through the class. Some students slumped in their chairs, while others exchanged panicked glances.

"Silence." Her tone cut through the noise like a blade. "These exams will assess your comprehension of Magic Theory & Arcane Studies, Elemental Mastery, Combat Tactics, Runic Studies, History of Eldara & Magical Civilizations, and Alchemy & Potion Crafting. Those who fail to meet expectations will receive additional coursework—believe me, you do not want that."

Historias, reclining slightly in his seat, merely listened with a look of detached amusement. Exams were nothing to worry about.

That is—until he noticed one particular subject.

History of Eldara & Magical Civilizations.

A subject that might as well have been written in a foreign language to him. A thousand years of events he had no knowledge of. Wars, fallen empires, shifting alliances—all lost to him.

Adriana leaned toward him, whispering with a smirk, "You look too calm for someone who's going to fail history."

He sighed. "I take offense to that."

"Am I wrong?" she teased.

He gave a graceful shrug. "History is merely the record of past events. I would much rather focus on shaping the future."

Adriana snorted. "That won't help you on the exam."

Before he could reply, Professor Elias' sharp gaze landed on him.

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"Vaelcrest."

Historias met her crimson eyes with his usual composed expression. "Yes, Professor?"

"You will be taking these exams seriously, I presume?" Her voice was cool, but something in her tone suggested she was aware of his... knowledge gap.

He smiled faintly. "Naturally."

She studied him for a moment before moving on.

A soft chuckle came from his side. Zephyr, always one to enjoy the misfortunes of others, leaned over with an impish grin. "Hey, want my history notes?"

Historias glanced at him, considering.

Perhaps history wasn't so terrifying after all.

As soon as Professor Elias Duskbane left the room, the tension in the air eased. Students immediately broke into murmurs—some complaining about the exams, others already planning study sessions.

Historias, still reclining in his seat, exhaled softly before turning to Zephyr.

"Alright," he said smoothly, "help me out with history, and I'll help you with the rest."

Zephyr blinked. "Wait, seriously?" He had been expecting some smug remark or a lazy excuse, not an actual request for help.

Adriana grinned. "Wow. Historias Vaelcrest, the prodigy himself, actually admitting he needs help. Mark this day in history."

He gave her a dry look. "It is precisely because I wish to avoid failure that I am seeking alternative solutions."

Zephyr smirked. "Alternative solutions? You mean studying?"

"No, I mean delegating responsibilities efficiently."

Kael, who had been listening from a few seats away, raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously bad at history?"

Historias sighed. "I've been... preoccupied these past few years."

Leon, who had been half-dozing, suddenly perked up. "Wait, wait, wait. Don't tell me this is why you ranked second in the entrance exam?"

Historias frowned. "It was a minor oversight."

Leon grinned. "Minor? Dude, you flunked history so bad that even with a perfect score in the practical, they had to drop you to second place."

The class went silent for a moment before a few chuckles broke out.

Kael smirked. "Wait, seriously? How bad are we talking?"

Leon leaned back, arms crossed, enjoying every second of this. "Bad enough that even full marks in magic and combat couldn't save him."

Historias exhaled, resting his chin on his hand. "Must you announce it so enthusiastically?"

Leon clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Just making sure everyone knows your one weakness."

Zephyr grinned. "Well, at least we know you're not perfect."

Historias gave him a sideways glance. "That depends on your definition of perfection."

Adriana chuckled. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. If you're actually serious, we'll help. But you owe us."

Historias sighed. "Fine. I suppose I can make time to assist you all with subjects you struggle with."

Zephyr grinned. "Now that's a deal I can work with."

And just like that, Historias found himself part of a study group.

Perhaps history wouldn't be such a nightmare after all.

..........

The library of Castellas Academy was grand, its towering shelves packed with ancient tomes and modern research papers. The warm afternoon light streamed through tall windows, casting a golden glow over the study tables. Students gathered in quiet clusters, flipping through books or scribbling notes.

At one such table, Historias sat across from Adriana, Zephyr, Leon, and Kael, arms crossed as he examined the previous year's history exam. Adriana had smugly placed it in front of him, her arms folded, watching expectantly.

"Go on," she urged. "Let's see what we're dealing with."

Historias, ever composed, picked up the paper and skimmed the first question.

Question 1: In what year was the Treaty of Velmor signed, and what impact did it have on the relations between Sylvaris and Caelondis?

He blinked. Velmor? That name meant nothing to him. He glanced at Adriana, who looked far too amused.

Tapping the paper thoughtfully, he eventually wrote:

Answer: "A very important year. The treaty successfully treated things, presumably between two parties. Its impact was significant—perhaps even groundbreaking. Truly, history was made that day."

Adriana groaned. "You didn't even try!"

Ignoring her, he moved to the next one.

Question 2: Who was the first ruler of the Atherious Empire following the dissolution of the Celestine Dominion?

Historias frowned. The Celestine Dominion? That sounded vaguely familiar, but not in a way that helped.

He wrote:

Answer: "Clearly, a very ambitious person."

Leon leaned over his shoulder, barely containing his laughter. "You really have no idea, huh?"

"Patience," Historias murmured as he flipped to the next question.

Question 3: The Battle of Shadow's Crest marked a turning point in the war against the Duskborne Legion. What strategy led to victory?

Historias narrowed his eyes. The Duskborne Legion? That sounded ominous.

He hesitated, then scribbled down:

Answer: "They fought very hard, and in the end, they won."

Kael burst out laughing. "No way! You seriously wrote that?"

Zephyr, chuckling, pointed at the answer. "I mean, he's not wrong—"

Adriana covered her face with her hands. "This is worse than I thought."

Historias sighed, setting the paper down. "It appears my knowledge is... selective."

Zephyr smirked. "Selective? You mean non-existent?"

Historias exhaled slowly. "If the exam covers anything before a millennium ago, I will ace it effortlessly. Everything after that, however..." He gestured vaguely at the paper.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Hold on. You got all the ancient history questions right, but you don't know basic modern history?"

Adriana narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't make any sense. How do you know everything about stuff that happened over a thousand years ago but nothing from, like, the last few centuries?"

Historias gave her a slow, thoughtful nod. "I read."

Leon squinted. "Yeah? Where, exactly? A tomb?"

Zephyr grinned. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if you were secretly a thousand-year-old ghost haunting the academy."

Historias chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "A tempting idea, but no."

Adriana smirked. "So you're basically a historical artifact yourself?"

He gave her a flat look. "I prefer 'scholarly relic.'"

Leon wiped a tear from his eye. "Nah, man, you're ancient. You should be giving history lessons, not failing them!"

Zephyr tapped the paper. "You need serious help. We'll go over the key events first. And for the love of mana, please stop answering questions like a politician."

Historias sighed dramatically. "Alas, my intelligence has finally met its match."

Adriana patted his shoulder with mock sympathy. "And its name is basic history."