Extra Of The Magus Academy-Chapter 42: Promotional Exams Begin!

The week passed in a blur, and every single student spent it the same way.

—Exams.

The End of the Year Exams was the same for every student of the Academy—both Alpha and Beta—in the fact that it was brutal.

However, with adversity came opportunity.

If the Beta students did extremely well in this Exam, they would be considered for elevation and would be eligible for the Promotional Exams. In the opposite vein, those who did very poorly in Alpha Class would face demotion if they didn’t prove themselves in the Exams.

Ashfelt Zephyr was an example of what would happen to an Alpha Student if they failed, as he was demoted to Beta Class—even if only for a short while—after losing a round against a Beta student during the Exams.

This alone was enough motivation for students hoping to climb to the top, and a warning for the ones who wanted to remain there.

The clock ticked and ticked, until the inevitable arrival of the promised day.

"Welcome, students… to the Promotional Exams."

The one who spoke was none other than the Head of Student Affairs, Beatrice Lampshade. She had made an appearance at the Exams, marking her second appearance before the students in her care.

With only this, she had surpassed Gerald Lockwood’s record.

"You all know why you are gathered here, and that’s to see if there will be a shift… a change… today." She began, both hands behind her as her eyes traveled through the crowd. "Each and every one of the ten students from Beta Class have the potential to rise to Alpha Class, just as the students from Alpha Class have the potential to fall to Beta."

The Desgarron Empire was a meritocracy, after all.

While Noble Status and Titles meant a great deal, what mattered most within its borders was ’Ability,’ and the Akashic Academy also reflected that ideal. The best would advance forward and the dregs would get left behind.

Such was the rule of conduct within the school’s four walls.

The Law of Survival!

And now… it was time for the brutal, but effective method, to be put on full display.

"I will be judging all ten matches today, and there are Instructors on standby in every area of the Academy in case of any emergency…"

The stage that Beatrice stood on would serve as the battlefield for all the competing students. As for where she would be seated during the matches, there was an elevated platform that she would float to and judge from once the fights began.

The students all had spread-out seats that surrounded the stage—almost like an auditorium or a small gladiator ring. As always, the Alpha and Beta Students sat in opposite areas, the glares on their faces evidently displaying their distaste for the other side.

The contestants sat at the forefront of each side, their much bigger seats differing from the spectators behind them. Despite the superior comfort their chairs provided, though, they shifted uncomfortably while watching Beatrice deliver the final keynotes of her speech.

"The rules are simple: make your opponent surrender, or knock him off the stage. Of course, you may use any Spell at your disposal, but any intentionally fatal attack will be a cause for disqualification." She added. "We are here to compete… not kill each other."

In essence, even if students wanted to use powerful Spells, they had to utilize them in creative ways that wouldn’t endanger the lives of their opponent. Of course, injuries could be sustained in the fight, but they simply couldn’t be fatal.

"If your opponent surrenders and you still attack him, that is also grounds for disqualification. The Instructors stationed around will immediately intervene and stop any match that breaks the rules." She smiled wryly. "And please note one final thing… disqualification on your part as a student means that the other side wins."

This was a serious deterrent for the more powerful Alpha Class students.

After all, what would they gain if they completely trashed their Beta counterparts, only for them to be disqualified and be sent to the very place they despised? And, to add salt to injury, the weaklings they beat would get elevated to Alpha Class.

That was unacceptable!

"Now that we’ve established the rules of the matches… it’s time to officially begin!"

Tension replaced the excitement that previously wafted in the air, as the student fully understood the scope of the event. Everything was on the line at this point.

Would they be able to see another miracle like Elma?

Or… was there no chance at all?

**********

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[One Day Earlier]

"The Roster has been announced, by the way."

Ash spoke nonchalantly as he walked alongside Dustan.

Despite the slight paleness he noticed on the boy’s face, he continued speaking as if everything was perfectly fine.

"They’ve chosen ten from each sides… that’s double of last time." He mused. "I guess Beta Students really tried their best to meet up to standard—or maybe a lot of Alpha Students ended up with poor grades."

"...."

"Which do you think it is?" Ash turned to ask Dustan, who was too busy worrying to think of an answer on the spot.

"Who was I matched up against?"

The sudden question from the lanky boy was inevitable, with his curiosity already driving him mad.

Ash sighed.

"It’s Arius Inkwell… he’s your opponent."

Dustan’s jaw dropped instantly, his shoulders drooping and back slowly following as if he was an ape. His bulging eyes could not contain the shock from the news.

"A-Arius?! But how? Why?"

"Somehow he managed to flunk… obviously intentionally." Ash shrugged. "He must really want to crush the Beta Class himself. I guess he’s not as spineless as I thought."

"B-but how did he get matched up with me? The selection process is random, right?"

"I guess… but it’s not impossible for him to pull some strings within the Academy and have him matched against you."

"Arghhhhh!!! This is insane!"

Dustan was really freaking out, nearly pulling out his hair as he felt his body tremble.

Arius Inkwell was one of the Top 5 Apprentices of the Academy, and he often competed with the likes of Seth Zephyr when it came to Academics. What would the likes of Dustan be able to do against someone like that?

"Don’t worry too much about it." Ash’s voice echoed in the air as he placed both hands on the boy’s shoulders.

"A-Ash…"

"You’ve trained hard for this moment." He added. "Have confidence in your abilities… you can do it!"

"Y-you really think I can win against Arius…?"

Upon hearing the question, Ash made a broader smile, his eyes closed as he let his thoughts answer it.

’Frankly… the chances are slim.’

Since this was in his mind, Dustan could not hear Ash’s true thoughts.

’Both of their affinities are water-based, and Arius has the superior Familiar.’ He continued. ’It’s a bad matchup from the very start.’

Dustan’s Familiar was only in the Medium Grade, while Arius’ was a Greater Grade.

The difference was immense.

’But Grades aren’t always everything.’ Ash remembered how he beat Elma even though he had a far weaker Familiar. ’As long as you have the right strategy, it’s possible to turn things around.’

What currently mattered the most to students was skill, not overall power and potential.

’Since we are yet to reach the ceiling of power that allows those with better Grades to advance ahead and leave the rest behind, it’s still possible to win.’

Ash only had to show Dustan how.