SSS-Ranked Summoner: Only I Summon All Heroes And Heroines Of Legend-Chapter 44: Academy Exams: Theory Phase (Pt 2)
Q15: A summoner’s mana capacity is determined primarily by:
A) Genetic inheritance
B) Physical conditioning
C) The strength of their first summon
D) All of the above
Altair paused. This one was trickier. The answer was technically D, but the weight of each factor varied significantly. Still, the question asked for "primary determinants," which meant all three.
He selected D and moved on.
Around him, he could hear the soft clicking of keyboards and the occasional frustrated sigh. Finn was hunched over his screen, his fingers flying across the keys. He looked focused but not stressed.
Altair glanced at the timer. Twenty minutes had passed.
He was on question 28.
The questions were getting harder now, delving into advanced theory that they’d only covered briefly in Master Oz’s training.
Q28: In a multi-summon scenario, what is the most common cause of mana destabilization?
A) Conflicting elemental affinities
B) Insufficient bond strength with secondary summons
C) Overlapping summoning seals
D) Simultaneous manifestation of incompatible entities
Altair thought back to his training with Oz. They’d discussed this exact scenario when exploring his ability to maintain multiple contracts.
Answer: B. Insufficient bond strength meant the summoner couldn’t maintain stable connections to multiple entities, leading to mana drain and potential backlash.
He clicked the answer and continued.
By the time he reached question 35, thirty minutes had elapsed.
He was moving more carefully now, double-checking his answers before submitting them. The final questions were the most complex, requiring him to synthesize information from multiple areas of study.
Q38: Describe the theoretical relationship between a summoner’s emotional state and the effectiveness of their summoning seal during high-stress combat scenarios.
This was an essay-style question with a text box for the answer.
Altair typed quickly:
A summoner’s emotional state directly influences the clarity and stability of their summoning seal. During high-stress combat, adrenaline and fear can cause mana fluctuations that distort the seal’s geometric precision, leading to incomplete summons or failed manifestations. However, trained summoners can channel emotional intensity into focused intent, actually strengthening the seal through sheer willpower. The key variable is mental discipline—summoners who maintain emotional control under pressure demonstrate significantly higher success rates in combat summoning scenarios.
He submitted the answer and moved to question 39.
Finally, question 40 appeared.
Q40: In your own words, explain why certain legendary summons are considered "incompatible" with standard summoning contracts and what conditions might allow for their successful binding.
Altair stared at the question.
This was asking about his exact situation—the Codex and its legendary contracts.
He typed carefully:
Legendary summons often possess autonomous wills, ancient powers, and existences that predate modern summoning systems. They are incompatible with standard contracts because traditional seals rely on hierarchical structures , that legendary beings refuse to accept. Successful binding requires mutual respect, recognition of the summon’s autonomy, and conditions that align with the legend’s personal values or goals. The contract must be negotiated, not imposed, and the summoner must prove themselves worthy of partnership rather than dominance.
He hit submit.
The screen flashed.
---
EXAMINATION COMPLETE
CALCULATING SCORE....
---
Altair held his breath.
The screen updated.
---
SCORE: 25/40
PERCENTAGE: 62.5%
STATUS: PASS
---
He stared at the number.
It wasn’t all that great, but it wasn’t terrible either. But definitely not what he’d hoped for after two weeks of intensive studying.
He glanced at the timer. Thirty-five minutes had passed.
Around him, other students were still working frantically. Finn’s screen was blank—he must have already finished and left.
Altair logged out, grabbed his bag, and stood quietly. Instructor Corestein’s eyes tracked him as he walked toward the exit, but the man said nothing.
The moment Altair stepped outside, he spotted them.
Finn, Ryka, and Svenja were all standing near the courtyard fountain, talking quietly.
"There he is," Finn said, grinning as Altair approached. "How’d it go?"
"Twenty-five out of forty," Altair admitted. "You?"
"Thirty-two," Finn said, looking pleased. "Honestly better than I expected."
Altair turned to Ryka. "What about you?"
"Twenty-seven," she said with a slight look like she expected more. "Some of those questions were tricky."
They both looked at Svenja.
She said nothing, but her pale eyes held no look of dissapointment.
"Let me guess," Altair said dryly. "Perfect score?"
Svenja gave the smallest nod.
"Of course," Finn muttered, though there was no real bitterness in his tone. "Forty out of forty. I don’t know why I’m surprised."
Before anyone could respond, all four of their phones buzzed simultaneously.
Altair pulled his out and saw a notification from the Academy administration.
--- 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
GRAN-LUSIA ACADEMY - EXAMINATION UPDATE
TO: All First Year Students
PHASE TWO INSTRUCTIONS
Phase Two of the Final Examination will take place tomorrow at 0900 hours.
Location: Hall of Reverse Summoning
Format: Paired Combat Assessment (60 marks)
Students must form pairs of two and register their partnership before 1800 hours today.
Failure to register will result in random assignment.
Further details will be provided on-site.
Good luck.
---
Altair lowered his phone and looked at the others.
"Paired combat," Ryka said slowly. "That’s... interesting."
"We need to decide who’s pairing with who," Finn said, glancing between them.
There was a brief silence.
"I’ll pair with Finn," Altair said.
Ryka looked up a bit, she’d wanted Altair to pick her, and to an extent she expected it. Especially since they shared a steaming kiss previously. But Altair’s thoughts were different, he was still well interested in Svenja, and openly picking Ryka over her may just as well strenghten that wall she was trying to keep up with him.
"Sounds good" Finn replied turning to both ladies.
Ryka blinked, then turned to Svenja with a less enthusiastic expression.
"Guess that means we’re partners," she said weakly.
Svenja stared at her for a long moment.
Then she nodded once.
Altair checked his watch. It was just past 3 PM.
"We should register our pairs before the deadline," he said. "And then maybe get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be intense."
They all agreed.
As they walked together back toward the main campus, Ryka approached Altair.
"Hey" she whispered.
"...left me a bit surprised back there"
"Oh yeah, about that. Finn’s really not gotten over the fact that he missed out on our encounter with the Herald." He paused, looking at her with a warm smile. "I’ve just got to give the boy that as a form of comfort, you know"
"Yeah, totally, I get it." She said, emphasizing that she held no grudge whatsoever.
They continued walking, and while Altair felt he handled that well, there was still a strange mix of emotions.
