The sun shone brightly through the vast windows of the assembly hall.
Casting long beams of golden light onto the polished wooden floors.
I stood on the elevated podium alongside the other instructors.
My arms folded as I gazed down at the rows of students gathered below.
From this vantage point, it was easy to see how nervous they all were, shifting uneasily in their designated groups.
The first-years stood to the left, their faces a mix of apprehension and excitement.
To the right were the second-years, who bore more hardened expressions but carried their own share of worry.
Among them, I easily picked out Draven.
The "protagonist" of our little academy drama stood tall.
Exuding confidence that bordered on arrogance.
Roselyn, a diligent first-year who seemed to orbit Draven like a moon around a planet, clung to his side.
And, of course, there was Princess Elara, the embodiment of grace and beauty, completing the ensemble.
I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.
’Tch… him and his harem.’
The thought was quickly replaced by relief when I scanned the crowd again.
Maya wasn’t among them, as I had ensured.
The memory of drafting that exemption letter came to mind.
I’d detailed an academic issue, a "reassessment of core magical aptitude," which had been stamped and approved by the higher-ups.
It was a bit of a stretch, but I wasn’t about to let Maya try more ways to kill me during this mid-term exam.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sharp voice of Professor Scarlet as she stepped forward to address the assembly.
"Welcome, students, to your mid-term examinations..."
She began, her tone brisk and commanding.
The hall fell silent almost immediately.
Scarlet had that effect on people.
Her crimson robes billowed slightly as she moved, her piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"This year’s mid-term is unlike anything you’ve faced before..."
She continued.
"It is a test not only of your magical and physical abilities but also of your intellect, adaptability, and, most importantly, your capacity to work with—or against—others."
The tension in the room thickened.
"You will be venturing into the enchanted forest bordering our academy grounds.
Each team has been assigned a flag, and your primary objective is to defend your own while attempting to capture the flags of other teams.
Simple enough, yes?"
Scarlet’s smile was sharp, almost predatory.
"But let me assure you, simplicity ends there."
She raised a hand, and an enchanted map appeared in the air, displaying the vast expanse of the forest.
Its terrain varied wildly, from dense thickets to open clearings, rivers, caves, and even a few ruins.
"In this forest..." she said.
"...you will need to establish a camp—your base of operations.
Points will be awarded for various survival tasks.
Building shelters, finding and purifying water, gathering edible resources, and, of course, capturing flags.
However, the tasks are designed to be challenging, and resources within the forest are deliberately scarce."
A low murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Points will also be deducted for certain failures..."
Scarlet added, her tone growing colder.
"Teams that cannot establish a functional camp by the end of the first day, for instance, will lose ten points.
Teams that fail to capture at least one additional flag by mid-week will lose twenty points.
And let me be very clear—any team that finishes the week with fewer than eighty points will face… consequences."
The murmurs grew louder, laced with panic and concern.
"Silence."
Scarlet commanded, and the hall obeyed.
She smiled again, but there was no warmth in it.
"To make things more interesting, betrayal is an option.
Yes, even within your teams, betrayal can occur.
A teammate could sell your flag to another group.
They could sabotage your camp.
They could even negotiate deals with other teams for their own gain.
Your trust in one another will be tested at every turn."
The students looked at one another uneasily.
Scarlet gestured to the student watches each student had.
"These watches will serve multiple purposes.
First, they will track your location within the forest.
Second, they will display your current individual and team scores.
Third, they will allow you to exchange points like currency.
That’s right—points can be traded or even gifted between students.
Use this wisely.
Greed and generosity can both lead to ruin if not handled carefully."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"Each team must also assign a leader.
This leader will have additional responsibilities and certain advantages—but I suggest you keep their identity a secret from other teams.
The leader’s watch will allow them to see more detailed information, including the locations of hidden resource caches and enemy flags.
However, if a leader is captured and their watch stolen, it could spell disaster for the entire team."
The room was filled with a mixture of awe, fear, and excitement.
"And finally..."
Scarlet concluded.
"...individual scores will also matter.
While your individual points contribute to your team’s total, your personal performance will be evaluated separately.
Outstanding individual achievements may be rewarded, regardless of your team’s overall success.
This is a chance for you to prove your worth—not just as a team member, but as a mage in your own right."
Her gaze hardened.
"This is not just a game.
It is a test of your resolve, your cunning, and your ability to survive in the face of adversity.
Failure to take it seriously will result in failure of the exam—and perhaps more."
Scarlet’s eyes briefly met mine, and she stepped back, giving me the floor.
I walked to the podium, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on me.
Their expectations, their anxieties—it was all palpable. Explore more stories at freewebnovel
I cleared my throat.
"The first emperor of the Western Continent once said, ’A true test of strength lies not in the battles you win, but in the burdens you carry—and in the shadows you leave behind.’"
The room was silent as my words hung in the air.
"Remember that. Your actions this week will leave an impact—on yourselves, on your teammates, and on this academy.
Choose wisely."
"Ohh and one more thing..."
I said.
"Don’t expect me to be so generous if certain rules are overseen and broken...
I will not be lenient in the slightest..."
I stepped back, my part done.
Scarlet returned to the forefront, her smile sharp as ever.
"With that..."
She declared, raising her hand.
"I officially announce the start of the mid-term examinations.
Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.
Good luck… and may you survive."
The horn sounded, echoing through the assembly hall, and the students began to file out in their groups.