Chapter 157: The Exams

Elara:

At twenty years old, exams were hardly something new to me. I had survived years of tests, assignments, practicals, presentations, and every other academic torture humans had invented, but Moonveil Academy somehow managed to make an ordinary exam period feel like a military campaign.

My first exam was Runes, beginning with a seventy-mark theory paper that lasted three hours in the morning, followed by a one-hour long practical worth thirty credit points later that afternoon.

My theory preparation had finally started paying off. I wasn’t brilliant at Runes, but I had improved considerably since I first opened the book months ago. The practical, however, was another story entirely.

We were required to create specific runes under strict time limits, and despite months of practice, my hands seemed determined to forget everything I had ever learned the moment the examination began. By the time the practical ended, I was convinced I had failed spectacularly. But somehow, through what I could only describe as a miracle, I walked away with seventeen credit points.

Seventeen out of thirty wasn’t exactly something I would proudly announce at dinner, but considering how certain I had been that I was about to fail, I decided to consider it a victory.

There wasn’t even enough time to recover from Runes before Elemental Studies arrived the following morning. Thankfully, that was one subject I actually loved, and the difference showed immediately. I finished the theory paper with time to spare, confident about almost every answer, and the practical later that afternoon went even better.

With my Ice element finally responding properly, I was able to demonstrate control, shaping and manipulation that would have been impossible only a few months earlier. When Professor Fenrith announced that I had received thirty out of thirty credit points, I actually had to stop myself from smiling too widely.

He looked almost ridiculously proud of me as he examined the ice formation I had created, and after giving a small approving nod, he told me that my progress had exceeded what he had expected when I first entered his class. Coming from Fenrith, that compliment meant more than I wanted to admit.

I left the practical feeling almost invincible, which was fortunate because there were still several exams waiting to destroy that confidence.

The third day was technically a break, but calling it a break would have been a cruel joke. I spent nearly the entire day studying for the remaining examinations, moving between my notes, textbooks, practice questions, and stacks of parchment until my eyes felt dry.

Violet, Myra, and I barely saw one another because our exam schedules were different, so our usual lunches and evening conversations had been replaced by short messages and occasional group video calls at night. We would spend ten or fifteen minutes complaining about professors, comparing how badly we thought we’d performed, and reminding one another that we were probably going to survive before disappearing again to study.

Strangely enough, the hectic schedule had one enormous advantage - I had absolutely no time to dwell on the disaster involving Lorien. I hadn’t seen even the shadow of the Headmaster since that night, and I was immensely grateful for it.

Every time I thought about that night, my face still burned with humiliation, so avoiding him was probably the only reason I hadn’t spontaneously combusted from embarrassment.

I’d also taken another small measure to make my life less miserable. I blocked two numbers. One belonged to Kairo, and the other belonged to Esmeray. Esmeray had actually tried calling and messaging me several times over the past few days, but I wasn’t ready to hear whatever explanation he had prepared.

Kairo, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content with my absence. He had apparently decided that his new relationship deserved an audience, because he and Aria were everywhere. The academy wasn’t even large enough to escape them. I would turn a corner and see them together. I’d walk toward the library and find them nearby. I’d enter the courtyard and somehow they would be there too.

It wasn’t Kairo’s indifference or Aria’s smugness that irritated me nearly as much as the uncomfortable truth I couldn’t escape. Seeing them together hurt. No matter how much I told myself that I didn’t care, no matter how many times I reminded myself that I had no claim over him, some stupid part of me still reacted every time I saw his hand around hers.

Eventually, my remaining examinations began disappearing one by one. Illusion Theory went surprisingly well, and History and Politics was even better. I had spent months learning the history of Starfall, its noble Houses, political structures, treaties, wars, and royal traditions. Then there were Master Brown’s special lessons. And for once all those long study sessions were paying off.

Then came Combat Arts, the exam I had been least worried about. I had already accepted that when it came to physical combat, I possessed a considerable advantage over most students at Moonveil. Twelve years of martial arts, years of training with my father and brother, and months of Jasper’s brutal lessons had made sure of that. As expected, I dominated the field examination and finished at the very top.

Jasper had finally returned after being away for an entire week, and seeing him standing at the edge of the field that afternoon made me realize how much I had missed having him around. When he announced me as the winner, his smile was so openly proud that I couldn’t help smiling back.

Later that evening, once we had returned to my dorm, curiosity finally got the better of me.

"Where were you actually called that night?" I asked while sitting across from him.

Jasper was quiet for a moment before answering, "There was Reaper activity detected near the area west perimeter not far from here. The Moon Warriors received an emergency summon, and because we were already close, I was meant to respond."

I frowned. "I didn’t know you are a Moon Warrior."

Jasper let out a soft sigh. "I was. After your return, my position changed. I’m still capable of serving when necessary, but my primary responsibility is you. You are my blood oath, Princess. You will always come first."

Something about the certainty in his voice made me quiet. "Then what happens if there’s another sudden summon?" I asked.

Jasper’s expression softened slightly. "There won’t be another one involving me." He paused before explaining, "I have already spoken with Warrior council. I told them I won’t be responsible for urgent summons or field calls anymore. My priority is you, and they know that now."

I stared at him, realizing how serious he was. For a moment, I debated on whether to say it or not. Then finally, I did. "How about I find a way to release you from this oath?"