Chapter 285: End of Theory exams

"Already?" The invigilator raised an eyebrow.

Vlad nodded. The other students lifted their heads in mild surprise. To finish an exam that contained more numerical questions than theoretical ones, each lengthy enough to take an average of fifteen minutes to solve, in just thirty-five minutes, Vlad was either a genius or had completely bombed his exam.

Considering that he was a Crownbearer, with a long red coat draped over his shoulders proudly displaying his title, the students leaned more toward the former possibility.

"Crownbearers are really in a league of their own," one of them muttered before turning his attention back to the exam.

"There is a reason he completed an S-Ranked quest in the first semester," another added.

Soon, the entire exam hall was filled with murmurs about Vlad. He paid them little attention. After all, he needed to leave quickly and prepare for his next exam.

"Sign both the question paper and the answer sheet," the invigilator instructed Vlad, still sitting lazily in his seat. "You can leave after that."

Vlad nodded. The moment he signed the sheets, the papers vanished from the desk.

’Does this academy not do anything normally?’ Vlad wondered in mild surprise before heading out.

Now that he had submitted his answer sheet, he could pass through the barrier blocking the room.

The long hallway was completely silent and empty, giving it an eerie atmosphere. Vlad’s footsteps on the marble floor were the only sounds echoing between the walls.

He went to the gym before returning to his dormitory. After sending Seraphina an ’All the Best’ message and informing Chloe that he had reached his room, he began revising the syllabus for the next exam.

The exams continued for the next eight days, with only one day off thanks to Sunday. During this time, neither Chloe nor Seraphina met Vlad. They had decided to dedicate themselves entirely to their studies. Once the exams were over, they would definitely demand some extra attention from Vlad.

The exam patterns for the next two subjects were similar to that of Elemental Studies. For History of the Arcane Age, the first twelve questions were simple multiple-choice questions, while the final question once again teleported his consciousness to a simulated world.

In that world, he found himself as a member of the scouting team during the War of the Dragons. He had to relay critical information about the dragons’ movements to the army’s commander.

Only someone who had paid close attention during history lessons would know that information. Naturally, Seraphina and Chloe had already taught him all the important historical events.

For the Magical Law & Ethics exam, he found himself in the role of a junior magistrate in court. An S-Ranked man from a noble family had killed a Morin commoner. The prosecutor argued that the defendant must be punished severely for the murder, while the defence attorney countered that the life of an S-Ranker was a national asset. How could it possibly be compared to the life of a mere Morin, let alone a commoner?

Vlad had to decide what sentence to impose. He glanced through the enormous book placed before him, which listed the punishments for various crimes. It was quite common for S-Rankers or high-ranking nobles to commit crimes, and their transgressions were often overlooked.

After a quick glance through the book, he delivered his own judgment.

"This court, having examined the evidence and heard the testimony presented, finds that the defendant did unlawfully and without provocation take the life of an innocent civilian of this kingdom. Such an act, committed without cause or justification, reveals a nature both unruly and cruel. It is the considered opinion of this court that, were the defendant left at liberty, they would pose a grave danger to the continent and might commit crimes yet more severe.

Accordingly, this court finds the defendant guilty."

Vlad brought the gavel down on the sound block. The crack echoed through the silent hall. In a firm tone, he declared,

"The sentence is life imprisonment. Should the defendant, in time, demonstrate genuine signs of repentance, this court may review the sentence and grant a reduction.

Furthermore, the defendant shall be remanded to serve at the border, where they shall slay monsters and accumulate battle points. Only upon earning sufficient points shall full freedom be restored to them.

This judgment is final. Let it be entered into the record."

He struck the gavel once more and declared,

"Court is adjourned."

---

The punishment Vlad had imposed was a custom sentence, one not listed in the book of laws. The judges of Argentum had the freedom to devise punishments tailored to specific individuals based on their backgrounds, behaviour, and current importance or standing in the country.

The remaining exams contained no simulated-world questions, much to the relief of the students. The reason was simple. Practical exams for those same subjects were already scheduled, so there was no need to include practical-style questions in the theory papers.

Vlad completed the exams with relative ease, leaving the examination hall half an hour to an hour early each time, until the final theory exam arrived.

Fundamentals of Spirit Summoning.

---

"Wh-what the hell is this?" Vlad muttered, staring at the complex magical circles drawn on the question paper. They looked like a completely different language to him.

"D-dammit, I’m screwed," Vlad muttered, clutching his head with both hands.

The entire lecture hall contained fewer than fifty students, clearly demonstrating the students’ reluctance to enrol in this subject. Chloe was also in the same classroom, sitting in the opposite corner from Vlad.

Vlad let out a defeated sigh. "I hope I’ll be able to pass."

He picked up his pen and began writing. He didn’t leave a single question blank. Even when he had no idea what the answer was, he wrote down random nonsense and selected whichever option had the longest wording or seemed most closely related to the question.

For the first time, he remained in the examination hall for the entire hour and a half. Thus concluded the midterm theory exams of the first semester.

Now, it was time for the long-awaited practicals, something Vlad was actually looking forward to.