The Examination

Volume Two

Chapter 47: The Examination

After leaving the ancient magic potion classroom, Ewan returned to his dormitory.

He quickly showered and changed, then hastily grabbed breakfast in the cafeteria. From there, he jogged all the way to the classroom for his Basic Magic Theory class.

What he saw next startled him.

Outside the classroom door, a massive crowd had gathered, practically choking the entire corridor.

The moment they spotted Ewan, the crowd erupted into a clamor.

“He’s here! He’s here! He’s finally here!”

“Ewan Campbell has arrived!”

“…”

‘Are these people not going to take the exam?’ Ewan wondered, his gaze sweeping over the throng.

He checked the time; the examination was barely fifteen minutes away. Normally, everyone would be filing into the classroom to prepare or frantically reviewing their textbooks.

Instead, it felt more like a celebrity sighting.

‘Could it be that they’re all here to witness my downfall?’ Ewan realized, his lips twitching involuntarily.

He recalled the gossip that had spread across the entire school, as mentioned by the senior student.

‘Is watching a spectacle truly more important to these people than their own exams?’

‘This feeling of being the center of attention… it’s like walking a red carpet as a star.’

Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Ewan pushed through the crowd, steeling himself as he walked towards the classroom.

Thanks to the aristocratic upbringing instilled in him as the Duke’s son, he wasn’t entirely flustered by the intense gazes. Yet, as he passed by the students, he couldn’t help but overhear their hushed whispers.

“Wow, Ewan Campbell actually dared to show up for the exam. He spoke so boldly before; isn’t he afraid of being humiliated?”

“He had to come precisely because he spoke so boldly. Otherwise, running away at the last minute would be even more disgraceful.”

“True, but he seems quite confident.”

“Heh, he’s just putting on a show. With his level, how could he possibly score eighty? Eight points is more like it…”

“Oh, that’s a bit much. I heard he’s been working really hard lately…”

“What’s the use of hard work? I work hard, and I still fail.”

“Haha, you’ve got a point.”

Ewan walked on in silence, offering no rebuttal. He knew that arguing at this moment would be pointless.

Only facts could truly counter such prejudice and rumors.

All he needed to do now was to give his absolute best in this examination.

Still…

‘It’s still a bit irritating.’

Ewan lowered his gaze, unconsciously clenching his fists. But just then—

“Student Ewan!”

He heard a shout.

It was the cry of a young girl, strained with effort, almost cracking. Yet, even amidst the noisy crowd, it rang out with startling clarity.

Ewan looked up in surprise, turning towards the source of the sound.

“You can do it, Student Ewan! We believe in you!”

“You’ll definitely score eighty!”

“Show those who look down on you what you’re made of!”

“Go, go! I bet this month’s allowance on you winning. You can definitely do it!”

There, in the most prominent spot, three noticeably first-year girls shouted at the top of their lungs, their faces flushed crimson. They waved banners emblazoned with the words ‘Go, Go!’ and wore white headbands with Ewan’s name in bold red letters.

The sight, like a band of determined brigands, aggressively entered Ewan’s vision, making his eyes sting with an unfamiliar emotion.

“You…”

Ewan’s mind struggled to process what he was seeing, unable to comprehend these three wondrous beings who almost brought tears to his eyes. Why did their appearance suddenly make the world seem so much brighter?

Beside the trio, Fanny, the senior from the Magic Painting Club whom Ewan had met once before, offered a wry, helpless smile. “Ewan Campbell, these three ‘coerced’ me into betting quite a bit of money on you. You absolutely have to deliver on your promise.”

“I…”

Ewan paused, then nodded firmly. “I will!”

As he spoke, he looked at the three girls who were practically swooning with excitement just from meeting his gaze. “I absolutely will.”

Yes.

There was no longer any reason to be upset.

No matter how others viewed him, no matter how little they believed in him.

He had, without a doubt, poured all his effort into this past month.

So, no matter what anyone said, his task now was to display the fruits of that labor before everyone.

Effort, alone, would never deceive.

Diligent study, endless practice questions, sleeping only two hours a day…

None of these efforts would lie.

With his head held high and chest puffed out, Ewan strode into the classroom with resolute steps, like a future Duke truly embodying the Campbell honor. He walked into… his battlefield.

****

After Ewan left, the brief silence of the crowd shattered, and the clamor resumed.

“Wow, he actually looks really confident. What do I do? I bet a lot of money on him failing!”

“Don’t panic, it’s definitely an act. Don’t forget he’s a noble; aren’t nobles good at pretending?”

“Speaking of which, he’s the Duke’s son. What if he finds a way to cheat? Like bribing the proctor or something?”

“Now that you mention it, that’s actually possible. Otherwise, how could a three-point academic failure from last semester be so confident this time?”

“Then what do we do? Our money…”

“Cough—”

A dry cough echoed, once again silencing the commotion. All the students gathered to watch the spectacle suddenly felt as if they were enveloped by a colossal shadow.

It spread like rolling, dark clouds.

“The exam is about to begin. What are you all doing here?!”

Then came the thunderous voice. A stern-faced old man stood at the corridor’s entrance, a bundle of test papers tucked under his arm. His furious gaze swept rapidly over everyone.

“Do you want me to deduct all your academic credits?”

“It’s Professor Planck!”

“Why is he here?”

“Is he proctoring? But would a professor of his standing personally do such a thing?”

“Quick, let’s go! He seems furious!”

After a moment of confusion, the crowd scattered like startled birds. Even Fanny, the senior student, quickly dragged the three junior girls, who had wanted to wait there until Ewan’s exam finished, away.

Professor Planck’s strictness and fearsome reputation were deeply ingrained in the minds of everyone at the academy.

****

Inside the classroom, Ewan sat quietly at his desk.

There was no point in reviewing books now, so he cleared his mind. He adjusted his state, silently awaiting the start of the examination.

Other students gradually entered, each glancing at Ewan as they passed. Perhaps more than the exam itself, Ewan Campbell’s ability to fulfill his boast from a month ago was what truly captivated most hearts.

“Due to Teacher Fran’s poor health, I will personally proctor this examination,” Professor Planck announced from the podium, delivering what was, for many, rather unfortunate news.

“Eh—”

A collective groan rose from below. If Teacher Fran had been the proctor, some might have entertained certain ‘special’ ideas.

But with Professor Planck, renowned for his stern and rigid demeanor…

‘Cheating in front of a Crowned-rank expert? Little one, have you lived long enough?’

Even Ewan was somewhat shocked. It was clear that, given Professor Planck’s status, he wouldn’t normally proctor a second-year exam personally.

‘Is Teacher Fran truly sick?’ Ewan scratched his head, not dwelling on it.

“‘Eh’ what ‘eh’? If you’re serious about the exam, what difference does a different proctor make to you?”

Professor Planck’s authoritative gaze swept over the students, and he sneered, “I hope some of you will abandon your impure thoughts now. Otherwise, if I catch you…哼 [Hmph].”

As he spoke, he gave Ewan a meaningful glance.

Ewan’s lips twitched. ‘Am I really that kind of person in your eyes, Professor?’ he thought.

However, he quickly suppressed his displeasure.

Just as Professor Planck said, if one was serious about the exam, the proctor’s identity made no difference.

Then, the bell chimed precisely on time.

The examination began.

Ewan gripped his pen and started to answer the questions. His eyes quickly scanned the problems, and as if by instinct, the knowledge deeply etched into his mind transformed into answers, flowing from the tip of his pen.

The time stretched long, or perhaps it was very short.

The classroom was quiet, with only the soft scratching of pens audible. Eventually, even those sounds faded, and Ewan could only perceive the pristine test paper gradually filling with ink.

The bell chimed once more, and Ewan awoke from his trance.

A gaunt hand pressed down on his test paper.

“Ewan Campbell, you may leave.”

Professor Planck’s eyes held a hint of shock and pity, imperceptible to others, as he softly said, “The examination is over.”