Asher exhaled sharply as they walked. "That was the first paper this week that did not feel like the academy was trying to peel my brain apart."
Liam adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. "It was direct."
"It asked things that mattered."
"Core Myst matters."
Asher gave him a look. "Do not start."
"It does."
"I said do not start."
Liam glanced at him. "The paper was easier because you could imagine hitting something."
Asher scoffed. "And? That makes it better."
"It makes it simpler."
"Better," Asher repeated firmly.
Liam did not bother arguing further.
Asher rolled his shoulders as they descended the steps leading out of the Knight Combat wing. "The formation analysis was good. The question about retreating under pressure was stupid, though."
"It was not."
"It said the unit had one injured student, two exhausted frontliners, and unknown enemies pressing from the left flank. The answer is obviously burn through the left flank before they tighten the pressure."
