The disturbance inside the dungeon didn't just happen to Eric and his party. It turned out that all the first-year students who entered the dungeon portal experienced the same thing.
Normally, in dungeons controlled by the Academy for first-year students, the monsters are at most small golems, slimes, and goblins. Therefore, upon receiving reports from all the students that there were hobgoblins, the Academy immediately went on high alert and temporarily suspended dungeon diving activities.
The Academy took this incident very seriously and launched a full investigation. Although there were no fatalities and all first-year students managed to survive, the Academy's reputation regarding safety and security was still at stake.
As for Eric, when questioned by the Academy's investigation team, he bluffed his way out by claiming that thanks to their teamwork, they had managed to defeat the hobgoblins. He glared at his team members to give similar testimony, to which his teammates agreed, albeit somewhat hesitantly.
This disturbance caused quite a stir, but it gradually died down after a few days because the Academy students had something more important and urgent on their minds: the Final Year Exam.
Since that incident, Eric hasn't spoken to his teammates again. They only pass each other without exchanging greetings. Eric was grateful that they seemed to understand he didn't want to be bothered.
Stretching his body, Eric closed his notebook. For the past few days, he'd been studying like crazy to catch up on the class material he'd missed. Luckily, his new body wasn't as dumb as he'd thought, just a bit lazy, and his superiority complex had caused him to fall behind in class.
He glanced over at Jeremy's empty bed. He remembered that Jeremy was also studying like crazy, reading more books in the main library. Eric shrugged and climbed into his own bed, getting ready to go to sleep early. Tomorrow was the first day of exams, and he didn't want to be late or oversleep.
Closing his eyes, he hoped that the exams over the next few days would go smoothly and that he would succeed in advancing to the next school year.
***
The first day of the Final Year Exam.
On the first day, in accordance with the Academy's curriculum, the exams consisted of written and theoretical tests, such as imperial history and geography. Eric sat in the front row of a classroom. The atmosphere was so quiet that the only sound was the scratching of pencils as the students in the class worked on their exams.
Eric looked down at today's exam subject: imperial history. He quickly but confidently filled in the answer columns on the paper.
Who was the founder of the Aldeno Empire? What enabled him to unify the diversity of the empire in the past?
When was the Aldeno Empire formed?
Why did the Aldeno Empire launch its first expedition together with the Radiant Church? What were their reasons for doing so?
etc...
Eric wrote down the answers to all those questions with ease, thanks to his own studying and help from others like Jeremy and Professor Anthony.
Before he knew it, time had passed and the history exam was over. The proctor collected the answer sheets and exam papers one by one from the students. Many of them complained, and some grumbled that the exam time was too short.
Eric stretched his slightly stiff body and glanced around the classroom. Jeremy was discussing the exam with some of his friends. Some students were already preparing for the next exam, and he also saw Chelsey, the beastkin girl, joking around with her acquaintances.
Eric decided to treat himself to some snacks, so he went to the school cafeteria to buy a sandwich and a drink. In a secluded spot, he sat on a bench and quietly enjoyed his short break.
After finishing, he returned to the classroom and prepared for the next exam: geography. Just like the previous exam, he casually answered the questions, such as:
Where is the maritime border of the Aldeno Empire? What is the famous landmark located at that maritime border?
List the regions traversed by the famous Ring of Bountiful Fire in the Aldeno Empire
etc...
The proctor clapped her hands to signal the end of the exam and began collecting the papers one by one from the students. Eric was about to head to the restroom when someone called out to him.
"Eric! What do you think about our exam just now?" Jeremy asked with a small smile. Eric kept walking, occasionally glancing back at the wimpy boy. "Fine, I guess?"
Jeremy asked again. "Where are you going, Eric?" He answered by cracking his stiff shoulder, "Restroom."
"O-oh, I see. Then, excuse me. I want to go to the library first, then. Good luck!"
Watching Jeremy leave, Eric sighed and focused his gaze ahead. The first day of exams had gone smoothly, and he hoped tomorrow would be the same.
***
The second day of the final exams.
Today's exam subject is language and culture.
Eric himself found it strange, because the languages and characters in this world are different from those on Earth, but for some reason he was able to understand and grasp the language of this world. He didn't dwell on it too much and focused on the current language exam.
What language is spoken in the Aldeno Empire? Explain a little about that language!
Besides the Aldeno Empire, other races also have their own unique languages. Name those languages and the races that speak them!
etc...
Eric had a little trouble answering questions about the languages spoken by other races, but he managed to recall them thanks to the summary he'd prepared with Jeremy. As usual, the proctor collected the papers when time was up and moved on to the next exam: culture.
This particular subject always fascinated him, because this world also has an abundance of different cultures. For example, elves are famous for their skill with stringed instruments, and dwarves are famous for their earth-shaking dances.
What is the name of the signature dish from the Elven Kingdom that is rich in Mana and sweet? What impact does it have on the culture of this world?
Human fashion is actually influenced by various other races' cultures. Name those cultures!
etc...
He managed to answer everything until he reached one question that stumped him.
(Optional. Answer only if you want extra credit): Music is an inseparable part of all races and civilizations. Write down a few lines of song lyrics that you find unique!
Eric furrowed his brows, caught off guard by this question. He scratched his head as he pondered the meaning of the question. "Will any song be fine? Nah, screw it." He went on to fill in the answer with one of his favorite songs.
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river, and it made me complete
Feeling satisfied, he put down his pen and waited for the exam to end. Before he knew it, time had flown by, and the proctor announced that the cultural studies exam was over.
And just like that, the second day of the final exams came to a peaceful close.
***
The third and final day of the Final Year Exam.
Today's exam subjects were the theory of magic and Mana, followed by a practical exam.
As usual, Eric answered the questions about magic and Mana with confidence and ease.
List the levels of Mana users that have been approved by all authorities in this world!
What professions can Mana users pursue?
etc...
When he reached a certain question, Eric was slightly taken aback.
Why must those who enter into contracts with Demons be immediately reported and even labeled as dangerous individuals?
Just like in this world, Demons also have their own affinities and unique abilities. List what you know about that!
Eric tapped his fingers rhythmically. He recalled one of the Demons he had once fought.
"That fucking little chicken… if I remember correctly," he began writing on the answer sheet. "…the fucker has something to do with illusion or mind magic… or worse, memory or emotion magic…"
He silently clicked his tongue, because it didn't matter whether the bird had dangerous magic or not, he would still obliterate it without mercy. Before he knew it, time was up, and he prepared for the next exam: the practical exam.
He changed out of his uniform into lighter clothing and headed to the field that had been prepared for the students' practical exam.
"Okay, everyone ready? The exam is simple. Just do your best to damage this wooden dummy. Your final grade will be based on this exam plus your results from yesterday's dungeon run. Don't worry, even with that incident, you'll still be graded fairly!"
Some students felt relieved to hear that, since those who weren't particularly strong on written exams could make up for it in the practical exam. A few moments later, the students began launching their attacks.
Various elemental spells were hurled at the dummies. Some students managed to inflict massive damage, while others failed. Cheers could be heard from Eric's right, he saw Chelsey smiling broadly after successfully destroying a dummy with her fiery punch.
"Hmmm... a Fire Pugilist, huh..." Eric murmured. Besides that, he also saw Jeremy tear a large chunk out of the dummy with his improved wind magic. The wimpy boy brightened up seeing his wind spell succeed.
It was Eric's turn to step forward, he didn't bother much and used the innate fire magic of this body.
"Fire Ball."
Eric winced, because the flame only managed to leave some small burn spots on the dummy's left side.
"This body sucks. Need to do something about it..."
After all the students finished and the exam proctors recorded all the results, the Final Year Exam was officially over, and all that remained was to wait for the results to be announced next week.
***
An abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Zeris City.
The building looked dilapidated and run-down from the outside, so people didn't pay it any mind. There were two people there.
"Failed, you say?" said a burly man. Even though his entire body was covered by the thick clothing he wore, his muscles were still visible.
"That's right, Brother. It seems this year's first-year Academy students are truly strong, especially the rumored descendant of the Hero" added a slender man. The shadow beneath his feet writhed and transformed into a black bird.
"Kukuku… no problem. That was just a small test. Your goal is more than that, isn't it?"
A snake the size of a python or anaconda suddenly emerged from the burly man's shadow. "Kekeke… right, right! It's a shame, but we still have one more target!"
The slender man nodded. "The great convoy."
"About time!" the burly man slammed his fist down. "I can't wait to show off my power! Hahaha!"
"Kukuku... typical humans. Always so impatient," said the black bird with its dazzling red eyes.
"Kekeke! Let's enjoy the moment when it arrives!"
Finally, the lurking evil organization began to move.