you're incredibly wicked

32: third quarter in leo

If there were midterms in the academies in the real world, there were "magical exams" for all of the students in Grozine who attended a magical academy. For most, the week was divided into 3 sections: the first day being a standard written exam, the second being an individual assignment, and the thrid being a sparring match. Also, the second and third exams are showcased in front of the entire student body, so you better do your best or else you'll be the laughing stock of the semester.

Serena and Nikolai spent many tea times and late nights studying for each of their exams. Sometimes they were together, sometimes they weren't. Nikolai wasn't worried at all, in fact he was there to calm Serena's nerves.

"You got this, I believe in you." His voice cooed softly in her ear.

"I do hope that I can do well."

"And you shall." He held her hands up. "You're always phenominal."

"But, I'm not properly trained like most and sometimes my magic gets out of control. And, not the magical combat exam..."

Nikolai quickly kissed Serena's lips.

"The more you worry about this, the more you'll focus on failure."

"What about you? Why aren't you nervous?"

"I'm done these exams many times. Everybody always overexaggerates them."

"Easy for you to say."

"If you need some extra guidence, you can always communicate with me in your thoughts."

Serena's eyes widened.

"You can read my mind, smell my scent, and listen to my thoughts?"

"The third one is one that I worked on, I cast a spell you see..."

"What kind of sorcery?"

"It's a long story."

DING!

Nikolai teleported Serena to her first class of the day and she gave him a nervous look.

"I'll be here for you. I promise."

"Of course...."

Serena went into the classroom and hurried into her desk. A magical pen and paper spawned at her desk right in front of her eyes. She quickly took a moment to breathe and started to focus on the paper. 

The pen had an abnormally large feather on the tip, and when she started to write, she sneezed.

Everybody stared at her.

"Sorry." She flashed an awkward smile and murmured.

Then, she went into a panic.

"What did I tell you about worrying?" Serena heard Nikolai's voice somewhere. She glanced left and right but didn't see a trace of him.

He sighed.

"I'm in your head. Literally. I can read your mind."

"Not going to question that anymore."

"Hope you like me being here. I sure do."

"Are you helping me cheat?"

"I know you know your stuff, you're the top student in your grade and class. But, I noticed that when it comes to tests, you tend to panic."

"No I don't."

"Yes, you do. It's obvious. Now, keep your head down on your paper and focus on your exam."

Serena started to focus on her exam more and more.

"Don't you have an exam to take too?"

"I'm taking it right now. It's called multitasking. You have 2 sides of your brain for a reason."