That ends the meeting tonight, the Master Wizard informed us that we might have the ability as she did that help her survive the Great War. Lady Senna also informed us that the best chance to activate our Master Mode for the first time is during the Examination in the next two months.
She doesn't want to inform us what the Examination is all about, however. I guess I can understand her reason; it will be unfair for the other students. Before we return, she gave us an advice that we should not tell anyone else about this meeting. Even if we told the others, we wouldn't have the proof to prove that, as she said. Time will answer that, she said before she left by disappearing into thin air, the same way she appeared.
We decided to return straight to our dorms as it is almost midnight, although I'm not sure what're we going to tell the others of why we returned late. Returned late to the dorm is allowed by the school, but we might not survive the barrage of questions from the residents of the dorm. Luckily, the dorm is mostly dark already, seems like everyone has gone to sleep. We then go partways to our rooms.
As I reach the third floor, it is already dark in the hallways. I proceed to enter my room to find Farris laying on his bad, waiting for me.
"Where have you've been?" he asks me.
"Uh, we just had a group conversation and didn't realize the time until it was already late. You see, it is a serious but fun," I reply, wanting not to create any suspicions.
"Really?"
"Yeah, why would I lie?" sounding confident as I could. Well, that meeting is technically not a conversation.
He seems unconvinced enough, but he chooses to change the topic.
"Well, if you say so," he pauses and continues, "I just want to remind you that tomorrow morning, there will be an announcement regarding the Examination."
"Ah, thanks for the remainder," I reply. "I should get a rest then, who knows what will happen tomorrow."
He remains unconvinced, but explaining it to him will take up much time. Given the time, it would not be a good time to start a discussion and I try to brush it off, thinking that nothing ever happened an hour ago. To tell the truth, I have difficulty in sleeping that night as I try to forget it. It really bugs my mind. Master, huh? Power that red-eyed heroes have during the Great War that can brings tide to the war? If we really have and successfully activate it, what would happen next? Become a Master as Lady Senna did in Highmont?
---------
The next morning, all of the students gathered in the main hall, waiting patiently for the announcement about the Examination before the first class on that day begins. Among the crowds, I meet with Connor. Connor, I almost forgot about him. He wasn't invited to the meeting last night, come to think of it. Even back then, Connor is the only one who has never been nicknamed 'Master' by Roland. Hard to believe it was just a coincidence.
"Hey there! There's a bag under your eyes, been missing sleep lately?" he greets me.
"Uh, you see. You know, been anxious about this announcement." Well, actually things about this announcement also bugged my mind last night.
"There you go again, being anxious all over," he sighs.
"Really, the whole thing about Examination doesn't make you curious at all?"
"Curious, yes. Anxious, no. Unlike you" he says proudly.
We enter the main hall during the conversation. This hall looks very the same as we first came during orientation day, but last night, the atmosphere felt very different. I glance to see Farris already there, talking to someone. I move to approach him, as the announcement today requires us to team up with our partner. Perhaps the real things will happen after today.
As I approach him, the person whom he talking to is leaving. It turns out he is Dylan, he was also here last night. While we pass across each other, he's making a gesture as of saying a friendly hi, and I replied so. He's not a bad guy, though we're not close. Together, Farris and I proceed to find seats for both seats with a good view to the podium upfront.
"You're friends with Dylan?" I ask as we're looking for seats
"Yes, we're used to meet back then. Old friends, I say,"
That's surprising, since Dylan came from the same district as most of us here, but managed to meet, even make friends from someone in Northern District, which is not too famous as a tourist spot.
"Mind if I ask how you've meet him?" I asks him as politely as possible.
"He used to live there, but moved to the Central District. Just like that,"
"Oh, nice to meet up with childhood friend here,"
He just smiles and nodding. "Let's just sit there, the views are good," he pointed at a row of seats
We then sit there in the place marked by Farris. Suddenly, a portal appears. Guessing from the portal, it might be the principal. He comes and possibly will leave using the same method: through the portal. Farris even says that he wonders where the portal leads to, as why don't the principal just walked here using his own foot. To tell the truth, I also wonder the same thing.
"Now that I'm already here, please everyone take a seat, alongside with the partner," the principal says, with somewhat unpatient tone. He comes alone today.
"I'm sure you've been wondering about what the Examination is all about. Starting two months from now, every individuals' skills and everything that has been learned will be practised and tested... by real battle of magic and swordplay at the stadium." The hall then filled with commotion. Some are excited, some are even more nervous than before. But the principal continues his announcement anyway, seems he's not in a good mood to wait.
"The rules are simple: a team of two students will be faced randomly with another team, the battle will be ensued one-on-one. A student from a team competing with another from the opposing team, while the other one may gives supports from behind but may not interfere by joining the fight, only watching and giving suggestions are allowed. If a student from a team loses or surrenders, then that team's score will be affected. Each team will be put into 5 battle for 5 days, and no students may compete again consecutively between each battle." Though he's in a hurry, he still explains in a slow but careful tone, wanting us to clearly understand the rules.
"I have good news for you. Starting today, you're allowed to train your skills in the Deep Forest Zone, and every instructors in this school will be allowed to spar with you, giving advice, or private lessons if they want it. But until the Examination, you will be fully responsible for any injuries, sickness, or damages you incurred. No damages shall be done to the school property or you'll be disqualified or even expelled."
The hall turns to silent, as it was did last night. "Is there any questions before I left?" he finally asks.
"None?" he asks again, but quickly continues, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask your instructors, they will answer you what you need to know. I have to return to Highmont now. Farewell,"
He returns to his portal and it vanishes, as quickly as he came. Some of the students quickly stand up and leave the room wanting to practice as soon as possible, some of them are still remained in the seating, discussing with each other.
"What're we going to do then?" Farris asks me
"What do you think?"
"What else? Let's meet up in the forest once the classes are over."
