Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

The written exams went by like a breeze. From the first exam on Monday to the final exam on Friday, time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

I felt like I got everything correct. At first, I thought about aiming for an average score, but because I knew that if I was single I would get hear earful from both Evelyn and Isabella.

As for Isabella, after the incident with her father, she came to me and said

"Don't you dare to tell anyone else about this or else?"

I just nodded to her, I don't want to lose my life after all.

But it was nice to see Isabella acting differently in front of her father, she usually just cold to everyone besides her small circle of friends.

It means that there is still hope, hope that she will not turn herself into a crazy mage who wants all the magic power for herself in the world.

And I also know how to stop her going crazy, I'm just waiting for the right moment to strike a deal with her.

What? Do you think I would do everything for free? Sorry, can't do that.

For my plans, I need money and when I say money it means very much money.

Anyway let's talk all about that letter, shall we? After all, today is the last and main exam of the unit test.

And what is the main exam? Well, Lillian will explain in a few minutes.

Currently, all of the first year in the Hunting Field of the Nova Academy, standing in a single line all the first-year students nervously stared at the professor before them.

Professor Lillian wearing a navy blue outfit, stood tall in front of the students.

As the professor spoke in a loud voice, all the students felt the thick wave of mana present in the air. Though it wasn't overbearing, it still caused every student present to feel some pressure.

"Alright, everyone please pay close attention to what I'm saying because I will not repeat myself. For today's practical exam, all of you will be teleported inside a dungeon. The dungeon is called 'Goblin Dane'. It's an (E-) Rank dungeon, created by the Headmaster."

Pausing for a while and staring at the students standing before her, the Lillian continued,

"For this exam, all you have to do is kill as many monsters as possible within the given time limit. For every monster you kill, you will be given an additional point on it. After the given time is finished you all will be automatically teleported out."

Pausing once again to make sure the students digested all the information, the professor continued,

"There will be some professors hidden inside the dungeon. This is because if there's any unforeseen accident inside the dungeon, they can quickly come to your aid. This is a safety precaution that the Academy has done to make sure none of you die."

"However..."

"If the professors are forced to help you, you will be disqualified, giving you a direct fail, which means you will receive a zero in this exam. And I believe no one would like that, that's why I hope everyone will put effort into getting a pass."

The students shivered at the thought of getting a fail in class. Because no one wanted to be a failure after all.

Seeing the student's serious expression the professor nodded with satisfaction,

"Alright, you all will stay inside the dungeon for one day before teleporting out. However because you will be sent to the same dungeon at the same time, you are allowed to cooperate."

Pausing slightly, the professor's voice turned serious,

"And if you can cooperate, that also means you can also steal each other kills. After all, the person who gains the most points will pass the exam."

After completing her statement Lillian smirked while looking at the students who were now wary of each other. Because after hearing the professor almost everyone vigilantly stepped away from the person near them.

Some students showed worried expressions after knowing they had to stay in the dungeon for one day because no one was prepared for this. Everyone thought they would have a one-on-one battle for the final exam.

"Enough now! Be prepared. I am teleporting you all inside the dungeon."

Finished with what she wanted to say, Professor Lillian lifted her right hand and the ground beneath the students shook slightly before teleporting them all inside the dungeon.

.....

The sudden transition plunged us into the heart of Goblin Dane, an (E-) Rank dungeon. The surroundings came into focus, revealing a dimly lit cavern with jagged walls that seemed to close in on us. The air felt damp and chilly, an unsettling contrast to the vibrant atmosphere of Nova Academy.

Goblin Dane, despite its low rank, emanated an aura of foreboding. The cavern sprawled with narrow passageways, their twists and turns hinting at the labyrinthine challenges awaiting us. My eyes, accustomed to the magical glow of Nova, struggled to pierce the darkness.

The ceiling dripped with moisture, creating sporadic echoes in the cavern as water droplets fell to the uneven ground. The floor beneath us was uneven, scattered with pebbles and small rocks, making every step precarious.

The distant sound of skittering echoed, marking the presence of the dungeon's inhabitants. As my eyes adjusted, the glistening eyes of goblins emerged from the shadows. They were small, hunched figures with grotesque features, their eyes glinting with an unsettling intelligence.

I could see the occasional glint of rusty weaponry in their hands as they observed us with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. The goblins moved silently, almost blending with the darkness, making it challenging to discern their exact numbers.

In the cavern's corners, eerie blue fungi clung to the walls, emitting a soft glow that barely illuminated the surroundings. The air carried the musty scent of damp earth, accentuating the sense of confinement within the dungeon's depths.

The atmosphere in Goblin Dane was tense, a stark contrast to the controlled environment of a classroom. I could feel the collective awareness of my fellow students, each of us on edge as we faced the unknown challenges lurking in the shadows.

Goblin Dane, with its ominous ambience and lurking threats, awaited exploration. As we stood on the threshold of this (E-) Rank dungeon, I braced myself for the trials that lay ahead.