6 months later,
Soon, it was time for the special acceleration exam. To qualify for the exam, one would have to have an invitation from the academy itself. This invitation, however, is only given to students who have performed for the past half year. Not only that, but the students would also have to have collected enough credits to pass all the divisions that they picked. If students wanted to join the exam but were not given an invitation, they could request a personal mission to prove their qualifications.
This year, only Ash, Alice, and Flayn were given invitations. Ezra, by Ash's order, had to take a personal mission to qualify. There was also another student who took a personal mission to join. The ones who took the test were only the five of them. The rest of the first year students either did not qualify or did not even try to be qualified.
The five of them gathered in the academy hall. A large crowd had come to watch, mostly first-years, though quite a few second-years could be seen among them as well.
Before long, Instructor Kael entered the hall. The crowd gradually quieted down as he walked to the front.
"I'm sure all of you already know who I am, so let's skip the introductions and get straight to the point." His gaze swept over the five students. "You have all reached the First Circle, so your exam this time is simple: defeat an E-rank beast."
Gasps immediately spread throughout the hall.
"A E-rank beast? That's crazy!"
"They're only first-years!"
"Even second-years usually have to team up to fight one!"
Kael waited for the noise to settle before continuing. "In this exam, you may work together. There is only one beast. However, there is a time limit. You must defeat it within fifteen minutes."
The crowd became noisy again.
"That seems fair. Five people against one beast."
"Maybe, but it's still a E-rank beast."
"And they only have fifteen minutes."
Kael raised a hand, silencing the discussions once more.
"Also, defeating the beast does not automatically mean you pass. Your performance will be evaluated by the judges. Whether you pass or fail will ultimately be their decision."
"That makes sense."
"So they can't just get carried by one person."
"Now then," Kael said, looking at the five students. "Would you like some time to discuss a strategy, or will you begin immediately?"
"We'll start now," Ash said before turning to the others. "Any objections?"
"Sure," Alice replied immediately.
"I'm fine with that," said Flayn.
"Whatever you decide," Ezra added.
The final student shrugged. "Since everyone agrees, I have no problem with it."
Kael nodded. "Very well." He then set up a barrier around the area the five were in. Of course, the spectators could still see what was going on inside. After the barrier was set up, Instructor Kael summoned the beast.
The moment the beast was summoned, the Ironhide Boar charged.
The beast was almost as tall as the children, its dark hide gleaming under the light as it tore across the hall. None of them had expected it to attack immediately.
'Lunar Veil.' "Move!" Ash shouted.
The five scattered just as the boar crashed through where they had been standing.
Alice was the first to retaliate. Crimson flames wrapped around her sword before she swung, sending a wave of blood-red fire into the beast's side.
The attack exploded against its hide.
The boar barely reacted.
"It's tougher than I thought!" Alice called out.
Flayn had already moved. Lightning burst around his legs as he accelerated forward, striking the beast's shoulder with a mana-enhanced punch. This time, the boar staggered slightly, but it immediately swung its head toward him.
Flayn jumped back just before a tusk swept past his chest.
"Physical attacks work better than pure magic!" he shouted.
At the same moment, Ezra released an arrow. Pale green flames wrapped around it as it shot through the air and struck the boar's shoulder.
The damage was minimal, but Ezra's eyes lit up.
"That spot!" he called out. "The hide there is thinner!"
The beast suddenly changed targets and rushed toward one of the other students. The child froze for a split second, and that was enough.
A shadow flickered.
Ash appeared beside him and pulled him away with Void Step just before the boar crashed into the ground.
The spectators erupted into noise.
"That was close!"
"They almost got hit!"
Ash ignored them and focused on the beast.
The fight had only been going on for a few minutes, yet they were already being pushed back. The boar wasn't particularly intelligent, but it was powerful, durable, and fast enough that none of them could afford a mistake.
Another charge came.
Another dodge.
Another exchange.
Alice's flames left scorch marks across its hide. Flayn continuously pressured it with lightning-fast strikes. Ezra supported from the rear, firing arrow after arrow to distract the beast and mark vulnerable spots, while the remaining two students looked for opportunities to contribute.
Yet the beast was still standing.
Ash frowned. 'We're wasting too much time.'
The exam only allowed fifteen minutes. If they continued like this, they would fail.
As Flayn retreated from another exchange, Ezra suddenly fired an arrow into the sky. It burst apart above them, releasing dozens of pale green sparks that drifted onto his teammates.
Ash immediately felt Lunar Veil operating more smoothly.
The fatigue in Flayn's legs lessened.
Even Alice's breathing became steadier.
"Support spell?" Flayn asked.
Ezra nocked another arrow. "Focus on fighting."
The boar lowered its head and charged again, forcing everyone to scatter.