Chapter 273: Exams End
"I heard that last night, the school's Occamy rioted again, and it was very severe. It even injured Professor Hoagle. I heard Professor Hoagle is considering other professors' suggestions and preparing to transfer the Occamy to the Ministry for custody and care. If this continues, there might be casualties, so no matter how reluctant Professor Hoagle is, he can only transfer the Occamy to the Ministry."
"I went to see the Occamy when I was in second year. They were very docile then. As long as you didn't get close to their young, there was no problem. But recently it's clearly not breeding season. Have these Occamys also been affected by some influence in the jungle, becoming irritable and aggressive?"
"I don't know about that, but it seems there is some influence. I received a letter from home this morning telling me that the Ministry has confirmed that many American magical creatures have migrated to the jungle near our school, including very dangerous magical creatures. I heard there's even a wild dragon."
"Heavens, if this continues, I'm really going to consider taking leave to go home for a while."
Listening to the conversation between two upper-year Castelobruxo students at the table across from him, Sean ate expressionlessly. Fleur, sitting across from Sean, said to him: "The timing of our exchange here seems unfortunate. The magical creatures in the jungle around Castelobruxo recently seem very unstable."
"We just won't go out. A school as large as Castelobruxo surely can protect its students."
Aldrich listened to Sean's words with a perfectly straight face, as if the person who had gone out and returned last night wasn't Sean.
"Are you planning to go to Castelobruxo's library later?"
Nodding, Sean took a sip of orange juice from his glass, then answered: "I'm going to the library to study. Since I'm preparing to take the exams, I naturally want good results. The curriculum here differs somewhat from Hogwarts, so I must spend some time working hard."
Setting down her fork, Fleur had eaten fruit salad and toast for breakfast. It was clear she was already consciously maintaining her figure.
"Sean, you seem to value this exam highly."
"Not exactly valuing it. I just want to see what those rewards Castelobruxo offers will be. I'm still quite short of money."
"Someone who owns a dragon farm, someone who has patents for new mental restoration potions and new Wolfsbane potions. You say you're short of money. Are you serious?"
"I earn a lot but spend a lot too. As they say, 'The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.' The weight of responsibility is crushing."
"That makes absolutely no sense in this context."
"It means complimenting your good figure."
"Nonsense!"
The two chatted idly as they left the cafeteria.
Fleur went directly to where Castelobruxo kept magical creatures to observe them, while Sean went to the library with Aldrich and Jensen to continue studying. Both had their own matters to attend to.
Three days wasn't very long.
Especially when students were preparing for final exams, three days passed in a flash.
Sean took his exam schedule and came to the examination hall. Under the guidance of professors in the hall, he went directly to the last seat and sat down.
Sean's arrival attracted much attention in the examination hall.
Seeing this scene, the supervising professor directly said to those looking at Sean: "The exam is about to begin. Please focus on the exam; otherwise, if you don't do well, you'll definitely be miserable next year."
"We won't, Professor."
"Don't worry, we'll definitely do well."
"That's right, that's right..."
Looking at the confident third-year students, this professor's face showed no satisfaction but became even more serious.
When the students in the examination hall sensed something was wrong, this professor spoke again: "The current exam is Potions. Do you know that this Master Sean Bulstrode has already published five papers in Europe's premier Potions journal The Golden Cauldron? Do you know what this represents?
According to the International Confederation of Wizards' evaluation, among Potions journals, The Golden Cauldron ranks first. So at least in this Potions course, I'm certain not one of you can exceed his exam results. So where does your confidence come from?"
This series of words deflated the students' blind confidence and even arrogance.
Seeing the students quiet down, the professor, well-versed in the tactic of offering sweet dates after the stick, spoke again: "In this world, there are always some geniuses who leave others in the dust, but sometimes, even when facing unbeatable genius, one doesn't necessarily lose.
Exams have perfect scores. Master Sean Bulstrode participating in the exam won't get scores exceeding perfection just because he knows more. He can only get a perfect score. And you, though you can't defeat him, can work equally hard to get perfect scores. At least in this exam, you haven't failed."
As his words fell, seeing the students' gazes become determined and their minds settle, the professor knew it was time. He immediately waved his wand and distributed the test papers.
Sean looked at the test paper floating down before him, briefly scanned it, and felt confident, knowing he should get a perfect score. As long as the written Potions exam was fine, the practical exam was even less concerning. Sean was confident that even against Castelobruxo's Potions professor, he could compete, let alone third-year students.
Castelobruxo's exam period was very short. Only three days. Six required courses and three electives, nine courses in total, three per day, finishing in three days.
When Sean finished his History of Magic exam on the third day, he stretched slightly.
He felt he did alright on this exam. He wasn't certain he'd get first place because he didn't know the actual level of Castelobruxo students, but Sean was confident that if Castelobruxo's teaching level was normal, his final results should earn him a top-three placement.
Unfortunately, if given another week, Sean was confident he could get first place.
"Sean, how did you do?"
Seeing Fleur, Aldrich, and Jensen waiting outside the examination hall, Sean thought for a moment and answered: "Secure fifth, strive for third."
Sean didn't lower his voice, so others heard his words. For a moment, the Castelobruxo students outside the examination hall all fell silent, looking at Sean.