A week passed quickly, and today the first stage of the magical exam finally began.
"Man, I can't wait" Derivan was excited about taking part in this year's exams.
"I'm surprised you actually decided to show up. I thought you'd chicken out" admitted Nohara, who had also appeared.
"As if I could."
A young woman stepped forward in front of the students.
"Welcome. My name is Eleonora, and I will be your first examiner. Behind me is the entrance to a place called the Labyrinth of Knowledge."
"The Labyrinth of Knowledge?" one of the students repeated.
"Exactly. From time to time, a screen with a question will appear. A correct answer will show you the path to the exit. However, if you answer incorrectly, you will be expelled and will be able to try again next year" Eleonora explained.
"What a strange test" Derivan thought.
"You have three hours to reach the exit of the labyrinth. If you don't make it in time, you also fail."
The academy students rushed into the labyrinth. Shortly after entering, the first students began to fail the test. Before long, Derivan reached his first question.
"Alright, here's the first question."
"In what year did the first royal battle take place?"
a) 1759
b) 1812
c) 1820
d) 1824
"Damn, what kind of question is that?" the teenager thought. "I really should've paid more attention in class. Oh well, I'll just guess. Whatever happens, happens." Derivan marked option C.
Soon, a symbol appeared on the wall, pointing the way to the exit of the labyrinth.
"Ha, so I answered correctly after all."
With each passing moment, more and more participants were eliminated after giving wrong answers. In another part of the labyrinth, Nohara reached another question.
"What was the name of the first king of Kasegi?"
a) Leon
b) Harold
c) Ignacy
d) Noah
"That's easy" Nohara thought, choosing answer A, which turned out to be correct.
While Derivan and the others were taking the exam, Ronibo was hitting on girls.
"Hey beautiful, maybe you don't know it yet, but we're destined for each other. I saw it written in the stars" he said with a seductive smile.
"Get lost, you creepy old man."
Ronibo fell to his knees, hurt by the woman's reaction. "I'm not that old, I'm only thirty-five!"
When the man calmed down, he started looking for another target. At one point, he noticed Borner. "Wait a second, that guy… I recognize him from somewhere" Ronibo thought.
Ronibo tried to follow Borner, but after a few moments he lost sight of him.
"Damn it, I lost him. I'll have to find some information about that guy.
Three hours later…
Derivan and a dozen or so students managed to complete this stage.
"I finally got out of that stupid labyrinth. Man, I'm starving" said Derivan.
"Good job."
Hearing the familiar voice, Derivan turned around and saw his master. "Mr. Ronibo, what are you doing here?"
"Listen, Derivan, I have to leave Kasegi. I have a certain task to complete."
"What about my training?"
"Unfortunately, you'll have to master on your own what I've taught you. I believe you can handle it" Ronibo handed his student a bracelet.
"What is it?"
"A special bracelet. I want to give it to you as a symbol that you are my student."
"Wow, thanks" Derivan accepted it and put the bracelet on his wrist.
"I have to go now. Good luck in the next stage of the exam" said Ronibo as he left the city.
After Ronibo left Kasegi, Derivan wandered aimlessly through the city.
"Oh, hello Derivan. How did the first stage of the exam go?"
The teenager glanced to the side and noticed Borner.
"Mr. Borner…" Suddenly his stomach growled.
Borner chuckled.
"You must be starving. Come on, I'll take you to a nice restaurant. Don't worry about the cost, it's on me."
Without thinking twice, Derivan immediately accepted Borner's offer. After a short while, they arrived at the restaurant. Derivan ordered a huge pizza and started eating it as soon as it was served.
"You really have an appetite. So, maybe you'll tell me how the exam went?"
"Mmm, I managed to advance to the next stage" Derivan replied between bites.
"My congratulations. You should start preparing for the next stage now" Borner suggested.
"That's my plan. I'll do everything I can to advance."
Derivan and Borner spent some time in the restaurant talking about various topics. After their conversation, each of them went their own way.