Od comes to find me early in the morning.
"Why are you here so early? I haven't slept enough yet. Let me sleep a little longer."
"Get up quickly, Elian. Didn't you say you'd help me improve my Swift Wind Spell today? Get up, get up."
I hold the quilt and ignore him.
"Are you going to get up? If not, I'll use ice magic on you!"
"Annoying! Not letting people sleep early in the morning. I'm up, I'm up." Hearing him start chanting the spell, I quickly climb out of bed. This guy is so eager to suffer—I'll fulfill him. Hehe.
...
Od moves quickly in the burlap sack formation. Not bad, this guy progresses really fast. In two months, he can persist in the burlap sack formation for nearly an hour (of course, when I don't sneak attack him with magic). Thinking about how embarrassed he was those first few days, I still want to laugh. Now Od truly understands why I came home exhausted every day back then.
"Boss, I can't take it anymore. Let me come out." If he comes out without my permission, I'll definitely teleport to him and push him back.
"Okay. The graduation exam is in a few days—save some energy."
Od staggers over to me, gasping for breath, and plops down on the ground. "Boss, I'm progressing quickly, right?"
"It's okay. After all, you're not using instant teleportation—being able to achieve this effect is already very good. The exam is in a few days. Which academy do you think you can get into?" There are 13 intermediate magic academies in Senke City—two Class A, four Class B, and the rest are Class C and D. Class A schools are the best; every year, several students are admitted to the Royal Magic Academy (the highest magic institution in the country).
"I should at least get into a Class B one. What about you, boss?"
"I don't know. The graduation exam subjects are different every year—who knows what will be tested this year? If they test escape and defense, I can definitely get into a Class A school. If they test attack, I'm done for—definitely Class D." Actually, I'm not very interested in which academy I get into. But Mom said if I get into a Class A academy, she'll give me 5 silver coins of pocket money every month. 5 silver coins is a lot of money for me! For my favorite money, I'll try my best.
"Boss, didn't your teacher say he'd be back before your graduation exam? The exam is the day after tomorrow—why hasn't he come back yet?"
"I don't know. It's better if he doesn't come back. Otherwise, if he gives me an intensive pre-exam training, can I stand it!"
"You want intensive pre-exam training? I'll fulfill you." A familiar voice suddenly sounds.
"Ah!, Teacher Xiu, you're back! No need for intensive pre-exam training—I was just joking, hehe."
"Boss, I'll leave first!" Seeing Teacher Xiu's stern look, Od, that traitorous guy, turns around and runs away.
"Od, you stinky boy—don't let me see you again!"
"Elian!"
"Teacher, I..." For some reason, now whenever I see the old devil, I feel uncomfortable all over, and my legs start shaking involuntarily.
"Elian, the graduation exam is coming soon. Do you have confidence in yourself?"
"I don't know. It depends on what's tested this year."
"Silly boy, you study light-type magic—you're the only one in recent decades. The school won't test you on attack magic; that would be unfair to you!" A rare look of kindness appears in Teacher Xiu's eyes.
"Ah, great! Then I can definitely get into a Class A academy." I jump for joy—naturally, happy for the future pocket money.
"You have a strong competitive spirit! However, this time I don't want you to take the academy's graduation exam."
"Why??" I ask in confusion.
"This time when I went back to the capital, I signed you up for the entrance exam of the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy. I have high expectations for you—you must work hard." The Royal Intermediate Magic Academy is an affiliated academy of the Royal Magic Academy. It gathers teenagers with great magic talent from all over the country. Every year, one-third of its students are admitted to the Royal Magic Academy. It's the best intermediate magic academy in the country, belonging to Class S.
"Ah! What??" No! The Royal Intermediate Magic Academy is so famous—there must be very strict management inside. Having finally escaped the old devil, could I be jumping from the frying pan into the fire?
"Teacher Xiu, am I good enough? They have the best talents in the country there—my magic is so weak?" I quickly make excuses.
"Who says your magic is weak? You're my best student. How do you know you're not good enough if you don't try?" It's the first time Teacher Xiu has praised me directly, but I don't feel the slightest joy.
"Then let me go home and discuss it with my parents. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
"No need. Today I'll go to your house with you and talk to your parents—they will definitely agree."
Could it be? Teacher Xiu, who is always calm, is so eager today. There's no other way—let's go. Knowing my parents as I do, I know I'm definitely going to the capital.
As expected, when Teacher Xiu tells Mom and Dad, they are much more excited than me. After all, which parent wouldn't be happy if their child has a chance to enter the best school in the country?
"But, Teacher Xiu, I heard that to enter the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy, you must have a recommendation from a noble. We are commoners—can we take the exam?" Dad asks a key question.
"You don't have to worry about that. I've already taken care of it. I have a good friend who is a Viscount—I asked him to recommend Elian."
Mom suddenly pushes Dad and whispers to him: "The tuition fee of the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy is very expensive. We..."
"Even if I have to sell everything, I'll let my son go! I'll risk it all. How can we bury our son's talent when he's so promising!" Listening to Dad's righteous words, I feel how high Mom and Dad's expectations for me are.
"Dad, Mom, don't worry—I will definitely pass the exam." I say excitedly. (I regret it as soon as I say it.)
"Elian is so good." Dad pats my head.
"Mr. Wei, actually, you don't have to worry about these things. I'll cover all of Elian's tuition fees." Looking at our family of three's confused eyes, Teacher Xiu continues: "I love magic very much. But my talent is too poor—I put in ten times more effort than others, but only managed to become a Grand Mage. Even if I work harder, I estimate I can at most reach Archmage in this life. But Elian is different. I found that he has great talent for light-type magic. I hope my student can surpass me and reach Magister, or even Great Magister. Elian, don't let me down."
After hearing Teacher Xiu's words, Mom and Dad are naturally grateful. Since all the problems are solved, what else can I say? Prepare to leave.