As Ash stepped through the shadows, he noticed something.
Every charge followed the same pattern. The beast committed completely once it started running. It barely adjusted its direction.
An idea immediately formed.
"Alice!"
"What?"
"Make it chase you."
A grin appeared on her face. "Got it."
Without waiting for further explanation, she rushed forward and slammed another burst of Bloodflame Surge directly into the boar's face.
The beast roared. Then charged at her.
Alice turned and ran. The boar followed.
"A little faster and it'll actually catch me!" she yelled.
Flayn immediately understood and moved to the side while Ash positioned himself ahead.
The beast continued charging straight after Alice.
Five meters.
Four.
Three.
At the last second, Alice leaped aside.
Flayn exploded forward. Lightning flashed as he struck the side of the boar's head with everything he had.
The impact shifted the beast's trajectory slightly. Just enough.
Dark shadows erupted from the ground.
"Shadow Bind!"
The tendrils wrapped around the boar's legs.
The beast roared and struggled violently. Cracks immediately began appearing in the bindings. It wouldn't hold. But it didn't need to.
Ezra had already drawn another arrow. Vital Flame gathered around the shaft until it shone brightly.
Then he released it.
The arrow flew straight into the wounded shoulder he had identified earlier. Pale green flames erupted across the injury, disrupting the beast's mana and forcing its body to seize for a brief moment.
"Alice!" Ash shouted.
"I know!"
Crimson flames surged around her sword. More than Ash had ever seen her gather before.
Then she swung.
The compressed flames shot forward like a spear and struck the exact spot Ezra had hit.
A loud explosion echoed across the arena.
The boar stumbled. Then collapsed.
Silence filled the field.
For a second, nobody moved. Then the spectators erupted into cheers.
The entire battle had lasted barely lesser than the time limit.
Ash let out a breath as the shadows around him faded. Alice lowered her sword, while Flayn dropped onto the ground, breathing heavily.
"That worked better than I expected," Flayn said.
Alice smirked. "Obviously. My attack was the finishing blow."
"And whose strategy was it?" Ash asked.
This time, Ezra spoke up from behind them.
"And who found the weak spot?"
The four of them looked at each other before a brief silence followed.
"...Fair enough," Flayn admitted.
From the viewing platform, Instructor Kael nodded slightly as the judges scribbled notes onto their papers.
"I'm sure you all know the results. But first," He looked at the boy who fought with them, "Orin, unfortunately, you don't pass. Although your performance was good, it was average. You won't be able to survive the sudden change of environment, understood?"
The boy, Orin, looked slightly disappointed, but as if he had expected it, he just accepted it at that, "Yes, Instructor."
"Good. Now, you four, follow me."
The four of them followed Instructor Kael out of the hall. After several minutes, they arrived outside the Headmaster's office.
Kael knocked once before opening the door.
"Come in."
The group entered and saw the Headmaster seated behind her desk.
She looked up from the documents in front of her and smiled faintly.
"Congratulations. I didn't expect four students to pass the first-year acceleration exam this year."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Ash replied on behalf of the group.
"Now then, let's discuss your rewards." She set her papers aside. "First, all four of you will immediately advance to the second year."
The students remained calm. That part had been expected.
"To ensure you don't fall behind, the second-year instructors will personally tutor you for the remainder of this semester. Once you've caught up with the curriculum, you may choose whether to attend normal classes or continue receiving private instruction."
The four nodded.
"In addition, each of you will receive one thousand academy points."
"What?" Alice was visibly surprised. And this time, even Ash was surprised.
One thousand points was no small amount.
Despite being first rank and earning points regularly, he only had around five hundred remaining after various expenses, most of which had gone toward raising Lunaris.
Receiving a thousand points from a single exam was beyond generous.
"That's more than enough, Headmaster," Ash said.
The Headmaster nodded. "Good. There's something else you should know. The second year operates differently from the first."
The students listened attentively.
"There is no longer a ranking system or credit system. You'll have much greater freedom in how you spend your time. Missions, training, research, or other activities are all encouraged." She paused briefly. "But that doesn't mean there are no requirements. You'll still need to attend lectures and pass periodic examinations."
"So we're given more freedom?" Flayn asked.
"Exactly. By the second year, students are expected to begin specializing in their strengths rather than following a rigid schedule."
Alice's eyes immediately brightened.
"Any questions?" the Headmaster asked.
Ash raised a hand. "Will we remain here?"
"No. The second-year campus is located in another city." The Headmaster leaned back in her chair. "Since rankings no longer exist, you'll be assigned standard dormitories. However, I can recommend that the four of you stay together if you'd like."
"No!" Alice immediately said. "I'm a girl."
The Headmaster blinked once. "A valid point."
Flayn shook his head as well. "I'd rather meet more people and expand my network."
"May Ezra and I share a dorm?" Ash asked.
"That's acceptable."
Ash nodded.
"Anything else?" the Headmaster asked.
The four exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"Very well." The Headmaster lightly tapped the desk.
The next moment, space distorted around them. And before they could react, the scenery changed. They found themselves standing outside the administration building.
A man wearing an instructor's uniform was already waiting there.
He looked them over before speaking. "So these are this year's acceleration students."
His gaze lingered on them for a moment.
"You have one day to settle your affairs and pack your belongings. Meet me here tomorrow at nine in the morning."
Before anyone could ask a question, the man vanished. Just like that.