Part 30: Midterm Exam
Part 30 – Midterm Exam
…One month later…
Black magic is the art of reviving and controlling the dead…
Why doesn't this lesson ever end?
Black magic has no weakness. Only light magic can slightly reduce its power. Black magic was created by the Angel of Death, Armen…
"Lesson continued later."
Finally, it was over.
I sat in Marin's Magic Studies class. Today's topic was black magic. It was the last period, after a grueling training session with Joe Hyper. I had no patience left for lessons.
Marin placed his book on the desk and continued:
"As you know, it's been about a month since you entered the Academy. You passed the entrance test successfully, and now—"
Me: "Teacher, can you just say it quickly? The students are tired. Honestly, I'm the most tired."
Marin chuckled. "Fine. In short: your midterm exam begins in two weeks."
"Huh?"
I snapped out of my daydream. Not just me—the whole class froze.
Marin: "I didn't expect such a reaction, especially not from Henry, Den, and Tam."
Great. Because of those two idiots, everyone expects me to react too…
Nikolas: "Teacher, how will the exam be structured?"
Marin: "Good question. It will be both practical and written. The practical exam will test you in three stages. The written exam will be on paper, answering questions."
Nikolas: "And the practical exam—what exactly will It be?"
Marin: "You'll find out in two weeks."
He packed his things as the bell neared.
"Oh, and the Academy will suspend regular classes to prepare you. Use this time to train."
The bell rang.
Students gathered their belongings, buzzing about the upcoming exam. And of course—the two idiots…
Henry: "Den, did you hear? The midterm starts In two weeks."
Den: "What, you think I'm deaf? I heard. And I'll beat both you and Tam."
Henry: "No, I'll beat you and Tam."
They bickered endlessly. I walked past them, muttering:
"You think I'm competing with you?"
"What?"
I was forced to respond.
"I'm not like you two fools, wasting all my energy on this stupid exam."
Their honest reaction: laughter.
Den: "Ha! I believe you. I'll train harder to beat you."
Henry: "Me too. I'll train harder to beat you."
God… they really don't understand. I tell them they're bulls, they think I mean cows.
I decided to head to the cafeteria for some food.
And then…
I sat on the chair, eating my sandwich, thinking about recent events.
It had been a month since I entered the Academy.
Henry and Den had been punished—forced to retrieve the rare blue Camilla plant from beyond the walls. They succeeded, but their rivalry only grew stronger.
Because of my performance this past month, and defeating the maw with Agnes, I was dragged into their rivalry. It became a three-way competition. I didn't want It, but it happened.
The story of me and Agnes defeating the maw spread not only through the class but the entire Academy. I became relatively famous. And now, everyone's eyes were on me.
As I kept thinking—
"Look who's sitting here!"
It was Lucas.
Though he no longer had his old servants, he had bullied others into becoming his new lackeys.
I ignored him, continuing my sandwich. But Lucas wouldn't stop.
Lucas: "What, you don't acknowledge me anymore? Before you entered the Academy, you licked my boots, begged me for mercy. Now you act like a man?"
Whispers spread. Everyone's attention was on us.
Lucas: "Keep eating your sandwich. No one knows your food used to be church leftovers."
He snatched the sandwich from my hands and threw It to the ground.
Lucas: "Oops. Look, your sandwich is dirty now. But that's fine—you can kneel and pick it up. Because you're a slave. A slave-born."
I stood, ready to leave.
Lucas: "Run away, bastard slave-born. Don't react. I just wonder—who did your mother sleep with to give you magic? Your father, a Breach, wasn't even a man. She must have slept with someone else to—"
Smack!
I couldn't let him continue. My fist smashed into his face, sending him sprawling, blood dripping from his mouth.
Touching his lip, Lucas sneered:
Lucas: "Ha. You hit me, but you can't accept reality. You don't belong here."
Me: "What's wrong? Losing to me in the entrance exam still burns, doesn't it?"
Lucas rose slowly.
Lucas: "You guessed right. I was angry you passed. But not because you passed—because you only entered thanks to the Church's support."
Me: "What?"
Lucas: "Don't play dumb. Everyone knows the Church and the Hyper family backed you. That's how you cheated your way into the Academy."
Me: "Nonsense. No one believes that."
Lucas: "You're blind. Look at the people around you. See how they stare, whisper? They all believe it."
I looked. Their eyes, their murmurs… confirmed Lucas's words.
Lucas: "See? Even the Church doesn't truly accept you. Because you're slave-born."
I laughed.
"Finished? Your words are so dramatic they make me laugh."
Everyone stared, shocked.
I continued:
"I am Tam Breach, son of Anthony Breach. I'll prove to all of you I didn't enter the Academy by chance. I'll prove I am Anthony's son."
Pointing at Lucas, I declared:
"I will defeat you. And I will be among the top four in the midterm exam."
I walked out, leaving them behind.
It was done. I hadn't intended to compete. But because of Lucas's words, I would prove I am Tam Breach.
End of Part 30