Licht said, "Well, let's head back. We still have three chapters to revise."
Liebe said, "If we do three all-nighters—"
Alysa said, "But why? A 30-minute study session should be more than enough for the exam."
Liebe said, "I'm sorry, I forgot you actually knew how to study."
Finally, the exams began. In the team exams, Liebe and Licht teamed up, with Licht as the ace unit and Liebe as the commander unit, and they won every exercise. Meanwhile, Alysa and M teamed up. In the written exams, Liebe sat next to Alysa for her help, and after seeing the questions, except for Alysa, basically everyone cried at least thrice.
In the swordsmanship exam, Liebe even managed to beat the examiner, while everyone easily passed. In the combat exams, Liebe achieved the highest marks in strategy, mana control, and swordsmanship, while Licht achieved the highest marks in hand-to-hand combat, precision, and spatial awareness. Finally, for the theoretical exams on knighthood history as well as the guidebook, Alysa got the highest marks in all theoretical categories.
After the exams ended, it was back to HQ. When they returned, Gelda said, "How was the exam, Lord?"
Liebe said, "As long as I pass the theoretical stuff, great."
Gelda said, "Good to know. Guess only 15 days left till Elizabeth joins you."
Licht said, "And Isurugi and Fate."
Liebe said, "That sure is a long list."
Alysa said, "Guess so."
Liebe said, "Looks like we will have to step up our game; otherwise, the kids might just get us."
Licht said, "Now that sounds fun."
Nora said, "Captain, I got beef ribs for everyone."
Liebe said, "Thanks. It's actually fun to have lunch together once in a while."
As they sat down to eat, Gelda said, "Lord, when are the results for your year finals being published?"
Liebe said, "The day after tomorrow."
Eldrie said, "That is good to know. And in the instance you were to fail, I will freeze everyone who dared to wrong you."
Gelda said, "Eldrie, that is too far. We need to set an example; we will just wipe the academy off the map. Simple."
Liebe said, "Calm down, everyone."
Stal said, "If the Lord failed, I will just have to bury everyone in clay."
Licht said, "Somehow, that is the least of our concerns."
Nora whispered, "Eldrie, you can't really freeze everyone there, can you?"
Eldrie whispered, "I can, and I will. Don't worry, no one will say anything since we are the personal forces of one of the 25 Princes of Hell."
Liebe said, "Keep Mother's name out of it."
Eldrie said, "Understood, Lord. No one will know a thing about the massacre."
Liebe said, "Don't even think about it."
Eldrie said, "Understood, Lord."
Nora said, "That was scary."
Gelda said, "Basically, here in Black Rose, we have an unspoken rule: just annoy Lord Liebe, and you are good."
Liebe said, "Please stop."
Nora said, "I got it. I will put extra salt in his beef ribs."
Gelda said, "Now you are getting the hang of it."
Liebe said, "Please. And Eldrie and Nora, stop making out during duty. I swear, if this keeps up, you two will be breeding like rabbits."
Eldrie said, "Sorry, Lord."
Liebe said, "Well, Nora, lunch was great, but I guess it's time for me to head back to work."
Licht said, "Yeah, we still have a lot of work to do."
Gelda said, "Ok then."
Liebe said, "Gelda, are the narcotics reports done?"
Gelda said, "Of course, and we have already started taking new steps to prevent narcotics."
Liebe said, "Good. And make sure to inform everyone to check where these things are coming and going."
Gelda said, "Understood."
Licht said, "And make sure we have a list. And is the evidence room secure?"
Gelda said, "Yes, of course."
Liebe said, "Good to know. Also, make sure that all flammable substances are prohibited in the 20-meter radius of the evidence room, and keep Alem on standby."
Gelda said, "But he is one of our best divisional commanders and a flame magic user."
Liebe said, "We can't allow the drugs to be stolen. In the off chance we are attacked, it's best if he burns everything to the ground. We can't allow what happened to Arc Luatine to happen to us."
Gelda said, "Ok then."
As Liebe and Licht again went to Liebe's office, Licht said, "Was that really necessary?"
Liebe said, "We can't allow the failures of Arc Luatine to be repeated here."
Licht said, "At this point, you might just be paranoid."
Liebe said, "Currently, we have more than 300 kg of Aloine, 250 kg of Naicine, 100 kg of Imine, and 50 kg of Uro, and somehow more than 300 kg of Aljo and about more than 75 kg of other substances, while each are over 90% in purity. And that is why it should be taken seriously."
Licht said, "So, more than a ton of drugs in a building?"
Liebe said, "I stationed Alem because I would rather burn it all to hell than let it be distributed."
Licht said, "Good to see we are on the same page."
Liebe said, "The fact that Arc Luatine failed alone is enough to disgust. They didn't even attempt to burn it."
Licht said, "How much?"
Liebe said, "More than 500 kg, and all from Baledia."
Licht said, "Looks like our old friend Baledia sure has more than enough to spare."
Liebe said, "Whatever it may be, the moment someone attacks the warehouse, I plan to burn it to ashes, down to the kg."
Licht said, "I am getting a feeling you are being driven by emotions rather than a sense of duty."
Liebe said, "Whatever could you mean?"
Licht said, "We both know what your goal is, but I want to know what is your estimate."
Liebe said, "About 10% so far."
The following day, the results were published. The one with the highest overall score was Alysa. The one with the third highest score was Liebe; in second was Lumos, and in fifth was Licht.
Liebe said, "So glad I passed in theoretical exams."
Licht said, "Same here. But says the guy who was 3rd."
Liebe said, "Honestly, I guess cramming really helped."
Licht said, "Which class did you get into?"
Liebe said, "Class II-A."
Licht said, "Same here."
Alysa said, "Same with me."
Lumos said, "So we are all in the same class."
Liebe said, "Now that's a bit weird."
And Hedin was also in the same class, except he ranked 34th out of 45.
Hedin said, "Why am I ranked so low?"
Liebe said, "Mainly because your familia is a rabbit who can't even accept your magic, so you know."
Licht said, "Talk about rubbing salt on the wound."
Liebe said, "By the way, Licht, which dorm are Elizabeth, Isurugi, and Fate going to?"
Licht said, "Gelda told me Dorm 4."
Liebe said, "That sounds like a nice change of pace."
Licht said, "Finally, a different dorm to visit. Liebe, and by the way, Alysa, did you double-check the route for the Emperor's visit?"
Alysa said, "I did with Fate and Gelda, but I think we might have to change it since some strange mutation was seen with the trees in the forest that falls on the road. Best not to take risks."
Liebe said, "Ok. And Licht, investigate the forest and tell me the details."
Licht said, "Sure. Give me a week."
Liebe said, "Get it done in five days. And Alysa, make sure with Lara that the routes are secured and close off some of the roads, and double-check beneath it for explosives."
Alysa said, "Ok."
Liebe said, "Also, tell M to be on the lookout for anyone who seems suspicious in the capital."
Licht said, "I think you need to be a bit more specific."
Liebe said, "Someone who reeks of malice."
Alysa said, "I will inform her."
Liebe said, "Looks like all of us will be on double time for the next month ."