--
[New Skills! ]
• Mana Control (Entry 10/100)
: A fundamental skill for anybody who's dabbling in magic and spells.
• Detection (10/100)
: A basic spell allowing the user to sense mana within 100 meters. Range and efficiency increase with level-up.
Mana Cost: 1 MP
CD: None
• Barrier (10/100)
: Creates a barrier to protect the user. The barrier's size and density could be adjusted based on skill level and control. Lasts for two seconds.
Mana Cost: 10-100 MP
CD: 2 seconds
**
The new skills were cool and all, but if he were being honest, his mind isn't really on them right now.
TJ was bothered...
Something about that man he crashed into yesterday just made him uncomfortable. Try as he might to focus on other things, the image of the creepy and scary man kept flashing in his mind.
'Sin!'
'Sinful creature! '
'You met a sinful man! '
'He reeks of sin! Take him down! '
'Attack him! Stab him! Kill him! '
"Devour all sins!!!"
The voices in his mind weren't helping either. They writhed and cried out about sins and whatnot.
They're accusing the man of something completely out of speculation. They cannot be trusted; TJ knew this a long time ago. But ever since he met that man until this day, all these voices ever said were words like these, which was highly unusual.
TJ wasn't one to easily judge a person by their physical appearance. With the abundance of professions out there, it's not entirely weird nor strange to see people walking around with different features or body parts.
Sometimes, those who look mean and scary are actually kinder and gentler compared to their counterparts. TJ had experienced this before, and he had grown used to seeing all sorts of people with different appearances at this point.
And yet somehow, the man yesterday...something about him was wrong. He didn't feel right, if TJ were to be asked.
He wasn't the strangest person TJ ever met. His pale skin and longer fangs compared to most weren't even unique to him; TJ could remember at least 10 different people he met yesterday who had the same exact features as these, or both.
But...it's strange. TJ doesn't know why, but he felt like that man was shady as hell, and it's bothering him greatly.
He wants to do something about this. But realistically, what was he supposed to do? Report that shady-looking man to the police? What's that going to do?
What would be his reason for reporting that man anyway? Did he kill someone? Did he cause trouble? Was he offensive?
If he was, then what exactly was his offense? Wearing a red lipstick that looked like dried blood instead? Can't a man just have a unique style and interests?
Did TJ catch him doing anything illegal? No. Nothing. That man did nothing wrong.
All he did was to be slightly rude to TJ; that's about it. But how could anybody expect TJ to report that man solely because of this?
Detaining a man simply because he's got bad vibes around him? Don't be ridiculous! No police would ever use that as an excuse to arrest someone. They will be penalized if they do so; they might experience a deduction on their EXP based on how badly they fucked up.
Unless they have probable cause, police officers can't just point their guns at someone. Their reputation will suffer greatly if they start doing that.
If TJ actually went forward with the report, he'd look more suspicious than the man he's reporting; that's why he's not doing it.
"Hey."
A pat on his shoulders pulled his attention back to reality. It was Sieg who proceeded to sit next to him, and with a worried face, he asked:
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Sorry, just..." TJ replied, hesitating for a bit.
"Distracted?"
"Yes. Just had something in my mind. I didn't miss anything important, right?" TJ asked.
"Well, aside from Mr. Eden's reminder about the upcoming exam on Monday, nothing else, I suppose. It's the same as usual."
TJ stilled for a bit. That's right, the first monthly exam was due on Monday. It's only Friday today, so TJ had the weekend left to review lessons so that he could be prepared for that.
"I mean, I don't think you have anything to be worried about. You always ace the written exams anyway, and for the practical, well...I'm not one to toot my own horn here, but you, me, and Lily, plus those other two repeaters as well, we're ahead of the curve, so there's no problem in that matter either."
Sieg was right. TJ, while not being anywhere close to the top scorer of his batch in the written exams, wasn't falling behind either. In fact, he's doing way better than most, so he really didn't have to worry too much about the written exams.
As for the practical exam, he couldn't imagine the school giving them too much of a hard time since it's the first monthly exam, so he shouldn't be worried about that either. Sieg was right again; he, Sieg, and Lily, plus those two repeaters who are also 3★ Novices as well, are way ahead of the curve.
But if TJ were being honest right now, he'd very much prefer stressing out over the exams. At least, that will occupy his mind and focus, instead of being filled with thoughts about that shady man he just met.
"I hope it's truly as you say. Otherwise, we'd be in danger even if we're so far ahead," TJ muttered softly.
"Hey now, don't jinx it. Gee, now you're making me nervous."
They still didn't forget how sensitive this period was for them. They can't afford to fail even one exam lest they risk the possibility of repeating another year.
"I think I procrastinated enough," TJ said before patting his thighs and standing up. "I still haven't gotten my exp for today, so I'll hit the machines some more. How about you?"
"Same. Let's go."
TJ shook the thoughts of the man out of his head and focused on his routine. Exp was far more important than daydreaming about that creepy guy.
**
Two more days fly by, and Monday comes.
With this Monday also came the first of this semester's monthly exams. Before the class was dismissed on Friday, Mr. Eden reminded everybody of the exam. He even told them the specific coverage of the written exam and small hints of what the practicals would be to help them out.
But even with that, some of the students still came with dark eyebags under their eyes. Some looked pale and lethargic; it's like they didn't sleep at all, not even a wink, due to stress.
Regardless of their state, though, the exam still happened anyway. The written exam took place first.
And to TJ's luck, Sieg's words have indeed come true. There was truly nothing for him to worry about. The questions were so easy that TJ was almost certain he had a perfect score even before the test was over.
The written exam wasn't technically 'written' at all. They used the school's AI to do a holographic exam. Nevertheless, the spirit of the exam remains true to itself, which doesn't really make a huge difference.
They were told that they'd only get to see their scores once the exam was over. This was done to prevent students from stressing out even more during the exam.
There had been cases where students went catatonic after receiving a failing grade in the middle of the exam all because they saw their results. That happened a couple of times before the school's staff decided to implement small changes to prevent this from happening again.
As for the practical exam, it's more or less the same.
To get a passing grade, the students must possess at least a minimum of 250 kgs. of strength measured using the punching machine. Have a minimum speed of 50 km/h, and hit a score of 250 at the whack-a-mole machine to pass. The whack-a-mole machine tests reaction speed, and scoring 250 points counts as average for 1★ novices.
These were rookie numbers for TJ, Sieg, and Lily, though, including those 3★ Novice repeaters. Obviously, they easily hit the requirements, even surpassing them entirely.
TJ, though, had no interest in going all out. There's nothing to gain from doing so. He's not taking this exam to show off; he's here to pass, and that's enough for him.
About an hour after the practical exam, the results were sent out.
Some students wailed, some were unconvinced, and only a few were relieved but still apprehensive. Their reactions gave their results away.
As for TJ, of course he passed; there's not even a doubt about that. So did Sieg and Lily.
Just like that, the first monthly exam was concluded. Mr. Eden congratulated those who passed and reminded those who failed that their failure was entirely their own fault.
Now, the real pressure was on. The reality of their situation weighs more heavily now compared to last time.
And whether they liked it or not, this was just the start. Things will only be more difficult from here on out.