67 Skip Test A

The next morning Lucas woke up earlier than normal. Stretching out his back he let out a long yawn, " Aaah, that felt great." Climbing out his bed, Lucas opened up the curtain and stared into the distant skies, " I'm finally taking my first steps to success. It's been slow. But I should start picking up the heat soon. I will be successful! I will be strong! I will be revered...! I wonder how my brothers are doing on Earth? I hope they find success in what they do... I hope that my death didn't derail them off the attention they need to put into their studies... I wonder if I'll ever be able to see them again. I miss you guys..."

Lucas shook his head. Then rubbed the Rheum off his eyes, " C'mon man. You got this!" After that, the alarm went off. This time it went off in his room too. The officials wanted to make sure Lucas wasn't late again. But he was up much earlier than they were.

When Lucas heard the alarm. He started getting ready for class. So he took a shower. Lucas had the entire top floor for himself. It was like a suite of a hotel. So he had a shower in his room. But he never liked showering in this place. The shower was spacious. But it was a design of its own. It was confusing and needlessly so. From the buttons, he needed to press to get the water to flow. To the levers, he needed to adjust to regulate the water pressure and water temperature.

Looking at the complicated contraption, Lucas felt like he was in Japan. He sighed and then after 10 minutes of adjusting, he showered. Washing thoroughly.

Once Lucas was done he put on his Mage coat and went downstairs to eat. After standing in line he ate his breakfast and headed for class. As he walked he was looking at all his fellow students and their faces ridden with fatigue. It was something to do while he was walking to class. But as he got closer and closer to the first stop of the day. His heart started beating faster and faster. Lucas didn't know why but that what was happening. After a few minutes of pondering. He came to the conclusion. That it was either because he was nervous or because he was excited about the new opportunities, that await after he passes the test. Either way, it made him feel alive.

Walking into class. Lucas found an empty seat. He was quite early, 'Flip! I walked too fast.' (1). He wasn't the only one in the lecture room but he was one of the few. As time passed, the classroom filled up and then eventually the lecturer came in. Once the lecturer was ready. He called for silence in the room. Everyone stopped the conversations and listened. Then the lecturer looked straight at Lucas, " Where are your books, Mr Lightningstorm? Did you forget them again?"

" No, actually I didn't take them on purpose." Once Lucas completed his sentence. He realised how disrespectful that sentence could be interpreted without the proper context.

A nerve appeared on the lecturer's forehead, " Oh! So what now? You too smart for this class?!"

Lucas realised his mistake and so he tried to rectify the issue with haste. " No, no, no. That's not what I meant. You see I plan on taking the skip test. I have already studied and know the work of the first and second semester's syllabus. Hence I didn't bring my books as that would be cheating. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

" Aaah. I see. No, I totally understand. Sorry for making assumptions. It's just that every year I have to deal with arrogant people who think they know better than me. Since you are the King of The First Years. I assumed you would be one of those people."

" No, sir. I came to Reckwerth to learn. I can't do that without the help of a lecturer."

Nodding his head the lecturer said," Good, good. You have manners. Keep them, it will take you far in life... So you want to take the skip test. I'll prepare that for you now... Class today is a free period. Please go over yesterday's work. Discuss amongst yourselves to hear the opinions of others. Remember what you put in is what you will get out... Mr Lightningstorm. Come with me please."

" Yes, sir." The students and Lucas replied in unison.

Lucas climbed out of his chair and walked to the lecturer who was at the bottom of the lecture hall. Once he got there. They both walked out of the classroom. The lecturer led Lucas to another building. The building's interior was dull. It only had desks for the students to write their tests. And another table where a bunch of tests where stacked.

" This is Lucas. He wants to take the skip test. Are you guys prepared?" The lecturer said to the other officials.

" Already!? Class just started yesterday?!" The officials all wore confused faces.

" Yes, ma'am. I have learnt the entire syllabus as such. I would like to continue to year two."

" Wow...! But are you sure? You can only take it once. If you fail you may never take one again during your schooling career, here at Reckwerth."

" I am sure."

" Okay then. Just wait a bit we need to sort out a few things. But for now, give me your student card. So that I can see what subjects you take. So that I can give you the correct test."

Lucas handed her his student card. Tapping on the Reckwerth symbol, a hologram appeared. Then the official swiped left to see Lucas's subjects. But once she did she looked at Lucas with disbelief. She thought maybe Lucas only had one elemental class as such he was able to study it so quickly. But when she saw he had four not one but four. She was flabbergasted, ' This kid studied all this work in just a day!' She shook her head, ' No, no, no. This kid is trying to be cool. There is no way he can do this.' Once she thought this her looks towards Lucas turned from admiration to disdain.

" You do know that any score lower than 90% is a fail, right?" Lucas nodded his head.

Still looking at Lucas with a face that showed she was unimpressed, " You do know. You will be writing all your tests today, right? Not just for this class but for every class. For you, that's 7 tests."

Again Lucas nodded his head.

" You do know that you are being tested on this semester's work and next semester's work?"

" I am well aware ma'am."

" Okay. Your loss if you don't make it. Go find a seat. I will be with you shortly." The official was officially done trying to persuade Lucas not to take this test. ' Mph. If he wants to fail that's on him'. She gave back Lucas's student card. So Lucas went to go find a seat.

After a while, she returned to Lucas with pieces of paper in her hand.

" This is your first test. It will be on Water A and Water B. You have one hour to complete the test. I am giving you 10 minutes of reading time. No writing allowed."

Lucas nodded and then she left his side. Lucas opened up the papers and started reading through it. Once he was done. He was confident that he could answer all the questions. After 10 minutes ended the official announced that he could take the test and so he began.

Lucas took the ink pen he had next to him and began the test. He looked at one of the questions. Instantly he knew the answer. So he grasped the pen with his right hand. And put the pen to paper. As he did he began writing. But Lucas noticed that his speed was extremely slow. He could write. He knew how the shapes looked. But because he had never written before it took a while. It was like writing in Chinese for the first time. Even if you know all the characters. Writings the characters on paper. Will take practice.

' Flip. I should have practised my writing before this test. So I'm going to answer the long questions first as they worth more points. Then I'll move on to mid and then short."

Once Lucas had his plan. He looked at the clock and saw only 1 minute had passed. Then he began writing.

" Times up!" The official announced.

Once Lucas heard her speak he put his pen down and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Then the official came and took his test. Looking at Lucas's appearance she scoffed, ' See you should have listened to me.'

" You have 5 minutes to get a breather. Then your next test starts."

" No disrespect. But I don't need it."

" Alright, your funeral." She was done trying to help him. So she never opposed the idea.

On the other hand, Lucas wanted to keep the feeling he had while writing. The official went to the table and then brought Lucas's test. " You have 1 hour to complete it. You get 10 minutes reading time, no writing yet. The test is on Fire A and Fire B. Good luck."

Lucas read over the test. And then when he was allowed to he began the writing. Once he completed the test he handed it in and then he wrote another two tests after that.

" That's four tests straight. You have an hour break. Then you write your last three tests."

" Thank you, ma'am."

This time Lucas opted to take the break. Because writing for four hours straight was getting boring. The break would serve to refresh him for the next part. Also because Lucas's dexterity stat is high. He was getting the hang of writing at a fast yet neat pace. So he didn't feel the need to push himself anymore.

In his break, Lucas went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. This time he used his status and skipped the line. He wasn't going to use his entire break just trying to get food. Skipping the line Lucas, ' I wonder if Tamara is on shift today. I guess I will have to find out.' Once Lucas got to the register. He saw that it wasn't Tamara. He sighed and then ordered his food. Once he got his food he went to go find a seat. He found himself a seat and began eating. But as he was eating he heard a familiar voice.

" Lucas!? Aah. You came."

Looking up Lucas looked at the girl speaking to him, " Yeah. I thought I would pop in for a bit. But I saw you weren't on shift yet so I'm just here."

" I should give you my schedule. I'll send it to you. Just accept my friend request."

" You sent a friend request?"

" No, I will though... Don't you have classes now?"

" Nope. I'm taking the skip test. I am on a break and then I'm writing my last 3 tests."

" OMW! You taking the skip test! Wow, you're are something special. Class just started yesterday... I hope you do well. Heck if you pass. You might even have classes with me."

" Oh. Are you a second year?" Lucas enquired.

" Yes, I am. " Tamara said proudly.

" But I actually need to go. If I'm any later I might get fired. When I have time. I'll send you my schedule then we should definitely hang out."

" Sounds like a plan. And enjoy." Lucas said.

" Thank you. And good luck with your test." Tamara Everly said. Then she walked away waving her hand energetically with a smile on her face.

As soon as she left Lucas got a call. He knew because his student card was vibrating. Lucas took his student card out his coat. Then he answered.

" Ay Lucas. How's did the test go?"

" Hi, Silvya. I'm Actually still writing. I'm on break now."

" I know that. That's why I'm asking."

" Oh. Haha. Well. I would say it's going well. You should prepare the 200 gold so long."

" We will see about that. But got to go. Just thought I would pop in before I head to class. Bye"

"Cheerz."

Then Silvya Rouge ended the call. As Lucas was about to put his student card back into his coat. He got a message from Silvay Rouge. It said, " Good luck." Lucas smiled at the message, ' How nice. Wishing me luck when it goes against you."

With that Lucas finished his lunch then he stood up. And went to the classroom where he wrote the test.

" Good. You made it on time. Get ready for your last three tests." An official said.

" Yes, sir," Lucas said.

The officials had now swapped. Which made sense. It would be too draining to invigilate for 7 hours.

Lucas walked to his seat and then he began reading his test after the official explained the rules. Of which he was well aware already. But it was standard procedure. Once he could begin writing he began the fifth test. After writing that he wrote the sixth and then finally his seventh and last test. After writing the test Lucas yawned. He was drained. Writing 7 tests were as taxing as they came. Even if he knew all the answers. Writing was a mission.

The official collected Lucas's last test, " That's it. You are free to go. Tomorrow, come here first thing in the morning. Then you will do the practical part of the test."

" When do I get my results?"

" That will be tomorrow too."

" Okay. Thank you very much."

Lucas walked out the classroom stretching his upper body out by raising his hands in the air and reaching for the stars. Then with one hand still in the air, he closed his hand and made a fist, ' Almost there.'

Now that Lucas had time to himself. He went to the training area. He practised his accuracy at the target machine. Then he trained his combat prowess at the simulation machine. With his new found strength. He could beat an E rank mu creature by himself easily now. However, E rank Omega was still too difficult for him. He had lost his "life" multiple times while trying to beat it. After he finished his training he got a message from Jastin Wells saying he should meet up with him Silvya Rouge and their friends on the open field.

So Lucas went. Once he got there he introduced himself to the new people. They spoke for hours and then Lucas went home. During the time. Lucas was with them he had sent Silvya Rouge and Jastin Wells back and forth to fetch him water or anything else he needed. Jastin Wells wasn't too happy about it. Because there was a girl he was interested in but because Lucas was sending him around and because he always complied. It looked like Lucas was his boss which isn't how you impress a girl. Once he told Lucas what effect his orders where having, Lucas understood. And decided to call it a day. He wasn't going to purposefully destroy Jastin's chances. Even though he knew if Jastin failed here. He could probably find someone else in minutes.

After speaking with Silvya Rouge. Lucas went to train again. Then he went home to his dorms. Ate dinner, showered and climbed in bed. It was late and he had a full day. He took his student card out his coat's pocket. To see if he had received a friend request from Tamara Everly. But the request box was full of other people he didn't know, ' Guess she was busy. Eh, no issue.' Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

1. Just a change. When I quote like this ' .' That will always be a thought. " ." This is direct speech. Therefore conversations with Thea will be quoted like this ' .' Because it's a conversation that happens by thought.