Pop Quiz

Once Ludwig walked into the study hall, he scanned it and, sure enough, found the girl who had given him the notebook the day before. His presence momentarily drew the attention of the people in the room, but they quickly dismissed him, their gazes sliding away as if he were invisible. After all, Ludwig was nothing more than a commoner, devoid of the privileges or titles that made someone stand out in this place. His above-average looks were the only feature that could be considered remotely redeeming, but in a world ruled by power and prestige, appearances meant little.

Fixing his eyes on the girl, Ludwig walked toward her with purpose. "Thank you for the help," he said as he handed her the notebook.

She looked up from her desk, her expression flat, but a frown soon followed. Her gaze flicked over him, up and down, as though she were reassessing him, unimpressed. "Why are you returning it so soon? Did you already give up on taking the exams?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of sarcasm. "Might be for the better if so," she added dismissively.

"No," Ludwig replied, shaking his head, refusing to be rattled by her tone. "I already memorized the content. It's pretty detailed, but I managed."

The girl's expression shifted to one of sheer incredulity. Her lips twisted into a mocking grin, an almost predatory look crossing her face. "At least if you want to lie, do it properly," she said with a sneer. "It's insanity to think you could even understand a fraction of this notebook in one night, not to mention fully memorize it. If you didn't appreciate the help, just say so. You don't need to lie to me."

Ludwig hesitated for a moment, opening his mouth to protest, but then closed it, realizing there was no point. For anyone else, it would have been an impossible task. The notebook was chaotic, jumping from topic to topic every few pages, full of intricate details that would baffle even the brightest students. But Ludwig had managed. That was the truth, though it seemed a truth no one would believe.

Sighing in resignation, he tried a different approach. "At least tell me your name," he said, hoping to shift the conversation. "I need to thank the person who helped me."

"It's Kassandra," she said curtly, waving her hand as though to shoo him away, already distracted by the entrance of a new figure into the room.

Ludwig turned as well, his attention caught by the imposing man now standing at the front of the study hall. The teacher who had just entered was unlike anyone Ludwig had seen before. His skin was a deep, dark brown, his tall frame clothed in the formal patterns of the Dark Academy's uniform. What caught Ludwig's attention immediately, however, were the man's long, pointed ears.

A dark elf, Ludwig realized, his curiosity piqued.

The man exuded authority, his presence commanding instant silence from the room. His braided hair was impeccable, and his beard was so finely groomed that Ludwig couldn't help but admire it for a moment. The man's suit was adorned with intricate designs, clearly marking him as someone of importance within the Academy.

Though Ludwig's instincts urged him to use [Inspect] on the man, he hesitated. He wasn't entirely sure how the ability worked on teachers. After all, it hadn't worked on Bastos Van Dijk earlier. But before he could second-guess himself, something unexpected happened.

[Necros's Blessing is activating!]

Ludwig's heart raced. Why? Why was the Blessing that robs his will activating now, of all times? Panic gripped him as his eyes briefly glowed, the familiar sensation of the spell seizing control of his senses. He hadn't even spoken the words to trigger it—yet the power surged through him, unstoppable.

{Inspect}

Information window: Oda'Ruh Vastion

Level: 125

Alignment: Dark Magic Academy, [Hidden] You do not qualify to see this yet.

Health: 1,200,000

Mana: 6,000

Class: Advanced Mage, 5th tier

Secondary Class: [Hidden] You do not qualify to see this yet.

Title: Shadow Weaver—[Hidden] You do not qualify to see this yet.

Lore:

A mage who seeks to advance the status of his Noble House Vastion. He came to the Dark Academy to recover lost knowledge that his tribe once held. Though he holds the title of Noble due to his rank as a Fifth Tier mage, many Nobles of the capital resist recognizing a Dark Elf among their ranks...

Addendum: Those of extreme ambition often lose sight of their path as they seek their goals, taking shortcuts and disregarding the steps they tread upon.

Before Ludwig could process any further, the man's voice rang out, sharp and furious.

"WHO WAS THAT?" Oda'Ruh Vastion's shout reverberated through the study hall. "Who dared use that vile magic in this class?"

Ludwig's stomach dropped. He could feel the magic stirring within him still, the remnants of Necros's Blessing buzzing in his veins. The teacher hadn't spotted him, but he knew someone had used magic in his presence—and he was livid.

Vastion's braids seemed to flare with an eerie energy, his eyes scanning the room for the culprit. No one dared to move, let alone confess. Silence hung heavy in the air, the tension almost unbearable.

Then, in a swift movement, Vastion raised his arm. "Fine!" he barked, his voice as sharp as a blade. "If you want to play games, let's play. Pop quiz time!"

With a flick of his wrist, papers flew off his desk and scattered themselves in front of each student. The sudden change caught everyone off guard, their groans of protest stifled by the severity of the teacher's glare.

"Your answers will be timed," Vastion continued, his tone cold and uncompromising. "And if anyone is caught cheating, I will personally kick you out of this academy. Your performance on this quiz will count for fifty percent of your final grade."

A collective sigh rippled through the room, students looking at one another in disbelief. This was completely unexpected. As Ludwig glanced at the paper that had landed before him, he felt Kassandra's gaze boring into the side of his head. He looked up to meet her eyes, and her expression was clear: You're screwed.

But as Ludwig lowered his eyes to the questions, something odd happened. The answers began to form in his mind almost instantly. The knowledge from the notebook was already there, imprinted with perfect clarity, and he began writing without hesitation.

His movements caught the attention of Oda'Ruh Vastion, whose eyes snapped toward him. The teacher strode across the room, his steps heavy with authority. He stopped in front of Ludwig's desk, looming over him.

Without a word, Vastion slammed his hand down onto Ludwig's paper. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice low and threatening.

Ludwig met his gaze without flinching. "New student," he answered calmly. "I applied yesterday."

Vastion's eyes flicked over the paper, noticing the half-written answers. His expression darkened. "Why are you applying so late in the semester? Do you think you'll receive special treatment?"

"I never expected that," Ludwig replied evenly.

Vastion's gaze bore into him. "Then why bother?" he growled. "You think you can answer questions from a class you've never attended?"

"I had time to prepare," Ludwig said simply.

"Prepared?" Vastion's voice dripped with contempt. "How? You barely started yesterday!"

"I read through some notes," Ludwig replied, "and I think some of these questions are pretty straightforward."

A faint, disbelieving laugh echoed from the room. Ludwig didn't have to look to know it was Kassandra facepalming. Her exasperation was almost palpable.

Vastion, on the other hand, looked ready to explode. His eyes bulged with anger. "Fine!" he roared. "Fine! If you think they're simple, then answer! And I'll do you a favor—I'll grade you right here, right now! If you pass this, you won't have to take the finals for my class."

The room went completely still as Vastion crossed his arms, waiting. "Now answer, student."