14 - A Test of Change

"Everyone, be silent and get ready."

The man on the podium said as he brought out the test papers.

"I'll be watching everyone to make sure no one cheats."

He announced.

'Bruh… I swear he just looked at me.'

Anyway...

I know this man, He's Professor Sariel Evadne, one of the important side characters who helps the main characters grow.

He offers them tips and suggestions to get stronger.

Personality-wise, Professor Sariel doesn't care about bloodlines.

He just helps those who are willing to learn...

'I bet he contributed to kicking Raye out of the academy in the game.'

I thought, remembering how he also despises nobles who abuse their authority.

"Geez."

'Look at him giving me side glances...'

He must've really hate Raye. Me.

Moving on...

The professor began handing out the test papers.

He's using telekinesis to make them fly individually to each student.

'That's cool.'

I thought.

And once the test papers were all distributed.

"Start."

Professor Sariel announced the start of the test.

As soon as he did...

"..."

The room went totally silent.

No one was talking, everyone was focused on their test papers.

And so am I.

'I should start with the easy questions and topics I know.'

I thought.

So I started with basic spell knowledge, magic theories, and alchemy.

...

*****

'I read this from a book!'

'I heard this from Lena yesterday!'

'I experienced this first hand!'

Raye thought as he read through the questions.

The fact that he knows the answers to them made Raye happy. He filled in answer after answer, writing quickly.

And for the first time in his life...

'What's the next question?'

Raye was excited to take an exam.

He was smiling, he became so focused on the test.

"..."

So focused that he didn't notice Professor Sariel standing beside him, watching him work!

'Hmm, he doesn't seem to be cheating.'

The professor thought.

He knows Raye's cheating history, that's why he's keeping an eye on him, expecting to catch something suspicious.

But as time passed...

...

"..."

He saw no sign of cheating.

He even started to believe that Raye might actually be trying to do this on his own!

'Most of his answers are right too…'

This surprised Sariel.

He had caught Raye cheating many times before. Seeing him working honestly was unexpected.

Of course, he was aware of what happened to Raye a couple weeks ago.

'Did that become his wake up call?'

So he thought maybe that triggered the change in Raye.

'No, I can't be deceived...'

But he immediately shook his head, suspecting Raye might just be tricking him.

So, Sariel continued to watch him even as he checked on the other students.

But even after watching Raye for a long time...

...

Raye didn't cheat, not even once.

'He didn't even try.'

Sariel thought.

In fact...

Raye was so immersed in the test that he forgot the time and everyone around him!

And before he knew it, time was up for the test...

...

*****

"Time's up. Pass me your papers."

Professor Sariel said as he approached Raye.

Raye, breaking out of his flow...

"Oh…"

Looked up and noticed that everyone else had already passed in their papers and left. He was the only one left.

'So they all finished before the time ran out, huh.'

Raye thought, disappointed, as he handed in his papers.

And seeing this...

"Did you answer all the questions?"

Professor Sariel asked him.

"No, I couldn't go back to the questions I skipped."

Raye replied with a defeated smile on his face.

Even though he had studied a lot, Raye's lack of foundational knowledge about magic left a gap between him and the students who grew up in this world.

His prior knowledge only came from the game, after all. It's so different in real life.

But Raye felt that with just a bit more time, he could have answered everything...

"Hmm..."

Professor Sariel thought for a moment.

And after a brief pause...

"Here."

He handed the questionnaire and answer sheet back to Raye.

"Huh?"

Raye was surprised.

But before he could ask what this was all about...

"There's still half an hour before the stat checking starts."

"I can wait.'

Sariel said that.

Hearing his words made Raye's eyes widened.

"Thank you!"

He immediately bowed his head and thanked Sariel.

Then he quickly resumed answering the questions he missed.

Raye was smiling ear to ear.

'He's changing for the better. I should give him a hand.'

Professor Sariel thought, a small smile on his face as he watched Raye work excitedly.

...

*****

(Raye's POV)

"Huff… huff… huff… huff..."

I ran toward Paschar Clinic, the main clinic in Xapham Hall, where the stat checking would be held.

Thanks to Professor Sariel, I was able to answer every question in the written test.

But it took me the whole extra half hour to do so!

The Paschar Clinic isn't really that close to the examination hall...

"Huff... huff... gurgh...!"

That's why I'm currently running full speed!

Professor Sariel said he could give me an excuse letter and I can just take the stat checking later, but I didn't want to cause him any more trouble.

'He's already helped me enough. I'm grateful. '

I don't know why he decided to help me, but I really appreciate it. I'll repay him by doing better on the next exam.

'He'll be happy with that.'

I thought.

Then I increased my speed.

...

*****

Soon, Raye reached the doors of Paschar Clinic...

He knew he was late, so without further hesitation.

CREAAKK—

He opened the door and stepped inside.

As soon as he entered...

"He's late."

"He must've goofed off somewhere."

"The nerve…"

He caught everyone's attention. Whispers spread throughout the room, but Raye ignored them.

"You're late. Everyone is done."

The nurse handling the stat checking said, clearly annoyed.

"I'm sorry."

Raye simply apologized.

This surprised the students, even Leon, who was watching from the corner of the room.

"Well, that's a surprise."

Leon muttered to himself.

"Hmm, he's really different from the rumors."

Lena murmured on the other side of the room.

"Whatever, just stand on the platform so we can check your stats and be done."

The nurse grumbled impatiently.

"Okay."

Raye complied, walking toward the platform as whispers trailed behind him.

"I bet he didn't improve at all."

"Last time, his stats were trash."

"I bet that even my baby brother has better stats…"

Raye ignored the comments and stepped onto the platform.

"We're going to look at your past stats from the records."

The nurse announced...

Swoosh-

=====

Name: Raye Alvah

Age: 18

Year Level: 1

Race: Human

-----

Stamina: 4

Intellect: 3

Mana: 2

Strength: 3

Speed: 4

-----

Overall Grade: F-

=====

Then he displayed Raye's stats from the previous check in the air for everyone to see.

"See, he's weaker than my dog."

"How did he even pass?"

"Must've been his family…"

The whispers intensified.

"Quiet."

But the nurse silenced them.

'Weaker than the snotty kid from my village.'

Leon thought when he saw Raye's stat, he clicked his tongue.

"He's that weak, huh."

Lena whispered to herself.

"Now, let's see how you've improved."

The nurse muttered, then he activated the platform.

And after that..

Swoosh—

Raye's new stats were displayed.

=====

Name: Raye Alvah

Age: 18

Year Level: 1

Race: Human

-----

Stamina: 13

Intellect: 12

Mana: 8

Strength: 10

Speed: 11

-----

Overall Grade: F-

Growth Rate: S-

=====

"..."

And it silenced everyone who were talking trash about Raye.