The Start Of the Final Exams

She approached a entrance, adorned with colossal doors guarded by four intimidating guards.

Stepping inside, she entered a vast hall where numerous students gathered in a distant corner. Among the crowd, some familiar faces caught her attention, including those of Sophie and Max.

Max was standing amidst a bustling students, flanked by two individuals. On one side stood a fatty, with no noticeable features. On the other side, was a radiant and beautiful young woman adorned her white hair with two charming ponytails.

Since it's been several days she had seen the Mc, her eyes locked onto him, holding his image for a fleeting moment before her attention shifted to the girl and the fatty standing at his side.

'Ah, isn't that guy the loyal comrade of our protagonist? If my recollection serves me right, his name would be Ryan Redwood.'

'And as for the beautiful girl beside him, if I recall the author's portrayal of her appearance, she is none other than the second member of our hero's harem. Her name, I believe, is Aliya Rosewold hailing from the illustrious Rosewold Duchy, one of the Six great Duchies of the Elacnor Empire.'

Max became aware of her lingering gaze, a faint smile graced his lips before he proceeded talking to his companions.

Kathleen approached Sophie as they exchanged customary morning greetings. She inquired about the reason behind the gathering of students in this location.

Sophie turned towards her before opening her mouth.

"The academy has selected a few fitting administers for the final examinations for all the first-year students across various divisions. Each division will be entrusted with the guidance of two instructors. In our case, our class instructor, Elina, and the Instructor Aaron have been appointed to oversee our final exams."

"The Students gathered are waiting for the instructors arrival, they will tell us about the model of the exam after their arrival." Sophie provided a clear explanation of the current situation to her friend which made Kathleen give nod.

Her gaze then shifted towards Aliya, also known as the second female lead, her thoughts still preoccupied by the unexpected presence of the girl. According to the novel, Aliya was not supposed to make an appearance until the conclusion of the final exams.

'Ah, once Max arrives at the academy, he spends more time with the female lead until the final exams. But, my own actions have have changed that, and it seems the hand of luck and destiny, forever favoring our protagonist, has decided to bring that girl into his presence even before the exams.'

'Although these are just my assumptions, they may hold at least a little bit of truth. Even with the changes brought by my existence, the fate is in favor of the mc. Sigh... this is why I must be careful when it comes to this fellow.'

Within her class, there are over a hundred students, it was no wonder that she failed to recognize the second member of the MC's harem. Besides, her attendance in classes had been not good since her transmigration.

Nevertheless, she now found fragments of memories resurfacing in her mind, recalling a handful of important characters who should be among the first-year students. Alas, identifying them was hard and proved challenging, she can't rely solely on their descriptions written in the pages she read.

"Kathleen, what are you looking at?" Sophie's voice echoed, prompting Kathleen to divert her attention towards her friend.

"Ah, just observing the number of anxious souls participating in the examinations." She replied, simply lying through her teeth.

"Stop your wandering gaze, the instructors are arriving." Sophie spoke, as she received a nod of understanding from Kathleen. Together, they turned their attention towards the focal point where all the students are looking at.

Instructor Elina and Instructor Aaron made their entrance onto the center where all the students attention was, they want all the students to watch and listen to them carefully.

"Gather your attention students. I will now provide you with information concerning the forthcoming exams. Listen intently." Instructor Elina's voice resonated, commanding the undivided focus of every student as their gazes shifted towards her.

"In this year of exams, we shall dive into the renowned Ever-Changing Dungeon. Some of you may already be familiar with its name, but I will explain further for those who require clarification."

"The dungeon stands as one of the Magus Academy's esteemed Legacy Artifacts, known for its remarkable ability to reset itself upon conquest, while also bestowing upon its conquerors a plethora of monsters and treasures." Instructor Elina proceeded at a deliberate pace, ensuring that her explanation was conveyed with utmost clarity.

The dungeon contains a staggering one hundred floors underground. Within its depths there are both dangerous creatures and also coveted treasures.

While the dungeon primarily only spawns low-level monster and treasures, the academy took care to replace them with more fitting challenges and rewards befitting the students efforts.

In order to succeed in the exams, it is not mandatory for the students to conquer the dungeon. However, they must put their outmost efforts as they navigate through the difficult levels presented before them.

These conquer the dungeon in a least time, will receive additional rewards by the academy.

The instructors, accompanied by a handful of assistant instructors, will use their magic senses to see what is happening in the depths of the dungeon, they will evaluate and assess the students' progress.

Those who fail to venture far within the dungeon will be ranked based on their performance, under the watchful eyes of the vigilant instructors.

Each student shall be provided with a distinctive form of tokens known as life tokens. With these tokens in their possession, they don't need to worry about their life, upon death, they will swiftly reappear outside the confines of the dungeon.

This news brought a surge of joy among the students, they could now unleash their full power without being concerned for the lives of their fellow students during the battles.

Nevertheless, a furrow formed on Kathleen's brow, as she released a weary sigh.

'Indeed, as I suspected, the examination format was altered.' She pondered inside, while trying to figure out what exactly caused this change.

While pondering over every plausible cause that could have led to this sudden turn of events, Kathleen's gaze fell on instructor Aaron. She remembered about Dark Mask organization, it had posed as a constant nuisance to the protagonist within the academy.

However, the knowledge she possessed regarding this organization remained scarce, she didn't read the final arc of the novel, leaving many aspects shrouded in mystery.

'Could it be possible that he meddled with the settings of the dungeon? No, he would not do such foolish act considering that he probably faced a punishment for the previous incident in the forest, it would be unwise for him to invite suspicion from the academy by doing any untoward events during these exams.' Kathleen concluded, her thoughts settling on this explanation. Nonetheless, a sliver of doubt still lingered within her heart.

Just as she was contemplating this in her mind, Kathleen's attention was seized by the resounding voice of Instructor Elina.

"Very well, students. Should you find yourselves prepared, I will open a teleportation gateway that will transport each of you to different corners of the first floor within the dungeon." The instructor declared, taking out a crimson-hued cube from her spatial ring a she threw it on the ground.

Abruptly, the cube began to expand, gradually assuming the form of a portal, the space undulations came out from it as the space started twisting around portal. Elina activated the portal, igniting a surge of energy came out from the it.

In an orderly queue, the students began entered the threshold of the portal. As time trickled away, Kathleen and Sophie's turn eventually arrived.

They have already exchanged their words to do their best in the exam even if they were to be separated within the expansive labyrinth of dungeon floors.

Kathleen's image gradually faded from view as she stepped into the portal, her mind brimming with curiosity as to see the location she would spawn within the dungeon.