Chapter 239 The Final Exams

Valerius, hearing Suzuka's call, gracefully approached the table where she sat, the pile of signed papers now neatly stacked.

"Finished already?"

Suzuka nodded, handing over the now-signed documents.

 "Yep! Everything looks in order. I appreciate your thoroughness in this matter. Now, will this be all?"

Valerius accepted the papers, flipping through them briefly to confirm Suzuka's signatures. Satisfied, he explained, "Well, now that we have the paperwork settled, the next step is for me to officially register your town with the MIS. This involves submitting the necessary documents to our central office. I'll make sure the process is completed without any problems."

 "And how long will that take? I want to get this done as quickly as possible."

Valerius leaned against the table, a contemplative expression on his face.

 "Considering the urgency and the fact that we've already streamlined much of the paperwork, I'd say it should take no more than two weeks. Once your town is registered, you'll have the green light to start building and expanding."

Suzuka nodded, satisfied with the timeline.

 "Good. I appreciate your assistance in navigating all of this bureaucratic stuff. Anything else I should be aware of?"

Valerius pondered momentarily before responding, "Well, remember that once your town is officially recognized, you'll be eligible for certain privileges, like access to trade routes, security arrangements, and other benefits. However, there will be obligations as well, such as periodic evaluations to ensure compliance with MIS regulations. I'll provide you with a detailed guide on what to expect when the time comes."

"Great! So, I think our business is done?"

Valerius leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

 "indeed it is. Now that the town matters are settled, let's shift our focus to the goblin slave rescue operation. Our first mission is scheduled for next week. I trust you're ready to join the quest?"

Suzuka nodded, her determination shining through. 

"Of course. I've been looking forward to this. I'll be prepared and ready to keep my end of the deal."

Valerius smiled, appreciating Suzuka's eagerness.

 "Excellent. Rest up until then; you'll need your strength. The mission won't be a walk in the park, and your skills will be crucial. Larry will meet with you a day before the operation to finalize the details. Until then, take some time to relax and ensure you're in top shape."

Suzuka acknowledged his advice and, with a nod of gratitude, exited Valerius's office.

 She walked briskly back to Mystic Oasis Inn, her mind buzzing with a mix of anticipation and responsibility. The realization that her final exams at the Magic Box University were starting the next day hit her with a wave of mild anxiety. 

Her wooden desk housed stacks of books covered in notes, diagrams, and magical symbols. The week ahead was crucial for her; she had to ace the Magic Box University exams to secure her diploma.

Sitting at her desk, she set aside her town-related plans momentarily focusing on the academic challenges ahead, and prepared for a long night of reviewing and studying. The week of free time suddenly seemed more precious, with the impending exams creating a sense of urgency.

As the night progressed, Suzuka delved into the complexities of magical theory, practical applications, and the intricate workings of the magic boxes. Her room was dimly lit by the soft glow of magical orbs as she immersed herself in her studies, confident to excel in her final exams.

The first exam, focusing on rune letter magic, seemed almost like a formality for Suzuka. With a self-crafted rune magical item storage, she was sure to breeze through this test. The thought of this exam barely made her break a sweat; she had already surpassed the basic requirements.

Potions, the subject of her second exam, was something Suzuka had been crafting during her free moments over the past six months. Confident in her ability to mix various concoctions, she approached this exam with a sense of ease. Her practical experience and diligent reading had equipped her well for this challenge.

The third and final exam, the combat assessment, didn't even register as a concern in Suzuka's mind. Her combat skills were finely honed from her experiences outside the university, and the idea of a combat exam seemed almost funny to her. She sat at her desk, her thoughts drifting to the more mundane aspects of life, like what to have for breakfast instead of worrying about the exam.

Feeling calm and confident, Suzuka embraced the new morning with confidence. She headed to the Magic Box University, ready to face her first exam. The air was charged with a mix of nervous energy and anticipation as students gathered in Professor Jonathan Stone's classroom. As Suzuka entered, she observed the buzz of conversation among the students. Silvia, as usual, seemed a bit isolated, engrossed in her notes, yet a faint smile graced her lips.

Choosing not to let Silvia feel left out, Suzuka walked over and greeted her with a subtle "hi." Silvia looked up from her notes, her eyes lighting up with a shy smile, and she returned the greeting with a soft "hello." The two exchanged brief pleasantries, and Suzuka took a seat beside Silvia.

Their attempt at friendly banter was interrupted by the entrance of Professor Stone. The room was hushed, and all eyes turned toward the front as the professor began his speech. 

"Good morning, class," Professor Stone began, his voice commanding attention.

 "Today is your Rune Letter Magic exam and we will start soon. I trust you've all prepared diligently. Now, let me explain. The exam consists of two parts," Professor Stone continued, pacing in front of the class.

 "Firstly, the practical part. I hope each of you has brought a crafted artifact with Rune Letter enchantments as instructed prior, if not, you can leave because you already failed. Those who have may stay seated."

The students exchanged glances, some confident, others nervous, depending on the effort they had put into crafting their artifacts.

"Secondly," Professor Stone continued after a short pause, "we have the theory test. I'll be handing out exam papers shortly. You'll need to demonstrate your understanding of Rune Letter Magic principles on paper. Be thorough and precise."

As he spoke, the professor distributed exam papers to each student, including Suzuka and Silvia. Suzuka's eyes scanned the room, and she could see the mix of excitement and anxiety on her classmates' faces.

"Now, let us begin," Professor Stone declared, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

 "First, place your artifacts on the table. I will evaluate them to determine if they meet the criteria for a passing grade in the first part of the test."

The students rustled through their bags, producing an array of items adorned with intricate rune letters. Professor Stone, with a keen eye for magical craftsmanship, inspected each artifact one by one, nodding in approval. As he moved from desk to desk, he finally reached Suzuka.

He took a moment to examine the dragon scale she had presented. His eyes widened in surprise, and a spark of fascination glimmered in his usually stoic gaze. The rune letters carved on the scale were nothing short of magnificent. The precision, the arrangement, and the interplay of magical symbols displayed an exceptional level of skill.

Impressed, Professor Stone couldn't help but mutter, "Well, well. This is quite remarkable, Helen. The craftsmanship on this dragon scale is truly exceptional. The rune letters are intricately carved, and the magical resonance is almost perfect. You've certainly put a significant amount of effort into this. I must say, it surpasses the expectations for this level of the test. Excellent work."

"Thanks, Professor Stone. I did put quite an effort into it."

The rest of the students glanced her way, some impressed, others a bit envious, as the professor moved on to the next artifact.

After completing the practical portion of the exam, Professor Stone signaled the beginning of the paper test. Suzuka wasted no time and swiftly worked through the questions. The test proved to be a breeze for her. In a matter of minutes, she confidently submitted her test paper.

Professor Stone carefully reviewed Suzuka's answers. His gaze moved over the paper, nodding in approval at the correctness and efficiency of her responses. With a satisfied smile, he congratulated Suzuka on passing both the practical and written components of the exam.

"Well done, Helen," Professor Stone complimented.

 "Your understanding of the material and your practical skills are commendable. You've not only passed but excelled in both aspects of the examination. Keep up the excellent work."

Grateful for the recognition, Suzuka offered a polite nod and a humble smile in response to Professor Stone's compliment.

 "Thank you, Professor Stone. I appreciate the feedback. I'm eager to continue learning and applying magic in practical situations."

Professor Stone, pleased with her enthusiasm, nodded in approval.

"Keep that enthusiasm, Helen. I believe you have great potential, and I'm certain you'll achieve remarkable feats in your magical endeavors. Continue to explore and push your limits. Rune Magic is a vast realm with endless possibilities."

With those encouraging words, Suzuka left the examination room, carrying with her a sense of accomplishment and eagerness to start her next exam.

Having completed the Rune Magic letter exam, Suzuka made her way to the potion-making exam. Arriving a bit early, she found the room locked, and she had no choice but to wait in the hallway. As she stood there, pondering the upcoming challenge, a few minutes later, Silvia appeared. Silvia, the second to finish the rune letter exam, also proceeded to the potion-making exam, joining Suzuka.

She approached and offered Suzuka a small, hesitant smile. 

"Um, hey, Helen. Looks like we finished the rune magic exam around the same time."

Suzuka, radiating confidence, met Silvia's shy gaze with a reassuring grin. 

"Yeah, I breezed through it. Now, onto the potion-making challenge. How do you feel about it?"

Silvia fidgeted with the hem of her robe, her eyes avoiding direct contact. 

"Well, potions are like a recipe, right? You just follow the steps, mix the ingredients, and hope it works. I-I mean, that's what I think."

 "In theory, maybe. But you never know what these exams might throw at you. It's better to be prepared for anything."