Echoes of the Lost Elf-Chapter 47 - 46 : Exams (2)

The library had become their usual gathering spot, the once chaotic study sessions slowly forming into something almost... productive. Almost.

Over the past few days, Historias had somewhat improved in history—not enough to ace the exam, but at least enough to recognize major events without resorting to vague, poetic nonsense.

In return, the others had somehow found themselves receiving tutoring from him.

"Ugh, I hate this," Leon groaned, rubbing his temples as he stared at a half-drawn magic circle. "How is this supposed to work again? Why does this rune need to go here instead of just anywhere?"

Historias glanced at the parchment and gave a small sigh, twirling his quill between his fingers. "If you misplace that rune, the entire structure collapses," he explained. "Magic circles require flow—think of them as rivers. If you block the current in the wrong place, you get a flood. Or in this case, an explosion."

Leon paled. "...Explosion?"

"Yes." Historias tapped the paper. "Which is why you should not improvise."

Adriana, sitting across from them, smirked. "So that's why your last experiment ended in smoke."

Leon muttered something under his breath but fixed the rune placement without complaint.

Adriana, on the other hand, was struggling with potion crafting. She scowled at her notes, frustrated. "This is ridiculous. Why does the sequence of ingredients even matter? If they're all going in the same potion, why can't I just throw everything in at once?"

Historias gave her a patient look. "Because alchemy is not cooking, Adriana. You don't just toss everything into a pot and hope for the best."

"That's exactly how I cook," she shot back.

"Yes," he said dryly. "And that explains much."

Adriana gasped in mock offense. "Are you insulting my cooking?"

"Merely making an observation."

Kael, who had been quiet up until now, was struggling with combat tactics theory. He leaned forward, frowning at a scenario problem. "Alright, strategist, explain this one to me. 'A force of fifty mages is defending a narrow mountain pass from a siege of two hundred knights. What's the best approach?'"

Historias glanced at the problem, took a sip of his tea, and replied casually, "Collapse the mountain pass."

Kael stared at him. "...That's not in the answer choices."

"Then the answer choices are wrong."

Zephyr grinned. "I like his style."

Adriana shook her head. "You're supposed to follow the given conditions, not just break the terrain."

Historias gave an elegant shrug. "A strategist's greatest weapon is creativity. If I were in their place, I would not waste time engaging in a battle I could win another way."

Kael sighed. "Alright, fine, but if I have to follow the given choices, what would I do?"

Historias leaned forward and pointed at the diagram. "Reposition the mages here to create a bottleneck, then use sustained elemental attacks to thin their numbers before they reach the frontline. It minimizes casualties while maximizing efficiency."

Kael nodded slowly. "...That actually makes sense."

Historias smiled faintly. "As I said."

By the end of the study session, Historias had somehow ended up tutoring everyone except himself in history.

Leon stretched with a groan. "Alright, I'll admit it—you're actually really good at this."

Zephyr smirked. "Yeah, if you ever get tired of whatever fancy future you're aiming for, you should totally become a professor."

Historias gave them a bland look. "Thanks but no thanks."

Adriana smirked. "Well, since you've helped us, I guess we have to help you now." She slid another history practice paper toward him.

Historias sighed dramatically. "So this is my reward? How cruel."

Kael chuckled. "You reap what you sow."

As Historias reluctantly picked up the paper, the others leaned in, ready to make sure he finally learned history properly.

After all, if they had to suffer through studying, so did he.

...........

The Exam Week Begins

The dreaded exam week had finally arrived, and Castellas Academy was abuzz with tension. Every morning, students trudged into the grand examination hall, some with confidence, others with the hollow look of the doomed.

Each day brought a different subject, each one a new trial to overcome.

Day 1: Magic Theory & Arcane Studies

The first exam was Magic Theory, a subject that separated the truly gifted from those who simply flung spells without understanding them.

Historias sat at his desk, his quill moving effortlessly. Concepts of mana flow, spell structures, and theoretical enchantments—this was as simple as breathing to him. While some students hesitated, he answered each question with calm precision.

Adriana, sitting nearby, stole a glance at him and muttered under her breath, "Show-off."

Leon, meanwhile, was sweating as he tried to recall whether the Mana Compression Principle applied to defensive enchantments or offensive ones.

At the end of the session, as the students handed in their papers, Zephyr groaned. "Why were there so many essay questions?!"

Historias smirked. "You do realize it was called Magic Theory, yes?"

Zephyr sighed. "Yeah, yeah. At least it's over."

Day 2: Elemental Mastery

This exam was both written and practical. The written portion was filled with technical questions about elemental affinities, casting methods, and energy conversions.

Historias breezed through it, of course. The practical portion, however, was where the real fun began.

Students were tasked with demonstrating proficiency in their elemental magic under the watchful eyes of the examiners.

Leon, ever the fire enthusiast, created an impressive flaming arc that sliced through the air.

Kael demonstrated precise water manipulation, shaping intricate patterns mid-air before freezing them solid.

Adriana infused her sword with a crackling surge of lightning, executing a flawless technique that left even the examiners nodding in approval.

And Historias?

He lazily raised a hand, conjuring a miniature storm—a controlled swirl of fire, wind, and water, all balanced perfectly. The room went silent.

Professor Elias Duskbane arched a brow. "That was... unnecessary."

Historias merely smiled. "But effective."

Adriana rolled her eyes. "Show-off."

Day 3: Combat Tactics & Strategy

This was a written exam analyzing battlefield scenarios, tactics, and formations.

Historias wrote detailed analyses, strategies that could dismantle armies, and countermeasures for every listed scenario. By the time he finished, he had essentially written a war manual.

Leon, however, stared at one of the questions in horror.

"You are commanding a squadron of twenty mages against an approaching force of sixty knights. Design a strategy to ensure victory with minimal casualties."

He scribbled in frustration:

"Run away. Knights are terrifying."

When Historias saw Leon's answer later, he nearly choked on his tea.

Day 4: Alchemy & Potion Crafting

Alchemy was... an issue.

Students had to balance complex chemical reactions, identify potion ingredients, and write precise formulas.

Historias did well enough in theory, but his practical potion-making was... questionable.

His first attempt at brewing a basic Mana Recovery Elixir resulted in a potion that shimmered ominously. The professor frowned. "This... this is too effective. Drinking this would likely make someone explode from excess mana."

Zephyr laughed. "Well, at least they wouldn't be out of mana."

Adriana, meanwhile, had somehow managed to turn her potion into a solid lump.

They both stared at their failures.

Zephyr patted Historias on the back. "Well, at least we know you shouldn't work in a potion shop."

Historias sighed. "I shall take that as a compliment."

Day 5: Runic Studies

This was another easy one for Historias. Runes, enchantments, sigils—he had mastered them centuries ago.

Other students, however, struggled.

Kael grumbled. "Why are there so many different rune combinations?"

Leon added, "And why do they all look the same?!"

Historias, meanwhile, effortlessly deciphered even the most complex rune structures. When Zephyr peeked at his paper, he whispered, "Are you even human?"

Historias smirked. "Debatable."

Day 6: History of Eldara & Magical Civilizations

And then came the final exam.

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History.

Historias stared at the first question.

"What event led to the dissolution of the Dawn Concord between the human and elven nations 472 years ago?"

He sighed. Not this again.

His answer?

"Presumably, an unfortunate disagreement."

By the time he reached the last question, he had entirely given up on accuracy.

"Describe the impact of the Silver Accord on modern magical law."

"The impact was likely silver in nature."

Adriana glanced at him from across the room and smirked. He's struggling, isn't he?

Leon, meanwhile, finished his exam and stretched, whispering to Kael, "Watch. This is going to be his worst subject again."

Historias merely turned in his paper, as composed as ever. If he were to fail history, he would at least do so gracefully.

The Aftermath

As the last exam ended, students poured out of the exam hall, relieved and exhausted.

Leon stretched. "Finally! No more studying!"

Kael nodded. "I just hope I didn't fail anything."

Zephyr smirked at Historias. "So, how was history?"

Historias exhaled slowly. "Educational."

Adriana grinned. "You mean humbling?"

He gave her a dry look. "I prefer my wording."

Zephyr laughed. "Well, at least it's over."

Historias nodded. "Yes... until the results come in."

A moment of silence. Then:

Leon groaned. "Don't remind me!"

...........