( Luke's POV )
As Luke looked around the examination hall, he found all sorts of students doing all sorts of funny pre-exam rituals.
Today was the written final test for the course Battlefield Strategies, a topic that Luke had spent a long time understanding alongside the academy librarian, who continued to tutor him throughout the semester in private.
He himself was not worried about the test at all, as he had thoroughly enjoyed the subject. Attended all lectures, performed well on the quarterly assessments, as even if he failed the finals he was still assured to pass the subject with the rest of his grades.
However, there were many in the class who were scratching their heads and losing their brains as they seemed very nervous to attempt this paper.
Some could be seen biting their pencils.
Some were scribbling the knowledge they had barely crammed on the answer sheet even before the test paper was distributed, while there were some who discussed theories with their peers, trying to pass time by making conversation.
" Hey, Lion, leave the second spot for me will you?" A voice said as Luke looked behind to see a smiling Jerome who was almost as relaxed as he was.
Being a noble, battlefield strategy was one of those subjects that Jerome was taught extensively as a kid and it was a subject that held a lot of personal interest for him as well.
His grades were always very close to Luke's in all exams, as the two buddies absolutely aced the studies. Towering above their peers in the educational aspect of their learning.
" I don't know Jerome, I saw you sneakily studying late last night. I think you plan to take the top spot…." Luke said playfully, as Jerome burst out chuckling.
The two of them had made a pact not to study after 10pm when the lights were called off in their dorm, however, as Luke logged back into the game, he found Jerome sleeping over an open book, which made him believe that he was studying late last night.
Over the semester, while Luke improved a lot as a fighter and made the most of his opportunity to grow as an individual within the academy, he never forgot the mission Cervantez gave him to become close acquaintances with Jerome, as after spending 9 months together, the duo was almost inseparable as Jerome considered Luke to be his long lost brother.
Despite Luke being the more talented of the duo, he never let Jerome feel inferior as in private he always ensured to talk about the two of them as equals as he focused on dragging Jerome up with him, rather than pushing him down.
Jerome, who also understood how humble and talented Luke was, understood the value in befriending him as the two developed a deep bond of mutual trust and friendship that was easily going to withstand the test of time that was sure to come ahead.
" Alright students, time for the test-" Professor Wood said, as he walked into the examination hall with a set of papers, which he distributed to all the students.
"All the best…." He said, as the clock struck 8, signaling the start of the 3 hour long written test.
[
Explain in 500 words, the best strategy to hold a narrow valley without having archer support
Explain how to strategize a two versus twenty fight when you are outnumbered against spearmen.
What mistake did Forlan make in the battle of Kevinocish
….. ]
Luke read the question paper and immediately a big smile spread over his face.
' I know all the answers…..' he thought as he knew all the answers from 1 through 12 as the only challenge for him now was to articulate them and finish on time, as overall him acing this exam was a given at this point.
**************
( After the exams )
[ System Notification - Congratulations Player 'SkyLion', you have successfully passed the subject Knight's Battlefield Strategies with flying colors.
You have been awarded with +8 levels! ]
The moment Luke walked out of the examination hall, he was instantly rewarded with 8 levels, the maximum possible for clearing a subject as a big smile spread across his face.
Over the year, he had improved in every department. However, if there was only one area where he was lacking it had to be his level as Luke was only level 65. Falling a full 50 ranks behind the top rankers.
" This will change soon …." Luke murmured to himself as he expected to gain another 30-40 levels in the next week as he cleared one subject after another, as he hoped to join the top50 level rankings as a player by the time everything was said and done.
" Yoooo, top ranker, how did your exam go?" Jerome asked, as Luke smiled and said "Good"
While the other students walked out of the examination hall having shed a few hundred strands of hair, Luke and Jerome walked out of the hall laughing and smiling as they both knew that they had aced this exam.
" Onwards to Hand to Hand Combat I guess, that should be a fun test" Jerome said, as he teased Luke knowing full well that Miss Elara had threatened to beat Luke black and blue if he did not secure the first rank in her class.
" I hope to do my best" Luke said honestly as Jerome waved him off for being too modest.
The final exam for hand to hand combat was going to be conducted as a mini-class tournament, but everyone already knew who was eventually going to win.
" I just hope I'm not matched with you on the very first round….. that would absolutely suck-" Jerome said as he inadvertently shivered at the thought, knowing full well that Luke would pound him in a face to face matchup.
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/// A/N - This is a bonus chapter for hitting the GT Target, good job everyone!
There may be a third chapter tonight if we hit the PS target at reset, or tomorrow for sure- ///