Exam Week

"Starting now," Dmitri announced from the front of the lecture hall, "you will be having a three-day written examination—"

Snore

"The remaining four days will focus on your performance exams—"

Snore

"As usual, the academy will be open for civilians to observe the carving performances—"

Snore

"However, your combat examinations will not be spectated by civilians due to safety concerns—"

Snore

Dmitri’s eye twitched violently.

The entire class was trying not to laugh already.

"Who," Dmitri finally said in a terrifyingly calm voice, "has the nerve to sleep during exam week?"

Without hesitation, every single student pointed at me.

I was completely passed out on my desk.

One arm dangling lifelessly, hair messy, still hugging my milk bottle protectively in my sleep.

I suddenly sat upright dramatically without opening my eyes.

"Add more shadows on the left side," I mumbled sleepily. "The energy flow looks ugly..."

Then immediately slammed face-first back onto the desk.

Silence.

"...Was she sleep-carving?" one student whispered.

"I think she’s hallucinating sculpture critiques now," another muttered.

Dmitri slowly walked toward my desk.

The entire class collectively held their breath.

Then—

BANG!

He slammed a book directly onto my table.

I jolted awake instantly.

"THE MARBLE IS FALLING—!"

My eyes darted around wildly before landing on Dmitri’s face.

"...Oh."

"You’re sleeping during exam announcements."

"In my defense," I said hoarsely, "exam week is emotionally exhausting."

"EXAMS HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED YET!"

"That’s what makes it stressful."

The class burst into laughter while Dmitri released a long, suffering sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I’ll allow you to sleep this one time," he said tiredly, "considering you’re also technically an instructor now. But make sure you actually take your exams."

"Yes sir, thank you sir," I replied obediently as I pointed weakly toward my side without lifting my face properly.

"Gawain will make sure I stay awake during the exams..."

The moment I finished speaking—

THUD.

My head dropped right back onto the desk.

Dmitri’s eye twitched again.

"If you snore one more time," he warned darkly, "I will make you stand facing the wall for the entire exam."

I gave him a weak thumbs up without lifting my head.

Satisfied enough, Dmitri finally returned to the front of the classroom.

"Exams will start at exactly—"

He glanced at the clock.

"—now."

My head snapped upright again so fast my neck almost cracked.

I glared at him in disbelief.

’Why would he let me fall asleep again if the exam was starting already?!’

Dmitri noticed my expression immediately then smiled.

It was the smile of a man finally getting revenge.

"Do you have something to say, Miss Frostine?"

I immediately forced the brightest smile I could manage despite feeling spiritually betrayed.

"None sir!" I answered cheerfully. "In fact, I’m extremely excited to take the exam right now!"

Dmitri nodded slowly like he knew I was lying through my teeth.

"Good."

I suddenly didn’t like his tone.

"Then come in front and help spread the test papers."

My fake smile twitched violently. "...Yes sir," I answered through gritted teeth.

As I stood up dramatically and dragged myself toward the front, one thought echoed repeatedly inside my head.

’This is revenge.’

It had to be.

There was no way this wasn’t revenge for all the headaches I gave him throughout the semester.

I reached the stack of test papers and stared at it in horror.

"...Why is this so thick?"

"Because," Dmitri answered pleasantly, "it’s an examination."

"You made a whole book."

"Spread the papers, Miss Frostine."

I inhaled deeply then started distributing the papers with the energy of a tired office worker who had already given up on life.

Some students looked terrified receiving the exam papers because very time I placed a paper down, I silently whispered condolences. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Good luck."

"You’ll be remembered."

"Don’t cry too much."

By the time I finally returned to my seat, the entire class had their papers.

Dmitri crossed his arms. "You may begin."

The room instantly fell silent except for scribbling pens.

I stared at the first question confidently then blinked multiple times.

"...Why are there so many words?" I whispered in betrayal.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

I somehow managed to survive the three days of written examinations.

Barely.

At one point during the second day, I genuinely considered faking my death just to avoid answering another essay question.

Unfortunately, Dmitri kept staring at me like he already expected that possibility.

Now came the next nightmare.

Performance exams.

The first two days would be dedicated entirely to carving while the remaining two days focused on combat exams.

The academy stadium was already overflowing with civilians eager to watch students perform. Families, merchants, nobles, sponsors—even random old people who probably just wanted entertainment for the day.

At the very center of the massive stadium stood countless rows of carving tables.

And on each table—

A pristine 12"x12"x12" block of Luminite Marble rested beneath the bright stadium lights.

Students from the carving department were required to stay inside their assigned studio waiting rooms before the official examination began.

Which meant everyone inside was stressed.

Except Silvano.

That traitor looked peaceful while reading a book.

Meanwhile I was slumped dramatically on a chair while Gawain stood behind me massaging my shoulders to relieve the emotional damage caused by the written exams.

"Why would they even write questions they never taught us?" I muttered bitterly.

Gawain hummed absentmindedly.

"Why are the sentences so long? Are they trying to make students sleep halfway through reading?"

"Perhaps."

"And Question Twenty-Three from Modern Society," I continued with growing anger, "the correct answer wasn’t even in the choices."

Gawain snorted softly behind me. "Just admit you didn’t study, My Lady. The answer was there."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at him. "...You’re lying."

"No."

"Then what was the answer?"

"A."

I twisted around immediately to glare at him harder.

"You’re definitely lying."

"My Lady," he sighed patiently, "you didn’t even choose any of the choices and wrote your answer."

"Because my answer sounded emotionally correct."

"That doesn’t make it academically correct."

Before I could argue further—

PRESS.

"AAAH—!"

I nearly launched out of the chair when Gawain suddenly dug his fingers deeper into my shoulder.

"OW! GAWAIN!"

Several students inside the waiting room looked over in alarm.

Meanwhile Gawain remained completely calm.

"Relax, My Lady," he said while continuing the massage. "There’s too much tension in this area."

"TENSION?!" I shrieked while trying to crawl away from him. "YOU’RE CRUSHING MY BONES!"

"You’re exaggerating."

"I CAN SEE MY ANCESTORS!"

He pressed harder again.

My entire body convulsed from the pain.

I nearly cussed him out right there in front of everyone.

Silvano lowered his book slowly and stared at the scene blankly. "...Why does this look like torture instead of a massage?"

"Because it is torture!" I hissed while trying to pry Gawain’s hands off me.

Gawain only smiled pleasantly. "My Lady has been overthinking since the written exams ended."

"QUESTION TWENTY-THREE TRAUMATIZED ME!"

"The answer was still A."

"STOP DEFENDING THE EXAM!"

I finally escaped Gawain’s grip and immediately moved my chair away from him protectively while rubbing my abused shoulders.

Just then, a loud announcement echoed throughout the waiting rooms.

[All Master Class Carving students, please prepare yourselves. The performance examination will begin shortly.]