"About the Seven Rings Contest…" Merlin scratched the back of his head. "It looks like I won't be able to participate, Master."

Linda was surprised. "Why? Are you unsure of your strength?"

"It's not like that." Merlin shook his head. "With my strength, facing seniors at the Third Spirit Core level—or even the Second—isn't a problem. It's just that I'm pretty busy. If I join the contest, it'll interfere with my affairs."

It wasn't easy to enter the Seven Rings Contest. At the very least, participants had to be at the Fourth Spirit Core, Sixth Awakening, or Six-Star Mage level.

However, that was only one requirement. The most important thing was having the ability to build strength—and having people willing to follow and assist.

After all, the Seven Rings Contest, or Test, involved many participants. If Merlin wasn't mistaken, at least ten people were needed in a single group.

With his prestige, Merlin could easily form a faction within the academy. But after careful consideration, he felt it would be too much of a hassle—especially since the responsibilities of a Seven Rings holder were immense.

He hadn't forgotten his purpose in this world: to conquer the heroines and kill the Evil God, Vorgath.

If he won and obtained one of the Seven Rings, his focus would be divided, and he didn't want that.

"Hmmm…" Linda fell silent, continuing to eat. She didn't scold or lecture Merlin.

Everyone, including Merlin himself, had the right to choose their own path, and Linda respected his decision.

Still, it would be a lie to say she didn't want to see her student shine above the others.

"Hah…" A sigh escaped Linda's lips as she reached out and patted his head. "I won't comment on your choice. But if you ever change your mind, tell me. I'll help you."

Merlin felt touched and gave a small nod.

"Thank you, Master."

...

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the day of the exam arrived.

In truth, the exam wasn't as nerve-wracking as Merlin had expected. Most students looked calm, though a few still seemed anxious. Monica was one of them.

She took a few deep breaths before slowly exhaling.

Sitting behind her, Merlin offered a reassuring smile. "Don't panic too much, Monica. Didn't you study beforehand? I'm sure you'll get through this."

His words immediately eased Monica's unease.

She turned toward him and smiled softly.

"Thank you, Merlin." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"[Ding! Affection for Villainess Monica Sael'myr increased by 3 points! Current affection: 96 points!]"

"[Ding! Progress in conquering Monica Sael'myr's original body increased by 5 percent! Current progress: 85%!]"

Merlin was stunned. He had only offered a few comforting words.

Who would have thought it would raise Monica's affection for him?

But what surprised him even more was the increase in the conquest progress of Margaret's main body.

It hadn't improved in a long time, yet it suddenly jumped by five percent just because of a few encouraging words.

This was practically a blessing to start the morning!

"Good morning, everyone!"

Celestia's voice came from the doorway.

"Good morning, Professor," the students replied in unison.

Seeing their enthusiastic faces, Celestia nodded in satisfaction. She walked to the podium and swept her gaze across the room before announcing, "The knowledge exam will begin shortly. I hope all of you can pass. For those who fail, there will be a makeup exam one week after the results are announced. Remember, your seven-day break will be used for that retake. Therefore, you must take this exam seriously."

Several students immediately turned pale. The one-week break was usually reserved for resting, playing, or relaxing.

If that time was spent on a retake instead, wouldn't it be a complete waste?

Merlin, Catrine, Liora, Margaret, Luna, and Nysera remained calm, as if they were already certain they would pass with flying colors.

Monica tried to stay composed, occasionally recalling Merlin's earlier words.

"By the way, to ensure the exam proceeds smoothly, the academy has implemented strict regulations," Celestia said seriously. "First, you are forbidden from cheating, even with your powers. If you are caught, the punishment will be severe. You may even…"

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Be transferred to another class."

Hearing that, the expressions of the students immediately stiffened, as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard.

There were two things students who had entered Class A feared most: being expelled from the academy and being demoted to a lower class.

Although being demoted wasn't as bad as being expelled, no one wanted it to happen.

What's more, once a student was demoted, returning to Class A was nearly impossible unless they possessed something extraordinary and managed to impress the professors.

Was it possible?

Logically, yes. But in reality, it was almost unheard of.

The academy was a place where geniuses gathered. To impress the professors, one would have to surpass those geniuses or set a record, just as Merlin had done.

That was precisely why it was so difficult to achieve.

"Second," Celestia continued indifferently, "your seats will be separated. We only have thirty students, while this classroom can hold sixty. Therefore, each student will sit with one empty seat between them. The seating will be arranged according to your first names."

The students immediately stood up. With Celestia's guidance, the seating arrangement quickly changed.

Among the six girls, Catrine sat in the second row from the front, followed by Liora, Luna, Margaret, Monica, and Nysera.

Merlin sat right behind Margaret. The girl waved at him and whispered teasingly, "My dear, we're in the same row."

Merlin turned toward her and gave a small smile.

Once the seating arrangement was complete, Celestia continued, "The third and final announcement is a reward for those who manage to reach the top ten."

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone's spirits were reignited.

"For ranks ten through eight, you will receive 10,000 contribution points. Ranks seven through five will receive 20,000 contribution points and a week's worth of free meal tickets at the cafeteria. Meanwhile, ranks four through two will receive 40,000 contribution points and a month's worth of free meal tickets at the cafeteria. As for first place…"

She paused for a moment, observing the various expressions on the students' faces, then said casually, "You will receive 80,000 contribution points and free meal tickets for one year."

"Wow!" Everyone immediately cheered in amazement.

A year's worth of meal tickets was every student's dream at the academy. After all, a single meal could cost around forty to sixty contribution points.

If someone ate three times a day, the cost could reach one hundred and eighty points daily.

That meant roughly 5,400 contribution points would be spent on meals in just one month.

It might not sound like much, but to students, contribution points were extremely valuable. They could be used for many other things, such as purchasing artifacts or rare potions that could enhance their combat abilities.

Therefore, the reward offered by the academy was clearly very tempting.

"Merlin, how about we make a bet?"

Margaret's sudden words caught Merlin off guard.

"A bet? What do you want to bet?"

"It's simple. Whoever gets the higher score gets to give an order to the loser. What do you think?" Her eyes sparkled with both confidence and anticipation.

The corners of Merlin's mouth curled upward. "Are you sure? Any order? No matter what it is?"

"Yes, anything!" Margaret replied firmly.

Merlin's gaze suddenly swept over Margaret's beautiful, well-developed curves.

Sensing his gaze, Margaret's face instantly turned red.

"Y-You… what are you looking at?" she asked shyly, quickly covering her chest.

Merlin pulled his eyes away and said calmly, "Nothing. I was just thinking about what kind of request I should make."

"Hmph! Don't get too cocky," Margaret snorted. "Do you even know that I used to be the smartest in my class? Honestly, your chances of winning are pretty slim."

She wasn't exaggerating. Although she often relied on her family's influence, Margaret was, in fact, extremely intelligent.

She had received a rigorous education since childhood and had never once slacked off.

That was why she was so confident in her victory.

"We'll see." Merlin was too lazy to argue with her.

Not to brag, but Merlin always got perfect scores in both theory and practice.

He simply kept it to himself. To avoid making the girls feel inferior, he deliberately lowered his grades.

But now, Margaret had suddenly challenged him to a bet, which was basically like walking into a lion's den.

"Alright, that's enough. The exam is about to begin. I'll hand out the papers."

Celestia picked up a stack of exam sheets, held them up, and began distributing them to each student.

"The exam will be held twice a day and will last for four days. You may begin now!"

At her command, the students quickly picked up their quills and began writing their answers.

Everyone looked serious, except for Merlin.

He glanced at the questions on the paper and smiled.

"Basic magic? Isn't this too easy?"

A sigh escaped his lips. He picked up his quill and began writing.

Half an hour later, he finished and stretched his stiff body.

"All right, time for bed."

He pushed his exam paper aside and lazily rested his head on the desk.

Margaret, who was deeply focused on her exam, unconsciously glanced toward Merlin.

The moment she saw him, her expression froze.

"S-Sleep!?"