I Don't Need To Log Out

Arlon was exempt from Orlen's first individual assignment and Elwyn's group assignment, but he still had two remaining tasks—the counterplay evaluation and Borik's defense exam.

Unlike most students, who would have to wait for their turn in a crowded examination area, he only had Mei and Alia with him. There was no rush.

After a short walk, he approached one of the examiners—a magician, standing at the entrance to a sparring hall.

The examiner, a man in his late forties with deep violet robes and a sharp gaze, glanced up as Arlon approached. He checked the list of assignments before nodding.

"Counterplay, is it?"

Arlon gave a simple nod.

The magician exhaled and gestured toward the center of the hall. "Then let's see it. No magic, just your body and blade. We begin when you're ready."

His exam had the condition of not using magic. Arlon stepped forward, taking his stance.

The examiner, despite being a magician, wasn't unarmed—a thin staff rested in his hand, crackling faintly with residual mana. His strikes wouldn't be heavy, but they would be fast.

Then, without warning, he attacked.

A thin, precise blade of mana shot toward Arlon. It wasn't a spell, but a condensed force projection, shaped like a dagger. It moved with speed, almost invisible to the untrained eye.

But Arlon saw it.

Instead of dodging outright, he shifted just enough, allowing the attack to slide past his shoulder. His sword flicked out, catching the lingering force of the magic and redirecting it away.

The next strike came faster. The magician wasn't holding back—his curiosity about Arlon was obvious.

Arlon countered again, this time stepping forward as he guided the attack harmlessly downward.

There was no wasted movement.

Each time the magician struck, Arlon adjusted by a fraction of a second, ensuring that every motion worked in his favor.

Then, he turned it against his opponent.

Instead of merely redirecting, he began manipulating the attacks, guiding the magician's force into overextension.

The examiner's eyes flickered with interest.

Arlon closed the distance. In a real fight, this would have been the moment he landed a decisive strike.

But before he could push further, the examiner lifted a hand. "That's enough."

A pause.

The magician studied him for a moment before nodding. "Passed. You understand how to control the battlefield. That's more than I can say for most warriors your age."

Arlon lowered his sword, stepping back.

One exam down. One to go.

---

His next task was even easier.

Borik was already waiting, arms crossed, watching as Arlon approached.

"You already know what to do," the dwarf grunted. "Let's see if you can actually do it when it matters."

This was conducted as a team lesson, but the exam was individual for some reason.

Arlon stepped into the designated area, where automated turrets and training dummies had been enchanted to attack relentlessly for twenty minutes.

He had already done this during training—but back then, he had intentionally made it harder for himself.

Now?

He executed the test with ease.

The magic-powered projectiles came in bursts, aiming for his weak points, but he absorbed each attack strategically, guiding the force to the least vulnerable parts of his body.

He moved just enough to soften the impact, never retreating, never panicking.

By the time the timer ended, Borik gave a simple nod.

"You're done."

---

With that, Arlon became the first student to complete all of his individual missions.

As he stepped out of the exam area, Mei and Alia followed closely behind, having also finished their tasks.

No one else had caught up yet. Of course, unlike Arlon, who was completely done, the other two still had one final test left.

Mei had finished the team lesson first alongside Arlon earlier in the week, so she didn't need to take it again. But she still had Orlen's individual exam left.

Alia, however, had to take both.

And considering how long it would take for two other students to arrive for the team exam, she would probably be waiting a while before she could even start.

Not that she seemed too concerned.

"Well, guess we'll be here a while," Mei muttered, stretching.

Arlon had nothing else to do, so rather than wandering aimlessly, he followed along with Mei and Alia to kill time as they finished their last exams.

---

Once Mei and Alia were finally done with their individual exams, they headed toward the designated waiting area for the team exams.

Elwyn noted Alia's name, marking her position for when the team exams would begin. When two other students came, the exam would start for their group.

Since there was a timing in this exam, it didn't matter whether teams entered at the same time or not.

In fact, it was better if they staggered their entry—the exam took place in a forest area filled with magical markers that would replenish after being captured, ensuring every group had a fresh challenge.

With nothing left to do, Arlon recreated the same wooden desk he had made on their first day of class, and the three of them sat down to wait.

Mei sighed, glancing at Arlon. "So, you're done with this academy. I never asked, but are you also going to an academy where you're from?"

She sounded a bit gloomy—a rare thing for her.

Arlon could tell she wasn't thrilled about the fact that he was leaving soon.

"Something similar to an academy," Arlon answered. "But I'll graduate next week."@@novelbin@@

Mei's eyes widened. "What? That fast?"

He wasn't actually attending an academy—just a one-month training program. But there was no real reason to explain that.

"How lucky!" Mei groaned dramatically, slumping forward on the desk. "I still have three months left until I graduate."

She exhaled, then suddenly brightened. "But that's fine! I haven't forgotten your promise."

Alia interrupted.

"What promise?" she asked, tilting her head.

Mei smirked. "That's a secret."

Alia raised an eyebrow, then smirked back. "Huh? I see."

Mei immediately scowled. "No way! I don't believe you this time! You can't trick me with the same move twice. I know you didn't figure out anything—you're just pretending so I'll slip up and say it!"

Alia gave her an exaggerated mock gasp. "Mei! Have you truly grown so wise? This is a tragedy! How will I ever deceive you again?"

"You won't!" Mei declared, crossing her arms triumphantly.

Alia chuckled. "Fine, fine. But if you're feeling so confident, let's talk about something else—like the exam rankings."

Mei's confidence immediately returned.

She turned to Alia with a determined look. "Oh, you'll see! I'm getting first place. You'll be second!"

Alia just smiled. "Hmm… I'm sorry, honey, but I don't think either of us are getting first place."

She tilted her head toward Arlon, who had been listening silently the whole time.

Mei followed her gaze and pouted. "Tch. You're probably right."

Arlon wasn't sure what to say.

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I don't really care about first place as long as I can learn, he thought.

But he didn't say it out loud.

It would be a little cruel to the people actually trying to fight for the top spot.

So instead, he leaned back and watched as Mei and Alia continued bickering over who would take second place instead.