Chapter 57: Distinguishing Elements
"This is the last group, right? It's late, but there's a sense of achievement in trying to find the answer until the end. Perfect score. Good job, Myo."
Professor Karen's voice rang out, signaling the conclusion of the first test. Miraculously, it was ended with a group that had scored a perfect score at the last moment. I chuckled at that group.
No matter how I looked at it, that group seemed to be the one that belonged to the author of the first test cheat sheet I had read. Since they were one of the only two groups that got a perfect score with my method, I was sure they were right.
'Even an extra experiences what's bound to happen.' But as extras, that was as far as they went.
Luck only comes once. Twice in a row is too much to ask for. So, the next test had to refer to a different cheat sheet.
The current atmosphere, though, was almost like that of a funeral.
Especially the groups that scored zero—they were all looking dazed as if they had received a huge shock.
Still, there were groups that managed to pull themselves together despite their shattered mental state.
"It's okay, it's okay. We're not the only ones who scored zero."
"Yeah, we can make up for it in the next test."
"Let's fight again."
A positive attitude is good. But I wanted to say one thing to them: Sorry, but it's a one-coin game.
Clap, clap. Professor Karen applauded.
"Now, all the students who scored zero, please go sit at the back. We need to proceed with the next test."
The students' reaction to her words was as if they were thinking, *What strange thing is this professor saying now?*
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Students immediately bombarded her with questions. Professor Karen repeated nonchalantly, "Students who scored zero, please quickly go sit at the back so as not to interfere with the next test."
"No, aren't we supposed to take the test together?"
"No, that's not it. Students who scored zero are not qualified for the next test."
"What, what did you say?"
Boom.
It wasn't a joke—those who scored zero must have really felt like the sky was falling in their minds.
As if it wasn't sad enough to score zero, now they're also not qualified for the next test? It's like being hit again where it already hurts.
Of course, they had no choice but to protest vehemently.
"How can you say such a thing, Professor?"
"That's right! It doesn't make sense to proceed like that!"
"Disqualification? That's unheard of!"
The test had so many zeros that the momentum of their numbers was frightening. The problem was that Professor Karen was not someone who would blink an eye at such protests.
"What doesn't make sense? According to the school rules, it's entirely up to the professor how to conduct the evaluation."
"No matter how much discretion you have, that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, Professor. It should be within the bounds of social norms…."
Oh, someone's learned. But the opponent is Professor Karen. Once she's made up her mind, neither logic nor emotional appeals will work on her.
"It's okay. It won't exceed that level. So, everyone, please quietly go and sit at the back."
"I can't accept this!"
"If you can't accept it, then go through the formal complaint procedure with the academy later. If there's any responsibility to be taken, I'll take it all."
She even went so far as to say that if they wanted to complain formally, they should do so.
When the professor says this much, the students have no choice but to give in. The funny thing is, there was actually someone who later made a formal complaint to the academy.
The result was 'no problem,' but—
"Professor!"
"NOW ALL THE STUDENTS WHO SCORED ZERO SIT AT THE BACK AND BE SILENT."
There it was. The infuriated Professor Karen.
Her mouth was smiling, but her red eyes flashed with a chilling light. It's definitely not a mistake to feel a chill down your spine. She was blatantly exuding her presence.
But in fact, the presence wasn't the important thing. Is it not scary when someone who's always been gentle suddenly becomes serious? There's nothing scarier than that.
Only then did the students who scored zero quiet down. They sensed the ominous atmosphere.
Eventually, they went and sat at the back with gloomy faces. Almost half had disappeared, making the examination hall feel as empty as if it were the first time.
The expressions of those who remained weren't good either.
They must have been alerted that they could end up like that at any time. Internally, they might have breathed a sigh of relief, but their faces were filled with more tension.
"Then let's start the second test right away." And so, the second challenge began.
"As you all know, I majored in elemental magic. And I'm teaching you elemental magic."
The students still didn't grasp what she was saying. Professor Karen continued.
"What is the essence of this interesting elemental magic? The answer is simple. It's the sense of feeling the element itself. Arrangement? Structure? Formula?
Those are just secondary parts."
It was a universally known statement.
Just as one must learn to crawl before learning to run, one must be able to feel the elements to begin elemental magic.
So, it's definitely an essential foundation, but the students couldn't help but question why she was bringing it up all of a sudden.
Why?
Because everyone here could use elemental magic, and of course, they all had the sense to feel the elements.
"So, this time, I want to test if you can distinguish the elements by sensation. The seven elements."
A test to distinguish elements.
The students reacted as if they were thinking, *You're testing that?*
It made sense.
Fire is hot, water is wet, earth is solid, electricity is thrilling, wind is fluttering, light is bright, and darkness is dark.
That's such basic and obvious common knowledge. With that knowledge alone, distinguishing elements is a very simple task.
It's not something worth testing.
But of course, Professor Karen wouldn't bring up such a basic topic.
Knowing this, the students were busy speculating about the real intent of the professor's test.