Akreli's October arrival signaled the harvest season across most of Wilderland. Golden fields stretched as far as the eye could see, farmers busily reaped their crops, and the entire Empire brimmed with the joy of harvest. This season was not only for gathering crops, but also for testing the Imperial Magic Academy students' learning results. Every October, the academy assessed its students to gauge their learning and growth over the past year. The assessment ran throughout the entire month of October and was the most nerve-racking and crucial time for the students.
For Ang, this assessment carried tremendous significance. As a student in the elementary class, he had to pass it in order to advance smoothly into the intermediate class. The Imperial Magic Academy divided mage apprentices into three stages—elementary, intermediate, and advanced—each corresponding to the students' learning progress and growth in strength. Under normal circumstances, young students could pass their assessments step by step and gradually advance into higher-level classes. However, Ang's situation was somewhat unusual. Because of his age, he should have entered the intermediate class directly, but his foundational theory of magic was extremely weak, so he could only begin in the elementary class. Although this arrangement disrupted his original plans, it also made Ang realize the gap between himself and the other students, strengthening his resolve to give it everything he had.
Ang's mentor had also noticed his predicament and specially held a private talk with him. During the conversation, the mentor clearly stated that if Ang failed this assessment, he would be forcibly expelled. Those words struck Ang's heart like a heavy hammer. They made him feel immense pressure, while also making him realize even more deeply how important this assessment was. Competition at the Imperial Magic Academy was fierce, and the student elimination rate