To keep his mind focused, Shade went to bed early on the Friday night before the exam and, following his habits from home, did not eat too much at Saturday breakfast.
Little Mia, who was eating with him, kept glancing at him during breakfast as though worried he might suddenly drop dead.
The original exam location had been set at the doctor's clinic, where the doctor would clear out a room and arrange five desks for them. But after considering that Shade's place had more space and was more convenient, the exam was ultimately set in Room Number Two on the Second Floor at 6 Saint Derain Square.
The doctor had sent over the desks and chairs in advance, arranging them in the empty second-floor living room. Shade, meanwhile, held Little Mia as he welcomed each of his friends.
People generally believed that cats could bring luck, and among the five members of the group, only Shade kept one. The doctor had written to Shade beforehand, telling him not to send Mia away temporarily just because of the exam. With such a well-behaved cat present, perhaps the five of them might perform beyond their usual level.
Of course, Shade believed that the idea that "orange cat Mia can bring luck" was merely a tiny hope born from the doctor's despair over Aether Mechanics. Cats were associated with "luck" in mysticism, but that did not mean people were bound to be lucky wherever cats appeared.
Doctor Schneider's group was scheduled to take their exams at nine on Saturday morning, but all five had gathered at Shade's home by eight. They waited for the time being in the living room of Room Number One on the Second Floor. Even Priest Augustus, the oldest among them, showed some signs of nervousness. The most