Although the Academy introduced many regulations regarding "skipping grades" at the end of 1854, it was unrealistic for Luvia and the other three, who had not originally planned to skip grades, to complete all the required courses within a month. So everyone decided that after this year's exam week, they would appropriately reveal their own levels to the Academy and then enroll in suitable elective courses.
But taking upper-grade electives not only required meeting the conditions for advancement; one also had to achieve at least Exceeded Expectations in the year-end comprehensive evaluation, which had five major ratings—"Excellent," "Exceeded Expectations," "Pass," "Fail," and "Terrible"—each divided into High, Medium, and Low sub-ratings.
Last year, only Shade and the Doctor had met that requirement. Even the Doctor had only done so because his rating was raised due to his status as group leader; otherwise, he would not have qualified either.
In short, this winter's exam week was extremely important for everyone other than Shade. Once everyone had arrived, the atmosphere immediately became tense when the Doctor suggested that Luvia divine the results of today's exams:
"Doctor, don't say things that make people nervous every time!"
But regardless of what everyone thought, the advancement exams at the end of winter in 1854 began punctually at nine Sunday morning in the living room of Room Two.
In addition to Professor Garcia, the vice dean of the History College who had always been very considerate of Shade, and a secretary from the Student Management Office, the proctors this time also included two professors from the Astronomy College and Political Economy College. Shade had never met either of the latter two.
Five desks were evenly spaced in a circle in the middle of the living room. The examination began amid the scratch of pens and ended at