As their target, Dark could not afford to slack off if he wanted to maintain his lead.
For those with resources, final exams were merely a periodic assessment. Summer vacation was the true dividing line that further widened the gap between people.
Both Emma and Sara had channels that could enable them to rise rapidly.
And the foundations they had built in their first year would become the cornerstone of their swift improvement.
When the new school year began, they would likely return to the academy transformed!
"Still, I won't fall behind in that regard either."
It was nearly evening.
Whether they had achieved their desired grades or received the unfortunate news of failing a course, the students temporarily set aside their joy and sorrow and headed toward the Great Hall on the first floor.
As usual, tonight's banquet was held in the Great Hall.
Since the atmosphere of the banquet was rather formal, most students wore their school uniforms and badges, with little of a festive air about them.
There was a dance segment as well, though it consisted only of individual dances that kept a proper distance apart, and it was arranged for the very end of the evening.
People had begun entering the hall in small groups from five in the afternoon.
By the time Dark and the other two arrived, quite a few people were already seated inside.
At some point, a massive Magitech Book two meters long had appeared outside the Great Hall's main entrance, floating silently in midair.
Dark and the other two stopped at the entrance, curiously watching the older students strike poses before the Magitech Book. Whenever a ripple of magical power spread out, two photographs would fly from its pages and drift into their hands.
"Is that a camera?"
Dark