Once the Exchange Meeting entered the preparation phase for the Final Defense, the students who had failed to advance felt a little disappointed, but they also shed all their pressure and settled into a leisurely routine.
As a result, the number of figures buried in their studies in the Magic Tower's library had dropped by more than half, giving way to a rare peace and quiet.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows onto the long wooden tables, casting dappled patterns across the pages, while the faint scent of paper and ink lingered in the air.
Even so, a few figures were still suffering in a corner of the library.
"This is so frustrating! We get ten days to prepare, but then we have to randomly draw one of five questions for the defense, and every single one is a problem nobody has managed to solve yet-there's nowhere near enough time!"
Victoria angrily ruffled her long, silky gray hair.
Her neatly groomed locks became slightly disheveled beneath her hands, with a few strands sticking up and gleaming softly in the afternoon sunlight.
But even with her hair in disarray, her delicate features and lively gray eyes still made her look beautiful. If anything, it gave her an extra touch of carefree charm.
She slumped over the table, her chin resting on a thick, open tome, radiating an air of I can't study another word.
"It's all right, Victoria."
Sitting across from her, Sylvia couldn't help chuckling. She set down her quill and gently reassured her:
"You already did well enough in the Second Defense. From here on, we just need to do our best."
Sylvia sat upright in her chair, her long pink hair falling smoothly over her shoulders. Her posture was elegant and composed, a quill held in her hand