The following day, Alex and Marc arrived at the academy.
On their way, Tessa joined them — the life-or-death encounter with the gorilla the day before had brought the three of them closer together.
"Are you guys nervous?" she asked.
"No, not really," Alex replied. He had stopped caring about grades the moment he realized there was nothing worth the effort.
"Me neither," Marc added, simply unconcerned.
"How can you both be so calm? I'm quite nervous," Tessa admitted, unaware of the academy's darker side, still doing her best to fit in.
'There's nothing to gain by getting good grades,' Alex wanted to say, but he held his tongue. He didn't want to be the one to ruin her view of the academy. The truth would find her soon enough — probably after the results came out.
And so, chatting idly about random topics, the trio reached the academy.
The written test itself was nothing out of the ordinary — questions covering class material and a few problem-solving exercises.
Thanks to his frequent visits to the library, Alex had no trouble solving the questions. Still, he deliberately left some unanswered. He didn't want to end up in the top five.
That decision came from a mind twisted by the constant harassment he and Marc had endured. He believed that if he scored too high, the nobles would target him more. But if he did too poorly, the same would happen. So he aimed for the middle-high range — high enough to avoid mockery, low enough to escape notice.
After two hours, the test ended.
Results would be posted in the main hall that afternoon.
Before then, they had to return to class to pick up their belongings — tomorrow marked the beginning of a fifteen-day vacation.
Alex couldn't wait to go home, hug his mother and sister, and finally rest.
He also wanted to work on developing a water-based skill. After watching the way Tessa had pierced through the gorilla's defenses, he felt the urge to create a penetrative skill of his own.
As he walked out, Alex noticed Scarlett watching him with a contemplative expression. She'd been like that since the field test ended.
When he passed by her, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Alex, stay for a minute," she said.
"Okay."
"I'll wait for you outside," Marc said before leaving.
Once everyone was gone, Scarlett spoke.
"Tell me, Alex. Do you feel proud of what you did during the field test?" she asked bluntly.
Alex swallowed hard.
'So she knows. And if she knows, the other teachers probably do too…'
"Yes," he replied, resolute.
"Haah… Alex, what am I supposed to do with you…" Scarlett sighed, her stomach tightening as she remembered the images — Alex's amused expression as the nobles fought for their lives. The memory still sent chills down her spine.
"Kick me out or not, I don't care," Alex said, his tone cold and detached.
"It's not like I'm this way because I was constantly tormented by nobles… Oh wait — I was! Almost forgot." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Scarlett was stunned.
She had taught many students and knew well what the nobles did to commoners — even if she couldn't truly grasp the depth of their trauma.
But this was the first time she'd seen someone as intelligent and cunning as Alex take revenge so methodically.
He was calculating, cold, and ruthless.
Thankfully, Marc had managed to keep his vengeful impulses in check, and after Tessa joined them, his actions had ceased altogether. Otherwise, she couldn't imagine how many nobles might have fallen prey to his schemes.
"You know, you're lucky the headmaster sided with you," Scarlett said gravely. "But trust me — word of your actions will reach the nobles you targeted. Even though teachers are forbidden from revealing what they see during the tests."
She wanted to scare him, to make him abandon his dangerous obsession with revenge before it led him into trouble he couldn't escape.
"And what are they going to do? Bully me more? Do you think I'm afraid of nobles who don't even know how to fight while retreating?" Alex snapped, interpreting her warning as a threat. Anger flared in his voice.
"Listen, Scarlett. I've spent my whole life surviving. I know when someone is truly dangerous. And trust me — the noble students here are trash. So trash that the academy had to break its own rules about potion use just so they could perform decently during the test."
He no longer used honorifics — just her name, flat and dismissive.
"So save your threats. Honestly, I thought better of you… but it seems you're just like the rest of them."
Scarlett's attempt to caution him had only fueled his anger. Nervous, she quickly tried to calm him down.
"I'm not threatening you, Alex," she said softly. "But this obsession with revenge — it's going to destroy you. I know the academy is corrupt, but if you ever cross the wrong noble, you'll be in real danger. And you'll probably drag Marc down with you."
Her last words struck a nerve.
Alex fell silent, caught off guard. He hadn't thought that far ahead — his anger had been steering him, chasing short-term satisfaction.
After a long pause, he sighed.
"You know what? You're right. I didn't think that far ahead. Sorry for insulting you… and thank you for the warning."
Scarlett smiled faintly. Alex had misunderstood her at first, but now he seemed to recognize that she genuinely cared.
She placed both hands on his shoulders, letting out a relieved sigh.
"Haah… Alex, I'm glad you're thinking this through. Now, go check the results and enjoy your vacation. Cool off a bit. When you come back, I hope you're ready to face things with a clear head. Remember — a little retribution isn't bad, but cross the line, and you'll only hurt yourself."
"Oh, and when you return, we'll talk about your lack of effort on the written test," she added with a smirk.
"How did you even know about that? Didn't the test just end an hour ago?" Alex asked, baffled. Privacy seemed nonexistent at this academy.
"Alex, this is a magic academy. Did you really think we couldn't observe the exams remotely? That's how we catch cheaters," she said with a deadpan look.
"That's not creepy at all," Alex muttered.
"Heh. Now go on — Marc's still waiting for you," Scarlett chuckled, shooing him away.
Outside, Alex rejoined Marc and told him what had happened.
"Mhm, she's got a point," Marc said thoughtfully. "I hope you take her advice seriously, Alex. You're starting to turn your anger into hate — and that's dangerous. If you're not careful, it'll consume you."
Alex didn't reply, but he nodded faintly.
The two boys then left the academy, joining Tessa on their way home. Marc invited her to lunch, while Alex was still mulling over his talk with Scarlett.