Show Them a Fierce One - chapter 2

August is the month of fruit.

It is the month of light.

It is the time with the most festivals on the Falres Continent.

It is also… hell.

At least, that’s how it feels for the students of Sky Fortress. Because every year, all the make-up exams at Sky Fortress are concentrated at the end of August, right before the start of the new academic year.

When the hundreds of thousands of seabirds from Apsu cross the endless sea and arrive at the breeding grounds along the coast of Tiamat, all the students whose grades were less than ideal last semester know: the nightmare will hit the battlefield in five seconds.

Sky Fortress, a school with a long history and the most Archmages, is widely regarded as the best educational institution on the entire continent. It is famous for its “serious teaching and strict discipline.” The most well-known example is a rule carved on the school’s stone tablet: any student who fails any subject (whether magical or non-magical) three times will be advised to withdraw.

To quote the Second Headmaster, notorious for his sharp tongue: “To impart wisdom to fools is, in itself, a form of cruelty-both to the teacher and the student.”

But the pressure of “fail the make-up exam and you’ll be expelled” isn’t even the hardest part for Sky Fortress students. The real torment comes from outside the exam hall. The open-air make-up exam venue is set up right next to the grand hall used for entrance exams. Not only are there prospective freshmen who don’t yet know if they’ll be admitted, but there are also crowds of onlookers who are allowed to visit the school only once a year.

For future mages with a ton of pride, being watched by such a crowd is nothing short of a public execution.

After all, they themselves were once among those onlookers before entering the school. They know all too well the mindset of people who enjoy watching others struggle. Any student who can get into Sky Fortress is considered “the pride of their hometown” anywhere on the continent. They once thought they were different, that after enrolling, they would never end up as embarrassed as those Senior Students who needed make-up exams.

And yet? Everyone ends up the same.

“So this is Sky Fortress’s most famous attraction-the once-a-year-Make-up Exam Hell?”

“Wow, look, a two-star Mage Apprentice!”

“Even a two-star Mage Apprentice has to take a make-up exam?”

“What’s a Mage Apprentice? I heard that on this year’s make-up exam list, there’s even the Third Prince of the Glory Empire. He’s already a Junior Mage. An eighteen-year-old Junior Mage!”

“I heard the one who failed is the Elven Queen’s younger brother?”

The fanboys and fangirls on both sides nearly started arguing. One side said, “Elves are the most perfect race in the world, with long lifespans, stunning looks, and mastery of both magic and martial arts… In the Elves’ dictionary, there’s no such thing as ‘can’t do it.’ The one who failed must be that human prince.” The other side retorted, “My Glory Empire is the strongest of all human kingdoms, blessed by the gods, with eternal light. The Third Prince has long been known as a genius-how could he possibly fail? Isn’t it the Elven Queen’s brother who’s always rumored to be a bit slow?”

Soon, a bystander stepped in to “mediate”: “Don’t argue, don’t insult each other. Can’t it be that both Highnesses failed at the same time? Remember, the Goddess of Order is always fair-failure is distributed equally.”

Fanboys and fangirls: “…” You really do know how to talk.

***

At this moment, one of the people at the center of this storm, Adam, the Third Prince of the Glory Empire, was sitting in a carriage, gazing at his reflection in a mirror. Today, he had deliberately put on the plain black robe issued by the Mage Association-standard attire, utterly unremarkable, with nothing to distinguish it except the badge on his chest indicating his rank.

What Prince Adam liked most about this robe was its large hood, which could carefully conceal his proud red hair without leaving a trace.

Head lowered, shoulders hunched, and the badge removed-perfect.

But Prince Adam also knew that this disguise couldn’t last long, though a little self-deception was better than none at all.

Adam took deep breaths, again and again, telling himself each time that it would be the last. But as the preparatory bell for the make-up exam on the mountain was about to ring, he still couldn’t take the first step out of the carriage. He was trying to comfort himself: Who do you think you are? Just an ordinary human, neither powerful nor famous-maybe no one will even notice you. At least, at least there’s still the Elven Queen’s brother out there to draw attention.

The rarity of Elves is something any adventure novel can tell you. This Long-lived Species, making up less than 1% of the continent’s total population, holds more than half the spots in the “Millennium Hundred Beauties Compendium,” and has dominated the top three for years.

With such a stunning Elf to look at, who would bother with a mere human prince like him?

“Where is Prince Anuo now?” The Third Prince once again whispered a prayer to the God of Light, hoping that His mercy would forgive his less-than-noble thoughts. He really needed his beautiful classmate to help divert some of the excessive attention. He-he didn’t want to use the beauty like this; it went against his principles as a true admirer of beauty.
“Prince Anuolaide is almost at the last corner.” The Female Knight, clad in light armor, sat astride her horse, gazing into the distance at the Elf who had set out early on the mountain path.

He was like a natural-born luminary; no matter how many people surrounded him, he was always the first to catch the eye.

He was truly the Goddess of Nature’s most outstanding creation: his dazzling silver hair flowed like gentle moonlight cast upon the Tulan Plain; his deep green eyes resembled the Kabala Forest, hidden behind layers of mist at dawn. His figure was tall and slender, his bearing elegant and graceful. Even the unadorned Sky Fortress academy robe he wore seemed tailored to perfection, and the most ordinary Staff Bag appeared transformed into a legendary weapon.

Around the beautiful Elf, student after student hurried past, eager not to be laughed at. Yet only he, with his classical features, showed no trace of embarrassment at being watched, steadfastly maintaining his own pace. His steps were light and fluid, like a priceless oil painting that has endured for centuries, still vivid in the hearts of its admirers.

It was the first time the young Female Knight had left the imperial capital, and also her first time seeing the legendary Elf Prince Brother, Anuolaide-the brightest moonstone of the Kabala Forest.

By the time she realized the Third Prince had finally stepped out of the carriage, it was a bit late for her to dismount and salute. Prince Adam, however, was already accustomed to such situations and excused her from the formalities in advance.

“Who doesn’t like a beauty? Besides, that prince truly is very good-looking.” Adam had been classmates with Anuo in the Sky Fortress for five years, but even a casual encounter between classes could still leave him stunned by the Elf’s beauty.

“Why is Prince Anuolaide taking the make-up exam? Did he fail to skip a grade, just like you, Your Highness?” The Female Knight Leya, actually Adam’s cousin, spoke with a bit more boldness between relatives. Like her cousin, she was a complete beauty enthusiast, always curious about attractive people.

Prince Adam fell into a strange silence. He didn’t know how to answer.

The Sky Fortress, though strict about failing grades, also offered flexible study durations to suit the lifespans of all races, unlike human academies that promoted students based solely on age. Each subject was divided into twelve to fifteen levels, not simply by grade.

At the Sky Fortress, a student could complete all levels of every subject in a single year, or spend several years on just one subject, depending on their ability and choices.

Adam aspired to be the former, needing to study at a breakneck pace so as not to delay his return home to vie for power. Unfortunately, he was too ambitious last year; he could have safely skipped one level in Magic Array, but insisted on skipping two. The result was clear to all: Prince Adam met his Waterloo, the darkest moment in his genius life.

Anuo, on the other hand, was the latter. There were plenty of Long-lived Species at the school with slow-paced lives, but none as slow as Anuo. He truly studied only one level of one subject per year, sometimes spending several years on a single level.

Short-lived Humans couldn’t quite understand what Long-lived Species were thinking.

In the end, Prince Adam could only quote a proverb from his homeland to answer his Knight cousin’s question: “A beauty doesn’t need too much wisdom.” The implication being: he’s a beautiful fool.

Knight Leya gazed at the Elf’s perfect, dreamlike silhouette, still utterly captivated: “But still, he’s so good-looking.”

Prince Adam found it hard to disagree.

…

Prince Adam finally set off, making it up Academy Mountain in the last few minutes before the exam began, activating the Swiftwind Array on his Dragon Boots and taking three steps at a time, moving quickly yet gracefully. He caught up with the still leisurely Anuo on the final steps up the mountain.

This Elf Prince Brother was famous for his slow pace, never hurried or rushed, like a dawn redwood in the forest that could take centuries to grow, basking lazily in the sunlight.

Adam instinctively greeted him: “Prince Anuo.”

Only after speaking did he realize he had made himself the perfect informant, successfully drawing public attention to himself at the last moment of the climb.

The beautiful Elf Prince Brother was truly eye-catching. Though harmless and stunning, he possessed a certain aloofness, as if he existed outside the world-a moon in the sky, a pearl on a scepter. From the moment they started up the mountain, no one had dared approach him. Adam was the first, and the only one. Such uniqueness naturally drew countless gazes, most of which clearly asked, “How dare you?”

Even Adam doubted that Anuo would respond. For Long-lived Species, the lives of Short-lived Humans were far too brief, fading away before they could leave a lasting mark, hardly worth remembering. Adam was simply… unable to help himself.
The beautiful Elf did not stop at that greeting, just as expected. He moved forward like an alchemical product programmed to follow a set path-straight ahead, steady in rhythm, unaffected by anyone or anything.

A suffocating silence lingered, lasting so long that Adam blushed for himself. Then, together with all those waiting to see him make a fool of himself, he heard a slow yet solemn reply: “Prince-A-dam.” The voice was so enchanting, clear and melodious, like a feather gently brushing the tip of everyone’s heart.

Elves are born singers, children of music-especially Anuolaide, whose pure voice, like spring water striking mountain stone, could make even the gods pause to listen. His pace of speech was so distinctive that no one could possibly mistake it.

He had responded to him.

Even though he had already walked away.

Adam: Worth it!

Every step Anuo took up the mountain was precisely measured, as if carefully calculated or measured with a tape. He arrived at the outdoor Training Ground for the retake at the very last second before the bell rang-neither early nor late, just in time.

Victory!

The Training Ground was the usual kind of magical practice field: open view, well-equipped, with a forest behind and iron wire in front. Next door were the enthusiastic spectators and the prospective new students who had yet to queue for the entrance exam.

After Adam and Anuo arrived, all eyes turned to them, accompanied by a flurry of whispers. It was only then that Adam realized how fortunate he was not to have come up early; rather than standing at attention under scorching gazes, it was better to dawdle on the steps. No matter how many eyes were on the steps, they were limited-after all, everyone still had to focus on climbing the mountain.

Every year, the retake and entrance exams at Sky Fortress strictly forbid flying up the mountain. This is considered a test for future mages.

Anuo was among the first to start climbing, yet he arrived almost at the last moment. When Adam realized this, he couldn’t help but glance in astonishment at the Elf beside him.

Was it all a coincidence, or…

Anuo still looked as pure as ever, his vibrant green eyes full of innocence. When Adam looked over, he slowly tilted his head, as if carrying a natural question mark.

“Forgot-your-pen?” He generously offered his antique Dip Pen.

It truly was a beautiful portable pen: a verdant green body, mythological flowers and plants carved in mithril, and a priceless magical crystal set at the top. The pen could be used for writing, as a wax seal stamp, or even transformed into a magical tool in times of crisis. The cost-performance ratio was incredible!

“No, thank you. I’m also taking the practical exam,” Adam replied, using all his self-control to resist the exquisite temptation of sharing a pen with such a beauty.

From afar, he could almost hear the subtle sigh of his Knight cousin among the spectators, filled with regret.

He understood her!

Why couldn’t he have failed the written exam instead?

Seeing Prince Adam’s reluctant gaze at the Dip Pen, Anuo finally, slowly, put the pen away, skillfully hiding his little urge to show it off.

After that, they had no time for idle chatter. All candidates arrived, queued to draw lots, and were divided into groups for the retake. Adam was No. 3 in Group A, Anuo was No. 7 in Group E. One was tested on Magic Array, the other on Incantation Chanting-both in the practical group, while the theory group was already hard at work at conjured desks.

Yes, even the written exam was conducted outdoors, under countless watchful eyes, making cheating nearly impossible.

The practical exam was even more daunting: those who did well were cheered, those who did poorly… faced endless nitpicking. Without a strong heart, one simply couldn’t endure it.

Even Adam, who had prepared thoroughly, found his palms sweating. This summer, shamed into diligence, he had buried himself in study with the court mages for nearly two months, sleeping barely three hours a day, sustained by Energy Potions, even dreaming of drawing obscure rune diagrams in golden light-all to prove himself at this moment.

And he truly succeeded.

When the Magic Array in the shape of a Hexagram shone with beautiful gold, many spectators applauded the formation they didn’t fully understand but recognized as exceptionally precise.

Even the proctors remarked that Prince Adam was the most outstanding among this year’s retake candidates. The Magic Array appeared in the air, clear and solid, and the power it released was so great it nearly numbed the teacher’s hand holding up the Protective Barrier-a truly astonishing rate of progress.

Adam’s personal tutor nodded repeatedly, very satisfied with his student’s performance. The decision to skip two grades had been a bit reckless, but it was only delayed by two months.

The truth behind Adam’s retake, spread enthusiastically by his fans, quickly circulated among the spectators, once again drawing gasps of amazement. So it was a retake after failing to skip grades-two grades at once! Eighteen years old! If this isn’t genius, what is? Truly worthy of being the Third Prince of the Glory Empire.
So… what about the Elf Prince Brother? Does he also have some unspeakable reason for retaking the exam?

His Highness Anuolaide is so good-looking, he must be flawless!

The public’s overly high expectations had shifted, making Adam secretly worry for Anuo, even wishing he could take his place. As for Incantation Chanting of basic spells, Adam was well-versed-whether Elemental or Light, he could handle them with ease.

But Anuo…

Rumor had it that even his chanting dragged on like an operatic aria. Wouldn’t the spell fail if the intervals between the incantation were too long? Could that be why he failed last semester’s exam?

Over there, Anuo looked perfectly calm, not anxious at all. Especially after drawing the random exam topic displayed in the crystal ball, he seemed to bloom like a sun-drenched flower after rain, visibly radiant. This time, he drew a Fire Element Spell-finally, not the unstable Light element. Praise the great God of Light.

Anuo slowly drew his Staff, then slowly stepped to the designated spot, even having the leisure to glance at the teacher maintaining the Protective Barrier, as if confirming he was doing his job properly.

Anuo drew an attack-type Incantation Chanting, which could be chosen freely but had to be sufficiently powerful. Among attack spells, Fire Element Spell was the best-wide range, high intensity, and extremely effective. Although Anuo was currently only at Chanting Level Six, the most basic level, Fire Element Spell still had considerable destructive power and often exceeded remote control.

The teacher could only smile, and for diplomatic reasons, refrained from commenting on the Elf Prince Brother’s excessive caution.

Only then did Anuo confidently wave his Staff, his posture standard, technique skillful, fundamentals solid, and even his movements seemed a bit faster-clearly well-practiced.

The only problem was, he still hadn’t started chanting. At Chanting Level Six, students were just beginning to learn how to shorten incantations, but whether at Anuo’s pace or a normal person’s, if the Staff reached its third turn without chanting, it would definitely be too late.

Qinke, Anuo’s personal tutor, sighed deeply, thinking she really ought to have a good talk with Her Majesty the Queen-Prince Brother’s speech speed was a real issue.

It wasn’t until the silver Staff paused at the final moment that Anuo softly uttered, “Break.”

The whole room: !!!

He wasn’t skipping the incantation-he had shortened it to the extreme, nearly to the level of a Silent Spell!

As the clear incantation subtly floated in the air, scorching and mighty flames erupted instantly from the Staff, seemingly accompanied by flickering black runes, surging into a wave as tall as several people. Like a blast site, the first thing those nearby felt wasn’t the blazing fire, but the powerful shockwave strong enough to knock people down.

The glass in the adjacent hall was all shattered, not a single pane spared.

The flames, red to nearly purple-black, shot upward with a sharp howl, charging straight for the Morning Star at the highest peak of the Sky Fortress buildings, as if they would never stop.

Wherever the flames passed, only scorched earth remained.

If Anuo hadn’t noticed something was wrong and quickly adjusted the angle of his Staff, and if the Training Ground’s Protective Array hadn’t automatically activated, today’s examinees might have ended up as a collective barbecue.

After the rolling white mist was blown away by the wind, the first thing to appear in everyone’s sight was still the pristine Light Elf-silver hair, pale green eyes, his long sleeves and wide robe lifted only by the hunting wind. As beautiful as an illustration in a heroic poem. He stood unmoved on the exam mat, still with that slow, slightly tilted head that seemed to carry a perpetual question mark.

A unique, gentle voice was saying, “Ex-am-finished?”

Author’s note:

Some people are like muffin cake: they look soft and fluffy, but are actually overloaded with sweetness, a calorie bomb.

-Prince Adam said so.

Anuo, Prince Anuo _(:з)∠)_ didn’t even know he was this strong. He looks calm and composed, but is actually… slowly and dully surprised.

The Origin Power between the top and bottom is already starting to shift at this moment, hahaha.

*Apsu and Tiamat: These two names are from ancient Babylonian mythology, both are ancient dragons-the former created fresh water, the latter is the goddess of the salty sea abyss.

*A disclaimer about Fire Element Spell: This is just the setting in this story-attack-type Fire Element Spell is relatively strong. It’s not saying Fire is always the best in every story.