It was finally the day of the tests.

All the students descended from the tower.

This was really the first time most of the students would get to see someone from a set other than theirs.

They were instructed not to talk to one another for reasons not disclosed.

The sets were separated by floors, each floor monitored by its own floor master.

Solomon for Set A, Lot for the next, and like that downward.

In total, the sets numbered up to twenty, making a total of one hundred and sixty students occupying the tower.

Roe was told only the top ten sets would take the tests.

The proctor for the first evaluation stepped forward.

It was none of the teachers.

"I’m Dr. Victor. Please line yourselves up in order of sets," he said.

"I’ll be separating those who pass from those who didn’t."

"Your entire set will be condemned and later informed how to proceed."

"I’ll call those sets who actually made it. The top ten only."

"After the call, all the others are to return to their dorms."

"Is that clear?" he added.

"I’m sure you get what this means..."

He paused.

He looked to Solomon.

Solomon stepped forward.

"I’m not usually supposed to come out and say this or anything, for that matter, but there’s an exception."

"I’m sure most of you thought your set number had something to do with an internal evaluation, how you were paired up, what masters you were assigned."

"Well, it does and doesn’t at the same time."

Solomon seemed to be confusing them.

"Your placement was not based on strength or anything superficial. They were guided by the mind of Merlin himself."

"However, where you place now isn’t going to be based on the Master’s guidance."

"It’s based on my evaluation."

"Please, Doctor, continue."

Victor nodded.

’This was the will of Merlin. I can’t believe it.’

Lot frowned.

’Why have only Solomon ascertain how they all do?’

’Why does he get to grade them?’

’Why him and him alone?’

He didn’t say anything.

He just thought it.

Even the students of Set A were surprised.

The other sets seemed to be looking at them funny.

"Sensei’s put a target on our backs," Gwen said.

"Well, I like the heat," Julian replied.

"I’ll now begin calling the names," Victor stated.

"For first place, the most adept and balanced set..."

"Set C."

"Under the supervision of Master Joseph."

Students from both Sets A and B were shocked.

’I thought those guys would rank first,’ Sigman thought as he pointed at the Set A students.

’I thought those guys would rank first,’ John thought as he pointed at the Set B students.

Dr. Victor told them to step aside.

They created a significant gap and continued to watch.

The Set C students did as instructed.

On one hand, there were nineteen lines denoting nineteen sets.

The nineteen yet to be judged.

On the other hand, a single set.

One judged.

One deemed worthy.

Victor continued.

Everyone knew the stakes were all in for this one.

Only nine more sets had a chance.

This much was clear.

This was all they could think about.

Modred was confident.

He wasn’t as tense as the others.

He didn’t need to be.

They’d definitely qualify.

After this, he wouldn’t be held back by his team anymore.

He’d be assessed based on his own strengths and merits from then on.

"The second set to make the cut is Set A."

Ursula sighed.

They were surprised.

They’d all thought she’d be more confident.

Simultaneously, Modred hissed.

He was still confident.

He only muttered nonsense under his breath.

"The next set is Set B."

Dr. Victor continued with the announcements. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Each passing call left those who remained speechless and afraid.

"Solomon made it a point that our original placement didn’t matter. He lied," one of the students muttered.

"Yeah. It’s already been nine groups, and all of them have been from the top ten. It’s just the order that’s mixed up," another student added.

Victor was almost done with the announcements.

He just had to call the last group, and the evaluation would begin properly.

"The tenth and final group..."

As he said so, the remaining eleven sets began praying to Merlin.

They wanted his grace.

It was finally down to the last set.

"Set J made it on," Victor announced.

"Please, the rest of you, return to your quarters."

They were all disappointed.

Some wouldn’t leave.

"This happens every year," Lot said.

He was annoyed that a few still refused to go.

"Allow me," Solomon said.

He snapped his fingers.

They all disappeared.

Just like that.

He snapped again.

This time, the ten sets found themselves facing one another.

"The first evaluation will have only forty sure qualifiers and a possible five special entries."

"You’ll be paired up against the opposing team, and mana outputs will be weighed."

"The team with the lead will proceed."

"Masters present may choose to advance one student from their supervising teams."

Victor continued.

"Of course, should you not be selected, then that just means you’re not making the cut."

"I’m sure that’s all pretty straightforward."

He barely gave them time to respond.

"Oh, and don’t hold back."

"Look up."

They all noticed a shining staff suspended above them.

"Immediately after this selection, your mana reserves will be replenished."

"So don’t worry."

"Give it your all."

Victor ended.

"These guys really want us going all in, huh?" Edward smiled.

"Just you wait," Ursula said.

She was being different today.

Her friends noticed.

Roe especially.

"You’ll send a representative to pick one of five from the ballot."

"Not all teams will be privy to the selection, of course."

"The lower-ranking teams will start."

"They will decide the initial pairings."

Roe understood.

Modred as well.

"Oh, I get it," Edward said.

Not everyone seemed to follow.

Solomon noticed and stepped in again to simplify things.

"You see, Team J’s representative will pick first."

"Should he pick Team C, then Team C can’t argue."

"The next representative will be from Team I."

"He’ll pick."

"Should he pick Team G, then even they can’t argue."

"It will continue until there’s no room for further pairing."

Everyone seemed to get it.

"So, should there be room for us to pick, who do we want representing us?" Verdona asked.

"There’s no need dwelling on that."

"We’ll most likely be picked rather than be in the position for picking."

"I mean, we’re placed rather high up."

Max shrugged.

"Team J, you may proceed with your representative."

"It’s starting," Roe said.