It was a long final evaluation, but it was finally wrapped up.

It was over.

Roe had won.

Through the intensity of it all. Roe came alive in ways he didn’t expect. How could he?

Regardless he emerged victorious . He had known battle . This may have been a test for the rest of them but he went in prepared knowing there was something to prove.

He had won.

He proved this. He proved he could. ( In reference to Merlin’s believe in a fellow SSS rank mage).

Using his staff as a vehicle, he carried the defeated Modred back to where he could be healed.

Roe wasn’t satisfied.

He knew this wasn’t the end.

Things were only just beginning.

The arena had a section filled with seats. This was where the masters had observed from.

He touched down and bowed his head.

He made no statement.

There was really just the gesture.

He awaited instructions.

The vast majority of the masters seemed shocked.

This development, if you could call it that, was unexpected.

He had successfully cleared his own evaluation.

He had been required to put them all down.

He did exactly that. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Most of the masters had their reservations.

Now it was clear.

There was no need for reservations anymore.

Roe was good.

He deserved his title.

"If anyone could surpass or even rival Merlin, it would be someone like you."

Joseph spoke.

"Raise your head, boy."

Roe did as instructed.

Merlin summoned his staff.

With a light tap, the destruction and aftermath of that glorious display vanished.

Modred was no longer in his arms but resting at the base of the arena.

"Rise," Solomon commanded.

"All fifteen of you have proven your abilities, be it at your very best or not.

You should all take pride in your display here today."

"As the lead student of Merlin himself, I congratulate you."

"There he goes blabbering on about being the top student again," Lot noted.

"All this glazing. It’s coming, isn’t it?"

"Something bad is coming," Modred thought.

Solomon is only saying this to console them, isn’t he? Roe thought.

He didn’t even consider the possibility that he might be part of that consolation.

He believed in his efforts and his results. Nothing else.

"I am proud to have witnessed this event.

I, however, do not have the final say."

He pointed his entire hand toward Merlin.

"We will now hear the verdict."

Gulps.

Gasps.

Fear.

Chills.

"I didn’t do much."

"I barely did anything at all."

"I ran too hot earlier on. I was basically running on fumes at the end."

The fifteen students shared similar thoughts.

I barely stood out.

I’m the one with the system.

Was it overrated to begin with? Zach thought.

Panic set in.

I’m definitely not making it past this point.

He was certain.

"You will arrange yourselves according to the order in which I call you.

Roe, you may descend."

He flew down, now standing on the same level as his peers.

"The order shall be:

Roe, Verdona, Randolph, Beatrix, Finna, Gwen, Edward, Gandy, Max, John, Faux, Sigman, Zach, Ursula, and Modred."

"This is how it’s going to work.

Those of you deemed fit by Merlin will proceed.

Your actual performance doesn’t necessarily matter.

The evaluation was never for all of you.

It was Roe’s.

Just his.

He was the one being tested."

The students looked at one another.

"All kneel."

They did as instructed.

"Having said that...

Roe, rise."

Solomon pointed.

Merlin spoke.

Solomon interpreted.

"You pass."

Roe disappeared.

He never had a doubt.

Where am I?

---

"Verdona, rise."

She did.

Merlin spoke.

"You pass."

Verdona disappeared.

The remaining students were confused.

It seemed everything they had gone through hadn’t mattered.

Verdona didn’t do much, Edward thought.

You mean she gets to pass?

That’s insane.

I guess there’s no logic to how they’re doing things.

"Randolph, rise."

Merlin spoke.

"You pass."

Randolph disappeared.

"Beatrix, rise."

Solomon pointed.

Merlin spoke.

"You fail."

Beatrix disappeared.

A wave of emotions swept through the group.

Before this, all three mages had passed.

She was the first rejection.

"Finna, rise."

Merlin spoke.

"You fail."

Finna disappeared.

Is there a pattern here?

Are we going three for three? Sigman wondered.

"Gwen, rise."

Merlin spoke.

"You pass."

Gwen disappeared.

"Edward, rise."

Merlin spoke.

"You pass."

Edward disappeared.

"Gandy, rise."

Solomon laughed.

Merlin spoke.

It was inappropriate to still be laughing, so Solomon quickly corrected his expression before delivering the verdict.

"You fail."

Gandy disappeared.

"Max, rise."

"You fail."

Max disappeared.

"John, rise."

Merlin spoke.

"You pass."

John disappeared.

The remaining students grew tense.

Only a handful remained.

Their fate would soon be revealed.

"Faux, rise."

Merlin spoke.

Solomon followed.

"You fail."

Faux disappeared.

His master shed a tear.

Faux was the student he had chosen to push forward.

He had still failed.

"Sigman, rise."

Merlin spoke.

Solomon followed.

"You pass."

Sigman disappeared.

"Zach, rise."

This is it.

The moment...

Zach thought.

"You pass."

He disappeared before he could even celebrate.

After all that tension, the decision was made just like that.

And somehow, he had made it.

"Ursula, rise."

Merlin spoke.

Solomon translated.

"You pass."

She disappeared.

Lastly.

There was no one else left to spectate.

Only Modred remained.

Modred and the masters.

"Modred, please rise."

Solomon commanded.

He did as instructed.

Merlin spoke.

Solomon listened.

For the first time, hesitation appeared on his face.

"Modred...

You fail."

My heart sank, Modred thought.

Then he was teleported away.

---

The students who passed were teleported to a different tower still within Merlin’s realm.

It was reserved for seasoned mages.

It was known as the First Tower.

Most of them were celebrating.

Everyone except Sigman and Roe.

"I can’t believe Edward’s having fun right now.

The least he could do is wait for Modred to get things started."

Sigman shook his head.

Someone walked in.

Roe immediately stood.

He’s finally here.

It wasn’t who they were expecting.

It was Solomon.

"I’m here to congratulate all of you on a job well done."

Roe looked miserable.

He already knew what this meant.

Even so, he asked.

"Master...

Where’s Modred?"

Solomon’s expression softened.

"I’m sorry, Roe."