Just like all magic cast must return itself unto mana once it serves the purpose its caster called it for, this magical scenery lasted only for a couple of minutes where the sun is down the horizon with its rays being scattered by the earth itself, and once that final ray of light disappears from said horizon, the moon above the heavens had already taken over, illuminating the world with its faint, gentle light.

Gone was the magical feel; however, the liveliness within the streets of the Regia Floating Island doesn’t seem to diminish even when it’s already nighttime, with numerous students roaming around, seemingly preparing for the secret exam as well, all while staff and workers under the academy are manning the services that the young people are using.

’Hmm... let’s see, if there’s anything interesting, it should be in the commerce district, right?’ thinking where he should explore, Novus decided to himself as he lets his feet bring him towards his intended destination, walking past some students who are already returning back towards the location of the dorm, while others walk the same direction as himself.

While the floating island solely owned by the academy is quite big, it wouldn’t take long for him to reach the commerce district as other than the main academy grounds itself, it is the biggest place within the entire island, populated not only by great establishments but with peddler stores as well despite all these vendors working for the academy, making it feel more like a normal city rather than one created for the betterment of the academy’s students.

The lively atmosphere spreads even across this calculating place where profits, both of one’s own side and the side they are dealing with, must be considered carefully, as no one wants to be taken advantage of.

Walking down the streets, checking out stalls every now and then, Novus’ enhanced senses picked up the breath of life from the people all around. Words coming out of their mouths easily brought to him by his sense of hearing, far superior to other mages, not only at the same level as him, but perhaps also those of a higher tier.

"Hey, kid, be careful with that one. It’s tuned for second-years and above."

"You think I can’t handle it?"

"Haha, brat, suit yourself, just pay up when you damage it."

"Ah, children, you’re all freshmen, right?"

"...Is it that obvious?"

"You either look lost or overconfident. Sometimes, both."

Some of the stalls are dealing with freshmen trying to explore things that are not really suited for them yet, making the owners of the stall smile as if they are looking at a fat wad of cash about to fall onto their lap.

While some go solo and explores shops and stalls in the hopes of finding things that will help in surviving during the actual period of the exam, some other goes in group and gather around, mostly in restaurants and taverns planning for their course of actions, course of actions that Novus often hears whenever he is passing by one of those groups.

"I’m telling you, we should focus on survivability, not points."

"And fail the ranking?"

"I’d rather fail than die, besides, who knows if hunting beasts and monsters are the only source of points?"

"Fuck, that’s smart, maybe they also give additional points to the ones who survive the longest... Why did I fail to consider that?"

"Maybe because you’re dumb."

"Wow, hey man, did you know? The only kind of people who argue with dumb people are dumber people."

It’s not only the freshmen, but also the upperclassmen who are gathering around, planning their course of action as they enjoy their dinner, some, if not most of them, acting completely differently from the freshmen, their manner relaxed and at ease, almost as if this exam is nothing more than a way to earn some living for themselves.

"That’s why I’m telling you all, just stick with me and we’ll be all fine."

"Heh, says the guy who was almost eliminated by this same exam last year, have some shame, even the second years act better than you."

"T-this and that was different!"

Of course, in all of this, there are also some upperclassmen who are eyeing the freshmen, their sharp, more experienced eyes analyzing their juniors and sometimes even giving them words of advice for the upcoming exam.

"You’re a freshman?"

"...Yeah."

"Then listen carefully—don’t try to chase points early."

"Why?"

"Because only heaven knows if you can survive long enough to spend them, it’s better to play safe and last long than to get eliminated early in the exam."

While some give helpful advice, some just stare at the younger students, seemingly just trying to figure out who are strong competitors and who are not, all while keeping all the things they know to themselves.

"Hey, look at that group."

"Those loud ones?"

"Yep, I’d bet my left balls they won’t last a day."

"Fuck am I supposed to do with your left balls?"

What Novus finds a surprise is the fact that amidst all the attention the freshmen are getting from the upperclassmen, the rumors of his "fall from grace" as well as the recently spreading rumors of him verbally retaliating against Hellas, seems to reach the upperclassmen as well, his ears picking up some of them talking about him as his sharp senses tell him that clearly, they are looking at him as well.

"That’s the guy, right?"

"Who?"

"The ’I apologize to the monkeys’ guy."

"Uh-huh, that’s really him, he has quite the sharp tongue, but... he doesn’t look like all that much."

"Well, he’s built really well though, gotta give him that."

"What use is physique to a mage? I heard he can only cast a basic fireball. At this rate, he’s going to be more suited to be a meat shield than an actual mage."

’Wow, even upperclassmen seem to think of the same thing as the other freshmen...’ laughing wryly to himself as he overheard other conversations of the same thought as this one, Novus couldn’t help but remark, feeling a little bit more tempted to show off, especially after also hearing something else from all his exploration in the commerce district.

"I can give you all the supplies, and you can pay full later, but you have to pay at least seventy percent of the full cost now."

"Hey, old man, we’ve known each other for a long time, why not half?"

"No. It will take me months to collect the full payment again if I let you."

"Come on, you know the points from the exams will be converted to student points, right? I’ll strike it rich after the exams, so give me some leeway, will you?"

Student Points.

If it is anywhere else outside the Galilea Magic Academy, outside the Regia Floating Island, the value of this points drops drastically to the point that it might even be hard to exchange several thousands of it for a piece of bread, however, inside this place, this is the sole currency that is accepted, a currency that can only be earned through the merits of a student’s own skillfulness in all fields, as well as their absolute strength.

’So this is a moneymaking exam huh...’ hearing this conversation out of nowhere, Novus starts a little tweaking to the plans in his mind, incorporating this little bit of information for him to take advantage of.