Zero to Hero (Prequel/prototype)

Chapter 11. Midterm

Most of those that couldn't graduate and are stuck at divine level is either because they understand the theory behind what they need to do and can't do it physically or they have the physical ability but lacks the knowledge." Teasing Ken while explaining, Clare was able to calm down slightly.

"Well, that's good to know all my efforts learning all those subjects aren't going to go to waste." Ken replied cheerfully both because of what Clare said and her improved mood.

With the practical exams taking place at the stadium, the group decided to head out at 3 just to have plenty of time to slowly walk together and be ready when the exam starts at 4.

When the group arrived outside the stadium, it looked much grander and different than compared to 3 weeks ago when Ken was out here helping out.

All of the stalls have now been fully set up with shop names and decorations placed all around to give each one its individuality and charm.

Unlike the written portion where each year was provided their own classroom to take the test, everyone is taking their practical exams together in the stadium. As the group got inside, those that are taking the exams are asked to go down to the arena while those that are watching are asked to find a seat in the stadium.

Wishing the three good luck, Alice and Genesis got some nice seats in the mostly empty stadium and watched the three joining a growing crowd getting ready to start their exam.

Unlike the written part, the practical portion is quite simple and most of the of the time spent is waiting and having a staff member record their scores and making sure the magic slabs are restored properly after each use.

The only difference between when Ken first took the exam verse now is that instead of the 12-inch magic slab used for one day, to accommodate the older students, those have been replaced with slabs twice as thick which are good enough to test magic powers up to master level.

The three decided to take the practical parts together with Ken going first while Clare going last and unlike day one, Ken was able to produce a legit spell at each of the four elemental stations nevertheless how weak they were, he was more than happy with the results.

While Clare is still as impressive as ever, it was clear to see that some of the older students with their extra years of experience, are producing better results and it was clear for Ken to see how it irks the extremely prideful and competitive elf princess even when those people are much older in age and have way more time to train.

As they have reached the physical portion of the exam, Ken is met with the sword, box and baton once again and unlike the first time where he simply completed the tasks with brute strength. He was able to channel everything he learned over the past 5 months and enhanced his power while swinging the sword, enhanced his durability while holding the box and speed as he ran.

After the three finished their tests and the staff input their data, they joined back up with Alice and Genesis where Alice offered to buy them dinner in town as a celebration for working so hard for a whole semester.

So happy that he had finally finished the first semester of school in his life and at his own improvement, he graciously took the offer and the group left for town to look for a nice place to have dinner.

"I can't wait for tomorrow when they post the grades and update our rankings. I have for sure done will enough to be in the top 1000 overall." Ken declared as they walked around town looking for a restaurant while chatting happily that the first semester is finally over.

After arriving in front of a busy restaurant filled with mostly students, the group decided to celebrate here and sat down at one of the few tablets still empty.

"You are right Alice; I can see why most of those tests are absolutely worthless in actual combat. who would only enhance their speed instead of speed, power and endurance while in combat. To divide the enhancements into categories would only benefit those that want to see a meaningless score instead of how strong someone actually is." Ken complained.

"Yep, you are exactly right, the point of those tests is to give us an arbitrary ranking that's meaningless but good for the nobles and royals for bragging rights. Besides, in actual combat, you would need to account for someone's base ability instead of just how good they are at enhancement.

Even though Clare and Lovetta are slightly better at enhancing than me, with my natural speed and power, I'm sure I am faster and stronger and be more useful if we happened to be on a battlefield.

But since the world have been in peace for so long, what's useful matters less and less and it's more about what makes a good storyline to make someone in power look good." Alice replied as Clare and Genesis went to order food for the group.

Even though Alice is paying for the meal, since she has no clue what any of the food actually tastes like, the duty of ordering fell on Clare and Genesis while Ken, Alice and Lovetta continued to discuss about how the school's ranking system is full of flaws.

When the food arrived, it seemed like Alice and Genesis went all out with the ordering. Plates full of different types of meats, vegetables, soups, bread, rice, pasta filled their table to the brink.

"Did you two order everything on the menu or something?" Alice asked in bewilderment at the amount of food that was brought to their table.

"Since I didn't have to pay, might as well go all out." Clare answered with a smirk.

"Ken? When are you going to be making it big so you can step up and support your wife?" Alice replied in a soft seductive tone while hugging Ken just to agitate Clare.

"I don't have any big dreams like becoming the top hero. I just want to eventually get strong enough to get a decent job where I get paid well and can eat whatever I want.

Oh! Also, let my family live a good life and my young siblings go to school so they don't end up like me and look like an idiot getting all zeros." Ken replied in between taking huge bites of food.

"You can come to Vespera! I will tell my dad to hire you as my private personal guard and pay you whatever we need for a happy life." Alice added enthusiastically.

"You can come to Yelwraek, plenty of jobs for someone as smart as you once you have more time to study and learn." Clare intervened.

Before Alice could respond, Ken forcibly changed the topic before the two could get heated. Just like he does at home with his younger siblings, Ken has the important job of being the peacemaker to keep this group with a noble and a royal from going out of control.

"You know, maybe I should try and study language and become an ambassador to keep the races at peace like I already do right now." Ken joked as the group returned to a calmer mood.

After hours of eating, drinking and chatting, thanks to Lovetta's monstrous appetite and Ken's refusal to waste any food. They managed to stuff down the whole table of food that ended up costing Alice 100 academy points, a whole month's worth of allowance for the poor.

By the time the group reached the common room, it was already way past normal bedtime and with exams over and Ken stuffed to the brim. He told them to let him be tomorrow and sleep until he naturally wakes up.

Knowing their personalities, Ken specifically told Lovetta not to wait for him and to get breakfast when she is hungry. Reluctantly, Lovetta agreed, and the girls said their goodnight to Ken, and each returned to their own room.

Exhausted and too stuffed with food to think about the exam results, Ken slumped into bed and fell sound asleep almost instantly.