The first day of the midterm examinations began before sunrise.
Students from every year gathered in the central academic hall, a vast stone building lined with banners bearing the academy's crest. The usual noise and excitement of the campus had given way to an unusual silence. Even the most arrogant students wore serious expressions.
Rows of desks had been arranged across the hall. Instructors moved between them, placing sealed examination booklets on each table.
Krishak entered calmly, Lunafang remaining outside under the supervision of academy staff.
As a spirit beast, Lunafang was not permitted inside the examination hall.
The wolf gave Krishak a determined look before lying down near the entrance.
Krishak smiled faintly and took his seat.
At precisely eight o'clock, Headmaster Rudra's voice echoed through the hall.
"You may begin."
Krishak opened the booklet.
The exam covered four major subjects:
Cultivation Theory
Beast Lore
Herbology
History of the Spiritual Awakening
The questions ranged from basic definitions to complex analytical problems.
For example:
Explain the importance of foundation building.
Compare the strengths and weaknesses of three common beast types.
Identify the medicinal properties of listed herbs.
Discuss the social effects of the Great Awakening.
To the average student, the paper was challenging.
To Krishak, it was elementary.
Krishak wrote quickly but neatly.
His answers were precise, concise, and supported by examples.
In herbology, he included observations beyond the standard curriculum.
In cultivation theory, he emphasized purity and control rather than mere accumulation.
In beast lore, he discussed behavioral tendencies that most students overlooked.
Within one hour, he had completed the entire examination.
The allotted time was three hours.
Several nearby students glanced at him nervously as he placed his pen down and reviewed his work.
After checking his answers once, Krishak raised his hand.
The supervising instructor approached, visibly surprised.
"You've finished?"
Krishak nodded.
The instructor reviewed the booklet briefly, then accepted it.
"You may leave."
When Krishak exited the hall, Lunafang immediately stood and trotted to his side.
The silver wolf barked softly.
Krishak scratched behind his ears.
"It went well."
Students who saw him leaving so early whispered among themselves.
Some were impressed.
Others were skeptical.
Aarav, who had just finished one section, noticed Krishak outside through the hall windows and frowned.
He interpreted the early departure as display of confidence.
His determination to surpass Krishak intensified.
Later that day, Professor Devika joined several instructors who were grading the herbology section.
When she reached Krishak's paper, she paused.
His answers were not only correct but demonstrated understanding far beyond the course material.
In one response, he proposed methods to improve herb growth under unstable spiritual conditions.
In another, he described purification techniques that even advanced students rarely considered.
Devika set the paper aside and smiled.
"As expected."
By evening, the written examination results were posted.
A crowd gathered around the ranking board.
At the very top was a single name.
1. Krishak Veer - 100/100
Second place was several points lower.
Students erupted in discussion.
"Perfect score?"
"In every subject?"
"That's impossible."
Ravi stared at the result with admiration.
Aarav clenched his jaw.
The gap between them was once again obvious.
Krishak glanced at the rankings only briefly.
The result was exactly as expected.
What interested him far more was the next phase of the midterm examination.
Practical combat.
Written knowledge was important.
But battle revealed truths that books could not.
That night, Krishak and Lunafang trained quietly beneath the moon.
No celebration was necessary.
The true tests were still ahead.