Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Luviya and Priest Augustus had fewer exam subjects, all maintaining grades of "exceed expectations" and above, while Shard, who took the skip-grade exam, received a "pass" in the third-grade course "Introduction to Dreamscape Theory," with other grades being quite good.

"In particular, in the three 'Mastery of Ancient Language' courses, the History Academy believes that Mr. Hamilton has already reached a level that many formal students don't possess upon graduation."

Professor Garcia generously praised, and Shard nodded with a smile, then the professor continued to announce:

"Then comes the Sixth Era: Common Calendar 1853 academic year, year-end evaluations of the five members of Bill Schneider's group."

Everyone subconsciously sat up straight, as this was the most important part of today—

"Group leader Bill D. Schneider passed the fifth-grade exams successfully, with sufficient practical credits, advancing to the sixth grade. Based on the number of Academy bounties completed throughout the year, special honors from the Summer Lakeview Estate event, excess practical credits, and additional evaluations from elective course instructors, the overall evaluation for this academic year is [exceed expectations·medium]. Because of the group leader identity, the evaluation is raised by a small grade; given that correspondence student Shard S. Hamilton advanced to the fourth grade within half a year, the rating increases by two small grades. The final rating is excellent·medium."

The smile on the doctor's face was entirely unconcealed, he winked at Shard, and Shard magically understood his meaning—

"I told you, meeting you was the luckiest thing for me in the whole of 1853."

"Upon discussion within the Academy, the academic year evaluation reward is: choose a relic below scribe level and two free arcane techniques, providing ritual materials. Tuition for the next academic year is reduced by half, with three professors offering additional elective courses to you. After this, please contact the Mechanical Academy to discuss the sixth-grade curriculum. Due to outstanding results, you are awarded the title of 'Saint Byrons Integrated Academy's Outstanding Student of the Sixth Era 1853.'

Professor Garcia said, and the doctor immediately nodded. The doctor's report card, year-end evaluation report, and a purple gold medal in a small red box were brought over, Shard rarely saw the doctor so delighted.

That purple gold medal, once truly entering Saint Byrons, the doctor would likely wear it at every formal meeting and banquet. After all, according to the doctor, students earning such honor in a single academic year don't exceed twenty.

"Miss Dorothy R. Louisa passed the fourth grade exams successfully, with sufficient practical credits, advancing to the fifth grade. Based on the number of Academy bounties completed throughout the year, special honors from the Summer Lakeview Estate event, excess practical credits, and additional evaluations from elective instructors, the Academy's overall evaluation is exceed expectations·lower. For the fifth-grade courses and choice of Sublimation Incantation, please contact the Folklore Academy."

The blonde girl nodded in slight disappointment, but upon hearing the results, she expected this outcome. Of course, she privately told Shard that she originally thought it would be exceed expectations·medium, but it seemed the year-end exam's bad luck lowered the evaluation.

The Academy's evaluation rewards for correspondence students at least need to be exceed expectations·medium.

"Miss Luviya F. Annette passed the third-grade exams successfully, with sufficient practical credits, advancing to the fourth grade. Based on the number of Academy bounties completed throughout the year, special honors from the Summer Lakeview Estate event, results of the Astronomy Academy's autumn astrology activities, and excess practical credits, the Academy's overall evaluation is excellent·lower."

The girl with purple eyes merely smiled faintly, her results were really good.

"The academic year reward is two free arcane techniques, providing ritual materials. Two professors have offered additional elective course content to you. The above matters please contact the Academy Library and the Astronomy Academy. Additionally, regarding next year's training plan, Saint Byrons has received correspondence from the Prophet's Society and will be in contact with you shortly."

Luviya nodded, then raised her hand to indicate:

"Professor, I advanced to the five rings last week. Although still a fourth grader, I'd like to apply to preview the 'Sublimation Codex' to confirm the Sublimation Incantations of the Inner Ring."

Professor Garcia was visibly surprised but nodded nonetheless:

"That's fine, but you still need the Prophet's Society's reference opinion."

After confirming Luviya had no other issues, he continued reading:

"Mr. Lat A. August passed the year-end exams successfully. Based on the number of Academy bounties completed throughout the year, special honors from the Summer Lakeview Estate event, and excess practical credits, the year-end evaluation is exceed expectations·lower."

In fact, the old cleric's results were better than Dorothy's, but he couldn't take the upgrade exam, so the evaluation was lowered somewhat.

"Additionally, the special intelligence contribution to the Midshire Fort event raises the evaluation by a small grade. The final rating is exceed expectations·medium. The academic year reward is a free arcane technique, providing ritual materials, and one professor has offered additional elective course content to you."

Professor Garcia looked up to ask Priest Augustus:

"The Chemistry Academy asked me to confirm with you whether you are still at the second ring."

"Yes."

The priest displayed his Ring of Fate, Shard glanced up to see that since autumn, he now had an extra Spirit Rune in the second ring, with two Miracles, two Desecrations, and one Whisper, but notably missing an Enlightenment.

Professor Garcia nodded:

"You don't need to prepare in advance, just be ready to respond individually to the Academy's inquiries when notified."

The cleric revealed his Ring of Fate, and it showed that he now had an extra Spirit Rune at the second ring, with two Miracles, two Desecretions, and one Whisper, but had lost one Enlightenment.

Professor Garcia nodded, then continued to read:

"Shard Suren Hamilton, successfully passed the grade-skipping exam, and with sufficient practical credits, advanced to the fourth grade. Based on the number of Academy bounties completed throughout the year, special honors received (including compiling publications), the comprehensive evaluation for this academic year is excellent·intermediate..."

Shard's eyes dropped to the floor, "Compile books", He knew that Miss Danester's unauthorized actions for him to gain practical credits by contributing to books was not entirely in line with the rules, but the professors clearly knew this situation, they just didn't say anything about it.

Garcia and the other three professors clapped understandingly, and then formally announced:

"The Academy's rating has been raised by a grade; as 'Saint Byrons Integrated Academy 1853 Excellent Student' and the 'Saint Byrons Integrated Academy Feliana's Medal.' Tonight at 8 o'clock, we will inform you of the temporary means by which you can come to the Academy, and you are the first correspondence student to win this honor in ten years."

Although the doctor couldn't hide the smile on his face, he winked at Shard, who somehow understood what he meant—

"I knew it, meeting you was the luckiest thing for me in the whole of 1853."

Although Shard himself had few ideas on how to proceed, Miss Danester's unauthorized assistance with "Drafting Books" had allowed him to earn practical credits, roughly known how things stood. Though not entirely according to rules, the professors were all aware of it, and just kept silent about the whole affair. The Academy still acknowledged his contributions despite the lack of proper authorship of the works.

"Therefore, the year-end winter semester exams for Bill Schneider's group in 1853 are finally concluded."

Professor Garcia solemnly announced, but today's matter did not end there:

"Additionally, in light of the incident at Xerxes Higher Medical Academy, the Academy will conduct a new round of identity verification for correspondence students because of an academic spy event involving Lakin Prisia. The specific time is yet to be determined."

This issue was raised last night at the Bell Tower by Schneider, who asked, and Professor Garcia shook his head:

"No need to prepare in advance, just be ready to face the Academy's inquiry when you receive the notification."

The doctor then asked to correct the matter, trying to clear the suspicion:

"We only met him once or twice and didn't have any interaction involving the Academy's affairs."

Doctor corrected, trying to draw a line between himself and Lakin Prisia, and requested Professor Garcia to deliver the Scholastic Order regarding any details relevant to Prisia.

Professor Garcia continued, and the doctor's grade report and year-end assessment report, along with the purple gold medal in a red box, were sent up, rarely seen was the doctor so happy.

The purple gold medal, once truly entering Baylens, the doctor would likely wear it to every formal meeting and banquet. After all, according to the doctor, students who can win this honor in an academic year don't exceed 20 people.

As such, Bill Schneider's group academic year-end final exam for the year 1853 has finally reached a satisfactory conclusion.

With the summer exam week visibly approaching—not too far off, and expectations both high and low looming ahead—

"""