The Extra's Reincarnation

The black ink on the exam paper swirled menacingly in Julian's vision. He rubbed his eyes, trying to focus, but every number and glyph seemed determined to mock him.

-Damn it… what do I do now?!

Every ounce of preparation he had done hinged on cracking this monstrous question. He had thought that by focusing on the ultimate pass-or-fail challenge, he'd prove himself the smart underdog who excelled beyond expectations.

But this was beyond anything he'd imagined.

Maths? Really?

I mean what would you expect of an air head extra.

He slumped back, feeling utterly defeated. There was no way around it; he needed help.

FWANG!

[It seems that you are in quite the distress Julian.]

-You think!?

[I can help you with that sneaky question, only if you wish...]

-Really? You have the answers?

[I do, but I'm not going to give it you for free. So in exchange for getting the answer you have to write down everything I display to you: formulas, methodology, working out, everything. Complete that and I guarantee that you'll have an answer at the end. KEKE -]

Julian blinked, processing the offer. It wasn't a quick fix, but it was a lifeline.

-Fine. Hit me.

[Very well, let's begin.]

FWANG!

___________

[Step 1: Analyzing the Glyph Array]

The glyph array, when analyzed, reveals the following relationships:

Mana Flow Equation: M_out = k * M_in * (D_x + D_y + D_z)

Dimensional Coordinate Equations:

D_x = f(Glyph_1, Glyph_2)

D_y = f(Glyph_3)

D_z = f(Glyph_4, Glyph_5)

Where k is a glyph-derived constant, and f() represents a function determined by the glyphs' configuration…

___________

Scribble...scribble...scribble...

Julian's hand cramped as he raced to copy every line.

The system's screens flashed with relentless precision, each step more intricate than the last.

He gritted his teeth, fighting against the clock.

-This is madness!

Every time he thought he was catching up, another wave of data appeared.

Formulas layered upon formulas, all demanding his immediate attention.

With his mind and body on the brink of exhaustion, those around him looked began to look at Julian struggling to fit his handwriting into the edges of the paper.

-We're supposed to answer that?

-What kind of maniac even tries to solve it!?

-Is he seriously going for the last question first?!

The whispers filled the room as Julian caught the attention of those behind him and even then he didn't notice the curious glances from Franz or the confused expressions from Francine.

He was so locked in that it would take God to pull him away from his flow state.

-It's working… This might actually work!

Unlike the others who couldn't fathom tackling such a daunting problem head-on, Julian had finished the working-out section just barely.

-All that's left now is…

FWANG!

[Congratulations! You've written down the formula, methodology, and working out.]

[Here are your answers:]

[ANSWER]1

"1 minute remaining"

-You've got to be fucking kidding me…

Julian didn't dare take another breath until he finished.

It was another massive line of writing he had to get down, but he didn't give up until—

"Time's up! All answers sheets will return to my desk."

WHOOOOOSH!

Just as he finished scribbling the final line, the papers vanished from his grasp like angels ascending to heaven.

He even tried to grab it mid-air, but unfortunately it was just out of his reach.

-NOOOOOOOOO!

Julian sat motionless in his seat with his heart sinking as the reality of the situation hit him.

He'd poured everything into that one question, and for what?

To lose it all in the end.

"Everyone remain seated," boomed a voice that silenced even Julian's inner crisis.

Riggs Bourne stood at the front of the room like an unyielding monument.

"Stay where you are until all tests have finished."

What now? Julian slumped further in his seat, despair gnawing at him.

He watched as Riggs began skimming through the collected papers with surprising speed, pausing occasionally to mark something on his clipboard.

As he flicked through them, he got to a certain paper and his facial expression dropped like he had seen something disgusting.

The old man stopped dead, eyes widening ever so slightly before narrowing in intense focus.

"This can't be right..." Riggs muttered under his breath, flipping back and forth between pages.

"How did this boy…?"

He glanced up, scanning the room until his piercing gaze locked onto Julian.

For a moment, just a moment, he was in disbelief.

But then his face hardened again.

"Everyone except Julian Uzziel is dismissed. You may all leave now."

As if carried by a single wave of relief and confusion, students filed out of the hall. Julian remained rooted to his seat, feeling like a convict awaiting sentencing. When everyone else had finally left, Riggs approached him.

"Barely anyone even touched those last questions," Riggs said gruffly. "And yet... you didn't bother with half the test."

Julian swallowed hard, trying not to let hope creep into his chest.

"Does that mean I—I failed?"

"You didn't complete a single section. Even your final answer is incomplete."

Julian nodded slowly, processing the words through a haze of disappointment.

"So there's no way... I'll make it through?"

Riggs crossed his arms, maintaining a firm demeanor but with a hint of consideration in his tone.

"We can't pass you on this alone. You'll have to wait until other exams are over to see if there's any chance of reconsideration."

Julian's heart sank further. It seemed like this was truly the end of the line.

"If by chance," he dared to ask, "when my paper is reviewed... could my effort at least be considered?"

Riggs' expression was inscrutable as he replied.

"The principal and her assistants will decide that,"

"If they're impressed—and that's a big IF—then good for you."

He turned away slightly but paused, as if contemplating what he should say next.

"But you'll have to leave the campus until it's settled."

"Ah… okay…"

Julian managed a nod before walking out, each step heavier than the last.

***

The soft glow of mana lamps bathed the principal's office in a warm, ethereal light.

Kiera stood at the large window, gazing out over Aethel Academy's campus.

"It's been a week since the tests concluded… and our first-year representative has been chosen. It's none other than Franz Evera from the Duke's greatest talent yet."

"It was expected to say the least, he was the one who went 1# in all combat trials and magic tests."

[Lorraine Wintervale, 4th Year - Student Council: Vice President]

Seated at a desk piled with documents and papers, Lorraine Wintervale scribbled her notes with effortlessly.

Her student council uniform bore countless badges along her cape, attesting to her numerous achievements.

"Right? I mean, it is one of the more interesting first year groups I've seen in a while," Kiera continued, turning back to Lorraine.

"We've also added three new first-years to the student council. Francine Aureus as Student Council Treasurer, Audrey Glacia as Secretary, and Ezekiel Ventus as Assistant."

"They're definitely student council material and I say that without any doubt, I'm not surprised the others had no objection to approving them."

"Very true. You think they'll be able to last, though?"

"Probably. I'm sure they'll get the hang of the work."

Lorraine paused briefly in her writing, nodding in agreement.

The pen resumed its dance over paper, swift and precise.

"Oh, I forgot to ask, but how did your sector do for the theory exams?"

"Did anyone manage to answer that final question? My half didn't have any."

"There were ten attempts," Lorraine replied without looking up.

"Only two completed the section."

Kiera's eyes lit with interest.

"And they were?"

Lorraine finally set down her pen and met Kiera's gaze.

"Francine Aureus and Franz Evera. Two of the most promising students among this year's intake."

Kiera smiled knowingly.

"As expected, from two unrivaled prodigies in their year. Did anyone else catch your eye among the others?"

"There was one," Lorraine admitted thoughtfully, "but he didn't finish writing down his answer."

Kiera leaned forward, intrigued.

"May I see his exam?"

"I'll fetch it quickly." Lorraine rose from her seat with graceful efficiency. She moved to a stack of neatly organized boxes and pulled out one marked Group 11.

She handed a paper to Kiera while still rifling through the materials. "This person didn't make it past the next exam placements," Lorraine noted matter-of-factly. "He didn't answer a single question on that test and was disqualified."

Her eyes flickered with mild disbelief before she found what she was looking for—a sheet attached to the paper—and handed it over as well.

"I marked him as F."

"And his name?" Kiera probed gently.

"Julian," Lorraine said, handing over the exam with Julian's name clearly written across it.

Kiera read through the final section written in shaky letters, her surprise growing with every line.

Each part of Julian's working out was detailed and perfectly reasoned, showing insights far beyond his age.

The more she examined it, the more amazed she became at how a fourteen-year-old could write this.

Finally, she set the paper down with a frown.

"He failed because of this? And wasn't even allowed to continue?"

Lorraine nodded, feeling a bead of sweat form on her forehead under Kiera's scrutinizing gaze.

Flick!

"Hiek!"

She squeaked as Kiera flicked her sharply on the head.

"How often must I remind you not to mark down—or off—working out that leads to the right answer?"

Lorraine rubbed her head indignantly.

"But he didn't give a complete answer!"

"As long as the reasoning makes sense and leads to the solution. It deserves a hundred just like the other two."

She leaned back against her desk, crossing her arms.

"Take Francine and Franz. How did they arrive at their answers?"

Lorraine sighed, but responded dutifully.

"Francine's work was messy, but correct in the end. Franz was thorough and left nothing unexplained."

"And this?" Kiera held up Julian's paper next to the others.

Lorraine looked it over and bit her lip.

"I guess he would've gotten it anyway…"

Kiera shook her head slowly.

"Haah… It seems I've already made a mistake as principal."

"You don't mean?"

"Yes, you're right, we're going to have our third special admissions student."

I'm not consuming my time writing down the actual answer onto the thingy and wasting words so here it is:

[Equations from Glyph Array]

M_out = k * M_in * (D_x + D_y + D_z)

D_x = f(Glyph_1, Glyph_2)

D_y = f(Glyph_3)

D_z = f(Glyph_4, Glyph_5)

Mana Consistency (C):

C = (M_out / M_in) * T_s

Mana Output (M_out):

M_out = 1800 units.

Summoned Entity/Object:

A "Lantern infused with a flamed candle."

Magical Properties and Uses:

The lantern provides illumination, magical detection, warding against dark energies, and a focus for light-based spells.

The flamed candle provides a magical fire source for rituals...