However, their sudden dedication came at a cost. Several students were so exhausted that they overslept and ended up being late for class. Unfortunately for them, they were immediately caught by Fang, the self-appointed enforcer of discipline.
That day, they learned the hard way that breaking one rule, even in the name of studying, still meant consequences. But despite this, the newfound obsession with improvement didn't fade. The following nights, more and more students voluntarily stayed behind after study sessions, gathering in the common room to review material and practice spells.
At first, they dragged the study group leaders into it, refusing to let them leave. Eventually, the representatives revolted, collectively boycotting the tutoring sessions just to get some peace. But even then, the students continued studying on their own, pushing themselves far later than before.
Recognizing their enthusiasm, Alex took further action. He cleared out a dungeon and set up the humanoid target inside, making it an official practice space for spell training. However, to prevent students from practicing all night, he set a strict limit, each student could only cast ten spells per session before they had to give up their spot. For now, he only had one target available, but he made a mental note to build more when he had time. This was a perfect chance to test how long the target could run without maintenance.
The change wasn't just limited to the Slytherin common room. Even in regular classes, Slytherin students began displaying an unusual level of engagement. It didn't matter if the subject was Transfiguration, Charms, or even something as dry as Herbology, whenever a professor asked a question, the Slytherins were always the first to raise their hands.
Normally, that was Ravenclaw's role. Now, it was Slytherin dominating class discussions. The shift left the professors pleasantly surprised… and the students from other houses completely bewildered. It didn't take long before things escalated even further.
To maximize their point gains and avoid losing any, the Slytherin students began competing against each other daily. Who could earn the most points for the house? Who stayed up the latest studying? Who had the most polished shoes?
Eventually, it got so extreme that some students even stopped talking during meals, afraid of getting distracted and making a mistake that might cost them points. The moment they finished eating, they would immediately rush off to either study or practice spells.Even Alex, who had started this whole thing, found their dedication mildly concerning.
At the end of the month, during the weekly review, Alex enforced the same strict discipline as before. Students who had broken the rules were punished without hesitation. But this time, there was a twist. To "encourage improvement," Alex increased the punishment from 30 push-ups to 50. This kept everyone on edge, ensuring they maintained their discipline rather than slacking off after a few weeks.
However, not everyone could keep up. Despite the structured training, some students still struggled to break out of old habits. For those who lacked motivation, the intense competition made them feel even more isolated. Some simply gave up, realizing they couldn't keep up with the pace. Others accepted their fate, knowing they'd be caught violating discipline at least once a week, and resigned themselves to 50 to 100 push-ups every weekly meeting.
At this point, however, even the punishments weren't as effective. Their physical fitness had improved so much that push-ups had stopped being a serious deterrent. They had, unintentionally, built up endurance.
Now, these repeat offenders had a different mindset. They didn't necessarily oppose the rules, they mostly followed them. But when they did slip up, they didn't panic or feel guilty. They had developed the mindset of seasoned veterans, casually breaking small rules, getting caught, and doing their push-ups without complaint. It was less of a punishment now and more of a routine.
Alex watched this shift with mild amusement. For those students who had become complacent, Alex decided it was only a matter of time before he dealt with them properly. However, for now, the priority was the first monthly exam.
The monthly exam was scheduled for the last Saturday of the month. Given the tight schedule, Alex divided the assessments into written exams in the morning and practical spellcasting exams in the afternoon.
The monthly exam was set for the last Saturday of the month, prompting Alex to organize the assessments efficiently. He divided them into written exams in the morning and practical spellcasting evaluations in the afternoon. Since written exams became less emphasized in the upper years, he adjusted the duration accordingly. First and second-year students had seven subjects, each lasting 40 minutes, with a strong focus on written theory. Third to fifth-year students took exams in nine subjects, with each test limited to 30 minutes. Sixth and seventh-year students only sat for subjects relevant to their O.W.L. or N.E.W.T. exams, also with a 30-minute duration. This system served two main purposes: older students prioritized practical applications over theoretical tests, and finishing the written exams earlier allowed more time for the practical assessments.
For the sixth and seventh years, their exams were finished earlier than the lower grades. Since they had fewer subjects and generally performed better, their exams wrapped up by mid-morning.
However, Alex had other plans for them. Once they were finished, they would serve as exam proctors for the practical spellcasting exams of the younger years. The Slytherin common room wasn't big enough to accommodate all the spell tests, so Alex had arranged with several professors to borrow empty classrooms.
Thus, after the written tests, Sixth & Seventh Years would oversee Third to Fifth Years' practical spell tests in borrowed classrooms. Students would rotate between classrooms like a circuit, completing different subjects in different locations. Even Potions was included, Alex had personally borrowed supplies from Snape. Snape had previously agreed to support Alex's initiative, so when Alex requested to borrow ingredients and equipment for the Potions exam, he agreed immediately.
Truthfully, Snape was still trying to wrap his head around the new Slytherin house. Ever since Alex took charge, Slytherin had transformed into something… unrecognizable. The students weren't lounging around in the common room gossiping or plotting pranks anymore. Instead, they were Moving with military-like discipline. Studying with relentless focus. Standing at attention and greeting him the moment he entered the dungeon.
At this point, Snape no longer dared to walk into the common room unannounced. Whenever he stepped into the stone hall of the dungeons, students would immediately straighten their postures and greet him as if he were a commanding officer. It was unnerving.
Sometimes, Snape wondered if Alex had taken things too far. But since he had promised not to interfere, he held his tongue. Lately, though, he found himself watching Alex with increasing scrutiny.
The end of the first school month had finally arrived. Under Alex's arrangement, every Slytherin student was preparing according to their assigned roles. The exam stakes were high. Not only were individual rankings determined by these results, but the top-performing student and grade level would receive a reward from Alex.