Noah and Helena stood outside the training hall, the air thick with anticipation as they waited for their turns. Moments earlier, their instructor had finished announcing the exam rules:
The promotion exam would be a closed combat simulation against the anonymous black-armored figures inside the hall. Magic usage was unrestricted. Principal Angelina Olette and Vice Principal Wilson would observe each match from the elevated stands, combining their evaluations with scores from the black-armored opponents and the respective class instructors to determine the final grades.
To ensure fairness, each black-armored figure would participate in one to three matches. The young dragons had drawn lots to determine their opponents.
Helena glanced down at the number on her slip—1309.
It indicated she would be facing the black-armored figure labeled 1309.
"A number starting with 1... I will probably be up pretty early," Helena murmured, her brows furrowing as her nervousness became palpable.
She was far more anxious than during the events in the Demonic Moon Forest. Back then, she had been paired with Noah. Having her closest friend by her side had provided a sense of security that words could not describe.
However, this promotion exam followed the traditional format—solitary one-on-one duels. The isolation made Helena's nerves get the better of her.
Just as her unease reached a peak, a small, warm hand gently rested on her cold, trembling one.
Startled, Helena turned her head to see Noah smiling at her.
Noah's usual cool expression had softened into a determined, encouraging smile.
"Just do what you always do. Do not worry, you will pass the exam for sure," Noah reassured her.
Helena looked down, the tension in her chest easing slightly. She flipped her hand over, interlacing her fingers with Noah's to feel her comforting warmth.
"This makes me feel a lot better," Helena admitted softly.
"But back in the forest, I was nothing but a burden to you..."
"There is no such thing as being a burden. Say that again, and I will get mad," Noah replied, her voice firm.
Noah did not view that day in the forest as Helena dragging her down. In those life-or-death moments, her own inability to fully protect her friend only highlighted her shortcomings.
For days after, Noah had been reflecting on that experience. She often asked herself:
If I were stronger, could I have escaped with Helena before Dad arrived?
If I were stronger, could I have protected more of our companions before reinforcements came?
Noah held herself to impossibly high standards, often to the point of self-criticism. But when it came to Helena, her best friend, there was no way she could ever see this silly sea dragon girl as a hindrance.
"Alright... I understand," Helena said, a faint, genuine smile returning to her lips. She clutched her number slip tightly. "1309... I will pass this exam no matter what."
Seeing Helena regain her composure, Noah finally felt relieved enough to smile back.
"Oh, by the way, Noah, what number did you draw?"
"I have not looked yet."
"Well, hurry up and check!"
Helena leaned in curiously as Noah slowly unfolded her slip of paper.
"9...5...2...7," Noah read aloud.
"9527? That is your opponent?" Helena asked.
"Yep. Looks like I am going later," Noah replied, staring intently at the simple four-digit number.
For some reason, an unexplainable excitement bubbled up inside her.
Am I getting nervous?
Or... is it something else?
Noah could not quite pinpoint the feeling, but if she had to describe it more bluntly, it would be:
"I cannot wait to kick 9527's butt as hard as I can."
.
.
A few minutes later, the instructor's voice rang out.
"Students assigned to match 1309—Helena, Christina, please enter the hall and prepare. Your match will begin shortly."
Helena's breath hitched slightly, but she quickly steadied herself. She jumped off her seat and glanced back at Noah.
"If I pass the exam, we are going on a date, Noah."
"What a dramatic declaration, Helena. Are you risking your life just to go on a date with me? I am almost moved to tears."
"Why do I feel like you are holding back laughter?"
Helena chuckled, waving as she headed inside.
"Alright, I am going now."
"Good luck!" Noah called out.
Helena nodded and followed the other students into the hall.
Noah remained outside, waiting for her turn. Bored, she opened her number slip again, muttering the digits under her breath.
"9527... 9527."
"Hmph, just wait. I am going to pummel you into oblivion."
After hyping herself up with that fiery declaration, Noah focused on steadying her nerves and avoiding any negative thoughts.
Roughly half an hour later, Helena and her group emerged from the hall. The three young dragons bore traces of battle, their appearances slightly disheveled. It seemed the instructors playing the black-armored figures had taken the exam seriously, showing no favoritism or leniency.
Helena smoothed her messy hair and looked up, spotting Noah jogging toward her.
"How did it go, Helena? Are you hurt?" Noah's first concern was her friend's wellbeing.
"No injuries, I am fine," Helena reassured her with a smile.
"Grades do not matter as long as we are safe."
Helena shook her head, laughing softly. "I am alright. Let us sit for a bit."
"Sure."
The two returned to their previous spot, where Noah had prepared some water and snacks. Helena replenished her energy while describing the hall's layout and the flow of her fight.
Meanwhile, the instructor continued calling out numbers for the next matches.
"Students assigned to match 1428—Siri, Angel, please enter the hall and prepare."
.
.
"Students assigned to match 2317—Hugh, Bach, Sandy, please enter the hall and prepare."
.
.
"Students assigned to match 3328—Nancy, Aria, please enter the hall and prepare."
.
.
By noon, nearly all the students had completed their exams. However, Noah and 9527's names still had not been called.
Even knowing she was scheduled toward the end, Noah could not help feeling restless. The battle-hungry side of her was itching for action.
Several classmates who had already finished approached her, sharing their experiences and offering tips.
"From what we have seen, the instructors are serious, but they will go easy on you if needed. Just do your best, and you will pass," Christina advised.
Noah nodded. "Got it."
As they chatted, the training hall doors opened, and the previous group of students exited. Noah noticed that their opponent numbers had started with 8. That meant...
"Students assigned to match 9527—Noah, Melkvey, please enter the hall and prepare for the final match of the exam."
The instructor's voice cut through the chatter. A hush fell over the remaining students. All eyes turned to Noah.
This was it. The final match.
Noah stood up, her earlier restlessness solidifying into a sharp, focused calm. She took a deep breath, the number 9527 burning in her mind.
She walked toward the hall entrance, her steps steady and determined. The large double doors swung open, revealing the vast, shadowy interior of the training arena. Inside, a single figure stood waiting in the center, clad in immaculate black armor that seemed to absorb the light.
Noah's gaze locked onto her opponent. A fierce, competitive smile touched her lips.
Let's see what you're made of, 9527.