Professor Olivia's words sent a torrent of storm through the classroom. The students exploded into whispers and murmurs.

The talk was divided into two main directions.

"What? Can she do that?"

"Is she targeting us? Unlike those rich noble children, no one taught us how to practice the dragon energy."

The students with no background or prior knowledge of the supernatural world dreaded the punishment before they even realized what the activity was.

All their lives, they had been living in ignorance, with half-baked knowledge. They had been recruited by the academy or joined it based on the fantasies they were fed their whole lives.

Unlike them, there were also those who were stuffed with knowledge and information by their families or relatives.

And their topic of discussion was entirely different from the ignorant bunch.

"I have been waiting for this."

"My parents especially hired a trainer to prepare me for this."

The device turned, and a bright golden light mixed with azure rose into the air. First there was a solid circle that moved in the air.

"I heard they make every newcomer perform this exercise."

"Indeed, this has to be the rumored test for the special class."

"I am not sure about it; I heard that the test is very inconspicuous. Even if you are undertaking it, you might not know about it."

The circle suddenly extended to form a cylinder shape, though it did not increase more than two inches. As it turned out, everyone could see something forming deep within the shape.

"What you see before you is a complex maze known as the Jiggler's puzzle. With each level you clear. The level of this puzzle becomes more complicated."

As she spoke, the first level appeared, showing a single empty straight line. On the next level, the path became a zigzag road.

And with each level the maze grew more complex.

Pointing at ten stars, one within each level, the professor said,

"Every glowing star marks the completion of each level."

To demonstrate how the test worked, she walked up to the device and placed her hand on the orb.

"Inject your dragon energy into this device, which every one of you should be able to do with ease."

The scared and confused students all focused on what she was doing.

Olivia conjured her dark blue energy and pushed it through the orb.

At the same time, on the screen a faint ball-shaped light appeared on the screen. It was directly in the middle of the gap of the two walls of the first level.

"With proper control, you can guide this orb wherever you want."

She showed the example by making the orb spin on the spot, making turns and drifts before returning to the original spot.

"Touch the walls on the side and you lose."

She performed everything she was explaining.

"And you have to start over."

Then with a smooth movement, she cleared the first three levels with ease and stopped. Seeing how easily she cleared those levels, the previously panicking students now fell at ease.

They became more confident in clearing the task.

But…

As if Olivia did not like to see the light of hope in their eyes, she decided to make them despair.

Not just the ignorant commoners; even the descendants of the noble families were caught off guard by what she said next."

"All you need to do is light up seven stars, and you will be free for the day. Fail, and you know what will happen."

Even those who seemed to know about this test had color drain from their faces, with only a few exceptions.

Jinn glanced at his roommate, and seeing his calm expression, he looked away.

"How is that even possible?"

"There is no way I can do that?"

"Even the highest-ranking achievement known was only till level five."

"Otis Douglas, the senior who graduated last year. I heard about him."

"He was said to be the most talented man of his batch. Even before him, no one managed to reach the fifth level on their first day."

Hearing the name, a young man with blonde hair suddenly straightened up, looking very proud. But the dark look on his face showed how much he hated the current situation.

"How can we accomplish something even the most talented person could not do?"

"Complete all the ten levels, and you don't have to come to this class for the next week." Ignoring their cries of doubt and injustice. She infused a strand of her dragon energy in the voice to make it louder and more thundering.

"You can all choose not to do it, but where does that leave you?"

Her voice cut through their heart like a sharp knife.

"You came here to prove yourself and carve the best future for yourself. Change your lives. Are you sure you want to give up?"

"…"

Suddenly the whole class went quiet.

All the loudmouths were silenced.

Despite their background, everyone had a similar goal.

They all wanted a better future for themselves. Which was why they came to the Nightshade academy to not only learn but also prove themselves.

Seeing the children glancing at each other's faces, the professor smirked faintly.

'Idiots.'

"It seems everyone is eager to try and test their abilities." Miss. Olivia slowly glanced at everyone in the room. "So why don't we start?"

"It is only appropriate we call someone who was very eager to join the class."

'Oh, what an interesting development.' Jinn thought to himself, already knowing what was about to happen.

It was not just him; every eye in the glass turned to the same person.

"You know I am talking about you, Mr. Black. Please come down for us."

Feeling every gaze on him, Dean Black did show a silly smile.

"You are rumored to be the best teacher, Professor Skinner. It is only natural I am eager to join your class."

With a charming performance, Dean slipped out of the benches and climbed the stairs.

He did not seem to be bothered by the attention he was getting. But on the contrary, from the smile on his face, it seemed that he loved it.

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