I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 154 Hell Week (6)

Slowly, the other students arrived at the area where the individual exams were held.

June also finished her exams and joined the group, dropping into her seat with an exaggerated sigh.

"Finally," she muttered, rubbing her temples. "If I had to write one more word, I swear I was going to start summoning fireballs out of frustration."

Alia chuckled but didn't comment, instead glancing toward the students still arriving. She was still waiting for two more people to show up before she could take her last exam.

As the conversation continued, Mei turned to Alia, her expression curious.

"By the way, Alia," she began, "I forgot to ask—how did you not come in second or third during the team exams?"

Since Alia was always first in everything she did, it surprised Mei that she hadn't placed at the top.

Of course, this was a team event, and Arlon was involved, which meant first place was impossible for anyone else.

But Mei had fully expected Alia to secure second or third.

Alia tilted her head slightly, as if the question didn't really bother her. "Hmm... I don't know. It just happened that way this time."

Mei frowned. "Huh? I see."

She didn't believe it. But she also didn't press the issue.

And she was right to be suspicious.

Alia could have easily taken second place. Especially since her team included Carmen, Evan, and Maria—a four-person team that could have outperformed most others.

But instead of focusing on winning, she had helped the others improve, prioritizing teamplay over personal achievement.

That was why she hadn't received the free pass for today's team exam.

Not that she cared.

Alia had never needed shortcuts to excel. Whether she was given a free pass or not, she would always be prepared.@@@@

And when the actual test came, it wouldn't matter which students she ended up with.

She would still come out on top.

Obviously, she wouldn't be teaching anyone during the real thing.

After a while, other students also finished their individual exams and the team exams started for those who didn't have a free pass.

Still, there weren't many students who finished their theory exams even though lunchtime had passed.

Out of respect for others, the ones who finished all their exams also didn't eat anything.

Of course, the reality wasn't always that simple—but the odds had definitely been in their favor.

Additionally, since some students had failed purely due to running out of time, it meant that the majority of those who completed the exam were likely to pass.

As the conversation continued, the group finally arrived at the restaurant district.

This time, they chose to try a different place—one last meal before the results were announced.

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The group stepped into the new restaurant, the warm scent of grilled meats and seasoned dishes filling the air.

Unlike the quieter spot Arlon and Mei had visited before, this place had a livelier atmosphere—more students, more conversation, and a subtle sense of celebration in the air.

It made sense. The hardest part of Hell Week was finally over.

They found a large enough table near the window, and as they settled in, Arlon's gaze drifted outside.

The restaurants sat atop a hill, and from their vantage point on the third floor, the view stretched far beyond the academy grounds.

It was breathtaking.

From here, he could see Cardon Academy, its towering spires rising against the sky, its silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun.

But the most striking thing wasn't the academy.

It was the clouds.

A vast ocean of white and gold stretched beneath them, rolling in slow, endless waves.

Even though Arlon and the other players had been in Cardon Academy for nearly a week, they had never seen this sight before.

The edges of the floating island were off-limits, and their time had been consumed by training, exams, and survival.

Perhaps if they had asked, the students could have shown them better vantage points, places where the sky felt even closer.

But they hadn't.

Maybe because they were too focused on Hell Week.

Or maybe because they never thought to ask.

And now, in these final moments before their departure, Arlon saw something that no longer existed in his past life.

Something that had been lost.

He watched the clouds drift, knowing that soon, he would have to leave them behind.