Extra Of The Magus Academy-Chapter 43: Creeping Despair

"Philius Louvrehard wins the first match!"

The echoes of victory rushed through the auditorium, instantly stifling the stench of defeat that the Beta Class Students felt once the first match concluded.

Perhaps it was due to the suspension of Joint Training, but the Beta Class Students seemed to have forgotten just how frightening it was to go up against their Alpha Counterparts.

With the swift and brutal fight—no, one-sided beatdown—that was the first match, they were once again reminded of their inferiority when compared to true talent and the endless potential of their Alpha counterparts.

Despair quickly seeped into their hearts, setting the mood for the rest of the event.

"Congratulations, Philius, you get to remain in Alpha Class." Beatrice Lampshade spoke to the only student who remained standing on stage.

The boy had barely broken a sweat.

"Whew! That’s a relief…" He responded with a bow, his bright smile and sarcastic tone not going unnoticed by the Head of Student Affairs.

’I see… so that’s what they are doing.’ She thought to herself. ’I found it strange that such powerful students would flunk their classes and be here.’

As a Rank 9 Mage, she was able to tell how strong most individuals were from a single glance.

With this ability, it was obvious to her that the Alpha Class Students were incredibly powerful, even when compared to the others in their own class.

So why would they be facing potential demotion?

Beatrice finally found her answer.

’They’re intentionally flunking so they can crush the Beta Class, giving them no hope of ever advancing…’

Her eyes narrowed in disapproval.

She did her best to hide her frown, but her clenched fists could not contain the burning rage that she felt.

’This is supposed to be a fair system, and yet… these guys…’ She wanted to stop the Promotional Exams on the spot, but she already knew that couldn’t work.

’I can only stop the Exams for probable cause, and there’s no rule against what they’ve done…’

In essence, she was powerless.

’Beta Class Students, I’m so sorry… I sold you all a false dream.’

There was no way any of them had the potential to rise to Alpha Class at this point.

They were all doomed.

*************

"Jane Deckhart wins the second match! Congratulations, Jane, you get to remain in Alpha Class"

"William Lawson wins the third match! Congratulations, William, you get to remain in Alpha Class"

"Philip Kurtinham wins the fourth match! Congratulations, Philip, you get to remain in Alpha Class"

"Justin Timberdrake wins the fifth match! Congratulations, Justin, you get to remain in Alpha Class"

The words just kept flowing from the lips of the Head Of Student Affairs, each declaration only having an interval of a minute or two before the next one.

If it wasn’t evident before, it was now.

The Beta Students stood no chance at all—not against the giants that were Alpha Class.

As Dustan sat on his chair, shifting uncomfortably in the large and comfy seat, he found beads of sweat trickling down his face. He had worked extremely hard to reach this point, waking up at unreasonably early hours and training to his limits every single day.

He had done everything Ash asked of him, and even more, just to prepare for this moment.

And now… even with all of his efforts… he wasn’t certain of victory.

’Ash told me that if I can’t get in this time, I won’t be able to do so any longer…’ His thoughts flowed in worry. ’I still don’t know the reason why, but it seems like this is really my last shot.’

Moments like this made him wish he had read the ’Legend of the Lost Prince’ Novel more seriously, but it was too late for regrets at this point. Besides, he had followed the very words of Ash, who knew practically everything about the story and its world, so wasn’t he supposed to have confidence that this would work?

’Y-yeah… I can do it! I can wi—"

"Fabian Bigweaner wins the sixth match! Congratulations, Fabian, you get to remain in Alpha Class"

The sudden declaration made by the Head of Student Affairs, coupled by the echoes of victory that rushed from Alpha Class disoriented Dustan, shattering the confidence that he had been trying to build up for so long.

’Ash…’ He slowly shifted forward, trying to find where Ash was seated with his troubled eyes.

Alpha Class Students only numbered 24, and 10 of them were contestants in the Exchange, so it wasn’t difficult locating where he was beyond the ring.

And—

’What’s that? Is he having a snack right now?’

Ash seemed to be holding something akin to a large bucket of popcorn, and he was stuffing his face with the stuff as he watched the match. He had amusement written all over his face, with a broad smile plastered on his pale face.

It could have simply been his imagination, but Dustan saw a glint of joy in Ash’s crimson eyes as the groans of the Beta Student drowned in the constant cheers of the Alpha Class cheers.

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’I-Is he not worried about me?’ Dustan wondered. ’Is he even on my side?’

Before he could answer that question, however, the next words he heard caused him to jump on his feet—almost instinctively.

"Next match is between Dustan from Beta Class and Arius Inkwell from Alpha Class."

On the opposite side of the stage, Arius slowly rose to his feet, an arrogant smirk playing on his bespectacled face.

"Both contestants, please come to the stage."

Dustan felt his body move, but he had no control over it. His palms were sweaty as he climbed the slightly elevated stage, feeling every ounce of pressure from the gazes that fell on him from both sides of the hall.

The pressure intensified once he felt the attention of Beatrice Lampshade on him.

"Both contestants take positions and prepare. If you have anything to say to each other, do so now." She spoke.

Dustan gulped as he heard this, fighting very hard to even look at Arius’ smug face.

"Not feeling so smug without Ashfelt by your side, huh?" He sneered. "Hehe… once I’m done annihilating you, whatever plot you and that traitor are cooking up will be foiled for sure."

"Eeep…"

"Struggle as hard as you can, runt." Arius cracked his neck and adjusted his glasses, his greenish blue eyes warbling with sadistic intent.

"This should be fun!"