After class was dismissed, at the same time as usual, Skymender and Miria met up at the restaurant.
They studied intensely while Chef Master Garb made their food in the background, as enthusiastic as ever.
They eventually ate and went their separate ways.
The next day, Skymender went to the Education building.
He entered the room and sat down, waiting for the Imperial Scholar to arrive. The Imperial Scholar arrived at the same time as always.
"Alright. Everyone follow me."
Skymender stood up and the class was led through the doors.
They walked through the hallway for a while before entering a room they had never entered before. Inside were a bunch of people laying on beds, medical equipment, and doctors.
"For today's test, I moved a hospital here. You all will take a piece of paper and examine people's conditions. You will get points based on whether or not you correctly identified what was wrong with the patient. You can also get bonus points for providing methods to cure or help a patient."
He handed them all a piece of paper and a writing utensil, sending them off. Skymender went around as fast as he could, identifying conditions and the remedies for those conditions.
After two hours passed, Skymender heard the Imperial Scholars voice. The test was over, and they all returned.
"You will get your scores tomorrow. Go on."
He did not meet up with Miria as there was nothing to study at the moment. Instead, he simply walked around the Imperial Scholar Camp, looking around.
As he did so, he ran into a familiar face.
They walked towards each other on a narrow street. It was more than big enough for two people to walk side by side, but it forced the both of them to notice each other.
Charles spoke. "Skymender. I hope you did well on this test."
"Likewise." Skymender responded.
"I sure hope that you don't begin to lose already. Otherwise, the Imperial Scholar Camp would no longer be as interesting."
"I'll hold on, don't worry." Skymender said.
Though some of their words were said nicely, they looked at each other coldly.
"I heard you've been hanging out with Miria. Do you have a crush?" Charles said.
"She's twice my age. I'll pass. Besides, she came to me. I guess she's worried about you. If she didn't offer me information, I wouldn't have agreed. After all, I don't need help to win against you."
Charles laughed. "Don't speak too much. Your throat might act up."
Skymender smiled below his mask and took out a vial. "Would you like a throat like mine? I can give it to you."
Charles looked at the liquid surprised. He naturally did not dare to agree.
Skymender stepped forward, beginning to walk past him.
Charles' leg moved, nearly tripping Skymender. "Oops."
Skymender let a double sided vial out of his clutch. "Oops."
The vial smashed on the ground, corroding it immediately. Charles backed up in surprise and fear.
"Be careful. Next time, who's to say it won't drop on you."
Charles did not say a word as Skymender left. His impression of Skymender had completely changed.
When they first met, he had tried getting to know him. Later, he viewed Skymender as a threat, someone nearly equal to him.
Finally, he viewed Skymender as a dangerous enemy.
Unknowingly, he had put Skymender and him at equal levels in his mind.
The same could not be said for Skymender, who viewed Charles as an arrogant brat relying on his talent to succeed.
Skymender continued to look around, but didn't find any really interesting places. The only one worth noting that he could actually enter was something called a trampoline park. He had a bit of fun there.
Eventually, he returned to his room and relaxed. With its increased size and the gentle light of the setting sun that came through the window, Skymender felt at peace.
He took a book and read it while there was still light. This did not last long, and the sun soon fell. Skymender went to sleep early, getting more sleep than usual.
He arrived at the Education building on time, and the Imperial Scholar entered at 8 AM sharp.
He did not waste a moment, writing names from the bottom up.
Third was Miria. Only Skymender and Charles remained.
However, the Imperial Scholar did not write a name. Instead, he erased the 2 and wrote a one. He then wrote Skymender and Charles. It did not matter the order.
"Somehow, two managed to tie with each other this time. The system wasn't designed for ties, and the odds of it are very low, but whatever, it happened. First place gets five points, third place gets one."
Skymender's points reached 29, while Charles' points went higher as well. How high exactly, Skymender was unaware.
He did not remain unaware for long as the Imperial Scholar, still on the ladder, moved over to the side of the board, where the leaderboard rankings were.
He started from the bottom up, changing either names or points. The changes being made were for the entirety of the medical section.
Skymender was in first place with 29. Charles was just behind with 27.
Miria, though in third, was further behind with 25 points.
It felt like a three way race, with only two possible winners. Of course, those behind were not very far behind and should not be completely counted out, but the odds of another contender emerging was very small.
The Imperial Scholar began to talk. "English and Science. We are done with both for now. Around a month and a week has passed since the start of the Imperial Scholar Camp, and I have seen great improvement from everyone. Next, we will begin the Math section. Beware, things will get complicated here. Math is the foundation of everything, the language of the Universe so to speak. When we are done, you will have completely transformed. Let's begin."
The Imperial Scholar started from the beginning, with addition and subtraction.