“The judges will consider every variable when making their choices,” the headmaster stated with finality. “And it will be irrespective of the opinions of the participants and their professors.” Professor Rainer looked ready to burst a blood vessel, but said nothing further.

After deliberating for a while longer, the judges informed the headmaster of their decision. He turned to the crowd to announce the results. “After deliberation, the judges have decided that Alek Carlisle is the winner of the second round.”

Nadrina and Lilianna cheered Alek on, even as he pretended not to hear. Professor Aldric just chuckled to himself. “I only said he could skip class time. Nadrina, do your best to help him when he still has to do the assignment for tomorrow.“

“Y-Yes, professor,” Nadrina muttered, trying not to think how this sounded like it was a punishment for her as well.

“With that, both classes are currently tied. The next bout will decide the contest. Professors, both of your sorcery candidates may come forward together. Their task will be a bit different.”

The sudden feeling of dread that filled her shattered Nadrina’s annoyed thoughts. She’d been so engrossed in the different types of magic on display that she’d momentarily forgotten she was actually a contestant. The enthusiastic cheering that came from Lilianna when she walked forward didn’t help calm her.

“While perhaps not quite as flashy, this next challenge is no less difficult,” the headmaster was saying. He pulled from his robes two pieces of parchment, each containing complex magical diagrams.

“You will each have a series of rune arrays to put together and solve. Part of the arrays have already been filled in for you, but it is up to you to deduce the rest. You must correctly do all twenty of them in sequence with each other. After you have finished the rune arrays, you will imbue and cast them. The result of the casting will show whether you have filled in the missing runes correctly or not.”

Magic diagrams? Nadrina did these in her spare time when she was bored or waiting for class to start. Was this really supposed to be the finale? Surely, they would have prepared some sort of devious trick to make her look like a fool.

Maybe it was a joke, because Professor Aldric started laughing out loud. The headmaster raised an eyebrow at the sudden outburst, but the professor just waved his hand dismissively as he tried to suppress his mirth.

“Don’t mind me, Kedrin,” he chuckled, “I just realized we’ll still make it for normal lunch time today. Go on, Nadrina, don’t overthink it. Just do what you do.”

Nadrina nodded, albeit hesitantly. At least one of them was confident.

“If everyone is done?” the headmaster asked, looking pointedly at Professor Aldric, who just smiled smugly. Professor Rainer seemed put off by his confidence.