The instructor eventually arrived. He sighed, then took one last drag of his cigarette, and then threw it on the ground and stubbed it out with his boot.

“He isn’t really a great role model, is he?” said Casey, crossing her arms.

The instructor gestured for everyone to be quiet.

“Today I’m announcing something very exciting,” he said. “Something I’m sure all of you have been waiting for. The date for this years midterms!”

An audible groan came from the entire crowd. Casey looked particularly displeased.

“Ugh, midterms,” she said. “But it’s only week two of classes.”

Max kept his cool. He understood that this academy was all about pushing students to their limits and seeing if they could triumph. The midterms were just another stepping stone towards his goals to becoming a tower climber. He wasn’t going to stand there and groan while important information was being disseminated.

The instructor continued.

“The mid terms will be held on December 3rd. You now have the rest of October and November to train and prepare for the test. It should be noted that the academy’s trials will only get more difficult after the midterms, so failing them will result in a failure for the year. There’s no chance to catch up after them. Oh—and the winter ball will be held a few days after the midterms as well. Don’t forget that and, most importantly, good luck.”

With that, the instructor headed back into the academy building and the crowd of students erupted into a deluge of complaints.

“Are they ever actually going to teach us anything? Or is it all tests, all the time!?”

Max turned to Casey and her whole body was slumped over.

“Mondays are the worst.”

36

Max stood in the academy courtyard, tapping his foot and thinking to himself.

None of the students had left yet. They continued to moan about the midterms and lack of guidance from the academy in general.

Max went over what the instructor had told them. The midterms was an important test in two months time. They had now until then to train.

Max didn’t mind the idea of independent study, but there was just one problem. They weren’t allowed to go to any tower floors higher than The Endless Forest.

That was a problem. One of the best parts of Max’s trait was that he had the power to defeat monsters much higher ranked than him. He should be able to gain stats and power much more quickly than others; but he wouldn’t be able to do so on floor-2 where all the monsters were so low ranked.

All of the tower-zone’s rules were preventing him from being able to improve quickly.

“Any ideas of how you’re going to study for the mid terms?” asked Casey.

Max shook his head. “I’m trying to figure that out now.”