They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 522: Third Major Exam Begins Then she sighed and leaned against the seat, her voice softer now.

"So if Carl was the one who set those exam questions... I believe it. With all my heart. That man could smile sweetly and hand you a loaded minefield like it's candy." "That is... oddly accurate," Nnenna muttered.

Ava scoffed. "And don't even getstarted on our own paper. It was not exactly a free ride either. I expected that much, since Carl's our lecturer, but still..." She shook her head tically.

"I felt like I was walking a tightrope over lava while being judged by a panel of eagles. One wrong move, and boom, flames." Nnenna grinned. "Sounds about right." Their chatter continued all the way home, the weight of the exams lifting a little more with every laugh.

"You should go and rest," Ava said firmly as they stepped into the main corridor of the estate. "You haven't fully recovered yet. So take today and the one day break tomorrow to rest properly." She gave Nnenna a half glare, half hug kind of look, the kind only a concerned best friend could pull off. "The next exams are for the two talents," she continued with a groan. "And I still need to work on mine." Nnenna smiled, nodded, and they both headed to their separate rooms.

The short break flew by faster than either of them expected. And soon, the day of the first talent exam arrived. Nnenna met up with Hannah and Emily near the year one's dance studio, only to find it bursting with people, all of them practicing frantic last minute routines. The tension in the air was thick with nerves and hairspray.

"This place is chaos," Hannah muttered, adjusting her ponytail as someone nearly elbowed her mid spin. "Let's go somewhere less crowded." They quickly left the buzzing stuand made their way across the wide school fields, the open sky above offering a breath of calm.

The morning sun cast a golden glow on the grass as they walked, their shoes crunching softly beneath them. "Alright," Hannah began, slipping effortlessly into her gentle but firm voice. "As you already know, whether for year one or any other year, each person will perform for three minutes. The five judges will each score you out of twenty." Her tone was calm, but beneath it was the unmistakable tension of someone trying to steady both herself and her friends.

"That gives a total of a hundred," she continued. "Scores from seventy and above get you an A, sixty to sixty nine is a B, fifty to fifty nine is a C, and anything below that..." she exhaled slowly, "is an F." The group fell quiet for a beat.

Hannah pressed on, her voice a little steadier now. "Listen, even if something doesn't go the way you planned, don't panic, especially you Nnenna. I've taught you all the year two and year three moves in the curriculum. You've shown great progress, so you'll be fine. These judges aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for preparation. Flow with it. Keep your rhythm. Own your stage." She looked from face to face, as if willing them to believe it.

"Just let your talent speak for you." She shared a few more quick tips, but twas slipping fast. The signal bell for talent contestants rang faintly in the distance.

"Let's go," Hannah said, tucking her notes away. "It's almost time." They turned and began walking back toward the competition grounds, shoulders squared, hearts racing. The exam was about to begin.

The exam hall was nothing short of grand, vast and echoing like a coliseum built for champions. It stretched wider than most stadiums, with high arched ceilings crisscrossed by elegant beams of seemingly enchanted crystal lights that shimmered softly in the daylight. The air buzzed with quiet anticipation, thick with excitement and nerves alike.

Parents, dressed in their best, filled the audience seats alongside teachers and school officials. Students from various departments whispered among themselves, swith folded arms, others fidgeting in nervous silence. Omniora Academy had always believed in public accountability, especially when it cto the talents major. It was not just an exam, it was a performance.

The academy's media team moved discreetly, adjusting cameras and mics along the raised edges of the circular stage in the middle of the hall, Everything was being streamed live for those who could not attend. Journalists were stationed at the back, scribbling notes or recording with glowing quills. Spectators had been invited from all walks of life, nobles, commoners, alumni, even a few celebrities from the arts world. Security was visibly tight. Uniformed guards stood at regular intervals, their eyes constantly scanning the crowd, their presence silent but reassuring. Metal detection wards shimmered faintly at every entrance. Omniora took no chances.

The atmosphere held its breath as the Master of Ceremonies, a tall, stately young man in silver and blue, stepped forward onto the stage with his staff in hand, though he obviously did not need it. He adjusted his mic and cleared his throat.

Just then, the hall doors flew open, and a palace guard sprinted inside. The entire hall turned to look.

The guard, breathless but determined, made a beeline for the MC. He whispered urgently into the young man's ear.

Gasps echoed around the audience as the MC's eyes widened in disbelief. He blinked, visibly trying to regain his composure. A few seconds passed, tense, silent, heavy.

The MC cleared his throat tically and tapped the mic twice.

"Mic check, one, two. Good. I won't be dragged offstage by tech wizards today. Progress!" Laughter rippled lightly across the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, students and staff, parents and bored siblings dragged here against their will, welcto the Annual Talents m Examination and Showcase of Omniora Academy! This is not just any talent display, it's where excellence struts its stuff, and the rest of us clap politely and question our life choices!" More laughter followed.