I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 149: Second Year Opener Exams [1]

The classroom hummed with anticipation as students shuffled in, each carrying the weight of the Second Year Opener Exams.

I sat at my usual spot by the window, arms folded and posture relaxed.

The soft murmur of conversations drifted around me, but I paid them no mind.

My thoughts wandered back to the past few weeks.

I had tried to study—truly, I had.

But every time I opened a textbook or reviewed my notes, I realized something baffling.

There was little to nothing that required my effort.

Everything seemed... too easy.

Every formula, historical date, and magical theory felt as if they were etched into my brain.

"What the fuck… what kind of monster was the original Noah?"

I thought for the hundredth time.

It wasn't just the ease of understanding—it was the speed.

I'd skim through pages and absorb their contents almost instinctively.

It was both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing because I didn't have to burn the midnight oil.

A curse because it meant I had no excuse to slack off.

The sound of approaching footsteps jolted me from my thoughts.

Four students—nobles by their attire and bearing—stopped a short distance from my desk.

I leaned back, raising a brow at their hesitance.

"Well?"

I drawled, my voice laced with practiced arrogance.

One of them, a boy with neatly combed brown hair and a nervous smile, stepped forward.

"We, um, wanted to ask how you think you'll fare in the exams, Lord Ashbourne."

I tilted my head, feigning confusion.

"And why, pray tell, would that concern you?"

The boy faltered, glancing at his companions for support.

Another stepped forward—a girl this time, with sharp features and an even sharper voice.

"Your performance sets the standard, does it not?

It's only natural to wonder if you'll maintain your... position."

The corners of my mouth curled into a smirk.

"My position?"

I let the words hang in the air, savoring their unease.

They shuffled uncomfortably, glancing at one another.

I straightened, leveling them with a cold stare.

"Let me make this simple for you.

Of course, I'll be at the top.

I always have been.

Why would this time be any different?"

"But—"

"What I want to know is who gave you the permission to approach me?"

I interrupted, my tone sharp.

They froze.

The boy with brown hair stammered.

"N-No one. We just thought—"

"You just thought," I repeated mockingly.

"Do yourselves a favor and stop thinking.

It doesn't suit you."

Their faces flushed, a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

I waved them off dismissively.

"Go find someone else to bother.

You're wasting my time."

They hesitated but eventually scurried away, their whispers barely audible as they left.

I leaned back in my seat, smirking to myself.

The professor entered moments later, silencing the room with his mere presence.

Students quickly found their seats, and the tension in the air thickened.

This was it—the moment everyone had been preparing for.

As the exam papers were handed out, I could feel the weight of their stares.

Whispers floated around me.

"How do you think Noah will do?"

"He's always been at the top… but maybe this time…"

I ignored them.

Their opinions were irrelevant.

I picked up the paper, scanning through the questions.

Confidence surged within me as I breezed through the first few. Easy.

Too easy.

And then my eyes landed on one particular question.

"What the hell is this question…?"

I muttered, my voice low but filled with genuine disbelief.

***

The academy grounds buzzed with life as I made my way toward the notice board.

It was as if the entire student body had converged there, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation and chatter.

My hands clutched the strap of my bag tightly as I tried to calm the nervous flutter in my chest.

The Second Year Opener Exams were behind us.

And in that same day, the results had been posted.

Ravenwood Academy, true to its reputation, wasted no time in announcing them.

The exams themselves had been a whirlwind.

My mind drifted back to those agonizing hours in the hall, the weight of expectation pressing down like an anchor.

The questions had been fair, but there were a few that caught even the sharpest minds off guard.

Those who approached them without focus were doomed to stumble.

I had spent the night before meticulously reviewing every detail, every nuance, and I thought I'd done well.

Still, doubt lingered.

And then there was Noah Ashbourne.

What the hell had been going on in his head?

I couldn't forget how he'd sat there for the majority of the exam.

His gaze fixed on the paper but not writing a single word.

His confidence—or was it sheer arrogance?—had grated on my nerves.

Only in the final minutes did he finally pick up his pen and start scribbling furiously.

Just when I thought he couldn't get more insufferable, he'd handed in his paper first!

Barely seconds after starting to write.

"What kind of strategy is that?"

I muttered under my breath, my lips curving into a frown as the memory replayed itself.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake the irritation and the anxiety gnawing at me.

"I hope I did well..."

I whispered, my voice barely audible over the din of students ahead.

As I approached the crowd gathered around the board.

I caught snippets of conversation, the murmurs and exclamations washing over me in waves.

But it wasn't the usual chatter about individual performances or rivalry over rankings.

No, this was something else entirely.

A thread of schadenfreude ran through their words, and it made me uneasy.

"I can't believe it.

All that arrogance, and look where he ended up."

"Serves him right.

Karma, finally catching up."

"Honestly, it's about time someone knocked him off his pedestal."

"Do you think he's embarrassed?

He should be. After everything…"

"Ha! It's almost too good to be true.

Never thought I'd see the day."

I furrowed my brow, the unease in my chest growing stronger.

The words were laced with vindication, but no one was saying a name.

My curiosity burned, but I pushed through the throng, determined to see for myself.

The results stretched across the pristine white board in neat, black ink.

My eyes scanned down the list until they landed on my name.

[4. Maya Brenthall]

A jolt of surprise ran through me.

I had moved up. Number four.

I was so used to being stuck at number five that I almost couldn't believe it.

For a brief moment, a flicker of pride sparked inside me.

I'd finally passed Ariana Snow.

It was a step closer to my dream of being the top student.

But the satisfaction was fleeting.

My gaze instinctively drifted upward to the top three spots.

As much as I hated to admit it, Noah Ashbourne's name was what I sought first.

It was almost an unspoken rule—Noah would always be number one.

His smug grin and taunting remarks were inevitable.

And despite my disdain for him, there was no denying his genius.

If the third years had taken this exam, Noah would probably still top them too.

So when I saw his name, I nearly dropped my bag.

[3. Noah Ashbourne]