The last time the students were here for the opening ceremony it was lively and happy. However, today many are silent and moody, due to failing or even worse-just 1 point short of passing.

This time students were given a seating arrangement throughout the hall depending on their ranks. The teachers as instructed by Prince John (from the previous day), guided students to their respective seats.

This time not a single nobles or big shots were found at the front- as they were all getting ready for their meeting after the graduation ceremony with Prince John.

Both of the imperial princes decided to opt-out of the closing ceremony.

However, Ez halted for a moment seeing someone familiar in front of him.

Steven nodded towards him silently while waiting beside, Albert who for the matter was slightly tensed. John who saw this smirked in his inside.

'You guys really thought I wouldn't notice her?' Ez mused silently.

From the information provided by Dexter about Sophia's rank 1 award ability (which everyone was aware of due to having to awaken in front of the emperor, similar to others who awaken their awards.), along with putting in many other factors Ez had guessed few numerous ways her powers might have evolved to. From there it was easy for Ez to guess why they would deploy Sophia for the exam.

'Looks like my information leak about Sophia reached them' It was not hard for Ez to notice and spot Sophia after predicting her arrival. Especially when the camera observing Albert and Merlin, showed Albert actively trying to distract Merlin whenever Sophia came up on the screen.

From there it was all easy game to confirm it. Make Albert aware the finals was going public, if she was indeed Sophia send to control John, then Sophia will withdraw from the finals early to escape Stephen and his crew.

As predicted the girl was Sophia herself, as she managed to drop out before the finals.

After that, it was all easy game- leak info that Sophia might be participating to the agents of Stephens lurking around the exam hall. When those agents fail to spot Sophia then the man himself will arrive to capture her for the closing ceremony, after all the graduation ceremony might be the closest possible moment for Sophia to get close to Prince John without getting attention. This way Ez had managed to get free protection from another commandment himself.

'I have now cornered 1 faction. Now all that remains is the other mysterious infiltrators.' Thinking as such Ez watched the 1st and 2nd place students sitting at the very front along with keeping an eye on Luke as well.

Ez smirked seeing the representative of each infiltrators '2 faction whose goals seems to be unknown and a reincarnater looking out to stop someone from getting close to me or my attention.'

Ez extended his right hand towards Steven "Welcome Mr...?"

"Sean would be fine your highness." Steven shook Ez's hands.

"So, Mr Sean I presume you will be representing for my brother Jack?" Ez started small talk, as they began walking towards the stage.

Sean aka Steven nodded, at the same time saying shut up towards John with his silence.

As they got to stage, they greeted the already stressed off Merlin along with the sweating headteacher, before moving towards their own seat.

Everyone easily noticed the awkward silence between the top 5 students who were sat at the very front. This was especially so for Law and Ellis who were sat next to each other due to being rank 4 and 5, respectively.

Ellis had planned not to turn up for the closing ceremony, however, he remembered his priority of protecting his highness John and therefore came in.

Ez sat and waited until it was 8 am while watching as the hall slowly filled up.

The hall slowly became silent at sharp 8 am.

The headteacher stood up first introducing each of us, especially Steven as Sein from the Cason commandment family, then proceeding to give a speech congratulating everyone who passed and encouraging to those who did not to try again next year. This time, however, the headteacher seemed to have learned something from John's speech at the opening ceremony and kept it short.

The same was repeated by Merlin, Steven, and Albert to the relief of all the students, who just wanted to get to the main event.

Finally, it was John's turn.

"Wow, the final day huh! Bet most of you guys are excited to receive your graduation certificate than listening to me talk, right?" John asked while smiling, to the amusement of all the students.

"Well, I won't bother your guys with much. Always remember what Mr A told at the end of your written exam.

You will not always be the final one standing up, so learn to work together in your future." Ez let the words sink in, before moving on

"Now onto an important and surprising notice that was just approved from the magi association.

Due to the extreme difficulty of the exams this year, the magi association has decided to lower the grade boundaries to pass the exam. This decision was approved due to numerous factors, the two main one being: there were numerous highly talented students participating this year and the exam being extremely hard." The students suddenly started murmuring in the excitement that many who thought they would not pass would make it.

Ez waited patiently as the hall grew silent once again very quickly.

"Now many of you are aware of your ranks more than your points. So, I will announce the range on ranks that have passed now." The students all held their breath hoping they had made it.

"From the top number, 1 rank to rank 3829 students has passed the exam this year as opposed to rank 1 to rank 1273." A huge amount of cheering and applause soon followed as the students who passed shouted in excitement.

Ez waited for the excitement to die down with a smile.

"Now we will be proceeding towards the awarding ceremony. I will be calling out the name of each student depending on their rank. Please come forward to collect your certificates from the head of magi association Magi Merlin." The students became silent while getting ready to go up.

"1st place- To Alister Bright." Everyone clapped as a muscular boy with green hair walked up the stage receiving a certificate and a red envelope from Merlin while keeping a close eye on Prince John.

This went on for until the top 100 students, after which Merlin stopped giving out the red envelope. However, every now and then a few other students outside of the top 100 received a red envelope as well.

After the final student received her certificate in pride, the award ceremony ended.

"This marks the end of the award ceremony. I wish all of you the best of luck for your future endeavours." Saying so Ez left the podium and went back to the seat.

The headteacher then came up guiding students outside where refreshments were offered along with the opportunity to meet with many entrepreneurs from various companies.

However, dejection and loss of an opportunity were clearly written all over Steven's face while triumph was plastered over Alberts- Sophia had not arrived.

"Well looks like I have to go and deal with the hyenas now." Ez said as he stood up while stretching his arms.

"See ya guys." Saying so Ez left the hall while being followed being Ellis from a distance, leaving Albert, Merlin, and Steven to look between themselves.

"Well played old man." Steven muttered as he stood up.

"What you talking about?" Albert asked in confusion.

"You can't hide her forever. My agents are out combing through the whole streets right now." Steven warned as he left.

"I have no idea what you are on about brat." Albert grinned.

Before Steven left he stopped for a second before saying "Merlin, the old man brought in an award user who is a criminal convicted by the late empress herself into the exam, disguised with his magi."

Merlin who heard it widened his eyes for a moment before looking at Albert who had a look of someone who ate a fly.

"John should have recorded evidence of him trying to distract you whenever she came up on the screen." Saying that Steven disappeared from the hall.

Albert's eyebrows twitched while looking at the last place Steven was at "Sore loser!"

"Ahem!" Albert turned towards the smiling Merlin.

"I had faith that this day will come after years of humiliation and suffering." Merlin smiled towards Albert.

"Oh, sh*t!" Albert cried without tears, as Merlin soon contacted his assistant to deal with this politically, along with trying retrieving all blackmail evidence held by Albert against Merlin.

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"Blah blah children blah, nobles blah blah blah safety blah blah loyalty blah." Was what Ez was hearing as the nobles, magis, businessmen all brought up matters regarding the exam.

After the last person finished his argument about the unfair treatment the imperial prince had shown towards the children's of people who work hard for the empire, along with the subtle threat of ruining any business ventures related to him.

"Ok, let us get rid of all the empty words and get straight to the point. What do you guys want?" Ez asked as examined his nails. 'Should I cut them? Nah too much effort. But on the negative side, they are too long now.'

One person stood up. "Your highness not only..."

Before he could even start he was interrupted. "You know what, it has been a long day for everyone. How about this, a 10% discount offer for the 3 times you all come into my shop?"

Seeing everyone silently staring at him in anger and displeasure Ez shrugged his shoulder as he said "Ok fine. Give me 1 months' time to sort everything out for you guys and gals. Next month same time same place, I will have arranged everything that will definitely satisfy you along with a bonus compensation for what your children had to go through during the exam."

Everyone stare finally relaxed, as they all nodded in acceptance. However all these people failed to notice one thing; usually, during situations like this, the high nobles or elites they are working under usually exerts some kind of aid to them by pressuring the people they are against(this usually being the magi association).

However this time, all high nobles and elite stayed their hands, wanting nothing to do with this situation or come anywhere close to Prince John, for they had no clue what the maniac will do once they got involved.

As everyone left the meeting room 2 people stayed behind.

"Lord Springwood, what do we do?" Adam Sprinkles enquired Pablo Springwood.

"Don't worry. Let us just wait and see what he brings out next month. Whatever he brings out I will make sure it will not be enough until that son of a whore is given up." Pablo clenched his fist.