The next day, Instructor Garen announced the results of the exam.

"So, 11 from your class completed the 5th gen artifact, 9 students were able to at least create 4th gen. Unfortunately, 10 students completely wasted the artifacts."

Those who wasted the artifact like Gilbert embarrassingly lowered their heads after hearing the announcement. But the instructor wasn't finished speaking yet.

"But it's all acceptable. Your class is already doing good as you're just sophomores. I expect that everyone will improve under my education. Here's the rank."

After Instructor Garen finished speaking, a part of the huge screen behind him lit up and a list of names appeared numbered from 1 to 30.

1. Wallace Ravencroft

2. Tracy Guilford

3. Mark Halevey

4. Ross Schien

5. Kenneth Cummings

6. Katherine Cummings

...

Everyone was shocked seeing Wallace at the top of rankings.

"Whoa! Wallace my friend, have you been hiding your skills all along?"

"I thought our skills were about the same? That was amazing."

"Sir, did the artifact you checked really belong to him?"

"You topped the seven nobles, you're so cool."

Wallace was overwhelmed by his classmate's excited reactions. Though others were clearly expressing doubts over his achievement, they could only frown for now and waited for their instructor to tell them the reason. Of course, someone had to ask.

"Instructor, can you please guide me where I can improve more?"

Tracy Guilford raised her hand and asked a humble question, she was the top student ever since their junior year. For someone to surpass her did not raise her ire but instead made her quite curious on what was her flaws in infusing that magic structure. It had to be said that with her background, artifact forging was something that she could do without limits to improve her skills. With her skills and experience in the forging process, she could not remember a flaw she made.

"Mhm. Actually, you were able to perfectly infuse that magic structure to the material. It was a perfect score for this examination."

The students were even more confused upon hearing this. But they suddenly thought that Wallace or the others may have made a perfect forging process as well. Maybe it was scored on the time they spent creating the artifact? It made sense if that were to be the case. But they were still impressed to learn that Wallace was faster than the seven. Unfortunately, their guess was wrong.

"To tell you the truth, the exam I have given is flawed. Blue Flame Mantra would not normally be infused in the material I gave you, it actually requires a material called Star Burr so it can give it's 100% performance. By using the inferior Storm Silver, its durability and performance would lessen by about 8%."

Most of the students were clearly unaware of this and were very surprised after hearing their instructor's words. They had heard of Blue Flame Mantra but were not aware of its specificities. It seemed there really was a catch in this examination.

But some top performer students only nodded upon hearing this. They clearly had some idea regarding this magic structure and were aware that the task they had been given would clearly not produce a top class 5th gen artifact. But even if that were the case, they felt that they had utilized their resources to the maximum and perfectly created the 5th gen required for the task.

"Well, our Wallace here seems to have found a way to ignore this restriction given from the very start and was able to perfectly infuse the Blue Flame Mantra without degrading its performance. So I have given him extra points. At least I could say that Wallace seems to have a very good foundation in pathways he chose."

Instructor Garen was clearly aware of how Wallace accomplished it. Based on his investigation, Wallace used a non-elemental pathway. It was actually just an unorthodox path in the 5th gen artifact that wasn't very popular as it didn't provide destructive power or usefulness in battle. Its main purpose of creation was for support. He remembered that it was a magic structure called Mavis' Prayer.

After the instructor checked Wallace's background, he realized that his mother came from the Mavis Clan. He then assumed that Wallace was being nurtured by the clan to be given such an opportunity to receive important knowledge. He presumed as well that Wallace had likely consumed a precious memory crystal.

Most of his classmates were happy for him for achieving a high mark and as everyone was listening to Instructor Garen's explanation on the flaws of each and everyone, Wallace was checking the rewards he just received.

[ Congratulations User! You have completed your first mission!

You have successfully scored a high score in your examination and even received the 1st rank in your class.

You will now receive your rewards. ]

[ Your mana affinity has increased ]

[ The Necklace of Clarity is now fully given to the user. You will now be able to see the full function of the item. ]

[ Necklace of Clarity

Increases the user's concentration, memory, and reaction speed.

Ability: Glimpse of the Mind ]

[ Glimpse of the Mind

Allows the user to see the flaw in any material upon receiving enough mana

Duration: 5 minutes

Cooldown: 3 days ]

Wallace was very surprised after getting all this. He felt his body heat up before turning normal again, his mana affinity was increased so significantly that he felt the change. The necklace he received was even more surprising.

To think that such an ability was hidden on the necklace. He was looking forward to using it and was actually excited to get more missions to get better rewards until he achieved the path he had chosen.

Unfortunately, no new mission appeared after completing the first one.

What should I do to receive a mission?

[ Tips: Trigger an opportunity for yourself to improve and it may give mission as well. ]

Well, the pathfinder seems to be helpful enough.

The class had ended and as Wallace was about to go visit the cafeteria to eat, he was approached by the twins Kenneth and Katherine Cummings.

"Hello there, Wallace.. Can we talk?"

Katherine timidly asked him but they weren't that close as they had different cliques so she was hesitant.

"We only need a minute." Kenneth added. Wallace has no reason to decline anyway and was glad to be closer to these top students.

"Sure, no problem." He then gestured for them to start speaking.