“Exam?”
When Ilanka heard that word, her mind went blank. Her Majesty the Queen hadn’t mentioned anything about an exam during their conversation just now.
If the Princess failed to pass in front of Her Majesty the Queen, not only would the Princess be in trouble, but her own career as a Teacher would also be over!
The situation was urgent. She had to act immediately to help the Princess overcome this hurdle.
“Princess, did Her Majesty the Queen say what exactly the exam is?”
Ilanka asked calmly.
“No! She didn’t say anything, just that there would be an exam. Tell me, what should I do?”
The Little Princess grew more anxious as she spoke, even stomping her feet in frustration.
“Princess, I know you’re anxious, but please don’t worry. I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Oh, there’s only one hour left until the exam. How can I not be anxious?”
“There’s only one hour left? That’s so soon.”
Ilanka also began to panic slightly.
“Yeah, that big Bad Dragon Zhu Xiaxia only left me one hour to prepare. Teacher Ilanka, do you think those entertainment magics you usually teach me in class can actually pass an exam?”
“Uh…”
Ilanka was speechless. If the exam was about Magic, the Queen would definitely be angry after seeing what she had taught, and she would end up being fired.
“No!”
Ilanka made a firm decision.
She immediately grabbed Zhu Qiu’s hand and said solemnly,
“Those spells are all redundant now. I’m going to teach you a Fen Jue of Dark Element Magic. It will guarantee you pass the exam.”
“Fen Jue?”
Zhu Qiu tilted her head.
“Exactly, Fen Jue. With it, Her Majesty the Queen will surely see you in a new light.”
Saying that, Ilanka took Zhu Qiu to their usual practice area.
“The Fen Jue I’m talking about is the most practical support Magic in our Dark Dragon Tribe. It’s hard for average Dark Dragons to learn. Some dragons with less talent don’t even learn it by the time they’re old.”
“And you’re teaching me this now? We only have one hour. Besides, didn’t you say my talent was very poor? Can I really learn it?”
The Little Princess thought this Fen Jue sounded absurd.
Even though it sounded useful from Ilanka’s description, it seemed too difficult to master.
‘I forgot I told the Princess her magic aptitude was poor. But actually, she’s incredibly strong — stronger than me. Learning this shouldn’t be a problem.’
Ilanka rephrased her explanation.
“Don’t worry about that. Just do as I say, and you will definitely learn it.”
‘Can I really learn it?’
The Little Princess still didn’t believe it, but given the circumstances, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and try.
“Then let’s start quickly.”
“Okay.”
Ilanka first used Magic to darken the practice area. This was a prerequisite for performing the Fen Jue.
“Watch closely, Princess. First, concentrate your mind and mobilize the Magic Power in your body… feel the dark environment… try to communicate with the surroundings… and finally reach a consensus with them.”
“Merge into the darkness…”
Ilanka explained while demonstrating.
She slowly closed her eyes and leaned back slightly, falling naturally as if she had lost her balance.
Within less than one second, her body vanished completely.
“Teacher? Where are you?”
“I’m here.”
Ilanka’s voice came from right beside Zhu Qiu’s ear.
“Teacher?”
Zhu Qiu turned her head but saw nothing.
“I can also be here, or here.”
Using Magic, Ilanka moved freely through the entire dark space. It seemed as if she was everywhere at once.
“Teacher, this Magic is so amazing!”
Zhu Qiu was stunned, her vertical pupils wide with wonder.
Ilanka returned to her physical form and appeared in front of Zhu Qiu.
“Princess, this Magic allows you to integrate with the dark environment and move freely within it. You can go anywhere the darkness reaches, and you move as fast as light. However, this Magic has a major side effect.”
“Side effect?”
“Yes. Because this Magic requires pouring the Magic Power from your body into the environment, it consumes Magic Power extremely quickly. But it should be enough to get through the Queen’s exam.”
The Little Princess was intrigued. She hadn’t known such amazing Magic existed — merging with darkness and moving freely.
Even Zhu Xiaxia had never shown her anything like this.
‘If I learn this and go back to the Human Race, won’t I be able to show off… and clear out Magic Creatures better?’
“I’ll try it.”
The Little Princess imitated Ilanka’s posture, feeling with her heart, and then tried to mobilize her Magic…
Before long, Zhu Qiu felt her body become light as a feather. She could fly however she wanted, completely unconstrained.
‘Wow? Is this what it feels like to merge with darkness?’
The Little Princess was quite shocked as she played happily in the darkness. This feeling was wonderful.
Seeing that the Princess had learned it, the weight on Ilanka’s heart finally lifted.
Her job was saved, and she would have an answer for her family when she went home.
“Whoo-hoo! This is so much fun, Teacher!”
The Little Princess ran freely through the darkness Ilanka had created, letting her playful nature take over.
She even teased Ilanka from time to time by messing with her hair.
Furthermore, she discovered that the Magic Power in her body seemed inexhaustible.
She couldn’t feel any consumption at all.
“Alright, Princess, save some Magic Power. You still have the exam later.”
Ilanka retracted the darkness, and Zhu Qiu reappeared in her original form.
“Teacher, I want to play a bit longer.”
“Play later. It’s time for the exam. Good luck, Princess. Our fates are in your hands.”
“I know, Teacher. I won’t let you down.”
Ilanka led the Little Princess back to the first floor of the Imperial Palace, when a question suddenly occurred to her.
“By the way, do you know the definition of darkness?”
“The definition of darkness? Isn’t it just a black place where you can’t see anything?”
“No, no. The darkness I’m referring to is anywhere not hit by sunlight. That includes the entire night, man-made darkness, and even the shadows of any object.”
“All of those count? This Magic is too practical!”
Zhu Qiu exclaimed.
“Of course. This is the strongest Magic of our Dark Tribe, and it is never shared with outsiders.”
“Never shared?”
The Little Princess looked at Ilanka with a surprised expression.
“Ahem! Except for the Princess, this is an exception. Besides, only Dark Dragons who have mastered the Dark Element can learn it.”
“A Dark Dragon? So I’m a Dark Dragon too?”
“I’m not quite sure, but none of that is important.”
“Okay then.”
Ilanka didn’t answer because she truly didn’t know. At the same time, this question planted a seed in Zhu Qiu’s heart.
The one hour passed quickly. Zhu Xiaxia arrived on time and took Zhu Qiu to the place where she usually studied.
“The exam has officially begun. Show me everything Teacher Ilanka has taught you. Let me see how much my precious daughter has grown.”