Otter stared down at the blank paper, waiting for the proctor to say “Begin.” As soon as he did, Otter picked up his pencil and watched words appear on the page.
The first section was 50 multiple-choice questions. Some were tricky, but Otter thought he did pretty well.
The second section consisted of 4 essay questions.
Explain the primary function of the System and its role in the balance between Order and Kaos.
Otter frowned. He could answer this in his sleep.
- The System exists to impose structure. It governs stats, skills, and Class progression, preventing unchecked chaos from taking hold. Without it, magic would be unpredictable, and civilization would collapse into disorder...
So far, so good. This was the expected answer.
"However," he continued, "while the System claims to provide order, its methodology is rigid. Class allocation is based on predetermined archetypes, leaving little room for adaptability. The System does not grant power equally, nor does it acknowledge potential that exists outside its established parameters. This is a strength, in that it prevents people from pursuing paths they are ill-suited for, but it is also a weakness because it limits possibilities."
He paused, considering whether to push further. Then, he did.
"A rigid system may maintain order, but true survival often demands flexibility. History shows that some of the greatest Adventurers were not those who simply followed the System’s guidance, but those who defied expectations and adapted beyond its limitations."
He set down his pencil and rubbed his temples. That answer would either impress or irritate Blackwood. Maybe both.
- Describe the significance of Stats and their impact on an individual’s growth within the System.
Otter took another deep breath.
Stats serve as the foundation of an individual’s growth, measuring both physical and mental attributes. Strength dictates combat effectiveness, Intelligence affects spellcasting, Dexterity governs precision and speed. Every action taken contributes to the refinement of these attributes over time, reinforcing the individual's capabilities in alignment with their assigned Class."
But that wasn’t the whole answer.
"However," he wrote, "one Stat remains largely misunderstood: Luck."
Otter glanced around the room before continuing.
"While Strength and Dexterity have clear applications, Luck is more enigmatic. It is often dismissed as a secondary stat, something that passively affects outcomes rather than being actively controlled. But if the System governs all things, then what does Luck truly influence? Is it merely probability? Or is there something deeper that the System does not—or cannot—fully regulate?"
He hesitated, then added:
"If the System is designed to impose order, then Luck, by its very nature, introduces unpredictability. If the System were infallible, why would it include a stat that allows for variance? Could it be that Luck represents a factor the System itself cannot quantify?"
By the time he finished, his heart was pounding. He’d never dared to put his suspicions into writing before.
- Explain the System’s classification of Adventuring Classes and their purpose in the greater societal structure.
Otter wrote quickly, reciting what he knew to be fact.
"Adventuring Classes are divided into categories that best suit the needs of society. Fighters and Scouts serve as frontline combatants, engaging in direct encounters with threats beyond the safety of cities. Spell Lords and Healers wield magic to either protect or support. Dungeoneers use their skills to solve puzzles, dissect traps, and navigate the mazes often found in Kaosborn dungeons. Together, they form a balanced network, ensuring that civilization remains functional and that Kaos does not gain ground.
He tapped his quill against the page, considering.
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However, he added, this classification assumes that these are the only paths available. The System does not account for variance outside its preordained Classes. But historical texts suggest that in ancient times, there were Classes that no longer exist today. Blackwood wouldn't appreciate unfounded speculation, but if he cited his source, it might actually impress the man. According to Echoes of the System: Forgotten Histories or Exaggerated Rumors? by Weathersby Folsom, Emrys Gale may have actually had a Class different from the five base Classes offered today. Whether these were phased out due to inefficacy, or simply lost due to unknown circumstances, remains unclear. If the System is truly adaptive, why do these lost Classes no longer appear? The question begs to be answered.
- How Does the System Resolve Success or Failure of a Given Action?
Otter stared at the question. His fingers twitched against his pencil.
This was it.
This was the question that had been haunting him since he first started to suspect his Luck wasn’t just a meaningless number.
The System determines success or failure based on an individual’s stats, skills, and external conditions. A Fighter with high Strength is more likely to land a powerful blow. A Spell Lord with high Intelligence can cast spells with greater efficiency. Scouts succeed in evasion due to their Dexterity. These numbers are variables in an algorithm designed by the System to determine the probability of whether an attack hits an opponent, how much damage is done by a spell attack, or whether an Adventurer successfully disarms a trap. These mechanics provide predictable outcomes based on numerical advantages, ensuring that those who invest in their skills are rewarded accordingly.
But that wasn’t the whole truth.
Otter gritted his teeth and kept writing.
"However, probability also plays a role. Two individuals with equal stats may not always achieve the same results. Factors such as environment, timing, and, most notably, Luck, can influence the outcome in ways that are not entirely predictable.
He hesitated before underlining the next words:
Luck is the only stat that does not directly correlate with a skill or ability. It is not tied to a Class, nor does it govern a specific discipline. It exists outside the System’s clear structure, acting as a variable that affects outcomes without a defined metric. If the System is designed to ensure stability, why allow a factor that introduces unpredictability? Why assign Luck at all, if everything else is determined by logic and progression?"
Otter’s heartbeat pounded in his ears.
"If Luck exists as an influencing factor, it may be that the System is not, in fact, the antithesis to Kaos. The very existence of probability and randomness intrinsic to the System’s nature suggests that it is not a tool for Order, but rather a method of balancing Order and Kaos.
He exhaled slowly, staring at the words he had just written.
For a long moment, Otter just sat there, staring at the exam paper, his pulse hammering against his ribs.
Then, slowly, he placed his pencil down, sat back, and let out a shaky breath.
This was either going to get him some very interesting attention... or some very dangerous scrutiny.
The Adventuring Fundamentals exam wasn't nearly as philosophical, though it was still highly theoretical.
Most of the questions were about tactics, strategy, and survival in dangerous situations. Otter found himself breezing through the multiple-choice section with only a few truly tricky questions.
But it was when he moved on to the essays that he truly found his element. Rather than giving rote answers, he could think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to complex problems. He especially enjoyed a question about optimal group compositions and formations.
Otter wrote feverishly for almost an hour straight, pouring his heart and imagination into his answers. Instead of describing the typical adventuring team make-up, he created his own ideal composition. He theorized that a balanced party didn't necessarily need to conform to the Fighter, Spell Lord, Scout, and Healer archetype. What if a team had two scouts instead, using stealth and speed to avoid unnecessary fights? What if a dedicated survivalist took the place of a Healer, preventing injuries before they happened?
He laid out formations for different environments—tight corridors, open plains, dense forests—adjusting for visibility, terrain hazards, and enemy types. He even included contingencies for when a team had to work with fewer than optimal numbers.
When he finally set his pencil down, his fingers were stiff, his wrist aching. Otter exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair, stretching his hands. He had no idea if his answers were what the examiners wanted, but he didn’t care. They were his.
With a satisfied nod, he sat back and looked around the room. Many students were still busily writing, but a few had finished. Levi was one of them. He sat with his feet propped up, hands laced behind his head. The confidence that guy had was unreal—but probably warranted in this case.
After time was called and papers were collected, Levi caught up with him. “How do you think you did?”
“Pretty good.” Otter smiled at him. “There were a few tricky ones. I doubt I got them all right, but pretty sure I passed by a good margin.”
“Yeah. I heard Windemere always throws in a few questions with no right answer just to make it impossible to get a perfect score.”
As they made their way across campus, many students were already beginning evening revelries. After all, they had just finished what they considered the most difficult part of the semester. Why shouldn't they be happy?
Otter had a different opinion. Today had been easy. Well…maybe not easy, but fun. Tomorrow, however, were the practicals. Navigation and Survival shouldn’t be a big problem, but there was a good chance he would fail Combat Basics.