Chapter 14

14. Entrance Exam (11)

"Something... a scary kid, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. While looking at the test paper, she suddenly started giggling... No, I wonder if she was even visible? Her eyes were so small that you couldn't see the pupils..."

"Although it's not good to discriminate, I agree. It doesn't feel right."

"Phrenology isn't just there for nothing. I really felt uneasy!"

The reason Zero's name was being mentioned by them wasn't just because of her appearance.

The boldness and creativity of breaking through the door of the second exam room after the exam time had ended.

And then, passing Ellesster's illusion test first.

"According to the records, it took just one second? Is that even possible?"

"I don't know... Isn't it impossible for us too? I think it's impossible!"

"Since it can't be a mistake by Mr. Ellesster... Hmm. It's even more terrifying now."

"I was more scared when Mr. Ellesster came. Oh, I was so surprised, thinking I had made a mistake."

After the second exam, the Great Mage Ellesster visited the staff room.

Moreover, he even apologized, saying that he had made a mistake in the rules and that the grading criteria needed to be changed.

"Apologizing to us... It was indeed surprising."

"Yeah. They don't call him a pillar of the empire for nothing."

Actually, compared to other teachers, we lacked recognition and skill.

We were in charge of what is known as 'part-time' tasks.

But not only did he apologize to us, but he even gave us good pastries as gifts.

He had no reason to apologize, but Ellesster's actions were enough to inflate the rumors about Zero.

"What about the third exam score?"

"Let's see... 90 points. Wait, no, it's 85 points? Why did 5 points get deducted at the end?"

"It's written here. Too friendly. What does that even mean?"

"But even with the deduction, it's still an incredibly high score, isn't it?"

For the strict Karon, it was a very generous score.

While there were people who scored higher than Zero, very few had received over 80 points from him in the past few years.

"What about the secret exam score?"

"50 bonus points. Is this the highest?"

Compared to the 10-40 points other students received, it was an enormous score.

This was essentially a warning that if Zero wasn't placed in the top class, they should be prepared to face serious consequences.

"Could they be acquaintances?"

"No way. That person... no, that cold-blooded person?"

A man who was strict and showed no emotion.

Despite working together for five years, no one had ever eaten a meal with him.

He always disappeared like the wind.

Even if they invited him, he would always refuse.

"Could he be a hidden son?"

"Come on, that's too far-fetched. There's not a single similarity."

"That's true."

"Or maybe not. Such a man might be incredibly great behind the scenes..."

"Everyone, calm down. The main character is here."

Startled!

The teachers looked towards the door.

Although it wasn't gossip, it was certainly an unpleasant conversation.

But Karon was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh... It was about the cadet Zero, not Teacher Karon. I saw the name on the test paper and..."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief and calmed their hearts.

"Phew... I thought it was something else."

"Teacher From! I was really scared!"

Everyone quickly flipped through the test papers.

The grading speed didn't differ much.

A difference of two or three people. Everyone quickly started grading and soon reached Zero's test paper.

"Is this the kid's test paper?"

"It should be interesting. Let's do it together."

"Okay. Start!"

Zero didn't achieve the same fame as Rodelin last year, but she did manage to become a topic of discussion.

Full marks in the first and second exams. 85 points in the third exam, and 50 bonus points in the secret exam.

If she did well in the written exam, she had a high chance of being the top student.

However.

"..."

As the grading began, a heavy silence filled the staff room.

"Hmm..."

"Uh..."

"Is this... correct?"

20 points. 30 points. 25 points. 15 points.

These were the typical scores when the answers were all the same, and indeed, they were all the same.

Actually, the written exam wasn't that difficult.

It was designed so that one could score over 80 points, with only a few high-difficulty questions to distinguish the top students.

But these scores?

As everyone murmured, "Is she really a complete idiot?" a teacher spoke up.

"Wow, impressive. 95 points."

"Huh?"

"What, what?"

Everyone gathered around the teacher.

At the top center of the test paper, it read:

「Demon Archaeology」.

The magic spells and magic circles of demons, and the unknown languages they left behind.

A field of study that many scholars had worked on for hundreds of years to interpret.

A field that started from the hypothesis that understanding demon magic could lead to using powerful magic.

A field that many still avoided. But 95 points?

"Although it was relatively easy, she got all the high-difficulty questions right?"

"No, one was wrong."

But the one wrong question was:

"An interpretation of the magic circle. Didn't the Aesil school argue that the interpretation was wrong a few days ago?"

"Yes, but at this point, only someone very interested in this field would know that."

A question that was left as is because it was too late to change the test paper.

Moreover, there was no proof that the Aesil school's argument was correct.

But.

"What did the Aesil school argue?"

"That it was not the flames of hell but the flames of purgatory..."

Everyone's eyes turned to Zero's test paper.

Zero's answer was 'flames of purgatory'.

If her answer was correct, it would mean she was very interested in demon languages.

Given the rumors already surrounding Zero, and now a perfect score in 「Demon Archaeology」.

It was ominous. In many ways.

"It must be a coincidence, right?"

"Right. People have different interests..."

But why did the staff room feel so cold?

Then.

"Another one. A subject with 100 points."

"What, what?"

"Morality."

"..."

All other subjects were guessed, but Demon Archaeology was 95 points, possibly 100.

And Morality was 100 points? This was completely...

- I may not be good at other things, but I'm a very moral child.

- I like demons a bit, but so what? I'm a moral child.

- Oh, I'm definitely not a bad child. What? Demons? No way. Look at my bright, bright eyes!

...as if she was saying.

Despite her eyes being so small that the pupils couldn't be seen!

"Let's, let's grade it."

"I didn't see anything. I didn't see anything."

Extraordinary appearance and excellent exam scores.

And something strange about the written exam scores.

'Demon worshiper?'

'Or maybe she is a demon herself.'

'Oh, God! Have mercy on me!'

The moment when prejudice and misunderstanding about Zero deepened.

* * *

"Hey, did you do well on the exam?"

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Luna's face.

She was so cute.

Of course, 3D is not my preference.

"You were more charming when you were 2D."

"What? What's that supposed to mean? Are you still half-asleep? Did you do well on the exam?"

"Hehehe, black is the ink, white is the paper."

"...You really failed, didn't you?"

Indeed, the written exam was a complete disaster.

Should I have chosen the strong and powerful morning assault over the strong and powerful lunchtime assault?

But it's okay.

I got a big hint during the written exam.

'I can read demon languages.'

Among the hidden pieces is an 'Ancient Demon Magic Book'.

A hidden piece whose usage method no one knew.

The description only said it was a magic book created by an ancient demon.

'If I can read it?'

I might be able to use magic. Ancient demon magic!

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

"...Why can't you stop that creepy tone?"

"This is something I can never change, just like Luna's innate cuteness."

"What, what are you saying!"

Smack!

It hurts. Enough to make me shed a tear.

From Luna's perspective, I'm a mysterious figure, so why is she treating me like this?

Well, I decided to be lenient with the poor child.

If I lose, it's because I let her win, right?

...No, really.

"The final results will be announced!"

The teacher's loud voice echoed as a large sheet of paper was posted on the blackboard.

Rustle.

The children gathered around the blackboard in groups.

Their names were densely written.

Summarizing the important information:

- Top Student -

Theron de Vurn

- Second Place -

Yuridia de Rounte

- Class A -

...

Luna

...

...

...

Zero

The names of Luna and me, who made it to the top class.

Luna rushed over and hugged me.

"We passed! We passed!"

"Hehe, congratulations, Luna."

She's a bit rough, but what can I do?

Seeing her so happy like a child.

I opened my arms and hugged Luna tightly. And then.

"Pervert!"

I covered my ears.

* * *

- We will now begin the opening ceremony!

Rodelin, the vice president of the student council, announced loudly in the auditorium.

To complete the exam, grading, class distribution, and opening ceremony in one day.

It's really a crazy pace.

The person who created this twisted world must have a twisted mind.

Otherwise, they wouldn't do such an unreasonable thing.

From what I can see, the story writer of this game is one of three things:

Crazy, a pervert, or both.

- ...And now! The president of the student council will give a speech!

The student council president stepped onto the podium.

A striking appearance, a dignified look, and a gentle smile.

A boy who exuded an aura of being a good person.

"Oh... Is that the student council president?"

"Luna... Calling the student council president 'that' is not good."

"I don't want to talk to a pervert who randomly hugs girls."

"Hehe, you were the one who hugged first, and you're talking to that pervert very well."

Squeak!

Luna bared her sharp teeth.

She's more like an animal than a human.

I should put a note on her back saying, "Do not touch."

To prevent other children from being torn apart.

- I believe without a doubt that you will be excellent students who will shine at Anwood Academy...

"He's a good person. He speaks well."

"Hehe, be careful. He's very different from what he shows."

"No, I have a good eye for people."

Hehe, I should have your eyes dug out. They seem completely useless.

...I can't say that.

Anyway, the current student council president, 'Awin de Heriges', is someone to be cautious about.

That guy is.

'One of the masterminds.'

- Congratulations. From now on, you are not just cadets, but students of Anwood Academy!

Wow—!!!

The children's loud cheers.

At the same time, a blue window appeared in front of my eyes.

And so, I became.

A freshman at the academy in the game.