Chapter 13

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I returned to the viscount's villa before 4 PM.

When I got home, my mother and elder sister were waiting at the entrance, looking somewhat restless.

They hadn't talked about the exam at all during these three days, but they must have been concerned about me to some extent.

“Allen, good job!”

My elder sister greeted me with a beaming smile.

Well, to be honest, I feel confident that I've given it my all during these three months.

The effort I put in was rewarded by her carefree smile.

“Good work.

I can tell from your face that you've given it your all.

Rosetta has been working hard to prepare for the post-exam party tonight.”

My mother is strict when she needs to be, but she is fundamentally kind.

She has always smiled like a young girl.

It's hard to believe that she has raised four children.

I am truly blessed with a wonderful family.

“Mother, Sister, I'm home!”

I said with heartfelt gratitude.

◆

The next day, my mother and I came to see the exam results.

I am confident.

Although there are some uncertain factors, I don't think I will fail the practical exam.

...Actually, I intended to come alone to see the results.

However, when I told my mother this last night,

“If Allen insists on coming alone, I will leave it to him.

But, I want to see the results by your side, regardless of whether you pass or fail, after seeing how hard you've worked.”

After saying this, my mother smiled like a young girl.

“Huhuhu. Actually, I am more confident in the results than you are.

Think of it as a way to repay your parents. Would you mind sharing the joy with me?”

When my mother puts it that way, I can't refuse.

So, I ended up coming to see the results with a guardian.

By the way, my sister, who was so enthusiastic about how much she believed in me and how much she wanted to share the joy, and even how much she wanted to live with me, was rejected by my mother with, “You have school, don't you?” and was looking at me with teary eyes, full of resentment.

◆

A little over half a day before the exam results were announced.

At the Royal Academy, the staff were grading the exams almost immediately after dinner.

“Once again, Emi. This time, from the moment he enters the field.”

Godorphen von Vanquish, who had served as the deputy commander of the Kingdom Knights until a few years ago, said this to the magic technician in charge, who had no reason to refuse.

This time, the video of Allen entering the field was displayed on a magical device similar to a monitor.

“Are you watching the video of his exam, Godorphen?

Is the grading for the Mage course going well?”

A giant man, about 2 meters tall and weighing around 120 kilograms, with bulging muscles, approached.

His silver short hair and eyes exuded a gentle gaze, but his chin was split into two.

“Dante.

The number of students in the Mage course is small, so I've seen most of them and left the rest to you.”

Dante came to stand next to Godorphen and watched the monitor together.

“Hmm... He walks so naturally... However, I can't think of anything other than that he adjusted his pace from the moment he entered the field until he reached the reception, can I?”

“Indeed.

The soil used for this exam has been specially prepared to suppress its elasticity and friction.

It was delivered yesterday evening.

I formulated the mixture.

The supplier is trustworthy.

It's hard to imagine that he had experience with it somewhere else.”

Another man approached.

“...And while the examinees are showing off their hard-earned grappling techniques, the examiners are only looking at their footwork, which means their ability to think and their sense of magic manipulation.

The person who designed this exam must have a bad personality, right?”

Justin Rock, a young man who had recently graduated from this Royal Academy with excellent grades and joined the Kingdom Knights, approached with a grin.

He is a talented individual who joined the Kingdom Knights immediately after graduation and was selected to assist in the entrance exams of this prestigious Royal Academy.

This is the entrance exam for an institution that will nurture the pillars of the country.

To prevent any information leaks, the candidates' character is also rigorously evaluated.

“Hmph.

The techniques learned in the countryside are of no use here at the Royal Academy.

This year, as usual, the early examinees will show off their abundant magic power with meaningless grand techniques.

What we want to confirm in this practical exam is their potential.

To find talented individuals, a complex system is unnecessary.”

Another shadow approached.

“...I understand that he is interesting, but the results will be announced at 10 AM tomorrow. Please keep it moderate.”

Muzica Yugria, who was in charge of organizing the grading for the Knight course practical exam, approached and warned them.

“I understand. ...Hmm, but it seems to be too easy for this boy.”

Godorphen stroked his white beard.

“In the rain, he ran without slowing down much... His sense of magic manipulation is indeed exceptional.”

Dante agreed with a wry smile just as the door to the floor opened.

Dew Over, who had been dispatched from the Kingdom Knights as the head of security and an examiner during the exam period, returned from his patrol.

On the day of the exam, he served as an examiner for the practical exam while also guarding the examinees from inside the school.

This was because a few years ago, a fool had caused a commotion at the exam site, injuring over 60 people.

“I knew you would say that, so I evaluated his potential.”

Dew cracked his neck and approached Godorphen.

“Dew, have you finished escorting the examinees out?”

Muzica asked.

“Yeah, there's not a single cat or mouse left in the school.”

“Still as efficient as ever...”

Muzica shook her head in exasperation.

With the person in charge back, the graders on the floor gathered around, all curious about the new and interesting toy they had found.

“Really, I was about to see him myself, but Dew took him... I couldn't see him up close at all...”

Patch, a popular and gentle examiner among the examinees, approached while complaining.

“...Sigh. Please be brief... As I've said multiple times, we need to announce the results at the main gate by 10 AM.”

Muzica sighed heavily and positioned herself between Dew and Godorphen, eager to listen.

“Did you hear that? Your ears are as sharp as ever.

Then, let's hear your impressions.”

Godorphen prompted.

“What? You can tell just by looking, right? His personality is twisted, but his sense of magic manipulation is outstanding.

If we can straighten out his twisted nature, he will be a great asset. The on-site examiner's evaluation is ‘S’.”

The final evaluation score ‘S’ means the top rank.

Each on-site examiner recommends one ‘S’ candidate, and the final ‘S’ is selected through a panel discussion.

Each examiner can recommend up to four ‘A’ candidates, and the final ‘A’ candidates are narrowed down to about 20 through a panel discussion.

While it is easier to be cut off by strict examiners, the number of candidates they can recommend is fixed.

Therefore, it is advantageous to be examined by an examiner with fewer candidates to evaluate.

“The initial setup is controversial.

I laughed when I saw it on the video, but I understand the opinion that it is not appropriate for a knight. On the other hand, many, including Godorphen, praise it.

In any case, the consensus is that it is not a problem.”

Patch said with a delighted smile.

“Of course. Whether the opponent is superior or inferior, one must fight to win! Without that spirit, one cannot succeed at a higher level. The generation that has not experienced war is spineless!”

“I think it depends on the situation.”

Justin shrugged.

“...And then, the first uppercut, as you heard, was a feint.

I was watching him subtly from the moment he entered the field, but I didn't see him adjusting his magic manipulation.

I was ready to counter a weak strike, and I was indeed underestimating the kid.

So, it's not surprising that he saw through my stance. ...But,”

Closing his eyes, Dew recalled the presence he felt during the exam and continued.

“I think the kid probably believed from the start that I wouldn't just defend.

Even when he declared he wouldn't counterattack, I didn't sense any relief from him.”

Dew said with a bitter expression.

“Huhuhu. Interesting. Just my type.

I'll take him.”

“Not possible.”

Muzica immediately rejected.

“Godorphen is already assigned as the teacher for Class A.

Where he will be assigned depends on the results of his academic exams, which are currently being tallied.”

“Hmph. There are no fools among the best in any field.

It's impossible for someone to score so high in the practical exam and barely pass the academic exam.”

Godorphen said confidently.

“There may be no fools, but there are plenty of people who aren't good at studying.”

Justin teased.

“...Do you want to bet?”

Godorphen glared.

“Sounds interesting?”

“Sure. I'll make up for yesterday's loss.”

Dew, who gets excited by bets, joined in, and the other knights assisting with the exam, known for their mischief, quickly joined the betting as well.