At the fountain square within the examination hall, Ulan anxiously scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of Noah. Standing still, waiting for her, he soon found a suitable spot to sit down.
He assud Noah would be running late, so he brought lunch to eat first. Then, just as he was about to open the lid of his lunchbox
"Sorry, I'm a little late, aren't I?"
Noah arrived and promptly seated herself beside Ulan.
Their unique pairing - a barbarian boy bare-chested and a girl with rare black hair on the continent, drew the attention of other students. However, Ulan and Noah paid little attention to the gazes directed their way.
"How was the exam? Did you do well?"
"I scored Grade-S in both."
"Wow, as expected of Ulan."
It was as she had anticipated. Noah was genuinely impressed, but then the question shifted back to her.
"What about you?"
"Uh, I, uh, I'm a little low compared to you."
"I understand. It's not your specialty after all," Ulan nodded in understanding.
"So, what rank did you get?"
"....Do you really need to know?"
"Just curious."
In response to Ulan's probing, Noah sighed.
Eventually, they would find out the results after all the tests were over, so she might as well tell him now.
With a sowhat resigned expression, Noah spoke up, "I got a Grade-D."
"........"
Silence descended for a mont.
Only the sound of water flowing from the fountain broke the hush. Ulan's gaze wavered, and Noah's ears turned gradually redder.
How much ti passed like this?
After what seed like an eternity, Ulan let out a heavy sigh.
"Noah."
He called her na with a very serious expression.
"Although the ti we spent together was short, it was fun."
"Excuse . The results haven't co out yet, you know?"
"Please send my regards to Azur."
"So, that ans I didn't fail!"
Noah slumped in her seat, hiding her flaming-red ears as best as she could.
"Phew, let's eat first."
She was hungry, and she had a story to tell.
As they ate, Noah told Ulan about the conversation she had overheard between the test supervisors on her way here.
When it was all said and done, Ulan replied with a straight face, "I see."
His reaction was more laid-back than she had expected.
Noah raised an eyebrow and asked, "...... Is that all?"
"What else do you need? If the test contents were leaked, it's only natural to modify them, right?"
"No, there's definitely sothing fishy going on!"
She spoke with a determined voice, emphasizing her certainty.
Ulan raised an amused eyebrow, "What makes you so sure?"
"That... well..."
Noah's words slurred for a mont.
It was hard to tell where her suspicions were coming from.
Ulan narrowed his eyes at Noah's hesitation, "Is it the 'foresight' thing again?"
Noah often displayed mysterious precognitive abilities; as if she'd been there, done that, or knew what was going to happen.
"Mmm, sothing like that. Anyway, you'd better take it easy, and don't trust Count Dermore!"
"Why the Count?"
"Believe ; it's just a hunch."
It was an ambiguous answer. But Ulan didn't question her. No matter what, Noah's predictions were never wrong.
"But what do you think he's up to?"
"Well, my guess is that he's trying to get you to fail sohow, which ans he's going to do whatever it takes to give you a Grade-F."
It was a rather unexpected conjecture, but Ulan listened to her argunts patiently, because as he'd said before, Noah's predictions were never wrong.
"If my speculation is correct, then Professor Dirac will try to catch you off guard."
"Off guard?"
"Yes! So, if you face any strange questions, just play dumb and say it's so magic you ca up with."
"And they'll let it slide?"
"They will. They need evidence if the person doesn't admit to it. Usually, they won't bother preparing valid evidence for a made-up situation like that."
A smile spread across her lips. It was a smile full of conviction.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind."
Ulan nodded.
It wasn't often that Noah spoke to him like this. If her speculation did indeed turn into reality, he would take the advice then.
So ti later.
The al was over, and soon the bell rang.
It signaled the end of the lunch break.
"I have an exam in 10 minutes, so I'll leave first. Let's et after everything's done!"
"Okay, I'll see you in the grasslands after I graduate."
"I haven't failed yet!"
Noah shouted, then turned away, her cheeks plump. Watching her fading figure, Ulan also stood up.
To face the final test.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dirac Ormine
A professor at the Magic Departnt and the test supervisor for the upcoming [Mana Detection] test. As he made his way towards the examination hall, exhaustion weighed heavily on his face.
The reason was simple: he had pulled an all-nighter not to study, but to revise for a specialized test he usually cared little about.
So, it was inevitable that he would be even more exhausted.
But he had no choice. As a funding source and benefactor, he had received a request from Count Deremore and his brother-in-law, who was also his patron.
"There is a barbarian who has beco a nuisance. Use your influence to ensure that person fails the Arsene Academy entrance exam."
He didn't know why. The Count didn't provide any explanation, rely dispatching a ssenger with those words.
However, a promise of a reward accompanied the task.
Should Dirac successfully complete it, the Count would provide additional funding for his researchan enticing proposition for a scholar perpetually struggling with limited funds.
Thus, he extensively modified the test content, making it so ticulous and challenging that those unfamiliar with magic would inevitably receive a failing grade.
'It's just another insurance policy,' he mused, confident that those without knowledge of magic would undoubtedly fail the test.
The plan was perfect. Except for one thing.
"Huhuhu, for so reason, I'm feeling excited. It's been quite so ti since I observed an entrance test."
The source of his unease was walking beside him; a girl with apricot-colored hair erupted in cheerful laughter. Although she looked like a teenager in her mid-teens, she was actually twice as old as Dirac.
The Dean of Magic Departnt, Deflyn Chernihiv.
A giant who oversaw the Departnt of Magic at Arsene Academy.
She was one of the five most powerful people in the academy. In other words, she was soone who could make anyone feel uneasy just by being by their side.
That was not the only problem.
Deflyn talked too much.
"I'm sure there are many talented kids this year, right? No, there must be. Honestly, last year was a disappointnt, wasn't it? Right?"
".....Dean."
"Well, this ti, there's one of my forr students among the candidates, so it's bound to be better than last year. That kid is truly remarkable!"
"Excuse ..."
"Aww, I can't wait to et you, my sweet, lovely Lia. Just wait a minute. Your teacher will be right there to et you!"
Their conversation didn't seem to be getting anywhere.
Dirac sighed, half-giving up.
And then.
Deflyn's head snapped around.
"Professor Dirac."
"..........?"
"You don't have to worry."
"W-What do you an?"
"About the specialized test. I don't know why you've suddenly changed the content, nor am I curious about your intentions, Professor Dirac."
Her eyes ford crescents, yet her pupils betrayed no hint of a smile.
Dirac felt chills running down his spine. Her gaze seed like a dark, unfathomable abyss, impossible to read.
However, that mont was fleeting.
The corners of Deflyn's mouth twitched upward.
"The only reason I've accompanied you today is to see a forr pupil I taught once upon a ti. I won't interfere, alright? Promise!"
Deflyn giggled like a child, raising her tiny finger.
On the other hand, Dirac couldn't muster a smile. He swallowed his dry saliva and stiffly nodded in agreent.
So ti later.
They arrived at the examination hall.
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