The Little Prince (2)
The open training grounds of Galimard Academy. The vast circular arena was alive with the fierce heat radiating from the students. Every young face was etched with tension. This was the infamous, cutthroat schedule of Galimard, and right now they were in the middle of the first major hurdle—the class placement exam.
The students were each proving their own worth. Some for honor, some for reputation, and others for their futures.
“Heh heh… This freshman class is overflowing with passion.”
The dean, who had been watching the tests, smiled contentedly. Though his face was wrinkled with age, his eyes still sparkled with sharp intelligence.
“What do the other professors think?”
“It seems we have many talented sprouts this time. Even looking back through the generations, this class more than deserves to be called the ‘greatest generation.’”
“I agree with Professor Kadel.”
“All the continent’s talents have gathered here.”
The faculty responded immediately to the dean’s question, their evaluations filled with nothing but praise. The dean nodded, looking thoroughly satisfied.
“Truly remarkable.”
The top ranks of this freshman class were simply overwhelming. From second place all the way to fifteenth—students who would have easily taken first place in any ordinary year were lined up in a row. For the academy, it was an unprecedented boon.
“This too will become the foundation that solidifies our academy’s reputation even further.”
The dean chuckled quietly. As he did, someone stealthily approached the old man’s side.
“I completely agree with the dean’s words… but there is one small part that concerns me.”
“Speak, Professor Kadel.”
It was the professor who had been actively voicing his opinions from the start.
“There is no doubt that this year’s students are exceptional.”
“Indeed.”
“However, when it comes to the top admitted student… quite a lot of unfavorable talk seems to be circulating.”
The professor spoke as if in regret. But it was nothing more than an act. The corner of his mouth was twisted in a sneer, and his gaze was fixed squarely on Selena. It was blatant mockery aimed directly at her.
“I worry that the students might begin to question the name of Galimard because of it.”
“Isn’t that matter already settled?”
“I am merely stating my thoughts.”
“I remember the disposition regarding Chief Professor Selena. I have no intention of reversing the conditions at this point.”
Yuda Snakers, who had entered as the top student. If he failed to stay within the top ten during this class placement exam, Selena’s position as chief professor would be stripped. In short, she would be demoted to a regular professor.
“So refrain from acting rashly.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Professor Kadel withdrew with an unpleasant smile. The reactions of the watching faculty split in two. One group openly mocked Selena, while the other sent her pitying glances. There were a few professors who surprisingly took her side, but even those reactions stemmed purely from sympathy.
Everyone was predicting Yuda’s defeat.
In a way, it was only natural. While he had shown a rather impressive side during the entrance ceremony speech, the truth was that he still fell far short of the name “top student.”
Selena was backed into a corner.
‘It’s over.’
‘She may be a bit loose in the head, but she was a capable person… what a shame.’
‘The day has finally come to drag her down.’
‘They say she’s an alcoholic… maybe her brain’s gone rotten too.’
‘If it were any other student, maybe… but the opponent is Her Highness the Princess…’
The faculty stole quiet glances. At the center of all those gazes stood only one woman—with purple hair.
“…….”
Selena stood there in a daze, completely out of it. Despite being in such a precarious situation, her appearance was no different from usual. Her red eyes rippled with quiet calm.
[Test #7]
Yuda Snakers vs Charlotte Little von Staufen
“It’s starting.”
The woman murmured softly. Her eyes were fixed on the center of the circular arena. More precisely, they were locked onto the boy who was stepping into it.
Golden hair gleamed under the pouring sunlight. A fight with no visible chance of victory. Yet the boy was stepping onto the stage with dignity.
The class placement exam proceeded according to a fixed order. My assigned turn was seventh. Considering there were nearly a thousand new students and only about a hundred were testing on the first day, it was an extremely early slot.
Perhaps that was why. The wait didn’t feel tedious at all. Just thirty minutes ago I had been watching the other students’ matches, and now I was the one standing in that very spot.
I walked onto the arena floor with steady steps.
《The 7th test will begin shortly.》
《Students participating in this test, please move according to the guidance announcement.》
The guidance announcement rang out rather loudly. The test format was simple. Two students of similar skill level would duel. Regardless of victory or defeat, everything would serve as the basis for evaluation and be used to reassign ranks.
‘I never imagined my opponent would actually be Charlotte.’
I let out a small chuckle. Was it because a subpar student had taken the top spot? It seemed the faculty was quite upset. This was clearly their way of trying to drag me down.
“It wasn’t a position I wanted in the first place… this is rather troublesome.”
=I didn’t want to be top student either. They forced it on me and now they’re throwing a tantrum. Why the hell did they put me in first place to begin with?
“It really is a shame.”
=What a shitshow. This is fucking annoying.
It looked like they were hoping to see me get crushed. Sorry, but that wasn’t going to happen this time. If they were willing to use someone, they should have been prepared to be used in return.
‘Not a bad opportunity. I needed a chance to solidify my position anyway…’
While I was briefly organizing my thoughts, my eyes met those of the platinum-haired girl standing across from me.
“......”
“......”
Eyes the color of the sea. After we exchanged glances for a moment, another guidance announcement rang out, once again gnawing at my eardrums.
《Contestants, please wait at your respective positions.》
《The test will proceed as a duel. The test ends when one side subdues or incapacitates their opponent.》
《Additionally, the test will end if one side forfeits.》
It was about to begin. I gathered Lie at my fingertips. Jet-black mist covered my arm. A voice came from the opposite side.
“I won’t hold back.”
Charlotte stared at me with those still-unreadable eyes. She truly looked like the Little Prince. I deliberately answered in a playful tone.
“For Her Highness the Princess to show her true strength… how troubling.”
“I’m curious about you.”
“Are you referring to me?”
“You resemble someone. A person I saw once before. I’m not sure if you two are the same yet, so……”
“It seems Your Highness wishes to test me as well.”
“Yes. I’m going to give it my all.”
“Haha, I hope I can live up to Your Highness’s expectations.”
“Please take care of me.”
Charlotte drew her sword from her waist. A smooth, flowing draw. The clean blade flashed as it caught the sunlight.
《Ready.》
I responded in kind, condensing Lie. The shadows gathering in my palm quickly took shape, becoming a single sword. We pointed our blades at each other.
《Begin!》
With that short signal, the test began. Charlotte, who had been gathering mana, lightly swung her arm a few times before immediately kicking off the ground and leaping forward.
Thud—!
A single explosive sound rang out. The next instant, Charlotte was right in front of me. Without the slightest hesitation, her sword slashed down. A silver line cut through the air.
Clang—!
I barely managed to block it. It was a strike that would have finished an average student instantly. Charlotte muttered as if she had expected it.
“As I thought, you reacted.”
“I was lucky.”
“Indeed.”
Clang! Clang!! Crack…! Clang!!
The attacks came fiercely. Sparks flew every time our swords collided. Within the storm of blades, I slowly retreated step by step.
“Ugh…!”
I furrowed my brow and groaned. Of course, it wasn’t actually difficult—I was simply acting like it was. Call it part of my plan.
‘Just fend it off moderately… exactly moderately.’
The rank I was aiming for in this class placement exam was none other than the top ten. I had no intention of climbing any higher or falling any lower. What I wanted in this life was to live inconspicuously and watch the world reach its happy ending. That was also why I had held back during the entrance exam and scored in the middle ranks.
Staying at the top would only keep drawing aggro. On the other hand, if I lost pathetically and my rank plummeted to the bottom, that would draw aggro in its own way. They’d probably say something like ‘See, he really was just a fraudulent top student’ and my reputation would take a hit.
‘I’m definitely weaker than Charlotte… but I need to give the impression that I still have some hidden strength.’
I gripped my sword tightly and continued the act. The small amount of Lie I had scattered into the air made the fight look far more precarious than it actually was.
Clang—!
The fierce song of steel continued. Sparks flew every time our blades met. As this intense one-on-one battle dragged on, the watching students finally began to react.
Yes, exactly. Come on, everyone—just think of me as ‘Extra #1, who’s a bit questionable for a top student but still pretty strong.’
I smiled faintly behind the murmuring atmosphere.
“Huff… huff……”
“Tired?”
“Yes… Your Highness.”
“For someone who looks that exhausted, you’re blocking awfully well.”
Clang—!!
Charlotte, who had been watching me with slightly suspicious eyes, suddenly shoved the sword we had been clashing with and created distance. She took a stance with both hands holding the blade pointed downward.
“Whether that exhausted look is real or just an act… shall we find out?”
Her clear blue eyes blinked once. The mana inside her body exploded. The overflowing energy rapidly spread throughout the girl’s entire form. A blue aura swirled violently around Charlotte.
Whooooosh—!
The frightened air began to tremble. It was an overwhelmingly spectacular sight. Knowing exactly what that prelude meant, I couldn’t hide my shock.
‘Wait… she’s using her ultimate skill in a mere class placement exam?’
And against an opponent she was winning against?
Although bewilderment flooded me, Charlotte’s technique arrived even faster. A cold light flashed across her pale eyes. Her soft red lips recited the activation phrase.
“Sword, be dyed.”
Thud—!
The girl drove her sword into the arena floor. Right after the chant rang out, the sound of steel and stone shattering echoed. It was an especially sharp noise. The blue aura that had been raging outward spread in all directions.
And the next moment.
Rumble—!
Steel vines burst from the ground, completely encircling the circular arena. The stems intertwined and sliced against one another. In the end, they formed one massive landscape.
“Haha… isn’t this performance a bit excessive?”
What filled my vision was none other than a rose garden. Every single leaf and petal was shaped like a blade—a steel cradle.
“I told you. I’m going to give it my all.”
Charlotte approached with light steps. In her hand was a newly plucked longsword—one of the rose blades she had just broken from the thicket. The look in her eyes as she stared at me was far from ordinary. It seemed she had no intention of letting me go until I played along.
I gripped my sword with a bitter smile.
“Haha……”
Hiding the fact that I’m losing on purpose is harder than I thought.