Instructor Sinia's Interest
"Instructor Sinia."
"Hmm?"
In the waiting room where the instructors in charge of the Swordsmanship Department for the Academy entrance exam gathered, a man spoke to Sinia, who was closely watching specific participants through projection magic.
"Oh, what is it?"
The man's pretty-boy looks didn't quite match his sturdy build, creating a rather striking contrast, but his serious demeanor fortunately balanced it out. He was a man who gave off an immediate impression of being exceptionally earnest—Instructor Herion of the Academy's Swordsmanship Department.
"I wanted to ask you about what happened earlier."
"Do you mean my intervention in the group assignments?"
Herion nodded.
Sinia suddenly began to tremble. "Am I on the verge of getting scolded?"
"How could I possibly have the authority to scold you, Instructor Sinia?"
"Hehe, that's not true~ You do~ You're just the only one who doesn't know~ If Herion whispers in that old man's ear, that old man is going to throw his nameplate at me~"
"Why would I say anything to the Chancellor... In any case, this is not a reprimand, but a simple question. I am genuinely curious about your intentions when you intervened in the group assignments just now, Instructor Sinia."
"What part of it are you curious about, and in what way~?"
The third exam was conducted in groups, with the assignments made at random. Although it was a group-based exam, the evaluation criteria focused on how each individual performed as a member of that collective. Grades were still awarded on an individual basis.
As the participants currently worried or hoped, being grouped with someone like Kasha or Drin wouldn't mean they could just coast through the exam. Still, there were clear advantages to being grouped with highly skilled individuals, just as there were clear disadvantages to being grouped with incompetent ones.
Even with their sharp eyes, the instructors couldn't monitor every single detail. Moreover, their limited attention was bound to be focused primarily on the top-tier participants.
In that sense—
"Your intervention in the group assignments just now was clearly a harsh treatment for two of the participants."
"And who might those two participants be~?"
"Aidrin Telne and Miz Bowler. They were originally scheduled to be in the same group as participant Agion Morci, but due to your strong insistence, Instructor Sinia—"
Herion checked his documents, seemingly struggling to recall the name.
"—they were grouped with participant Sillon instead."
Agion of the Morci family, the continent's greatest spear-wielding noble family. If not for Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan, people said he would have easily taken the top spot. Along with his skill, he possessed a noble, handsome appearance that was just as famous. In this entrance exam's swordsmanship department, he was the rising star receiving the most attention after Drin and Kasha—or perhaps just as much.
And Sillon. He was someone receiving just as much attention as Morci in this entrance exam, but in a bad way. The rumor that he had dared to stand above Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan through underhanded methods in the second exam had already spread beyond the participants to the instructors.
In other words, Sinia had taken away a near-perfect teammate from Aidrin and Miz, replacing him with a teammate who was near-worst. If Miz found out—though maybe not Aidrin—her round, expressionless eyes would probably pop out in shock.
"Conversely, Adela and Melchen, who were originally scheduled to be in the same group as Sillon, benefited. By your choice, Instructor Sinia, two—no, three people profited, while another three suffered a disadvantage."
According to the results of the second exam, the capabilities of Adela and Melchen were higher than those of Aidrin and Miz. The instructors' opinions aligned with this. Therefore, Adela, Melchen, and Agion were all grouped with superior teammates due to Sinia's intervention. Meanwhile, Aidrin, Miz, and Sillon were grouped with inferior teammates.
"This is an intervention that would never have been permitted if it weren't for you, Instructor Sinia."
Most Academy cadets were nobles, representing their families. Thus, the entrance exam was a massive event where the prestige of noble families was on the line. In such an event, Sinia had acted in a way that could easily be interpreted as favoritism toward specific participants.
First, Sinia had absolutely no interest in politics.
Second, Sinia wielded immense influence not just in the swordsmanship department, but within the entire Academy.
Third, the ones who suffered a disadvantage were Sillon, a commoner, and Miz, who came from the despised Bowler family.
Fourth, the three who benefited were all from high-ranking noble families.
If even one of these conditions had been different, the instructors would not have tolerated Sinia's intervention.
"If anyone else had intervened like this, the instructors would have assumed they had some sort of connection with the families of Agion, Adela, and Melchen, and raised an objection. But you are not that kind of person."
Sinia wore a gentle smile. It was a smile that would completely drain anyone who knew her even a little bit. Instructor Herion was one of the few people in the Academy who could formally raise an objection to her.
"That is why I am curious. Why did you make such a—meaningless intervention, even at the risk of creating controversy? Ah, and one more thing."
Herion's eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.
"I wanted to check the records of the second exam, where participant Sillon reportedly scored higher than Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan, out of curiosity. But I heard that you, Examiner Sinia, destroyed those records."
"Would it be a wild speculation on my part to assume these two incidents are connected?"
Herion finished speaking with a serious expression. A tight tension began to flow between the two.
"I thought you said this was a simple question, not a reprimand! This is literally an interrogation!?"
But as Sinia shouted boisterously, the tension vanished without a trace.
"Sigh..."
Just as expected. Herion shook his head. He knew it would turn out like this.
Thus, Instructor Herion, who carried the name of Dedler—one of the Eight Great Families—backed down helplessly before Instructor Sinia. He had no choice.
"Yes, it is a simple question. Therefore, you have no obligation to answer truthfully, Examiner Sinia, nor would you actually do so."
"What do you take me for?! Just wait, Herion. I'll explain everything."
Hmm. Sinia crossed her arms and let out a hum, falling into deep thought. Herion watched this farce with a weary look.
"First, the answer to why I deleted our Number 348's exam records! Listen closely!"
"Yes, please go ahead."
"Because it's too good to show others, and I wanted to keep it all to myself! Does that answer your question?"
Herion's eyes rolled upward, as if his soul was escaping his body.
"Yes, that is quite an answer."
"And as for why I swapped our Number 348 with, uh—who was it? Duel? Aguena?"
"It's Agion."
"Ah, right! You asked why I swapped him with Agion, right?"
Sinia smiled brightly and answered cheerfully.
"Because it would be a waste to keep him all to myself!"
At those words, Herion stared at Sinia seriously.
"Too good to keep to yourself... Are you referring to Agion?"
Sinia rarely showed interest in others. The fact that she was conversing with him 'relatively' seriously right now was only because Herion was from the Dedler family, one of the Eight Great Families, and had established a reputation worthy of the Dedler name through his own strength.
If one had to choose a participant among those six whom Sinia would mention, even in jest—
In Herion's eyes, Agion was the only candidate.
Coincidentally, Agion was a participant in the group Herion had been in charge of. Herion recalled Agion's exam records and nodded.
"Indeed, he is a participant too talented to be buried under the names of Libringer and Hanahan."
"Wahahaha! I'm still not used to this! Why does the name Hanahan keep popping up when we're talking about the swordsmanship department's entrance exam?!"
As soon as Herion brought up Agion, Sinia immediately jumped to another topic—Hanahan. Would it be a stretch to interpret this behavior as her having absolutely no interest in someone like Agion?
"The third exam will begin shortly."
Hearing those words, Herion wrapped up his thoughts.
"In any case, I understand, Instructor Sinia. I, too, shall keep an eye on Agion Morci."
"Huh? You're going to keep an eye on Agion Morci? Hmm~? I didn't know you had that kind of taste, Instructor Herion~"
"Shall I bring my fiancée here so you can repeat that to her face?"
"Heavens, it was a joke...! A joke! Anyway, Agion Morci, huh—"
Sinia smiled meaningfully.
"So that is your choice, Instructor Herion?"
"...Was the talent you mentioned earlier, the one too good to keep to yourself, not Agion?"
"Hmm~? Well~? I don't really remember~?"
Seeing Sinia play dumb, Herion pondered.
Who among those six could possibly be a talent worthy of Sinia's attention?
Honestly, excluding Agion, everyone else seemed mediocre. Even if they were talented, they weren't outstanding enough to catch Sinia's eye.
"Herion, since we're on the subject, care to make a bet with me?"
"What kind of bet?"
"You watch the third exam, Herion, and try to guess who the person I was thinking of is."
Normally, he would never accept a bet from Sinia, but—
"Fine."
Herion accepted Sinia's bet. He was confident.
Two minutes and six seconds.
The outstanding performance of Agion he had witnessed in the second exam. He was certain that no participant other than Drin and Kasha could surpass that.
"But what are the stakes?"
"If I lose, I'll grant you any favor you want."
Herion was startled. It was only natural, as Sinia, despite her appearance, was not one to make empty promises.
"Are you serious?"
"Since there's no way I'll lose anyway."
"I see. Then, what if I lose?"
"If you lose, you'll share a secret with me."
"A secret?"
"Yes. A secret. You'll share a secret with me, and you'll have to actively cooperate with me on matters related to that secret."
"..."
Herion felt an overwhelming sense of foreboding wash over him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Sillon held Miz Bowler's hand with both of his, leaning his upper body toward her.
"Why?!"
Her expression remained blank, but Miz pulled her head back slightly. Her mumbling voice came muffled through her mask.
"You ask why? That is what I want to say. A sudden bolt from the blue. Calling me master. What does this mean?"
At that moment, Aidrin, who was standing beside them, slapped Sillon's hands which were wrapping Miz's hand. Slap! Slap!
"Let go of her before you speak, you idiot. How dare you touch a lady's hand so carelessly—"
Hearing this, Miz Bowler tilted her head slightly to the side and said:
"Embarrassed."
With her expression as blank as ever.