Chapter 108
Chapter 108
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Class Assignment Exam
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, the freshman representative from Nordal had finished her oath, and the academy entrance ceremony was over.
Honestly, the only entertaining part was Nordal's appearance—nothing else really stood out. But that was enough.
After all, beauty shines brightest amid ugliness.
"It's finally over!"
"I heard there's a test next. What happens with that?"
"No idea! They'll probably tell us soon."
Yeah, right.
After the ceremony ended, we were still waiting in the auditorium.
The high-ranking nobles and other dignitaries who had attended were still making their way out. Just as Ella said, they'd let us know shortly.
While we sat there quietly in our seats, a man who was younger than the grandfatherly figure from earlier—but still middle-aged—stepped onto the stage.
He was probably there to explain the exam procedures after the ceremony.
-From now on, we will conduct the Class Assignment Exam for the new students entering Solchemia Academy.
His deep voice echoed through the auditorium via the amplifier.
Hmm... just as expected.
-This exam will proceed in the exact same manner for everyone, with no special privileges or penalties for any new student.
The explanation was pretty straightforward.
In short, there were two parts: a written exam and a practical one.
The written exam covered standard academy subjects, while the practical involved fighting monsters.
It felt... incredibly clichéd.
At least it wasn't target practice or something equally boring—silver lining, I guess?
Once the explanation wrapped up, we began moving to the exam venues, not all at once but in groups.
"Ella, you can ace this exam, right?"
"Hehe! What do you take me for? Unlike you, I came here to actually study hard at the academy."
"Good to hear. A high score here means we can switch to better dorm rooms."
"Hehehe!"
Ella looked confident.
Well... she did come to the academy for proper reasons, unlike me. She was here to learn, so I had nothing to say.
"Hmm... looks like they're putting us new students into classrooms."
The exam questions and setup were all identical, ensuring equal conditions for everyone.
I'd never quite understood the academy's insistence on treating status and rank equally inside its walls, but they seemed serious about it.
Of course, picking Nordal as today's freshman representative made it feel anything but equal.
"Ella, good luck on the exam."
"Hehe! Don't worry about me—worry about yourself!"
As we filed into classrooms one by one, the one right in front of me—Ella—filled the last spot just as it was her turn.
No big deal; I didn't need to take the exam with her specifically. Still, a bit disappointing.
Watching her take the test from the seat behind would have been fun, honestly.
And so, I ended up in a different classroom from Ella.
"Hmm..."
Being first in meant I got stuck in the front row, which wasn't ideal. Back-row corner seats are the best in any classroom, right?
Fewer stares, more privacy.
Oh well, it was just an exam—no real complaints.
-Tap... tap...
As I waited in the classroom for the other students to arrive, an instructor-like figure entered, wearing what must have been the academy's signature uniform. A woman.
She screamed "teacher," so I figured she was here for the exam.
"At exactly 11 o'clock, exam papers will appear above your current seats, along with writing tools. No need to worry—just wait a bit."
"...Hmm."
Some kind of magic to distribute the papers, apparently.
Must be the imperial funding; the tech level was impressive. Even Ashley hadn't shown me anything like this... intriguing.
I waited, listening to the clock tick, until the thicker hour hand aligned—and the small magic circle on my desk lit up.
And then...
"Oh..."
Just as she said: an exam paper and pen materialized on the desk.
What kind of magic was this?
Curious, but the exam came first—I'd analyze it later.
-Scribble... scribble...
Anyway, time to tackle the problems.
Most were easier than expected, so I breezed through.
Like: Correct description of the structure of the Low-tier Magic ignition magic circle?
Which feature of mana stone-mutated monsters is incorrect?
Which figure from Chapter 3 of the Solchemia Empire's founding myth is not mentioned?
Stuff I'd learned around age six or seven.
Magic came later, but the questions weren't tough.
Some covered arts instead of magic, history, or monsters, but William had drilled those into me early on.
Nothing challenging.
"...Hmm."
Ten minutes? Fifteen? I finished quicker than anticipated.
Fifty questions, but way easier than I thought—piece of cake.
"Haa..."
"Damn..."
"What is this...?"
"Never learned this..."
".......Huh?"
I let out a tiny sound without realizing.
I'd finished, set down my pen, propped my chin, and was zoning out when I heard... weird noises.
Sighs, groans, disappointment, despair from the other students—negative vibes all around.
"...?"
Why the reactions?
I couldn't see them from the front row, but the sounds were impossible to ignore.
Didn't everyone learn this stuff?
Even non-magic subjects felt like review from years ago.
"...?"
Oh—most of the new students in this classroom were commoners.
Art questions might stump them.
Otherwise...
...
Is it that hard?
*
Anyway, the written exam was easier than expected.
No—downright easy.
It ended without a hitch. Felt like a guaranteed perfect score, but so simple everyone might ace it.
"Hope the practical is tougher."
"...Huh?"
"The written was too easy—no fun."
"...What are you talking about?"
"Hm?"
While heading to the practical venue with Ella, my mutter drew a sudden question from her.
What?
"Wasn't the written exam easy?"
"...It was hard?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
"...No, super easy. Founding myth? Learned it at six. Monsters? All low-tier. Magic? Nothing above mid-tier."
No clue what was up, but I explained calmly.
Something felt off.
I broke down why questions 1 through 50 were simple.
"Question 37's painting, 'The Scream and the Knight'—inspired by a founding myth scene..."
"Question 43, low-tier magic 'Mana Bullet'—central rune is..."
Every explanation left Ella stunned, but I wrapped it up.
"...How do you know all this?"
"Uh... learned it?"
"What 13-year-old lady learns all that...?"
"...Huh?"
Doesn't everyone master this basics before coming?
Tutors from William drilled it since childhood—nothing new.
But Ella's shock made me doubt myself.
William said nobles learn this young...
"...Ella, how many did you finish?"
"...28 out of 50."
"...Oh."
...
Something's...
Um...
"...Let's focus on the practical?"
"Y-You're changing the subject!? What have you even been doing all this time...!"
"...No idea? Practical next—heard we'll fight monsters there soon."
"You're dodging...!"
...
Yeah.
I know nothing.
Sure, let's gloss over it. Too late for questions now.
"Haha..."
...Early education might've warped me more than I thought.
Still, good scores mean better dorms.
Lucky, right?
Higher chance of top marks than others—positive spin it is.