The Academy Entrance Exam (5)
I watched the Swordsmanship Department’s entrance exam for a while before returning to the temple.
“Hah… ha….”
I had stayed at the training grounds far longer than intended. My original plan was to watch just a few matches and head back, but each bout was so entertaining that I couldn’t tear myself away.
“Up we go…!”
I hopped lightly and began climbing a tree. Since I had slipped out in secret, using the main gate was out of the question. Hopefully no one had come looking for me while I was gone. If they had, the temple would already be in chaos right about now. Saintess Elia has disappeared! Something like that. The quiet atmosphere suggested that, fortunately, no one had noticed.
I slipped through the window and into my room. The moment my feet touched the floor, a knock sounded.
Knock. Knock.
“Saintess, it is Lael.”
The timing was so perfect it startled me. I let out a small hiccup before quickly answering while shedding my robe.
“J-just a moment…!”
I yanked off the robe and stuffed it under the blankets. I straightened my disheveled clothes from running, combed my hair neatly, and put on my veil. Sweat trickled down my spine and pooled beneath my breasts, making everything sticky, but I had no time to wipe it away. I opened the holy scripture on the table to make it look like I had been studying.
After fixing my posture and clearing my throat, I called out.
“Ahem… ahem… Please come in.”
The door opened and Lael stepped inside.
“Forgive me for disturbing your rest.”
“What brings you here?”
“I have come to inform you about tomorrow’s third exam.”
Lael began explaining the details of the third test.
“As you know, the third examination is a comprehensive evaluation.”
A comprehensive evaluation. Just as the name suggested, it assessed every aspect of a candidate’s abilities: stamina, mana, Holy Power, agility, judgment, and many other factors. The Imperial Academy apparently used this complex system to identify those truly suited to join its ranks.
“This year, the test will involve entering the forest and completing a quest.”
“Is it the same as last year?”
“Indeed.”
Last year, the Theology Department’s exam had been a marble hunt inside the forest. Points were awarded based on the number of marbles collected. It might sound like child’s play, but the marbles were special artifacts that could only be detected using Holy Power. During the search, random trials would appear: traps, injured people, individuals in danger, and dozens of other challenges designed to evaluate overall character and capability.
“However, there is one significant change this year. All departments will be taking the exam together.”
“Pardon? So while the Theology Department is testing, the Swordsmanship and Magic Departments will be in the forest at the same time?”
“That is correct.”
This had never happened before. Normally, each department would take the test in the forest over three separate days.
“The format has changed to parties of three—one student from each department—working together to complete a quest. The academy will assign the parties, and the pairings will be announced tomorrow morning.”
This was welcome news. I had expected the third exam to be rather dull. Finding marbles wouldn’t be difficult for me; I already had perfect control over my Holy Power. While there would be trials, most of them seemed geared toward evaluating character rather than combat. There would hardly be any fighting.
But if we were paired with the Swordsmanship and Magic Departments?
There would be combat. The most likely scenario was hunting demonic beasts. I was already looking forward to it.
“Is anything known about the quest itself? What kind of quest will it be?”
“That will also be announced tomorrow morning.”
“I see.”
Please let it be demonic beast hunting! And if possible, I hoped to be paired with a weak party. That way I could claim even more kills for myself.
“Ah! And I also passed the second exam.”
Lael looked at me with the eager, sparkling eyes of a puppy hoping for praise.
“I already know.”
“You… already knew?”
Oops. I had slipped up. I had been so lost in happy daydreams about tomorrow’s test that I had answered too casually. How could a Saintess who never left the temple possibly know what had happened at the swordsmanship training grounds?
“W-well… I heard about it. Yes, I heard. People were talking outside the window. They said the Holy Knight who applied to the Swordsmanship Department this time was truly incredible. The moment I heard, I knew it had to be Brother Lael. After all, the only incredibly skilled Holy Knight I know is you, Brother.”
I spouted the lie with a completely straight face. It was such a sloppy excuse.
“Haha, you flatter me.”
It worked. Lael didn’t seem to suspect the Saintess of lying at all.
“I heard your opponent was quite formidable as well?”
“Yes. He was a warrior from the Southern Kingdom and possessed incredible endurance. No matter how many times I struck him, he kept getting back up.”
“Still, when it comes to pure swordsmanship, you were clearly superior, Brother Lael. The swordplay you displayed right before the supervisor ended the match was truly magnificent. It made me think once again that you truly are one of the Five Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom.”
Lael looked at me strangely.
“You speak as if you witnessed it in person at the training grounds?”
“……I heard it from others. I simply imagined the scene in my head after hearing the story. If the opportunity arises next time, I would love to see your swordsmanship with my own eyes, Brother.”
“I shall make time to show you soon.”
“Yes, I look forward to it.”
I offered a gentle smile. It was amazing that such a flimsy excuse had worked. It seemed that being the Saintess granted me infinite trust. I wasn’t sure whether to be happy about that loyalty or scold him for it.
“By the way, I also heard something. They say you were incredible as well, Saintess.”
“Me?”
What had I even done? I blinked, trying to recall. I didn’t think I had done anything particularly noteworthy.
“They say you not only filled the Giant’s Cup completely but caused it to overflow.”
“Ah…”
So that’s what he meant.
“It just happened naturally when I tried. Was that really so impressive?”
“Yes, it is an extraordinary feat!”
I still didn’t quite understand. Was it really that difficult? It had felt as simple as pouring water from a kettle into a cup.
“Throughout the entire history of the academy, only two people have ever completely filled the Giant’s Cup. One was the previous Saintess, and the other is you, Saintess.”
Lael pointed at me with both hands.
“Hmm……”
Hearing that only two people had done it in the academy’s history, I could understand that it was impressive. But I felt no particular emotion. To me, it had been genuinely easy. Push-ups were far more difficult. Without using mana to strengthen my body, I couldn’t even do a single one. It was a clear weakness of this physique. No matter how much I exercised, my muscles refused to develop properly, leaving my strength pathetically low. Most of all, those enormous breasts that were as heavy as melons made lowering and raising my upper body incredibly difficult. I had face-planted more times than I cared to count… It was embarrassing. Once again, I offered my deepest gratitude for being able to use mana.
The next day.
Those who had passed the second exam gathered in the forest behind the academy. The area buzzed with nervous chatter. A few students drew particularly strong attention. The ones who had stood out in the previous tests were receiving countless gazes—some filled with admiration, some with jealousy, and others with pure curiosity.
And the person currently being stared at like a rare animal was me.
It was probably because they were seeing the new Saintess for the first time. It seemed rumors about me had already spread throughout the academy. Roughly eighty percent of the whispered conversations while looking at me were about yesterday’s test.
Her Holy Power is beyond imagination. She will become the greatest Saintess in history. And so on.
I had no idea why they were making such a fuss. While enduring those piercing stares, I was preparing for the test when, at exactly eight o’clock, the exam supervisor stepped onto the platform.
“Ahem!”
At the supervisor’s loud cough, the murmuring died down.
“Before we begin the exam, I will give a brief explanation. The final entrance examination of the Imperial Academy is a demonic beast hunt.”
I cheered inwardly. Yes!
“We have released demonic beasts into the forest. Your task is to hunt them. The number of beasts you slay will determine your score. Additionally, the amount of mana each beast possesses will affect the points awarded. The more dangerous and powerful the beast, the higher your score.”
At the mention of dangerous and powerful beasts, the area erupted into murmurs once again.
“There is no need to worry excessively. Although we call them dangerous, none of the beasts pose a lethal threat to your lives.”
That’s a little disappointing… Still, considering the students, it made sense. It would be problematic if anyone died during the academy entrance exam.
“I will now explain the exam rules.”
First, once the exam begins, participants will be randomly teleported into the forest. The three candidates from each department who appear in the same location will form a party.
Second, there is no need to collect any physical proof from the beasts you hunt.
“We have already provided the Magic Department candidates with a magical tool capable of measuring the mana of slain beasts. When you defeat a beast, its mana will automatically be recorded by the device.”
Third, interfering with other parties to steal their prey is permitted.
“Combat between parties is allowed. However, please do not go too far.”
They didn’t want the exam to turn into a competitor hunt instead of a beast hunt.
“Finally, the exam will end at six o’clock this evening.”
My heart pounded with excitement. I wouldn’t be able to run completely wild due to my position as Saintess, but just the thought of hunting demonic beasts after so long filled me with joy.
“Then! Let the exam begin!”
At the supervisor’s shout, dozens of teleportation magic circles unfolded in the sky. The circles flashed brightly. My vision turned pure white from the burst of light. I squeezed my eyes shut. The blinding radiance slowly faded. I carefully lifted my eyelids.
And at that moment—
“Uraaaaaah! It’s a fight! A fight!!”
“Kyaa!”
A thunderous roar slammed into my right ear.