Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Academy's Barbarian Hero
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A benevolent smile graced the count's face.
Noa bowed her head to him, rapidly blinking her left eye three times. It was to observe Count Dermore's information.
The information was no different from three days ago.
Noa let out a short sigh.
It was a relief that no variables had arisen, like with Ullan. Still, she didn't lower her guard inwardly.
'Because...'
The count was a fairly important figure in the main scenario of Arsen Continent Chronicles.
To put it bluntly, on the unfavorable side.
'He's someone who indirectly gets involved in the opening of the Abyss Gate later on.'
So it was only natural to stay wary.
But she didn't do anything foolish like openly showing hostility. Noa plastered on an utterly insincere smile.
That was when the count spoke up.
"Thank you for graciously accepting my sudden invitation. The spread is modest, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless."
"Thank you, Your Excellency the Count."
"We appreciate your kindness."
Ullan responded politely as well.
Unlike Noa, his speech wasn't formal, but the count didn't seem to mind.
A short while later.
After the meal ended, warm tea was served.
As he took a sip of the tea with its faint citrus scent, the count suddenly brought it up.
"Tomorrow's finally the day, huh."
There was no need to ask what he meant.
Tomorrow was the day of Arsen Academy's entrance exam.
"How are you feeling?"
"Ahaha, I'm kinda nervous for some reason."
Noa gave an awkward laugh.
It wasn't feigned emotion or a fake smile. She really was tense.
On the other hand, Ullan showed no reaction whatsoever. A reaction as immovable as a rock. The count tugged at the corner of his mouth slightly as he looked at the two.
"Truth be told, the reason I invited you here today was to tell you a few things about tomorrow's entrance exam."
"About the entrance exam?"
"Indeed. I'm an alumnus of Arsen Academy myself. So you'll find it worthwhile to listen. Care to hear me out?"
There was no reason to refuse.
Ullan nodded readily.
"Arsen Academy's entrance exam is divided into three main parts. First, the written exam; second, the physical fitness test; and finally, the aptitude test to verify your talents."
After taking another sip of tea,
the count added further explanation.
"What you two need to prepare for is the aptitude test. The written exam and physical test only apply to those without recommendations. They've already been conducted anyway."
In other words, with Count Dermore's recommendation letters, Ullan and Noa had effectively passed the first and second rounds.
This was an explanation they'd already heard from Ajuh.
Ullan and Noa inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
And rightly so.
Ullan lacked the knowledge for a written exam, and Noa had abysmal stamina. If they'd challenged it normally, they probably wouldn't have even reached the third round.
"How do they verify talent?"
"You choose three exams from a total of 60 aptitude tests across five fields, and pass them."
The count's prompt reply.
His eyes grew serious.
"But there's something to watch out for."
"Something to watch out for?"
"You can only pick up to two exams from a single field. Meaning you can't choose all three from the same one."
He sort of got it, but not really.
As he crossed his arms and furrowed his brow, Noa beside him sighed.
"...You're wearing a face that says you don't get it."
Spot on. Ullan nodded.
Noa explained as if she'd been waiting.
"Let me give an example. Arsen Academy's aptitude fields are divided into five major categories: Combat, Magic, Crafting, General, and Arts."
These are called 'aptitude fields.'
"Each aptitude field has 12 'aptitude tests,' and we need to select three from them and pass."
One aptitude field contains 12 aptitude tests. With five fields total, that makes 60 tests in all.
"But as the count said, you can only choose up to two from one field. So you can't pick all three just from Combat."
With the easy-to-understand explanation over,
Ullan nodded.
"I see. So if you pick two from Combat, the remaining one has to be from a different field?"
"Yes, exactly."
Good thing he gets it now.
As Noa smiled in relief, Ullan turned back to the count.
"Then what's the passing criteria?"
"It varies by exam. But getting B-grade or higher on all three is the safe bet."
Exams are graded in five tiers:
S, A, B, C, D.
In short, B or above on all three means exceeding the average. Then the count issued a warning.
"Just avoid F-grade at all costs. Even if you get S on the other two, an F on the last one means disqualification."
F-grade is only given if you completely botch the exam or do nothing at all.
As he nodded in understanding,
"Back to the main point, this is the list of aptitude tests for tomorrow."
The count handed over a document.
A list densely packed with 60 aptitude tests. While Ullan examined it closely, Noa didn't even glance at it.
"You've already decided, I take it."
"Yes, my master told me."
In truth, she'd already experienced them all in the game.
But she couldn't say that outright, so whenever this came up, Noa always blamed Ajuh. And it usually worked.
The count's reaction was proof.
"Haha, as expected of Ajuh's disciple. Mind sharing which ones you picked?"
"Of course."
Noa beamed.
"First, 'Curse' and 'Talisman Craft' from the Magic aptitude field, and 'Rune Engraving' from Crafting."
"Hm, not a bad choice. Especially Talisman Craft—hardly anyone picks it, so you should score high unless you mess up badly."
Exactly. That's why she chose it.
With the talisman craft skills Ajuh taught her, S-grade was a given.
As she smirked inwardly, the count shifted his gaze from Noa to Ullan.
"Warrior Ullan. Have you decided too?"
"Yes. 'Grand Melee' and 'Monster Hunt' from Combat aptitude."
"Mm, solid picks. As a warrior of the plains, you'll handle them with ease."
The count stroked his beard with a smile.
Ullan, however, didn't smile.
"But I haven't decided on the last one."
Nothing had caught his eye after scanning the whole list. As his face showed his dilemma, the count made a sudden proposal.
"How about the Magic aptitude field?"
"Pardon? M-Magic?!"
Noa jumped in surprise at the out-of-left-field suggestion.
And understandably so. Ullan had zero talent for magic.
He didn't even know the basics of how it worked. For someone like that to take a Magic aptitude test? The result was obvious.
Ullan thought similarly.
"But I..."
"I know. Outstanding combat talent, but a complete novice at magic, as per the letter."
The count waved Ajuh's letter.
If he knows that, why recommend magic? Doubt flickered in their eyes. The count smiled faintly and asked,
"The letter says you often went monster hunting alone. True?"
"Yes."
"To slay a magic beast, you must destroy its core. And to find the core, you need to read mana flow."
Stating the obvious,
the count's eyes gleamed intensely.
"Yet you felled magic beasts solo, without a mage's help. That means you have a talent for reading mana flow!"
"..."
He's probably misunderstanding something.
Ullan had just hacked away at magic beasts until the core popped out. He'd never gauged its position beforehand.
"That's why I recommend this test for you."
The count pointed to the Mana Detection exam.
"This test is essentially a miniaturized version of magic beast hunting. Should be a piece of cake for you."
The count began explaining kindly.
Listening quietly, it did sound similar to hunting magic beasts.
"Of course, I'm not forcing you. The choice is yours, so think it over carefully."
"Mm, got it. Thanks for the advice."
Ullan bowed his head in thanks.
With the entrance exam discussion wrapped up, the count rose as if his business was done.
"Rest up now. We leave before dawn tomorrow, so best to sleep early."
"Yes, thank you for your consideration."
Noa smiled brightly.
The impromptu dinner thus concluded.
5.
After Ullan and Noa left,
the count headed to his study at the top of the mansion. As he silently gazed at the night sky, someone knocked.
Knock knock!
A polite knock.
Moments later, the door opened.
"Your Excellency the Count."
A familiar voice.
It was Alond, the mansion's butler—and one of Count Dermore's most trusted retainers.
"What did you think of them?"
Alond asked directly.
The count's face clouded in thought for a moment before he voiced his honest impressions.
"That Noa girl seems sharp. Quick on the uptake, and her mana reminds me of Ajuh's. Overall, not bad."
"Fits the plan nicely."
The count said nothing in response.
As if affirming Alond's words.
But that lasted only a moment.
His expressionless face twisted gradually into one of irritation.
"But not that one."
"The plains barbarian?"
"Right. I couldn't sense a shred of mana or talent from him. Means he's a useless savage good only for fighting."
"Ah, so that's why you recommended the Magic field."
Alond looked enlightened, as if grasping his master's intent belatedly. The count nodded silently and gazed at the night sky again.
"Arsen Academy is the continent's premier institution, producing countless talents. A barbarian enrolling there? Absurd."
The count sneered, naked disgust on his face. Alond's eyes chilled as he gauged the mood quietly.
"Shall I dispose of him?"
"Not yet. We need them in the academy first, or the oath contract with Ajuh won't dissolve."
The count glanced at his left wrist.
A faint scar of chain markings remained. Until it vanished, he couldn't touch the plainsfolk recklessly.
"Besides, Ajuh and the northern barbarians still have their uses. Best to remove him without spilling blood."
"Any clever plan?"
"Yes, I prepared ahead. I tipped off my brother-in-law."
Count Dermore's brother-in-law,
Baron Direk Orminu, was a professor in Arsen Academy's Magic Department and the proctor for the Mana Detection exam he'd recommended to Ullan.
He was also perpetually cash-strapped from research funding woes. So the count bribed him to fail the clueless barbarian.
Obstacles must be cleared to satisfy the itch.
The count laughed coldly.
"He'll head back to the plains soon enough. Treat them well until they reach the academy, at least."
"Understood. I shall obey."
Alond bowed his head.
Like a loyal dog to its master.
6.
The next dawn,
a single carriage departed the mansion.
Bound for Arsen Academy. The one carrying Ullan and Noa.
"You look tired."
"...I was too nervous to sleep well."
Noa replied weakly.
A moment later, she spoke up.
"By the way, Ullan."
"Yeah?"
"Decided on the third test?"
"Going with the count's recommendation."
His tone brooked no doubt.
Noa asked in shock.
"R-Really? What if the proctor catches on that you can't handle magic...?"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Ullan said firmly.
Noa looked flustered.
What's with him? So confident?
Did he really have the ability to perceive mana flow, like the count said? But his status window showed nothing.
Noa felt confused.
Ullan's thoughts, meanwhile, were simple.
'The third test doesn't matter.'
The result would be similar no matter what.
Might as well take the count's recommended Mana Detection. Just avoid F-grade.
That was his decision.
'He must have had a reason to recommend it.'
No way he'd suggest it just to make me fail.
So he'd set aside the third test.
Aim for S-grades on the other two. Even a D on Mana Detection would pass then.
Noa pondered Ullan's intentions.
Contrary to her guesses, Ullan had made an utterly straightforward choice.
Harboring different thoughts,
the carriage soon reached its destination.
Chapter 5. Entrance Exam