Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Arthur's Promotion Exam (1)
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The exam hall for Arthur's promotion test was none other than the Wooden Cross swordsmanship training grounds.
Officially, Wooden Cross was the PE class, so the training grounds were large and well-equipped.
‘If Judith and Shirley weren’t here, it would’ve been like casting pearls before swine.’
In any case, the spectator seats encircling the round arena—built with such public events in mind—were packed with onlookers, buzzing with excitement.
“It’s Arthur’s promotion exam, so I expected it, but it’s completely full.”
“Yeah.”
Theodore, who had no complaints now that the day had arrived, followed me out.
Unlike his usual simple attire, he had dressed up more formally today.
Matching his dark red ceremonial uniform, his eyepatch was velvet in a pale red hue instead of his usual one, and he had tied his half-bound hair into a single ponytail with a ribbon of the same material.
He had even added piercings and rings on his fingers and ears—clearly magic tools.
“You came prepared.”
“If anything happens, it’ll be a problem. The most dangerous one here is probably Arma Cruise, who can’t use magic.”
“Yeah…”
This was a unique tradition at Aegis Academy: to prepare for any potential accidents during promotion exams, the examinee’s acquaintances would gear up like this.
‘Arthur, see? Theodore’s got your back.’
My nose tingled for some reason.
Theodore ignored me, his expression saying he didn’t care what I was thinking anymore.
Up close, he had his cute side.
“But if it’s for safety, wouldn’t it be better to go down to the first floor near Arthur? Instead of sitting in the spectator seats with me.”
“I prefer having the whole arena in view.”
“Oh, right. I don’t know how to use magic, so whatever.”
We were this close, yet impossibly distant.
I would never fully understand the way mages lived, and the same went for them.
That thought made the not-so-enjoyable times at the academy feel like they represented a phase of life that would never return.
Theodore soon scanned the surroundings, as if assessing the exam hall’s layout, then spoke.
“No heir to Senior Yuri this year either.”
“If Makina had graduated, maybe, but since she hasn’t, no one dared.”
Senior Yuri was the nickname for the senior who used to hawk snacks around these spectator seats until last year.
Even under Makina’s crackdowns, she had dodged around selling her wares with astonishing skill, but since her graduation the year before last, no one had taken up her mantle.
“As funny as it is to say, it’s a burdensome spot.”
Problem children aren’t born that way. At least not at Aegis Academy.
For a shooting star of a troublemaker to torment Makina, they needed time to ripen, but now Makina was the top year and had even repeated a grade.
In the current situation, to challenge her, one really had to steel their heart and go full delinquent.
“By bloodline, I’d be the most plausible to carry on that legacy.”
“Arma Cruise selling snacks? …Doesn’t suit you.”
“That’s what I think too.”
At my response, the tension finally eased from Theodore’s face, his lips curving slightly.
He had definitely imagined me with a headband around a tray, yelling, ‘Roasted corn! Hot pie! Sweet juice!’
I followed Theodore’s gaze around the area, then asked as he started walking ahead.
“Shirley? Found her?”
“Yeah. She’s with the brass band in the northwest. Taylor Senior’s next to her too.”
“Where—ah, there.”
Both were dressed in ceremonial uniforms, like Theodore.
Unlike Judith, who was often roped into these school events, Shirley never wore formalwear, so seeing her in proper clothes was a fresh shock.
Especially today, matching with Judith, she had a low ponytail tied with a black lace ribbon instead of her usual high one.
“I mean, she’s so tall and elegant—why does she usually look like a wild pony that bolted from the stable?”
“She says it’s uncomfortable because of her spear.”
“That’s total BS, right? Look at Judith. She’s tough as nails normally, but look how composed she is down there.”
“You’ve got a point…”
Theodore nodded ambiguously.
Since he wasn’t one to fuss over ceremonial uniforms himself, he didn’t have much to say.
“Ah. Here he comes.”
Just as I spotted Judith and Shirley’s positions, someone at the entrance let out a small sigh.
That served as the signal, and the already chaotic venue grew even rowdier.
“Ooooh—”
Judith and Shirley raised their weapons, crossing them to form an arch.
Beyond them, in the shadowed passage, a black silhouette flickered into view.
-Clang!
The mana cloaking their sword and spear clashed, creating a small shockwave that expanded into a massive circle enveloping the arena.
They deliberately flared their mana and clashed weapons not just for the spectacle, but to check for suspicious figures or anyone aiding the examinee.
“No anomalies!”
“Proceeding as per procedure.”
At Shirley and Judith’s calls, Makina appeared from the opposite entrance in her black lily priestess robes, facing the drawn weapons.
“Ooooh…”
With her thorn crown embroidered in gold thread, Makina looked like a descended angel.
The thorn crown she wore only on special days was less about its own power and more a holy relic that reacted to her divine power.
Relics were weapons or tools based on divine power; magic tools on mana.
Usually, one chose based on their abilities, but while efficiency varied, having divine power didn’t prevent using magic tools.
‘Even without Sir Reynolds here, they’re proceeding…’
All academy events were nominally under Sir Reynolds’ permission.
Arthur’s Master Class promotion had prior approval, allowing it to proceed smoothly, but really, it was thanks to the Student Council.
“Feels like the Student Council exists for days like this.”
“Hm?”
“Sir Reynolds could handle it, but student affairs are running smoothly.”
“…I see.”
The weather was exceptionally clear.
Under the bright sky, Makina stood like a saintly figure.
Sunlight scattered around her silver hair made it look like she wore a formless halo.
‘Huh?’
As she walked slowly to the center of the circular arena, even from this distance, it felt like our eyes met.
And it wasn’t just my imagination—Makina’s eyes crinkled in a smile.
Thanks to that, we could protect everyone safely.
That’s what she was clearly saying.
How I understood her words from so far away was a mystery to me too.
It wasn’t magic or anything.
I had learned lip-reading as part of training, but this felt different.
‘We protected everyone…’
Questions piled up.
Reaching the arena’s midpoint, Makina raised her white hand as if grasping the sun.
It was the oath as Student Council President.
“Many events have led to us standing here today. Yet we, the devoted workers of Holy Aegis and the brave cadets of Aegis Academy, stand here unbroken by any hardship, with unwavering loyalty and patriotism.”
As Makina’s speech began, the venue fell into such silence you could hear a pin drop.
She paused, drawing the audience—us cadets’—focus.
Everyone except the rigidly at-attention Shirley and Judith stared at Makina.
“The Master Class promotion exam is an irregular test to select new talent who will serve Holy Aegis with shining ability and utmost loyalty. Cadet Arthur Usher, demonstrating your brilliance and devotion, please enter.”
-Rrrring…
Behind Shirley and Judith, the Wooden Cross music majors in ceremonial uniforms began playing in unison.
They would play mood-building music until Arthur and Adrian Nell Elman faced each other.
The fast snare drum set the rhythm, building tension with each step Arthur took, punctuated by booming bass drums.
‘Even more intimidating.’
He was already nearly two meters tall.
In his black ceremonial uniform for the exam, plus the menacing aura from his primary weapon, the pitch-black Crescent Moon sword, today’s Arthur exuded exceptional pressure.
As Arthur approached, Makina lowered her raised arm, turned slightly to the side, and looked opposite.
“And assisting in Arthur Usher’s promotion review is Cadet Adrian Nell Elman of Silver Chalice Class. Elman, please enter.”
“Wow—first time seeing his face.”
“Did Senior Adrian really show?”
At Makina’s words, the spectator seats, silent as if under a gag order, erupted in murmurs.
I felt the same deep down.
During my time at the academy, all I’d seen of Adrian was his back from afar.
Even that was cloaked in a robe, so technically just his silhouette.
-Rrring…
The snare drum cleverly cut through the chaos, ringing out.
Theodore and I couldn’t hide our shock at Adrian’s revealed face.
“…A mask?”
Adrian wore a smooth white mask with six round eyeholes.
But while Wooden Cross and Thorn Crown House buzzed, the Black Lily cadets—who usually mingled with Silver Chalice—showed no reaction.
“Both of you, to your positions.”
At Makina’s command, masked Adrian and Arthur faced off about two steps apart.
“—We promise to give our all, fairly and squarely, without tarnishing the name of divinity.”
“We concur.”
Adrian added to Arthur’s words.
His voice, muffled by the mask, was distorted once.
It had a man’s low timbre, but guessing his age was impossible.
“Why hide his identity so thoroughly?”
“Makes me think he could be a noble’s bastard. Known as an Elman heir, but probably a false identity.”
Theodore’s point was valid.
What better place to hide a child with a complicated backstory than this remote island four hours from the mainland?
Unfazed by Adrian’s unconventional attire, Makina continued.
“The promotion exam rules are simple. The Master Class challenger passes by dragging the examiner outside the marker. Exiting the exam area for over 30 seconds or declaring forfeit disqualifies the challenger. Do you agree?”
Arthur and Adrian nodded simultaneously.
Makina soon signaled the start.
“May the gods’ blessings be with you. Then—begin Cadet Arthur Usher’s Master Class promotion review!”