Kays Translations

Chapter 47: Post-Examination Meeting at the Royal Academy

The scene shifts back in time to the conference room of the Royal Academy.

"Ho ho ho, this year has been quite a bountiful one." 

Exclaimed the cheerful school director, Velroid Hearn, as he held the examination results for both the noble and commoner categories. Other faculty members were gathered in the conference room, wearing expressions of both difficulty and amusement.

"The average score for the written exams is ten points higher than usual, and some students have shown outstanding results in the practical exams. The incoming first-year students for the next academic year seem to be an exceptional group."

"Especially in the magic department... I never expected a commoner to rank so high..."

One teacher sighed with mixed feelings. The document in the hands of the young female teacher displayed the overall rankings and scores for the exams.

---

Magic Department Successful Candidates:

1. Noble - Celestine Crocus: 200 points

2. Noble - Primula Rosemary: 196 points

3. Noble - Viola Rosemary: 193 points

4. Commoner - Yuri Catreya: 191 points

5. Commoner - Rest: 190 points

---

It was extremely rare for a commoner candidate to rank in the top five. The advantage overwhelmingly favored nobles who, due to their good lineage, had received excellent education from a young age. Notably, the exam had a total of 200 points, with 100 points each for the written and practical exams. The passing score was set at 140 points.

"Rest-kun had the highest score in the practical exam. If the rule wasn't to truncate scores over 100, he would have been the top student." 

"It's a relief that he didn't become the top student... If a commoner student gave a speech at the entrance ceremony as the top student, I wonder how the noble students would react..."

If the noble students were arrogant, they might harass Rest, who was a commoner ‘Saying I can’t lose to a commoner’. 

Generally, exam rankings and scores were not disclosed, but the top student was obliged to give a speech at the entrance ceremony.

"If it's the talented Duke Crocus's daughter, referred to as the 'Kingdom's Treasure,' she should be able to handle the chief greeting flawlessly. It's a relief that it didn't turn into a major issue."

"Many nobles won't stay quiet if a commoner is at the top. It's for the best."

"Is Rest-kun recommended by the Rosemary Marquis...? Is he perhaps an apprentice or something to the chief court magician?"

"Maybe he's going to be the son-in-law of their daughters?"

"Hahaha, that's unthinkable!"

The teachers laughed and talked amongst themselves. However, one teacher clouded the atmosphere by bringing up the performance of another student.

"But... there seem to be some problematic students. What about her, Yuri Catreya?"

One teacher expressed concern. Yuri Catreya, who took the magic department exam as a commoner, ranked fourth overall. Although she achieved the passing score, there were some issues with her approach to the practical exam.

"She attacks the targets using projectiles rather than magic... Can we count this as effective points?"

"Absolutely against it! We should firmly reject an unjustly passing candidate like her!"

A teacher vehemently opposed, standing up. He was a robust and muscular man, the head of the knight department.

"Even though Yuri Catreya has passed in terms of points, there are obvious flaws in her results! We cannot allow such an unjust candidate to pass!"

"But... she has passed as per the scores, and there's no problem within the rules, right?"

"The significance of the exam to measure magic is lost when she attacks the targets with physical objects. We shouldn't allow such cheating!"

"Anagoia-san, please calm down."

The school director intervened to calm down the fervent man.

"We cannot reject someone who has achieved the passing score, no matter the method. Yuri Catreya shall be allowed to pass."

"But, Director...!"

"I was present during her practical exam. There was no cheating involved. Besides, Anagoia-san, as a knight department teacher, you should not interfere with the magic department's exam results, should you?"

"... The fairness of the exam is unrelated to the department."

"Indeed. However, if you insist too strongly, it may be interpreted as if you are being influenced by Marquis Catreya. Or perhaps... she realized that and took the magic exam?"

"……...!"

The knight department teacher fell silent with an awkward expression. It seemed the hit was too close to home. Most of the knight department teachers were former members of the knight order, and many were favored by Marquis Catreya, the head of the knight order. The teacher might have received instructions from Marquis Catreya to ensure Yuri Catreia's failure.

"Or perhaps... she sensed that and decided to take the magic department exam."

"………….!"

The knight department teacher sat down and remained silent.

Now that it was discovered that he was receiving instructions from an outsider, it was no longer possible to claim that Yuri Catreia had failed.

The atmosphere in the room became heavy, and another teacher spoke up, as if to intercede.

"Now then, what about him? Oh, Cedric Ebern-kun!"

"Ah, well... his score did not reach the passing grade, but he activated advanced magic in the practical exam. His magic abilities seem quite sufficient, but..."

Cedric Ebern's score was 116 points. While his practical exam score wasn't bad, his performance in the written exam significantly held him back. Additionally, there were deductions due to violent actions against the exam supervisor, resulting in him falling far short of the passing score.

Even if he had chosen his magic more wisely in the practical exam, the overall result would likely not have changed.

"Although looking at the scores alone, it's a failing grade... but in the past, there have been cases where students who didn't reach the passing score were granted special approval. What should we do about Cedric-kun?"

Cedric Ebern hailed from the prestigious Ebern Honorary Viscount family, known for being court magicians, and he was a boy acclaimed as a genius. His demonstration of advanced magic called [Thunderstorm] during the exam made it evident that he possessed exceptional talent. While his written exam score was insufficient, some teachers considered whether he should still be allowed to pass.

"Hmm... I believe he should fail," 

Said the school director, shaking his head. Some teachers expressed surprise by tilting their heads.

"Why is that? Is it still about the scores?"

"That's part of it... but I conducted his final interview, and the impression wasn't favorable. The 'Crystal of Possibility' also barely shone."

"Is that so?"

The Crystal of Possibility was an item touched by all exam candidates during their interviews, measuring the potential future of the individual. Candidates whose crystal shone brightly tended to leave a mark on history, regardless of whether it was for good or ill.

"It seems Cedric-kun was just an early bloomer. His future growth potential doesn't seem to be that significant. It's unlikely we should make an exception to pass him, reducing the number of commoner candidates."

If the number of noble candidates who passed increased, it would mean a corresponding decrease in commoner candidates. The Royal Academy was, after all, an institution primarily for the nobility, tasked with educating the next generation.

"Understood. In that case, Cedric Ebern-kun fails."

"If he has the motivation, he can try again next year. The potential can expand if his motivation increases. Let's hope for that."

Eligibility for the magic academy exams is for males and females aged fifteen to eighteen. Even if one fails this year, they can try again next year. However, retaking the exam comes with a higher passing standard, and even if successful, students tend to be looked down upon by their peers.

"If he's determined to endure that humiliation, Cedric Ebern will likely attempt the exam again next year."

"Oh, and... Cerolic Brute-kun, a commoner candidate, has declined the offer of admission. It seems to be due to the circumstances of his recommender, Count Brute."

"Hmm, unavoidable. Well, handle it as such. Now then, let's move on to the examinations for the knight department..."

The discussion about the magic department exams concluded, and the conversation shifted to examinations in other departments.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter