Kays Translations

Chapter 21: The Villainous Aristocrat Take the Competency Test

"Truly, truly, thank you for helping milady!!"

"I've heard your thanks many times already~"

Maria's maid, Refana, had been bowing to me since she woke up.

Clearly, Maria was quite beloved, as the guards who had regained consciousness behaved similarly.

Oh, by the way, I made sure to keep the information about the magical armored vehicle a secret.

The guards and Refana, all warned explicitly that if anyone mentioned the magical armored vehicle, they would bite off their tongues and die. This made it clear that they were grateful for the help.

However, at that moment, I realized something.

"Hey, Maria."

"What? Don't speak Japanese too much in front of Refana, we might seem suspicious, you know?"

"No, it's not that. I mean, you might have been a character who was supposed to die back there."

"What? Hey, wait, why!?"

I remembered.

Maria Liese Dragfalco.

She, being Kerbek's sister, might have been a character destined to be kidnapped by the thieves and die according to the original scenario.

Miraculously, Maria Liese survived, and her maid hurried to the royal capital seeking help from the queen...

However, the Dragfalco Ducal House, Maria Liese's actual family, had fallen from grace due to Kerbek's betrayal, losing the trust of the royal family.

Freya, whose beloved daughter was kidnapped, suspected that the Duke's family was plotting something again and refused to accept it.

Maria Liese died, and the maid who sought help for her planned to destroy the kingdom for revenge, secretly acting under the demon king's orders.

This maid is probably Refana, right?

I had no confirmation, but I conveyed this to Maria.

"Wait, seriously? So, does that mean Kunou-san becomes our benefactor? But wait, our difficult life is also because of Kunou-san..."

"That's why it's half off."

"Huh?"

"I said I'd do it for free for you, but I'll sell it at half the price."

"Hey, that's not fair!! We're struggling financially right now, you know!?"

"Payment plans are available."

"Grrr, fine!! Haggling it is!!"

In conclusion

I agreed to sell it to her at a price 70% off from my initial offer, with a 15-year payment plan.

However, Maria was unaware.

She didn't know that the initial price I quoted was ten times the original value.

I hate to put it this way, but Maria is an excellent mark.

She's the type of delicious mark carrying a top-quality leek.

Hehehe.

As things progress the way I intended, I can't help but want to burst into laughter.

...I wonder if I'm more suited to be a corrupt merchant than a villainous noble.

I should restrain myself from now on.

“Um, what language have you two been speaking just now?”

“Huh? Uh, well, this is…”

“It's a language from a foreign country on a different continent.”

“Wow!! The studious young lady can speak a foreign language!?”

“Y-yes!! That's right!! You're really good at telling lies, huh?”

“Hahaha"

I have to say it like this, or you won't be satisfied, right?

It's better than the disgusting lie about Mohican shoulder pads on the bike outfit, I guess.

While having a trivial conversation, Maria, Refana, the escorts, and I entered the royal capital.

“Well, I'm going to school, but what about you?”

“Isn't this a coincidence? We're starting school this year too.”

“Oh, so you're also thirteen years old?”

“Yeah. The proficiency tests are a hassle, but well, I'll do my best, I guess."

Proficiency Test.

In the royal capital's academy, it is mandatory for the noble sons and daughters of Gardanakia who have turned thirteen to attend.

However, the education until the age of thirteen varies greatly depending on the family.

Because it's inefficient to put students with vastly different abilities in the same class, they measure the students' abilities through a proficiency test first.

By the way, I'm about to go take this proficiency test.

It's still early in the morning, and registration starts at noon.

I need to finish the test quickly, complete the dormitory procedures, and remodel my room into a comfortable space.

"Well then, see you at the academy.”

“Yeah, see you.”

I parted ways with Maria and the others, heading towards the academy.

The academy was located very close to the royal castle and served as an emergency evacuation site for the citizens of the royal capital in times of crisis.

In other words, it was incredibly vast.

I'd love to swiftly move around using my magic-powered motorcycle, but using it in the city is quite a challenge, after all.

"I guess I'll endure and walk."

After walking for a while, I arrived at the gates of the academy and showed the documents I had prepared in advance to the male gatekeeper.

He smiled kindly.

Gatekeepers usually have a scary image, but he seemed like a genuinely nice person.

"Welcome to the Royal Gardanakia Academy. Please go to the reception desk for the registration of the proficiency test."

"Thank you very much for your kindness."

Following the directions given by the gatekeeper, I moved within the academy grounds and arrived at the square where the proficiency test was being held.

There were several noble sons and daughters besides me, engaged in casual conversations.

I approached the receptionist, a female staff member.

"Excuse me, I would like to take the proficiency test."

"Yes, please fill in your name on these documents."

Kunou Von Dorana.

When I handed the paper with my name written on it to the receptionist, she suddenly exclaimed.

"Oh, Dorana!!"

"You know about it?"

"Yes! Dorana's hot springs are famous, you know!"

I'm glad to hear that.

I've put my efforts into creating those hot springs, so it's really heartening to be praised for something I've made.

"Good luck with the proficiency test." 

The receptionist said with a smile.

I observed the other noble students taking their proficiency tests in the examination venue, waiting for my turn.

Suddenly, the students seemed to be in a commotion about something.

Wondering what was going on, I followed everyone's gaze and saw a woman who seemed to be an examiner.

She had beautiful emerald green hair and eyes, was tall, and what caught the attention the most was the eyepatch she wore.

"Attention, please. I am Vermeil Von Zachtoll, and I will be in charge of the practical exam for this proficiency test."

"Wow, it's amazing!! The real Lord Zachtoll!"

"The hero who single-handedly defeated a demon general in the Human-Demon War!!"

Oh, I wonder if she's an acquaintance of my father's?

The Human-Demon War was a major conflict that happened in a game setting more than a decade ago. 

Although not extensively detailed in the game, it's known that both humans and demons suffered heavy losses.

Just surviving that major war is proof of considerable strength, but defeating a demon general on top of that – impressive.

I might be a bit intrigued.

As I was pondering, I happened to meet Vermeil's eyes. Suddenly, she widened her eyes and her body twitched.

"...For the practical exam of the proficiency test, you'll engage in a mock battle with me. You're free to use any means necessary. If you manage to land even a single blow on me, I'll recommend you for the S class."

“””Ooooohhh!!!"””

The S class. 

They are the top performers in the academy and, upon graduation, are granted the title of knight baron, a special class.

By the way, Felsy, who enrolled in the academy a year ahead of me, is an S class student. At this rate, she could become a one-generation noble in a few years.

Well, if your grades drop later on, you can be demoted to A class or below.

Conversely, those with lower grades can also make it to the S class with effort and determination.

Eh? Since they're noble sons and daughters, they'll inherit their parents' titles anyway, right?

That's the case for the eldest son.

For noble second and third sons, entering the S class here ensures a comfortable life in the future.

That's why there are surprisingly many who aim for an S class seat.

Well, I'm already a baronet, so it's not a matter that concerns me much.

"Those whose names are called, stay here for the practical test. Those not called, proceed with the written test first."

Since my name wasn't called, it seemed I had the written test first.

Not to boast, but my mother drilled me extensively in the kingdom's history and languages.

I should be able to manage decent grades.

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