Chapter 43: Befriended by a Large Dog
After completing the Practical Exam, the students of the Magic Department moved from the training grounds to the auditorium. They were now waiting for their turn for a brief interview.
“Hey… that one over there…”
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. Scoring over three hundred points…”
“Could it be that they’re from a noble family? Perhaps a descendant of a renowned magician?”
(It seems I stood out a bit too much… Well, I had no intention of holding back.)
The topic of conversation among the students waiting in the auditorium was, of course, Rest, who had achieved the highest score in the Practical Exam. While the average score among the other candidates was sixty points, Rest had scored an impressive three hundred eighty-seven points—over six times the average. It was clear that this display of superiority had drawn unwanted attention.
“Damn it… How could I, a proud descendant of the illustrious Brute Count House, lose to a shabby commoner…?!”
Amidst the awe and curiosity directed at Rest from the other candidates, only Celery Boy glared with a look of hatred. He seemed utterly consumed by the bitterness of his defeat, as if he were trying to curse Rest with his gaze.
(He’s just as jealous and competitive as my foolish older brother… Is it true that similar names lead to similar personalities…?)
Perhaps there is some truth to the notion of name divination. If the day ever comes when I have children, I’ve resolved to choose their names carefully.
“Wow, that was incredible earlier! How did you manage to unleash such power with a Fireball?”
In the midst of this, Yuri Cattleya sat beside Rest, speaking in a friendly manner. Perhaps because they had met before the exam, she was unusually familiar.
“It seemed like you were casting multiple spells at once. Is there some secret to it?”
“Um, well… yes, that’s true.”
“That’s amazing! It’s an honor to take the exam alongside a magician like you! Are you perhaps a descendant of a famous sorcerer?”
“……”
Despite being a stranger, she was quite forward in her approach. Yet, for some reason, Rest didn’t find it unpleasant; Yuri exuded no malice or ulterior motives.
(She’s so innocent, or perhaps carefree… She doesn’t seem very noble at all.)
Though she claimed to be from the Cattleya Marquis family, could she truly be a marquis daughter? She was a different type compared to both Viola and Primula, despite sharing the same noble title.
“Um… why did you decide to take the Magic Department exam, Cattleya-san?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean… honestly, I feel like you’d be better suited for the Department of Knights than the Magic Department.”
Rest had run alongside her, using Body Enhancement without relying on Magical Power, and had scored over a hundred points by throwing stones during the exam. It was clear that her physical abilities seemed to surpass her magical talent.
“Ah… the Department of Knights has a strong influence from the Cattleya Marquis family…”
“……?”
“There are people there who were subordinates of my father, so it’s a bit awkward… There’s a chance I could be unfairly judged and fail… Well, there are various circumstances at play.”
“I see… I apologize for prying.”
“If the opportunity arises, let’s have a heart-to-heart. I’d love it if you could share the secret behind your strength then.”
“…… Yes, if the chance comes.”
Would such an opportunity ever arise? If they were to enroll in the academy, there might be time to deepen their friendship, but neither of them knew if they would even pass.
(I’m definitely passing. Without a doubt…)
Rest had answered over ninety percent of the written exam correctly. He had achieved the highest score in the Practical Exam among all the candidates who had taken it that day. There was no reason for him to fail.
(But… what about her? I’m sorry to say, but I have a feeling she might not pass…)
It was hard to believe that she could pass by merely throwing stones at targets.
(Could it be that since she created the stones with magic, it barely counts as a magical attack? No, I think that would normally be considered a fail…)
“Next, Yuri Cattleya-san. Please proceed to the room at the back.”
“Oh, it’s my turn. I’ll see you later!”
“…… Yes, later.”
Yuri’s turn for the interview had come. She waved goodbye to Rest with a smile as she exited the auditorium.
(…She was oddly familiar. Did something happen to bring us closer together?)
He had saved her when she fell from the tower, but that was about it. It was similar to when he rescued Viola and Primula from the wolves; perhaps it was a significant event for the girls?
(Yuri Cattleya… It seems there’s something going on with her, but I should probably report this to my lord. As for Viola and Primula… what should I do?)
For some reason, he felt a strange fear about discussing it, yet he was equally terrified of remaining silent and having it come to light later. If he were to mention how he had helped Yuri and gained her affection, how would Viola and Primula react?
(They’d be angry… No, I shouldn’t have done anything to warrant their anger… right? Probably?)
As the interview approached, Rest shivered with an unshakeable sense of foreboding.