Chapter 47: Royal Academy Post-Exam Meeting
Time rewinds slightly, to the conference room of the Royal Academy.
“Ho ho ho, this year has truly been a bountiful harvest!”
With the results of both the Noble Slot and Commoner Slot exams in hand, Headmaster Verloid Harn chuckled heartily. The conference room was filled with faculty members, all wearing complicated expressions as they smiled.
“The average score for the written exam is ten points higher than usual, and we have several students who excelled in the practical exam. It seems next year’s first-year students are quite the impressive bunch.”
“Especially the Magic Department… I never expected a Commoner Slot examinee to rank among the top!”
One of the teachers sighed, glancing at the document in her hands that detailed the overall rankings and scores.
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Magic Department Passers
1. Noble: Celestine Crocus – 200 points
2. Noble: Primula Rosemary – 196 points
3. Noble: Viola Rosemary – 193 points
4. Commoner: Yuri Cattleya – 191 points
5. Commoner: Rest – 190 points
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It was exceedingly rare for a Commoner Slot examinee to break into the top five during the entrance exams. Nobles, with their superior bloodlines and access to elite education from a young age, held a significant advantage. The exams were scored out of 200 points, with the breakdown being 100 points for the written exam and 100 for the practical. A passing score was set at 140 points, or 70%.
“In terms of practical exam scores, Rest is essentially at the top. If it weren’t for the rule that disqualifies scores above 100 points, he would have been the valedictorian,” one teacher noted.
“It’s a good thing he didn’t become valedictorian… I can only imagine how the noble students would react if a Commoner Slot examinee gave a speech at the entrance ceremony,” another added.
Arrogant nobles might very well harass Rest, thinking, “How dare a Commoner defeat me?” Although exam rankings and scores were generally kept confidential, the valedictorian was required to give a speech during the entrance ceremony.
“If it were the Duchess Crocus, known as a prodigy referred to as the ‘Treasure of the Kingdom,’ she would handle the valedictorian speech with grace. It’s fortunate we avoided a major incident,” one faculty member remarked.
“There are many nobles who wouldn’t remain silent if a Commoner topped the ranks. It’s for the best,” another agreed.
“Rest is recommended by Marquis Rosemary, isn’t he? That esteemed individual is the head of the court magicians, so perhaps he’s an apprentice or something similar?”
“Perhaps he’s being considered as a potential husband for one of the daughters?”
“Ha ha ha! Surely not!”
The teachers laughed together, but one of them, with a troubled expression, shifted the conversation to another student’s performance.
“…It seems there are a few problematic students. What should we do about her, Yuri Cattleya?”
One teacher pondered aloud. Yuri Cattleya, who had taken the Magic Department exam as a Commoner Slot examinee, ranked fourth overall. While she had passed, there were concerns regarding her approach in the practical exam.
“She’s attacking the target with stones rather than magic… Is it acceptable to score her as a valid candidate?”
“I oppose this! She must be disqualified without question!”
A robust man stood up, his voice booming. He was the head of the Department of Knights.
“There are clear deficiencies in Miss Yuri Cattleya’s exam results! We cannot allow such an unjust pass!”
“But… she did achieve a passing score, and there’s no issue with the rules, is there?”
“To solve a magic exam using physical means undermines the very purpose of the test! Such dishonesty must not be tolerated!”
“Mr. Anagoya, please calm down,” Headmaster Harn interjected, attempting to soothe the agitated teacher.
“No matter how she approached it, we cannot disqualify someone who has achieved a passing score. Miss Yuri Cattleya has passed, and that is final.”
“B-but Headmaster…”
“I was present during her practical exam. It was clear there was no foul play. Besides, as a faculty member of the Department of Knights, it’s not your place to interfere with the results of the Magic Department.”
“…The fairness of the exam is unrelated to the department.”
“That may be true. However… if you insist too strongly, I might suspect you’ve received some instructions from Marquis Cattleya,” the Headmaster warned.
“…!”
The knight instructor fell silent, clearly caught off guard. It seemed the Headmaster had struck a nerve. Many instructors in the Department of Knights were alumni of the knight order, and it was likely that some were under the influence of the Knight Commander, Marquis Cattleya. Whatever the circumstances, it appeared he had been instructed to disqualify his daughter.
“Perhaps she sensed this and chose to take the Magic Department exam instead,” the Headmaster mused.
“…”
The knight instructor remained silent, unable to argue further after being exposed for receiving outside influence. The atmosphere grew heavy, and another teacher attempted to ease the tension.
“Speaking of which, what about Cedric Evern?”
“Oh, right… His score didn’t meet the passing mark, but he did cast advanced magic during the practical exam. I believe his abilities as a magician are quite sufficient…”
Cedric Evern scored 116 points. While his practical exam score was decent, his written exam score dragged him down significantly, and he also lost points for an act of violence against the exam proctor, leaving him short of the passing score of 140. Had he chosen a different spell for the practical exam, the outcome might have been different, but he was still far from passing.
“Looking at the scores, he’s technically failed… but there have been instances in the past where students who didn’t reach the passing score were granted special exceptions. What should we do about Cedric?”
Cedric Evern hailed from the Evern Honorary Viscount House, known for producing court magicians, and was regarded as a genius. His demonstration of the advanced spell, Thunderstorm, made his talent evident. Despite his insufficient written exam score, some faculty members believed he could be granted an exception.
“Hmm… I think it’s best for him to be disqualified.”
However, the Headmaster shook his head, surprising several teachers.
“Why is that? Is it purely about the score?”
“That’s part of it, but… I conducted his final interview, and my impression was not favorable. The Crystal of Possibility hardly glimmered at all.”
“Is that so?”
The Crystal of Possibility is a device that all examinees touch during their interviews, measuring their potential for the future. Those who cause the crystal to shine brightly, regardless of their reputation, often leave a mark on the world in some form.
“It seems Cedric is merely precocious. His potential for growth doesn’t appear to be significant. There’s no need to reduce the number of Commoner Slot passers just to make an exception for him.”
If the number of noble passers increases, the number of Commoner passers decreases accordingly. The Royal Academy was primarily an institution for the next generation of nobles. Noble candidates were prioritized, while Commoners were only admitted if there were remaining slots.
“Understood. Then Cedric Evern will be disqualified.”
“If he has the motivation, he’ll likely try again next year. If his determination grows, new possibilities may open up for him. We can only hope for that.”
The eligibility for the magic academy is for those aged fifteen to eighteen. Even if he fails this year, he can take the exam again next year. However, retaking the exam often comes with higher standards for passing, and even if he succeeds, he is frequently looked down upon by other students. If he possesses the will to endure that humiliation, Cedric Evern will likely challenge the exam once more next year.
“Oh, and by the way… Cedric Brute, a Commoner Slot examinee, has declined his acceptance. It seems to be due to the circumstances of his recommender, Count Brute.”
“Hmm, it can’t be helped. Then let’s proceed as such. Now, let’s move on to the discussion regarding the Knight Department’s exam…”
With the topic of the Magic Department exams concluded, the conversation shifted to another academic field.