**Chapter 37: Cedric Despairs Over the Practical Exam**
Cedric Ebern had finished the written exam with unsatisfactory results, but there was no time to dwell on his frustration or anger as he was quickly ushered into the practical exam. The practicals were divided by subject, and Cedric, having enrolled in the Magic Department, followed the proctor’s instructions to move to the training ground.
“Oh…!”
As Cedric stepped onto the ground, his eyes were drawn to the sight of two young women. One was a stunning girl with golden hair tied in a ponytail, and the other was a graceful girl with silver hair cascading down her back. Despite their similar appearances, they radiated contrasting vibes like the sun and the moon—these were the Rosemary Sisters.
(It’s been a year… They’ve become even more beautiful since then…!)
Cedric swallowed hard. Viola Rosemary and Primula Rosemary had matured far beyond his memories, their soft curves accentuating their femininity. They had been lovely girls before, but now they exuded a fragrant allure that made them even more captivating. Like buds blooming into magnificent flowers, they had undeniably blossomed into women in just a year.
“Gulp…”
Cedric swallowed again, this time more audibly. The handsome sisters had drawn the attention of the surrounding men, who were clearly vying for a chance to speak to them, stealing glances and searching for an opening.
(Don’t look at them! They’re mine, you hear!?)
A mysterious possessiveness stirred within Cedric. Those women belonged to him. It had to be that way. Only someone as exceptional as him was worthy of the beauty of the Rosemary Sisters.
(I should talk to them… Yes, I have a topic. I can apologize for what happened a year ago…!)
With a determined expression, Cedric began to approach the sisters. However, just then, they noticed him and shot him piercing glares.
“…………!?”
The intensity of their gazes made Cedric instinctively halt. Viola glared at him with anger, while Primula regarded him with a chilling contempt. Even Cedric, who was usually brimming with self-importance and confidence, could sense the rejection in their eyes.
(W-What the hell… What did I even do to deserve this…?)
It was true that he had led them into a dangerous situation a year ago. But… in the end, they had come away unscathed. Surely, the wolf had fled in fear because he was there. It was thanks to his genius that they had been saved without incident. And yet… to be met with such resentful looks was simply too much.
(Damn it… They’re narrow-minded for such beautiful faces. I’ll have to show them that I’m a superior, exceptional person!)
Though Cedric abandoned the idea of speaking to them, he refused to give up on winning them over. It seemed he had been disliked due to a minor accident, but he possessed magical talent. If he could demonstrate overwhelming skill in this exam, both of them would surely be drawn to him.
As Cedric’s motivation flared, the female proctor stepped forward to begin explaining the practical exam.
“Now, one by one, you will cast your magic at that target! The target is equipped with a special magic item that can measure the power of your spells. You may cast only one spell at the target. However… if you miss, you are allowed to use multiple spells!”
“…………?”
If you miss the target, you can use multiple spells? Cedric tilted his head in confusion at the strange explanation, but soon dismissed the oddity from his mind.
(If I’m going to cast, it has to be an advanced spell. I’ll use my newly mastered special magic to blow everyone’s minds!)
His written exam scores had been lackluster. He needed to score as high as possible in the practicals to make up for it.
(Once they see my magnificent magic, those two will surely change their attitudes…!)
“Now, please step forward in order of your candidate numbers. First up is Jean Queste, son of the Baron.”
“Yes!”
The named candidate stepped forward, casting spells at the target one by one. Fire, lightning, ice, wind… various spells struck the target, displaying numbers above it.
(Hmph… An average of around 80 points. Pathetic.)
As expected of the nobility, the scores were decent, but they were all low-level or intermediate spells. None of the candidates had managed to cast an advanced spell.
“[Fire Bolt]!”
“[Ice Bolt]!”
When it was the Rosemary Sisters’ turn, Viola scored “137,” while Primula scored “129.” Both achieved scores exceeding one hundred.
(Hmph! They’ll need to perform at that level since they’re going to be my wives! It’s a shame they’re only at intermediate magic… But that just means my magic will stand out even more!)
At that moment, the Rosemary Sisters held the highest scores.
As a side note, there were no candidates from families above that of a marquis present. Royalty and dukes were taking their exams separately for security reasons and were not in attendance.
(If the rumored genius, Third Prince Rodel, and his fiancée, the nation’s top talent, Duke Crocus’s Daughter, were here, things would be different… But in this exam, no one will score higher than Viola and Primula.)
Of course, that was excluding himself. Cedric chuckled to himself inwardly.
“Next up… Cedric Ebern, Viscount of Honor’s son.”
“Yes.”
Called by name, Cedric strode confidently to the front. Under the gazes of the other candidates, he stood at the line drawn on the ground, focusing on the target ten meters away.
(Witness, you insignificant commoners! Despair at my overwhelming talent!)
“[Thunder Storm]!”
He unleashed an advanced spell he had only recently mastered. Dark clouds gathered around the target, unleashing a torrential downpour of lightning.
“An advanced spell!?”
“Incredible…!”
“No way? He can use magic like that…!”
“As expected of Cedric Ebern, son of the Court Magician, hailed as a genius.”
(How about that? Impressive, isn’t it!? This is the power of a man called a genius!)
Gasps of astonishment and admiration erupted from the other candidates watching from behind. Cedric puffed out his chest, turning to glance at the Rosemary Sisters.
“‘…………’”
(…Huh?)
The Rosemary Sisters were indeed looking at Cedric. With cold eyes. Their faces wore expressions of disdain and mockery. Their reaction was entirely unexpected. He couldn’t comprehend why they were looking at him like that.
“Cedric Ebern, 86 points.”
“…………Huh?”
Cedric was taken aback by the proctor’s words. He quickly turned around, and the number floating above the target read “86.” It was only slightly above the average score of the previous candidates.
“Alright, you may step back.”
“W-What!? No way!”
“Hmm…?”
“My score can’t be this low! This must be a mistake!”
Cedric raised his voice, confronting the female proctor. He had cast an advanced spell. There was no way his score could be lower than that of the Rosemary Sisters, who had used intermediate magic.
“This is some kind of mistake! I demand a redo!”
“…You are allowed to cast only one spell at the target. A redo is not permitted.”
“That’s… Damn it! The target must be broken… No, this is a conspiracy! Someone is envious of my talent and trying to sabotage me!”
Cedric, blinded by rage, lunged at the proctor, but she quickly cast a spell to restrain him.
“[Earth Bind]!”
“Wha—!?”
Cedric found himself bound by black ropes of earth that erupted from the ground, squirming like a worm.
“Due to your violent behavior towards the proctor, you will receive a deduction in points, Cedric Ebern.”
“C-Crap… Damn it!”
“Though it seems you are dissatisfied with the results… given that magic, it’s only natural.”
Looking down at the bound Cedric, the proctor sighed in exasperation.
“It seems your understanding of magic is lacking… [Thunder Storm] is a spell that attacks a wide area simultaneously. Its power against a single target isn’t particularly high. It’s not suitable for a ‘target shooting’ exam.”
“W-What…?”
“While it’s impressive that you mastered an advanced spell at your age… your score will be recorded as it is. Don’t take it personally.”
“…………”
Cedric felt despair wash over him. His performance in the written exam had already been subpar. Failing to score adequately in the practicals and receiving a deduction for violent behavior would surely land him in the failing range.
(N-No way… Me, failing…? How am I supposed to report this to Father and Mother…?)
“Oh man, he really messed up.”
“How embarrassing. Is he really a noble?”
“Even if he’s praised as a genius, he’s really just this level.”
“This is what happens when a pretentious noble gets too cocky. What a disgrace.”
“…………”
Cedric could hear the mocking voices of the other candidates around him.
After that, his memories became hazy. He felt as though he had been made to do something individually after the practical exam, but in his despair, those moments faded from his consciousness, and he returned home to the Viscount Ebern House in a state of utter disappointment.