**Chapter 43: Befriended by a Large Dog**
After finishing the practical exam, the students of the Magic Department moved from the training grounds to the auditorium. They were now waiting for their turn to undergo a brief interview.
“Hey… look at that guy…”
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. Scoring over three hundred points…”
“Could he possibly be of noble descent? Maybe a descendant of a renowned magician?”
(It seems I’ve attracted a bit too much attention… Well, I had no intention of holding back.)
The topic of conversation among the students waiting in the auditorium was, unsurprisingly, 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 astonishing three hundred eighty-seven points—over six times the average. His clear display of superiority had made him stand out in a rather conspicuous manner.
“Damn it… How could I, a proud scion of the illustrious House of Brute, lose to some shabby commoner…?!”
Among the many candidates who gazed at Rest with a mix of awe and curiosity, only the boy named Celery shot him a glare filled with hatred. Perhaps he was so bitter about his defeat that he looked as if he were trying to curse Rest with his eyes.
(He’s as jealous and competitive as my foolish brother… Is it true that similar names lead to similar personalities…?)
Perhaps there was some truth to the idea of name divination. If the day ever came when I had children, I resolved to carefully consider their names.
“Wow, that was incredible! How did you manage to unleash such power with a Fireball?”
In the midst of this, Yuri Cattleya, who was seated next to him, spoke up in a friendly manner. Perhaps because they had met before the exam, she was unusually familiar with him.
“It seemed like you were casting multiple spells at once. Is there some kind of secret to it?”
“…Well, yes, sort of.”
“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 and unreserved. Yet, for some reason, Rest didn’t feel uncomfortable; it was likely because Yuri exuded no malice or ulterior motives.
(She’s innocent, or perhaps carefree… She doesn’t seem very noble at all.)
Though she claimed to be from the House of Catreia, was she truly a marquis’s daughter? Despite sharing the same noble status, she was a different type compared to Viola and Primula.
“Um… why did you decide to take the Magic Department entrance exam, Cattleya-san?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean… honestly, I feel like you’d be better suited for the Knight Department.”
Rest had run alongside her, using Body Enhancement without any magical power, and had scored over a hundred points by throwing stones during the exam. It was clear that her physical abilities seemed superior to her magical ones.
“Ah… the Knight Department has a strong influence from the House of Catreia…”
“…?”
“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… Well, there are various circumstances, you see.”
“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.”
“…Sure, if the opportunity arises.”
Would such an opportunity ever come? Once they entered the academy, there might be time to deepen their friendship, but it was uncertain whether both of them would pass.
(I’ve definitely passed. Probably without a doubt…)
He 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, but I have a feeling she might not pass…)
He couldn’t imagine that someone could pass by merely throwing stones.
(Was it because she created stones with magic that it barely counted as a magical attack? No, I think that would normally be considered a fail…)
“Next, Yuri Cattleya. 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. Just like when he rescued Viola and Primula from the wolves, perhaps it was an event of great significance 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 bit scared to talk about it, but he was also terrified of keeping quiet and having it come to light later. If he were to mention that he had helped Yuri and that she had grown fond of him, how would Viola and Primula react?
(They’d be angry… No, I shouldn’t have done anything to warrant their anger… right? Probably?)
Even though he had an interview coming up, Rest shivered with an inexplicable sense of foreboding.