Chapter 13: Entrance Exam Part 2

At the same time that Ellie was talking with Melrit, Dein Edwick was having tea with his father, the duke, and Professor Rensanti.

“…For that reason, I would like for you to personally step forward, young master.”

After finishing his explanation, Rensanti stroked his sand-colored beard.

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Exactly, Your Grace. This is a chance to elevate the prestige of House Edwick, and furthermore, to establish the reputation of its future duke. Even if the opponent is so inadequate that they can hardly be called one.”

“Yes, not bad at all. Dein, what do you think?”

“I…”

Dein, the one directly involved, hesitated instead of answering right away.

Because a face flashed in his mind—the moment Ellie had declared her challenge.

“—Don’t believe me? Then accept it and see for yourself.”

It had been the tone of someone issuing a warning.

As if saying, [I could kill you if I wanted to. Are you really sure about this? I won’t actually kill you since you haven’t done anything deserving of death, but I can still make you suffer humiliation. So think carefully before you decide.]

“Why do you hesitate, Dein?”

“It’s nothing.”

But there was no room to back out now.

“I will do it. For the honor of our house.”

“Of course, that’s the right attitude.”

“Young master, you will surely handle this splendidly! Of course, I don’t mean simply winning, but rather upholding the dignity of the family.”

“By the way… what exactly is this Triad comparison?”

“Well, at your age, it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know.”

Professor Rensanti chuckled and explained.

“To put it simply, it’s a contest that measures three abilities: distance, power, and precision. The one who wins in at least two of the three categories is the victor.”

And, of course—

“Only magic is allowed.”

***

The news that the orphan Ellie and Dein Edwick would be facing off quickly spread throughout the academy.

In a world without phones or text messages, people relied on word of mouth.

And they did so quite enthusiastically.

Because—

“Did you hear? The new orphan student is going to duel Edwick!”

If someone had said something like that in a modern-day classroom, the response would have been:

“Oh, yeah, I heard.”

“It was posted in the class chat yesterday.”

“Wanna join the betting pool?”

At most, it would’ve been met with a few knowing nods.

But here, the reaction was far more dramatic.

“What!? Seriously?”

“A duel? How’s that even happening?”

“Whoa, I have to see this! Is it happening today?”

Just like that.

And for the same reason—

“The duel method is kind of an old-fashioned style, and it’s happening tomorrow, not today!”

Even sharing information that wouldn’t be worth shouting about in modern times—

“Whoa, really!?”

“I have to be there!”

—provoked such an intense reaction that the dopamine rush was on a whole different level.

Those who weren’t afraid of social interaction competed to be the messengers, eager to spread the news.

***

As a result, by lunchtime the next day, Ellie had become the center of attention.

“That’s her? The one fighting Edwick tomorrow.”

“She really has no color to her…”

“An orphan, huh…”

“But why are they even fighting?”

“Well, from what I heard…”

Murmurs. Whispers. Chatter and hushed voices.

“Hmmm…”

But the person at the heart of it all, Ellie, was preoccupied with a completely different concern as she looked around the cafeteria, holding her food tray.

‘There are even fewer people worth talking to than I expected.’

The academy had a four-year curriculum and no concept of fixed classes.

But unlike high schools or universities in Korea, most students here already knew each other before enrolling.

Since they were all children of high-ranking noble families, they had established social connections through various events and gatherings.

As a result, even as first-years, most students had at least one friend or acquaintance, making it easy for them to form groups.

Only about 10% of the students were exceptions, having no friend group yet.

‘Come to think of it, what happened to her?’

Ellie scanned the cafeteria, searching for a particular red-haired girl.

Then, she spotted her target.

‘Oh, good. She’s alone.’

At a corner table, quietly eating her meal, sat Philia Clyford, daughter of the Count.

She was the one who had first shown Ellie magic—the one who had given her the key and weapon to escape the orphanage.

‘Not that she seems to realize it herself.’

But that didn’t change the fact that Ellie owed her.

Ellie took her tray and sat beside her.

“Hello?”

“…?”

Philia frowned slightly as she looked at Ellie.

“You’re… from that time…”

She shook her head slightly, as if finding it hard to believe.

“So Father was right after all.”

A sigh.

“Take care.”

Then, she returned to her meal.

“…Excuse me?”

When Ellie asked, Philia looked back at her.

“…?”

She just looked at her.

Still chewing on her bread.

‘Ah.’

Ellie instinctively understood.

‘She’s a loner.’

It was the correct guess.

Philia didn’t want to be rude.

She had no intention of making enemies.

But honestly, she couldn’t understand the value of socializing with people or the meaning of friendship.

History had shown that, in front of great gains, betrayal was common, and friends didn’t matter.

‘So, why bother making such an uncertain connection?’

‘It can’t be helped.’

Ellie made a decision.

‘I’ll be her friend. After all, she’s my benefactor.’

If Philia had heard that, she might have had a question mark appear above her head.

The conclusion, and even the reason, would have been unclear.

Nevertheless, Ellie continued to talk while eating beside Philia.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“Red, maybe? Or should I say red?”

“Oh, maybe pink?”

“…Blue.”

“Ah, you like blue? I like blue too. If it’s the blue of the sky, which season’s blue do you like the most? The deep blue of fall? Or the light blue of spring?”

“Hm, okay. How about we go for a walk in the garden after eating? It looked pretty yesterday.”

“…No.”

“You don’t like the garden?”

Her expression didn’t seem to agree with that.

“Let’s go next time. It’ll be really pretty in spring and summer. Let’s find a spot ahead of time.”

“…?”

What does she mean by ‘ahead of time’?

Philia was an only child, and even the talkative maids around the estate kept quiet near her.

She wasn’t used to people chattering beside her.

‘This is annoying.’

Ellie’s voice, which was actually pleasant to listen to, only seemed to irritate Philia more.

If it had been the sound of dishes breaking, she would’ve just gotten angry and thrown them away.

“Let’s have dinner together later too. Oh, would you like to visit my room? I don’t have anything in there yet, but I’d appreciate it if you could help me think about the furniture arrangement.”

And even while talking like this, Ellie ate well.

Half of the food on the tray was already gone.

‘When did that happen?’

“……No. I, um, I’m still eating, so I’d like to be left alone for a bit.”

Finally, Philia spoke the longest sentence she had since arriving at the academy.

“Ah, sorry.”

Ellie said that and stood up, but…

“I’ll come back later!”

She took her food and moved to another table.

“…???”

Philia felt like she had been hit by a storm out of nowhere.

It had come suddenly, and then, just as suddenly, it had freed her.

But.

‘She said she’ll come back later?’

In fact, Ellie spent the whole day following Philia around… well, not really following.

Instead, she appeared here and there at a relaxed pace, giving Philia time to rest.

For example, when Philia went to the library.

“This is the library, right? Is it okay if I read next to you?”

“…Sure.”

***

At dinner.

“Is it okay if I sit here and eat? I won’t talk to you.”

“…Sure.”

And on the way from the dining hall back to the dormitory, Ellie chatted beside her in that pleasant voice.

“Do you have a favorite food? For me, hmm, probably warm bread with honey? I haven’t been able to eat many delicious things.”

Philia responded.

“…I see.”

“By the way, when was the entrance ceremony? Do you remember the date?”

“Um.”

Finally, Philia’s curiosity overcame her irritation.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something instead of just following me around?”

“…Doing something?”

“You have that thing tomorrow, don’t you? With Lord Edwick.”

This was the first time Philia had asked a question since coming to the academy.

“Ah~ that.”

“It’s not just that. Do you not have any plans?”

“Huh? Why do you say that?”

“If you want to win, you need to prepare. Dein Edwick.”

She looked around.

“His reputation may not be great, but his skills are real.”

“…Philia.”

The soft, gentle tone of voice made the young red-haired mage go momentarily blank, as if she were hypnotized.

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

Ellie’s voice, which had been playfully chattering earlier, now carried a mature, grown-up tone.

“But it’s fine.”

With the moon, stars, and night sky behind her, Ellie smiled.

“He’s not that great, and I’m not weak enough for you to have to worry about me.”