episode_0010

The exam was over, and contrary to my wish for her to go somewhere else, Helena came straight towards me.

“How did you do, Yukal? You did well, right?”

“You were excellent. The opponent’s barrier wasn’t that low, but you didn’t break it lightly.”

“Yeah!”

Helena seemed pleased with my words and crossed her arms.

“You know, since I did well, I think a reward is in order! Like patting my head or a hug!”

‘Ugh, just stop clinging.’

I hoped she would hold back as much as the moment when people’s attention was focused on us, but Helena seemed to want to drive a wedge through this opportunity instead.

As I was about to try to stop her somehow, an unexpected voice of help came from beside me.

“Yukal, it might be better not to do that for Lady Helena’s sake.”

Thinking it was the right moment, even the butler offered advice.

“Miss, it would be awkward if you act like this here. There are many people watching.”

“Both of your words are correct. Lady Helena, it seems best for you to calm down for now.”

With all three of us trying to dissuade her, Helena eventually stopped for the time being.

‘I appreciate the help, but didn’t Claire want to avoid getting involved with nobles?’

Given Claire’s high guard against others, she wouldn’t normally confront a noble for someone she had met less than a day ago.

Helena, who had been glancing over here, turned her gaze towards Claire.

“Did you two agree to talk? You’re calling each other by name so casually, unlike before.”

“We dropped the formalities since we met at the inn. If it was just ‘us,’ we might have talked more comfortably, but being with Lady Helena made me feel uncomfortable.”

“Do I make you uncomfortable when I’m with Yukal?”

‘Why are you suddenly like this? If you keep this up, it will be trouble if she notices.’

I was taken aback by Claire’s sudden confrontation with Helena, but fortunately, the amplified soundwave magic calmed the situation.

“Claire examinee, please come to the exam headquarters. I repeat. Claire examinee, please come to the exam headquarters for the entrance exam.”

“I’ll be back, Yukal. Don’t you have any words for me?”

“Claire, you’re definitely going to pass. Good luck.”

She smiled, tightly held my hand, then slightly bowed to Helena and headed towards the exam headquarters.

After Claire left, Helena naturally stood next to me.

“Did you two become close while I was taking the exam?”

“We’re not sure if we’re close yet, but we’ve become a bit more comfortable with each other.”

Although we had become more at ease addressing each other by name, it was too early to say we were close given the short time we had known each other.

“Yukal said he’s from a rural village. Did you grow up in the same village as Claire? Like childhood friends?”

“No. I met Claire for the first time yesterday at the inn.”

“Oh really? But it seems too comfortable for both of you to be meeting for the first time.”

It was natural for Helena to find it puzzling.

Even from my perspective, I didn’t expect Claire to approach me like this.

Especially unexpected was Claire confronting Helena.

From her perspective of avoiding nobility, there was no reason for her to step forward.

“By the way, what happened at the inn?”

“I just saw her having trouble finding a room, so I gave up one of mine.”

“You didn’t stay together?”

“I swear there was nothing like that. We just had breakfast together the next morning.”

‘Why are you prying into every little detail…’

I discovered that the headquarters tent was moving as I looked around for conversation material.

Soon, I could see Claire coming out of the headquarters, moving with instructors and headquarters members.

“There, it looks like Claire is taking the test.”

Moving to the 8th stadium, five instructors were standing in front of Claire.

As Claire briefly memorized the spell, a white light enveloped the instructors.

Claire must have explained her unique ability ‘Blessing’ at headquarters, and amidst the busyness of verifying its authenticity, she managed to pull out five instructors.

“It’s that important.”

At this point in time, she is the only one in Sung Yong-ah who can enhance others’ abilities with buffs without any risk.

As the light faded, I could see the instructors testing their bodies individually.

Holding a rock, some fingers twitched, some left traces on their legs while pacing back and forth, or hitting the ceiling while doing vertical jumps—there were minor disturbances, but –

The instructors are probably thinking, ‘Is this me?’ right now.

Glancing over, Helena also seemed slightly surprised.

It can be guaranteed that after witnessing that scene, Helena’s evaluation of Claire has changed from trash to someone worth considering.

Perhaps they will try to recruit her after the exam is over.

Seeing Claire’s expression brighten as she talked to the instructors and exam supervisors, it seems like her passing is confirmed.

I was about to go congratulate Claire when unfortunately, an announcement was heard.

“Please come to the 7th stadium, Ukal, position 385.”

I guess I’ll have to postpone the congratulations a bit.

Now, it’s my turn.

*

Approaching the man I faced in the final match, I pretended to worry roughly as I handed him a handkerchief for his injured area, and I noticed Heberle smiling.

“Trash.”

If this trash spreads rumors about himself, it might serve its purpose, but even so, wouldn’t it be overflowing glory for the trash?

After successfully finishing the competition and returning to Yukal, what caught my eye was the sight of the two laughing and talking.

When she was with me, she never showed such a side.

Even though I don’t know what Yukal said in the end, that girl Claire blushed and bowed deeply.

Yukal, who was walking ahead, probably didn’t see that sight.

“It’s frustrating and annoying.”

Approaching Yukal, he praised me, but I didn’t feel particularly good.

Out of spite, I asked for praise to show others that I was interested in him, but –

“You know, because I did well, I think I deserve praise! Like patting me on the head or hugging me!”

“Yukal. It might be better not to do that for Lady Helena Yeong-ae’s sake.”

“Miss, it would be awkward if you act like this here. There are many people watching.”

I was embarrassed because of that girl and the maid.

Turning my gaze to Claire, who exuded a somewhat different atmosphere from when she entered the exam room, I struck up a conversation.

“Did you two agree to talk? Unlike earlier, call each other by name in a friendly manner.”

“We stopped talking since we met at the inn. If it was just ‘us,’ we could have talked comfortably, but since Lady Helena Yeong-ae was with us, we felt uncomfortable.”

“Am I hearing that it’s uncomfortable for you to be with Yukal?”

The commoner who had been watching me seemed to disappear, and instead, there was a confrontation between us.

After the broadcast, that girl went to take the exam, but until the end, it seemed as if she wanted me to see her holding Yukal’s hand in front of me.

I asked Yukal about her, but there was little information gained.

Yesterday, it was a fact that we happened to meet at an inn and ended up traveling together today.

The time I spent with him is not much different, but Yukal’s attitude towards me and that girl is completely different.

If I feel formal because I am a noble, when I am with that girl, I feel comfortable.

‘Why is that?’

Looking at myself now, anyone would think I’m a lovely, proactive noble lady.

Considering the background of being the daughter of Viscount Clark, it’s not normal to compare that girl with me.

While talking with Yukal, that girl’s test began.

I thought it must be impressive to take a separate test, but honestly, I was surprised.

It’s rare to find someone who gives such buffs, even when looking back on their memories.

Frankly, the abilities themselves were tempting.

Even in annoying situations, my evaluation of that girl went up.

But is it just my mood that makes that irritating girl’s face overlap with an old enemy’s face?

Well, if I give her a warning, she’ll probably stay away from Yukal on her own.

If not, will she torment her until she breaks a little?

Helena smiled fiercely, hoping that the girl named Claire would not accept her warning.