Chapter 13 – Entrance Exam

“Sara.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Do we really have to tie my hair like this today?”

I glanced sideways at Sara, who was tying my hair into twin tails.

“It’s precisely because it’s a day like today that we must do so,” Sara answered with her usual firmness.

“Why?”

“Because this hairstyle suits you best, Miss Ellie… I mean, it makes you look the most striking.”

“Hmph. So you’re saying I don’t look good with my hair down?”

“Not at all. This hairstyle simply brings out more of your charm, but you look stunning in every hairstyle. After all, what wouldn’t suit the cherry blossom of Eustetia? Anyone who dares to belittle your appearance must surely need to wash their eyes with saltwater.”

I had retorted just to see what she’d say, and her response was even more absurd and embarrassing than I expected.

It’s like she’s doing this on purpose.

“Still, isn’t this a bit much for today? I could have just used the hair tie my mother gave me. Why go for one with a ribbon?”

“That hair tie was also a gift from your mother, wasn’t it?”

“True, but the ribbon’s way too big.”

“If you’re worried the ribbon might overshadow your appearance, you needn’t be. That will never happen. And besides…”

Sara, who had been putting extra care into tying my hair, chuckled softly.

“Today’s the day many people and noble children gather for the exam. Though I can’t imagine Miss Ellie being overshadowed by anyone, I still have a small desire to make you shine even more. So, I hope you don’t mind the extra effort, even if it’s a bit troublesome.”

“Exactly! You should dress extra pretty on a day like today! Though you’re already pretty,” Yurasia chimed in, smiling as she applied her makeup.

By the way, I didn’t know Yurasia could do makeup.

It feels like watching a little sister, no, a daughter, grow up.

“In that case, how about you try putting on some makeup too, Miss? You’d look absolutely gorgeous. Actually, I’m sure you’d be the prettiest in the whole Academy!”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Hehe… You’re already beautiful without makeup, but maybe someday I’ll get to see it?”

“Keep dreaming.”

Even if my father begged me, I wouldn’t wear makeup. I already refused to wear dresses, after all.

If it were possible, I’d even prefer to do my business standing up, but that’s probably too much to ask, so I gave up on that.

Anyway.

“I’ll never wear makeup.”

“Okaaay…”

With my firm declaration, Yurasia pouted and returned to applying her makeup.

Sara, who also seemed disappointed, adjusted my clothes with an oddly somber expression.

Well, if the Demon King offered to kill himself on the condition that I wore makeup, I’d at least consider it.

Otherwise, not a chance.

***

“I’m sure you’ll do just fine, Miss. But if I may offer some advice, it’s always good to double-check your answers before submitting the test.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Then, I’ll be waiting here, trusting you.”

“Yeah. Make sure to rest properly. Don’t just work; lie down, relax, eat something nice, and don’t bother coming to pick me up. I’ll come back with Yurasia.”

“I’ve never once found it hard to serve you, Miss, but yes, I will rest well. However, I will still come to fetch you when the exam ends.”

Knowing there was no point in arguing further, since she’d come no matter what I said, I just nodded vaguely.

“Knight Yurasia, do your best and don’t be nervous.”

“Yes! Thank you! Please be careful on your way back!”

“Take care, Sara. See you later.”

“Yes. May the blessing of Lady Arisa Eustetia be with you.”

A blessing from a chimpanzee would be more helpful for passing this exam, ugh.

Shivering at her unsettling words, I brushed off my shoulders and spat on the ground a few times.

Yurasia, watching me, clumsily imitated my movements.

Sara, on the other hand, smiled warmly, apparently thinking it was some kind of pre-exam ritual.

Afterward, we proceeded through the entrance inspection.

Yurasia handed over all her hidden weapons: one black steel sword I had gifted her, another ordinary sword, three daggers, two spikes hidden in her shoes, and two more tucked in her sleeves. She shivered slightly, as if feeling defenseless without them.

The Academy staff conducting the inspection looked pale as they cataloged Yurasia’s arsenal, and I quietly looked away.

“Wow! You brought all this stuff?”

“Were you planning to go to war?”

“Ah… I just packed what I usually carry… hehe.”

Wait. She carries all this around regularly?

Yurasia’s got potential. I should teach her about some more handy weapons.

“Miss, I’ll definitely get the top score.”

“Impressive.”

“And I’ll win a scholarship too!”

“Good luck.”

While thinking about what more discreet weapons Yurasia could carry, I responded absentmindedly, which made her pout.

“…Could you be a little more sincere when you cheer me on?”

I smiled and patted her head on tiptoe.

“Don’t be too nervous. You’ll do great even without me telling you.”

“Hehe, yes! I’ll do my best!”

She’s like a big dog, showing off both her height and her affection.

I used to be like that too.

…Did I? I must’ve been at some point.

“Here, have a candy.”

I handed a piece of candy to Yurasia, who seemed particularly cheerful from our exchange.

“Eck…”

Her face crumpled in response.

“What? Is one not enough? Do you want more? Here.”

“I… I just don’t really like peppermint…”

“Seriously?”

How can she not like peppermint candy when it’s so good?

Back in my day, you couldn’t get enough of it because it was so rare.

Kids these days don’t appreciate sugar at all, tsk tsk.

“And… they say we’re not allowed to eat anything during the exam.”

“Fine, then. Don’t eat it.”

I popped a peppermint candy into my own mouth as I gave Yurasia a side glance.

Savoring the refreshing mint flavor spreading in my mouth, I scanned the other students inside the Academy.

Some were nervously pacing around, some were reading books as they walked, others looked half-asleep, and a few seemed brimming with confidence.

There were even those who were outright crying or kneeling by a fountain, throwing in coins and praying.

All sorts of personalities.

Among them were energetic ones like Yurasia, and even a few like me who seemed indifferent.

How refreshing.

The atmosphere here is completely different from 400 years ago.

“Hm, this is what youth should feel like.”

“Wow, Miss, just now you sounded just like my grandma. Especially with the mint scent wafting from you, it’s even more like her.”

“Hey, you want to keep calling me grandma?”

And for the record, I’m not a grandma. I’m more like… an old man? No, an uncle…?

I died at 34, then lived for another 17 years after being reincarnated, so it would be ridiculous to think of myself as an older brother.

So yeah, I guess I’m more of an uncle.

Definitely not a grandma.

Anyway.

“Yurasia, where are you headed?”

“Huh?”

“For your exam.”

“Huh?”

Yurasia tilted her head in confusion.

“Didn’t you get a paper when you came in?”

“I did!”

She waved it in the air.

“If you got it, shouldn’t you at least read it?”

“Oh… I was so distracted after they took my weapons…”

Yurasia, smiling bitterly, read the printed instructions, her face darkening.

“Um, Miss, are you in—”

“I’m in Room B on the 4th floor.”

“I’m in Room G on the 2nd floor…”

As expected, Yurasia and I were assigned to different exam rooms.

Each room had 20 students, with 10 assigned to the vanguard and 10 to the rear.

After the written test, we would proceed to the practical exam.

For the practical test, each pair of students would be assigned a labyrinth exploration task.

The labyrinth, created by the Green Tower Lord using illusion and summoning magic, was designed so no one would die or get seriously injured. Or so they said.

“Ugh… If I were paired with you, I’d get a perfect score on the practical exam…”

“Quit the whining. You can do it on your own, right?”

Yurasia is an active knight.

Even though I don’t know the difficulty level of the entrance exam, it’s designed for kids. There’s no way a professional knight like Yurasia would fail.

“Of course I can, but it would’ve been more fun with you, Miss… Well, since we’re split up, we can at least compete to see who finishes the labyrinth faster.”

“Sure. That sounds fun.”

“Hehe, yay! Good luck, Miss! Let’s have lunch together afterward! I’ll come to your classroom!”

Waving brightly as she walked away, Yurasia kept waving until she was out of sight, her golden hair blending into the scenery.

“Compete? She’s going to get crushed.”

The way she’s always determined to beat me is kind of cute.

Cheeky brat.

Giggling, I continued walking.

The minty scent in my breath felt especially refreshing today.

Maybe because the weather’s nice.

***

Scratch, scratch.

The sound of frantic studying filled the classroom.

The students, who had been sitting in the exam room for an hour before the test, continued scribbling on their papers until five minutes before the exam started.

But all that noise vanished.

Thud! The door opened noisily.

Sera, who was on her fourth attempt at the exam, looked at the person entering with an irritated expression.

But the anger quickly faded from her eyes.

Because the person standing there was someone she couldn’t possibly be mad at.

A snow-white coat, as pristine as freshly fallen snow in winter.

And flowing down from it were two twin tails, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The cherry blossoms cascaded over delicate shoulders and ended at the tips of shyly extended fingers.

Her flushed cheeks peeked out from behind the petals, and despite her youthful appearance, she carried herself with the dignity of a noble.

Her slightly parted lips resembled the soft petals of a flower, with a glimpse of pure white teeth peeking through. These teeth served as the only reminder that she was human, intensifying her ethereal presence.

Her half-lidded eyes held the essence of spring, radiating a mysterious glow as if they contained the entire season.

She brought spring to the dull exam room.

With her came a gentle breeze, scattering cherry blossoms in the air.

Silently, without a sound, she moved gracefully to her seat, carrying the fragrance of the sky itself.

The peppermint scent that had originally wafted through the room mixed with her noble fragrance, creating an intoxicating aroma unlike anything else in this world.

Finally, the cherry blossoms settled in a sunlit spot.

The snow fell away, revealing her. She was beautiful, untouchable. One feared that if they reached out, they might break her.

No glasswork, no porcelain in the world could match her fragile, delicate appearance.

And so.

Everyone in the room.

Far from being irritated, they dared not even breathe loudly.

Because she was none other than the spring of the empire, the cherry blossom of Eustetia.

She was Eliaernes Eustetia.

Meanwhile.

Ellie herself.

Was frowning deeply, muttering under her breath so no one could hear.

“Ugh, damn. Why does the Academy have to be so big? At least they could’ve marked where the bathrooms are. I almost had an accident.”

Crack! She bit down hard on the peppermint candy Yurasia had said made her smell like a grandma.

“Crap… I didn’t even wash my hands because I was in such a hurry. Ugh, is there any wet tissue in my pocket?”