Ten minutes later.
The battle continued, and on the arena floor, several hundred Fine Steel Longswords were scattered all over, with a few gleaming silver piles piled up in the corners.
Yet Sevitis’s movements still did not stop. Her hand kept reaching into the Storage Space, pulling out one sword and tossing it away.
Only when the Demon Bull could no longer move because it had too many swords stuck in its body did Sevitis finally stop, panting heavily.
Even the seasoned examiners couldn’t help but gasp in unison.
‘Truly a display of overwhelming wealth. A Fourth-tier Demon was literally ground down to death by her. What a humiliating way to die—it must be dying with its eyes wide open.’
Watching the giant beast crash to the ground, Kennisi rubbed her temples and let out a long sigh.
“Alright, have the medical team prepare to receive that little one. After all that, she’s probably got no energy left to challenge a Fifth-tier.”
“Wait! I object!”
Somehow, Bauer had already rushed to the foot of the arena from the stands. He pointed at Sevitis, who was clapping her hands on the platform, and shouted loudly.
“Chief Examiner! This person has clearly violated the Exam Rules! Her results must be invalidated!”
“Oh?” Kennisi pushed up her glasses expressionlessly. “Then could you please explain? I’m all ears.”
“As everyone knows, Sewei Adams is a failure who can’t use magic at all! So the way she was pulling out swords just now absolutely cannot be Space Magic! Since it’s not magic, she must have relied on a Magical Device!”
“That makes sense…”
“Yeah, how could a failure use Space Magic?”
Hearing the murmurs from the stands, Bauer looked smug.
“And then?” Kennisi’s voice remained flat.
“So! She used a Magical Device, which means she cheated! Disqualify her immediately—”
“She did use a Space Magic Magical Device, not Space Magic,” Kennisi interrupted him. “Even I, the General Examiner, can tell that much. I don’t need you to teach me how to do my job.”
“Then hurry up and revoke her qualification!” Bauer jumped in agitation.
“But the Exam Rules clearly state, ‘Combat-type Magical Devices are prohibited.’” Kennisi looked at him like he was an idiot.
“Would you say, examinee, that a Storage Space Pouch used to hold things qualifies as a ‘combat type’?”
“…”
Bauer was instantly choked into silence, his face turning the color of liver.
“Instead of running around here like a clown trying desperately to find fault with that little one, why don’t you spend more time improving your own inflated strength, kid?”
Kennisi coldly dropped those words and stopped paying attention to the noble youth grinding his teeth.
“As expected of the Chief Examiner, doesn’t give him any face.”
“That goes without saying. Clearly, the girl on stage is more likable. Even the Chief Examiner’s address changed from ‘that reckless brat’ to ‘little one.’”
Kennisi, who was grading Sevitis’s performance, looked up. The examiners immediately shut up, straightened their backs, and acted as if nothing had happened.
Kennisi glanced at them and lowered her head again. They breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing what they said, Kennisi realized that her own address had changed.
To be honest, before the exam started, she really didn’t like this girl named Sevi.
Mainly because of the girl’s behavior that day—it made her think she was a cunning noble who liked to cut corners.
That was why she chose to preside over today’s exam in person.
Of course, there was also a personal grudge from being called an “old auntie,” but only a little.
She had thought the girl would definitely find some way to play tricks and exploit loopholes again.
But facts speak louder than words.
Sevitis had won her approval through her own strength. Moreover, her performance far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Even with that insurmountable Magic Gap standing in her way, she still defeated the Fourth-tier Demon using her own combat style.
Although other factors were involved, even at worst, among the examinees present, who could do better than her? Probably not even defeat this Fourth-tier Demon.
Though her method of tossing swords looked flashy, every attack hit the monster’s vital points precisely.
Not to mention how she trained her technique of gripping and throwing, just her composure in the face of danger surpassed most examinees.
This could not be simply summed up as “coincidence” or “luck.”
So, when Sevitis confirmed the exam was over and walked down from the arena, Kennisi nodded at her under the shocked gazes of the other examiners.
“Good job.”
“The Chief Examiner praised someone? So many rare things happened today!” the examiners exclaimed.
But this rare compliment made Sevitis flinch.
She widened her eyes, looked around, and only after confirming that the words were directed at her did she cautiously blurt out.
“Um… that person who’s been scheming behind the scenes—could it be you? Could it be that you’ve been single all this time because you’re a nun with a special fetish?”
Before the smile could freeze on Kennisi’s face, Sevitis politely added.
“I’m very sorry. Although my sexual orientation is indeed female, I really can’t accept an old auntie so much older than me. Please give up hope!”
“…”
The Female Teacher, who had been single her whole life, finally realized she had just been friend-zoned by a little girl.
CRACK—!
The pen in her hand snapped instantly.
She took back everything she said. This brat was still that annoying little pest!
Kennisi pulled out her Wand, and mana began to surge with her incantations, ready to show this reckless little girl what she was made of.
Today, either her teaching dignity or this clueless brat would survive!
“Calm down, ma’am! She’s still a child!”
In the end, only after a bunch of examiners pulled and held her back did Kennisi fail to jump off the platform to vent her murderous rage.
“Oh, by the way, I don’t need those swords anymore. Consider them a donation to the Academy.” Sevitis waved her hand dismissively as she left the arena.
“…”
This girl definitely has skill, her appearance is delicate and cute, and her background is impressive—but why does she have to have such a mouth?
Meanwhile, taking advantage of the chaos on the platform, Sevitis patted her butt and swaggered out of the Exam Hall.
She vaguely sensed she might have misunderstood something, but it didn’t matter. She made the mistake on her own merits, so why should she apologize?
…
The stands buzzed with noise. Even after the black-haired girl had left the scene, the discussion about her continued.
“She’s amazing! I wonder if I’ll get to be in the same Academy as her?”
“Anyone know which Academy she signed up for? Is it too late to change my application? I want to be her number-one fan!”
Hearing these words, so different from before, the two hooded girls in the corner of the stands also stood up.
Eulalia chuckled softly.
“See? I told you she could do it.”
“I deeply apologize. I misjudged her.” Angelina sighed.
“It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.”
Angelina smiled bitterly to herself. She thought she had seen enough of the nobility’s ways and that her judgment of people would never be wrong.
She hadn’t expected to be proven wrong so quickly. Could it be that Her Highness had sharper insight?
Thinking carefully, her own preconceived bias was no different from those who talked behind someone’s back based on rumors.
Her Highness had just been reminding her. Though she was usually unserious, at times like this, she still showed the demeanor of a Saint Candidate.
It seemed she needed to find a proper opportunity to apologize to that girl personally. If you’re wrong, you’re wrong. Having the courage to admit and make amends is what makes a qualified Knight.
Watching Eulalia, who stood with her head down and a serious expression, seemingly waiting for her to speak first, Angelina said solemnly.
“Your Highness, I—”
“Oh dear, what should I have Angelina do as a maid? Should I make her change into that lace-trimmed outfit and call me ‘Master,’ or just have her prepare hot water and greet me at the door every day? Such a dilemma~”
Eulalia murmured while pinching her chin.
“…”
Angelina expressionlessly retracted all the emotional sincerity from a moment ago.
Insight? Demeanor? All fake. These two were evenly matched opponents. No wonder they could get along at the Orphanage.
But… watching Her Highness’s bright, joyful profile, Angelina’s clenched fists slowly loosened, and a sense of relief welled up in her heart.
Based on no evidence at all, simply following her own intuition, she chose to believe in that girl unwaveringly, even when no one else had any faith.
Other things might be fake, but this power called trust was real.