Results

After the last test, the entrance exam had concluded and we were told that the results will be announced the next day so we’ll have to wait until then. Since I already had a room prepared for me—although I was somehow forced to—I went in a different direction from the other students who had taken the exam.

Hm?

I suddenly felt a presence behind me. I turned around and saw her.

“Hah, hah,... I was looking for you...” Alyss-san was catching her breath as she crouched down.

I tilted my head wondering what might’ve happened. I wondered why she was looking for me.

“I didn’t see you with the rest of the students after the test. Why were you heading that direction? Are you going somewhere perhaps?”

Uhm... I didn’t want to tell her that I was on my way to the dorms. For now, I just nodded and told her that I was going somewhere.

Alyss stared at me for a moment. Hmm? Is she suspecting me?

“Is that so? Well, fine.”

I felt relief in my mind. It would be a big problem if she found out, especially since she's royalty. I wouldn’t want to trouble Oliver-san even though he’s to blame for it.

“I want to ask you something. About our fight earlier.”

Our fight? She didn’t come all the way here just to ask me for a rematch did she? That would be troublesome...

“What did you do at the end? It happened in an instant that I don’t even understand what happened... “

Ah, that... At the last part of our fight, Alyss-san unleashed a powerful magic that even affected the surroundings. Everyone was in awe as they watched the spectacle. Even the instructors were surprised. But for me who was the target of that magic, I didn’t even have the time to admire it. In fact, it was scary!

Because of that, I was forced to use one of my tricks. Well to be exact, it was one of those I used back when I was a hero. Even though it’s just a part of my memories, my body moved on its own as if it remembers exactly how it was.

“Is it perhaps a chosen skill?”

I cocked my head to the side. “Chosen skill?”

That was an unfamiliar word.

“...You don’t know?” She stared at me suspiciously as if not believing me.

No... I really don’t know. It was the first time I even heard that. I awkwardly nodded my head to convince her.

“...But” she muttered something under her breath.

In the first place, what is a ‘chosen skill’? Was it perhaps the magic she just used in our fight? If I recall correctly, she said something like Magic Arts. Now that you mention it, the name sounded like the move I just used. Is that a chosen skill?

But... I don’t recall calling it that nor anyone mentioned it before. Maybe it was something they had come up with within those 300 years. I should probably look it up in a library some time.

“But if that’s not a chosen skill, then how did you do that? I didn’t hear any incantations...“

“Well, let’s just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve... “ I said awkwardly.

Alyss-san peered closer then shook her head. “Fine, then. It’s rude after all to pry on other people’s skills.”

I’m glad she considered it. It’s not like I know what to say to her either.

Alyss-san suddenly held out her hand.

Hm? I stared dumbfoundedly at her hands.

“What? It’s a handshake. I did lose after all.“

Ah.

I shook her hand after realizing what she meant.

Shaking hands after a fight between fighters is meant to show respect. Regardless of the victor. Though it was meant to be a test, it seemed that as royalty and the one who participated as well, respecting your opponent was utmost needed.

“Well, that’s it for me then.” said Alyss, smiling elegantly. “Goodluck with the results.”

“Goodluck to you as well.”

After that, she turned her back and left.

◇◇◇

The next day, it was time for the exam’s results. I carefully walked out from the dorms and this time, I made a slight detour instead of heading straight to the academy where they will post the results. After yesterday, I made a mental note to be more inconspicuous when going out from the dorms which is why I circled around the entrance unnoticed and made it look like I came from there.

Just as expected, the grounds were full of students just as yesterday. This time their expression and motion were much more intense than yesterday. In front was a big bulletin board where the results were posted. I went to take a closer look when suddenly someone bumped behind me.

“Ah, I’m so sorry!“ a female voice from behind said.

I turned around and saw long and light blue hair. If I remember correctly, she's from the magic test in the same group as me.

She bowed. ‘I’m sorry.” she said. “I was in a hurry and I didn't notice my surroundings... “ she said timidly.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Ah, yes. I’m okay.”

After that, since we were both here to check the results, we mixed in with the crowd together. There were a lot of students so we weren't able to get a much closer look. We were stuck behind the crowd and I squinted my eyes to find my name.

The names were divided into different blocks, blocks A, B, C, and D. According to the instructors yesterday, there was no special meaning behind the order of those blocks.The names were distributed in blocks randomly and equally.

Let’s see… It also included how many students got in. In total, there were 142 students. That means that there are 40 students in each block with one or two blocks with an extra number of students.

I scanned the names in order from block A first until block C where I saw my name on top. Hm? There was a number beside my name. I wondered what those numbers meant. 100?

Below my name I noticed a familiar name. Alyss Galdia. There was also a number beside her name. 98... Looking again, there were indeed numbers beside everyone's names. I scanned the names again and I was the only one with a hundred marks.

“No way! A perfect score?!”

“He even beat Princess Alyss. She got 98.”

“Wait… Princess Alyss? I’m in the same block as her! Now I’m suddenly nervous... “

Well, as long as I pass it’s all good. Right? I looked beside me and noticed that the girl was having trouble seeing the names from the board when all of the students were blocking her.

“What’s your name?” I kindly asked her. But then I realized something. “Ah, my name’s Hiro Laurent. If you’d like, I could check your name for you.”

“Really?” she said hesitantly. “Uhm, Ami Leihart.”

“Leihart... “ I muttered as I scanned the blocks. Ah.

“It looks like we're in the same block which is block C.”

She widened her eyes. “Thank you very much! Thank goodness... “

She must’ve been anxious if she passed. A while ago her expression was so nervous but now her face was nothing but relief. She patted her chest as she sighed. As for me, well, I guess I got to know someone including the princess from the same block.

After this, students were led into an auditorium. The academy sure is big, I thought as I glanced around reminding me again that it is the kingdom’s prestigious academy. Oliver-san stood on the podium with overall dignity and gave an inspiring-like speech to all those students who passed.

Actual classes will start tomorrow. After Oliver-san finished his speech, we were allowed to explore the academy in order to get used to it. Otherwise, we could take this time to prepare for tomorrow’s start of classes. Looking back, I only ever experienced being a student on earth as Yuuto. As I look forward to tomorrow, I can’t help but smile slightly.