Unlike the written exam, whose results would be revealed later, I had showcased my skills in front of many students and teachers.
Perhaps now, in the “Second Training Area,” everyone would be talking about me. I felt good.
Feeling rewarded for my efforts, I happily entered the “First Training Area” with a smile on my face.
In that place, students who had completed the “Magic Exam” were practicing with wooden swords alongside knights in service.
While I completed the registration at the reception, several students engaged in combat were defeated. It was to be expected. After all, the academy students were mere amateurs compared to experienced combat knights.
They had no chance of winning, especially considering that most of them were at level 1 and hadn’t even explored a dungeon. The level difference made it impossible for them to have any opportunity.
“What kind of exam is this? It’s a trashy game!”, you might think, right?
But, dear reader, this exam is not about defeating the knights. Its purpose is to measure combat ability. There’s no need to defeat the knights at all.
In a game, even the students couldn’t defeat a level 25 knight. Even in the game, the protagonist, who could have won based on player skill, lost in the story despite winning the battle.
In summary, this exam requires skill and creativity.
“Hmph.”
Unfortunately, I am different.
If I’m going to do something, I will undoubtedly go for victory!
Currently, my level is 30.
If I stay focused, I can overcome the level difference with sheer force. However, I don’t seek a meager victory in that way.
My goal is a perfect victory. Winning with intelligence is the only thing that truly matters.
In addition to strength, I also seek style. That’s why I don’t settle for simply winning by having a better state. I want to win with skill.
While I foolishly boasted in my mind about how cool I am, something caught my attention in the corner of my eye.
As I glanced slightly to the right… I noticed three students surrounding a fellow student.
What are they doing? Huh?
The girl clearly looked uncomfortable, while the boys laughed maliciously.
Well, this is not right.
Undoubtedly, the girl was being bullied. I can’t overlook that shameful behavior.
With a sigh, I approached the group. As I got closer, I began to hear their voices.
“Hey, are you listening, useless?! You didn’t even have to show up for the fencing exam with your level of incompetence. Exposing your shame like that… the Baron of Chrisansemam must also pity you! He only has a useless girl like you!”
“As Lord Loreas says! Women should enjoy magic or reading… Oh, sorry. I thought Miss Cera was useless in magic. Could you even do something decent in the written exam? Kukuku.”
…What is this?
With such a barrage of one-sided insults, even the great Hermes would get angry, right? He’s so enraged that veins are popping on his forehead!
I’ve always hated this kind of bullying from my past life. If you’re a man, at least settle it with fists. But if you lay a finger on a girl, I assure you, you will regret it!
While thinking about how irrational it was, with swift steps I approached the young lady called Cera. Then, while going crazy in my mind, I embraced her by the shoulders.
With a cool look and a defiant smile, I said to her, “What are you doing here? The exam isn’t over yet.”
In the presence of the presumed heir of the powerful House of Lunacelia with such an eloquent name, the boys who had been bullying Cera lost all their arrogance.
Finally, a boy who seemed to be the leader, spoke a bit hesitantly.
“Oh, g-good morning. Isn’t it Mr. Hermes of the House of Lunacelia? Why are you here? Is there something we should know about you and Miss Cera Chrisansemam?”
“No, this is the first time we’re talking. Right, Miss Cera Chrisansemam?”
“Uh?! Ah, y-yes, that’s right. Nice to meet you… Mr. Hermes.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Hermes von Lunacelia. I noticed from afar that you seemed to be in trouble. Was I intruding?”
“Oh, no. Th-Thank you!”
Cera blushed completely, dazzled by my charm (or rather, my face).
She tilted her head and nodded, like a cute little animal.
I smiled faintly, and her temperature rose even more. Even I, holding her, felt the warmth.
However, Cera’s attitude seemed to not sit well with a young man named Loreas, who obviously twisted his mouth, pointing at Cera with a lack of amusement.
“Mr. Hermes, please, it’s just a joke…! That girl is the incompetent of the infamous Chrisansemam House! She may be a good student, but she has no talent in fencing or magic! She’s a disaster from the Chrisansemam family! Even though she lacks talent, she insists on the sword. By showing kindness to such a useless person, you’d embarrass the House of Lunacelia.”
I don’t understand what he’s saying, but it’s clear he just wants to harm Cera.
What a petty man. I laughed disdainfully at his ridiculous attitude.
“Well, well. What a way to speak. Who are you to judge others’ actions? Do you think you’re her husband or father? You make me laugh. Regardless of what Cera does, she’s not causing trouble for anyone. Do you really have any talent to judge others?”
“…!”
With a scoff, the young man named Lore or something like that blushed intensely. I’m not sure if he was uncomfortable with what I said, but it was quite funny.
Laughing again in his face, I turned my gaze back to Cera.
“You’re in a predicament too. What a hassle with those guys. Don’t worry. Since we’ve met… I’ll be your support for now.”
“W-why…? Why me…?”
“Does it bother you? It’s not that I care about you… I just don’t like people like them. Plus, the House of Lunacelia has a tradition of helping damsels in distress.”
That’s a lie!
Internally, I chuckled at how disgusting my comment sounded, and glanced sideways at this Lore person.
Oh… he’s trembling with anger. He looked like a slightly trembling tomato, which was a bit funny.
However, even that tomato has a limit.
“H-How dare you…! Mocking me, the future Count of Gladiel…!”
Hitting his arm, he expressed his feelings in a fit.
“Mr. Hermes, I’ve heard that you’re very talented, isn’t that right? It’s said that the House of Lunacelia is a family of geniuses, but… do you really think you can surpass the House Gladiel in fencing? Me, the next head of the family!”
“Hmm…? I haven’t claimed at any point that I have more talent than you, have I? Rather, if you have talent, why don’t you dedicate your time to something more productive instead of bullying a girl?”
“Tsk! Show me that you’re better than me!”
“Haah… This has gotten complicated.”
I got myself into a mess.
Well, that’s how it is.
Anyway, I must do the “Fencing Exam.” I’ll show them my results. I should at least be above the Winters, or something like that.
He grinned maliciously and opened his mouth—just before Cera interrupted me from the side.
“Enough! Mr. Hermes has nothing to do with this, so…”
“Shhh.”
I hushed Cera, who was on the brink of tears, with my index finger.
Ughhh! How disgusting!
But it was something I always wanted to do if I ever became handsome. Handsome guys should be able to do things like that, right?
Having never done this before with a woman, I started to feel a bit uncomfortable. Fortunately, Cera just blushed and didn’t say anything. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned my attention back to Lore or whatever his name was.
“I don’t care about proving anything, but my exam starts now. It would be best for you all to watch in silence. Won’t it become clear there who is stronger, you or me?”
“Alright!… I’ll do my best not to hurt you.”
With that, Lore and his lackeys A and B vanished into the crowd.
At that moment, the teacher’s voice echoed from afar:
“Hermes von Lunacelia, please proceed to the center of the room to begin the exam.”
