Chapter 28 : Pass
“Next candidate—”
The announcer’s voice boomed through the amplifier, laced with deliberate suspense.
“—Lady Liliane von Winter’s loyal maid, the center of the bulletin board scandal—Ailiya Winston!”
…What kind of introduction is that?!
Ailiya stumbled, nearly losing her balance.
That title’s so long and embarrassing! Can’t they just use my name?
The arena erupted as the announcer’s words landed.
If Liliane’s entrance ignited a “worship” bomb and Aurora’s a “shock” bomb, Ailiya’s appearance was like dumping a bucket of water into a sizzling oil pot.
Whispers, gasps, jeers, and curious murmurs blended into a cacophony louder than Aurora’s arena-wrecking blast, nearly rivaling Liliane’s debut.
But while Liliane was met with fervor, Ailiya’s reception was a mixed stew of admiration and disdain.
She didn’t care.
After the bulletin board’s vicious rumors, her resilience had hardened into something as tough and unyielding as a castle’s cornerstone.
Her focus locked onto the solitary magical target ahead.
Taking her place at the designated exam spot, she raised her plain wooden wand, awaiting the instructor’s command.
“Guess what spell she’ll use? She’s with Lady Liliane—maybe a fourth-tier?”
“No way! A commoner? Third-tier’s her ceiling!”
“I bet she’ll flop and not cast anything!”
Ailiya swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and forced the noise out of her mind, steadying her racing heart.
“Exam—begin!”
Calm down, Ailiya! Recall the feeling from practice!
She closed her eyes, channeling all her focus into the wand’s tip.
Stable mana circuit… correct rune structure… slow, take it slow…
Her casting was a stark contrast to the fluid grace of the noble girls before her.
She moved at a turtle’s pace, each step deliberate to avoid any mistake.
The stands craned their necks, watching eagerly.
On a corner bench, Liliane sat quietly, her violet eyes unreadable, observing silently.
Finally, a simple but stable magical array formed shakily at Ailiya’s wand tip.
Now!
Her eyes snapped open, and she shouted with all her might: “Fire Arrow!”
The array morphed, forming a small, slightly underfed flame arrow that zipped out, striking the target’s head with a thud.
The headpiece fell off.
“Yes!!!” Ailiya jumped, waving her wand, cheering victoriously.
But her celebration slowed as she noticed the arena’s eerie silence, so quiet a pin could drop.
Everyone stared at her like she was a prehistoric relic, chilling her elation and sparking a flicker of dread.
In the quiet, Vice Principal Melissa’s unbridled chuckle rang out clearly.
The unfazed judges exchanged glances and marked the scoreboard.
Basic third-tier spell, exactly 60 points.
A perfect pass.
No one dared stir trouble—not with Liliane von Winter sitting in the stands, her expressionless gaze fixed on them.
Ailiya didn’t care about the score. Passing was a win!
Yes! Just the theory exam left!
With her shamelessly thick skin, she’d already begged past exam questions from senior students and studied them thoroughly.
If the questions were too hard, she’d just cry to the teachers for mercy.
What? Call me shameless?
If I fail, that demon will slice me up for crystal bugs! Face or survival? I choose survival!
With that thought, the entrance exam felt far less daunting.
When Ailiya staggered out of the theory exam hall, the sky was painted with vibrant orange hues as dusk settled in.
Aurora was waiting outside, as expected.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
“Eh, alright,” Ailiya replied wearily. “What about you? What’s next?”
“Next? Food, obviously,” Ailiya said, glancing at the sky. “You not eating?”
“Hold up! The results are about to be posted. I’m checking first!” Aurora said, more excited than Ailiya.
“Then I’ll come too,” Ailiya decided. “Dinner can wait!”
They headed to the courtyard’s magical bulletin board.
At dusk, the campus shed its daytime clamor, exuding a serene beauty as students strolled in small groups, relaxed post-exam.
“By the way, aren’t you aiming for class leader?” Ailiya asked curiously. “With Liliane around, how’re you gonna pull that off?”
“No worries,” Aurora grinned mysteriously. “Lady Liliane’s often busy with family matters and doesn’t bother with these titles. Even if she scores first, she’ll decline the class leader role. Happened last year too.”
As they spoke, they reached the bulletin board, already mobbed with students awaiting results.
Ailiya stood on tiptoe, scanning the dense list of names.
Knowing her limits, she started from the bottom.
Sure enough, near the passing line, she spotted her name.
Ailiya Winston, total score: 121.
Yes! Passing rules! And my name’s so easy to find!
Satisfied, she turned to Aurora, only to see her staring fixedly at the top of the list.
Ailiya followed her gaze.
At the very top, in golden magical font symbolizing first place, was an unfamiliar name—Sylvie.
A plain, typically commoner name, without a surname.
Even Aurora didn’t take first?!
Ailiya opened her mouth to console her, but Aurora’s face showed no disappointment. Instead, her eyes gleamed with excitement as she muttered: “It’s coming… Sylvie…”
Here we go again, Ailiya thought, recognizing Aurora’s chuuni mode. Waving a hand, she said: “Well, I’m off to eat. Starving!”
She squeezed through the crowd of noble girls still checking the list and headed for the cafeteria.
Stretching widely, she felt unburdened.
It’s over! This damn entrance exam is finally done!
But as she rounded a corner, a petite figure darted out, and they collided hard, both tumbling to the ground.
“Ouch!”
Ailiya landed on her backside, the other girl sprawling too.
Before Ailiya could react, the girl scrambled up, grass clinging to her skirt, and rushed over, offering a hand.
“I’m so sorry! Are you okay? Did you hurt anything?”
Her voice was clear and gentle, brimming with sincere apology.
“I’m fine,” Ailiya waved, standing on her own. “I’m tough.”
Only then did she get a good look at the girl.
Soft chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a faded but spotless older school uniform.
Her features weren’t as striking as Liliane’s or as lively as Aurora’s, but together they exuded a comforting warmth.
Her honey-colored eyes, clear as a deer’s, radiated pure innocence.
Compared to the aloof, jewel-encrusted noble girls, this girl’s genuine politeness was disarming.
“Really, I’m so sorry!” she bowed again, her face full of remorse.
“It’s fine, really,” Ailiya smiled, turning to leave.
“Wait!” the girl called. “If you feel off later, come find me. My name’s…”
She ducked her head shyly, murmuring: “I’m Sylvie.”