Chapter 79 : Clear Academy
If they were first-time examinees, they would never imagine...
That Clear Academy's entrance exam would be graded so quickly!
In just one short night, all scores had been confirmed, and the names of students who had passed the written exam were posted on the bulletin board.
"I still didn't get in?"
"Sigh, I'll have to wait for next time."
......
This recruitment was small-scale enrollment for a minor semester, so the number of admissions wasn't very large—only 300 people.
Around the display board, mostly sighs could be heard from people.
And Lonis's heart was pounding as she searched for her name on the board...
"Found it!"
Lonis's heart leaped with joy. Though it was in a relatively back position... her name was indeed on the board!
(Great, I actually passed!)
Though she had passed, Lonis didn't get carried away, because her ranking was relatively low. There were still practical combat exams and interviews ahead, and if she didn't perform well, she still wouldn't be admitted.
After finding her own name, Lonis looked for Elucia's name.
This time the girl started searching from the front positions, hoping to quickly see Elucia's name.
After all, this black-haired girl was so capable, maybe she could make the top ten?
However...
"Stupid maid, stop looking."
"Eh?"
"I'm 50 places above you, didn't you see?"
"!"
Lonis was stunned, unable to imagine that Elucia was only at a lower-middle ranking.
"Ma-Master, aren't you..."
"Hmph, I originally wanted to take first place and surprise these guys, but that would be too boring."
"Eh?"
"I'm so beautiful, and if I became first, wouldn't I immediately become a campus celebrity? Then those fawning classmates would be like adhesive plasters, annoying me to death."
"!"
"Playing the pig to eat the tiger is more interesting! And you, don't think that just because you have me as your master, you can cause trouble everywhere. If you peep at other girls in the women's restroom, don't blame me for not showing mercy when you get beaten~"
......
Warm sunlight shone on the white marble roads, with clear skies and white clouds floating freely, bringing shade to the land below.
Under the carved eaves, yesterday's dew hadn't yet dried, water drops slowly falling to nourish the flower clusters by the walls.
Several butterflies fluttered and played, the wind carrying flower fragrance, bringing heaven's blessings to the entire academy.
Girls in uniforms sat together in groups of three or five, holding hands while eating lunch boxes on the vast meadow, occasionally bursting into laughter that attracted passing male students to stop and admire.
......
This was Clear Magic Academy, the place where hope and dreams were born.
Unlike the written exam that was entirely indoors, today's practical combat test was in the gymnasium, so Lonis had the opportunity to step inside the campus and officially tour it.
"Wow! Such a large lawn... a-amazing!"
"Lonis, don't gawk around like a country bumpkin."
"Uu..."
"Acting so embarrassing will lower this young lady's status."
Elucia had set herself up as a "young lady" character, so she seemed to have gotten into the role: "During the practical combat later, you and I are co-examinees. If you mess up, watch me dock your pay when we get back."
"Uu uu!"
Lonis was scared, her back turning cold. She knew "docking pay" was code language... because as a slave maid, she didn't have wages at all.
So "docking pay" meant "being trained."
"Then, Master Elucia, do we still need to summon..."
"Are you crazy? It's just an entrance exam, why would we reveal our trump card (Flame Abyss)?"
"Oh..."
"Anyway, just follow my commands when the time comes."
......
Unlike the written exam, the practical combat test didn't have strict standards. Even if you were defeated by monsters, as long as your written exam and interview scores were excellent enough, you could still pass.
But even so, there was still the possibility of elimination.
So Lonis didn't dare slack off at all, quickly following Elucia to the gymnasium's location.
......
"Th-this is the gymnasium?"
"What else would it be?"
......
Looking at this massive structure before her, Lonis was speechless in amazement.
Though its design was simple—just a rectangular big box—its surface seemed to have water flowing slowly across it, creating wave-like patterns.
If forced to make a comparison, this sports hall was somewhat similar to the "Water Cube," except that rhythmic feeling was alive, making it appear even more dynamic than the Water Cube.
And the volunteer proctors had been waiting here for a long time.
......
"Are you two examinees participating in the second round? Please show your admission tickets."
"Here they are. Our magic works in coordination with each other, so we need to participate in combat together."
"Mm, confirmed. Please follow me."
......
When entering the gymnasium interior, Lonis was amazed again.
She couldn't describe the scene before her in words, because this decorating style was both modern and retro, filled with an indescribable unique feeling.
The streamlined rest areas and passages curved like underwater reefs, and stepping inside felt like entering the interior of a starship.
But at the same time, in the corners and wall positions, there were many gears and chains of unknown purpose, looking like walking inside London's Big Ben.
Advanced yet backward, but this discordant feeling perfectly combined together, forming a unique sense of harmony.
Making one feel that this place should naturally be like this.
......
Lonis felt like her perception and aesthetics were being somewhat overturned, while Elucia seemed unsurprised, showing no amazement at all.
"Lonis, hurry up."
"Mm, mm mm!"
......
Perhaps because of the exam, Lonis saw no other people along the way.
And in front of a shell-like door, the guide also stopped.
"Examinees, this is it."
She handed a crystal to the two and instructed: "After entering the room, the practical combat exam will have already begun... Because this exam is practical combat, even if you fall into disadvantage, the test won't stop. If you feel you can't hold on, please press the stop button on the crystal."
"Understood, thank you."
"Then, I wish you success in your exam."
......
......
Like this, Elucia and Lonis entered the combat room.
But they didn't know that a burly man was sitting in the proctoring room, watching them with a complex expression.
......
"As expected, these two examinees are together... Teacher Suzuki, I heard they seem to be a master-servant pair?"
"That's right, the Elrose family... God knows what family that is. But they produced Colotia's token, so their identity verification passed."
Next to the man sat a female teacher wearing glasses. Her name was Suzuki Mizuho, also one of the chief examiners for this assessment.
"So, should we follow general regulations and release a slime swarm?"
"Teacher Scott, aren't you curious about their strength?"
"Curious?"
"These two are obviously hiding their true strength. I personally am very interested in these two little ones' abilities."
"Should we release dire wolves then? But if these two have no combat experience, they could get injured."
"Dire wolves? No, since it's duo combat, let's just release a Shark Ripper directly."
"What?!"
"There's a surrender button anyway, isn't there?"
Suzuki Mizuho smiled wickedly, revealing malicious intent.