I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

38 – Admission Exam

The academy’s admission exam. Literally, the test that determines the grades when entering the academy for the first time.

Not only talents from within the empire but also those who aspire to become academy students from outside the empire participate.

Even if we try to minimize it, there are thousands of people involved. Controlling them was… an extremely challenging task.

And that’s why only skilled professors could be involved in the academy admission exam.

Let an unskilled person make a mistake, and see your precious family members die or get hurt. It’s terrible.

That’s why I didn’t expect to be involved in the academy admission exam for a few years… Honestly, unless it’s Professor Cordelia, why would someone like me be involved in the academy admission exam?

And that thought shattered into pieces with a single word from Professor Cordelia.

“I recommended you. When I think about it, making magic of that level, isn’t it foolish to prepare for the admission exam without including you?”

No, such consideration is not necessary.

I scratched my head.

“…I can’t even properly use 4th-circle magic?”

Someone with a high score of 5th circle has a low score of 3rd circle? Unbelievable. What kind of idiot is that?

…Where is that idiot? Damn it.

When I said that, Professor Cordelia shook her finger and said, “No, forget about that. Anyway, since others will create the environment or do other things, you just need to help manage the students well.”

“…No, I mean…”

I sighed deeply.

“Why were you recommended in the first place?”

Professor Cordelia shrugged her shoulders and spoke.

“Just… because, you know, things have changed for you in many ways due to circumstances?”

…Indeed, they had. Certainly, as brilliant as the past glory was, the current downfall seemed even more significant.

‘Heir to a ruined dukedom?’

Even Jezel Ircalii had said something like that.

Surprisingly, there was no malice in her gaze. She seemed unaware that her father had ruined my family, simply expressing her genuine opinion.

…In short, to others, the name ‘Kainus’ had now become a symbol of ruin.

But there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t use mind-control magic on students, and there was no way to forcefully change what others thought about me.

In that situation, Professor Cordelia spoke up to me.

“…So, the students who saw you, instead of seeing the heir to a ruined dukedom, wished they could see you for who you are.”

“…Me?”

I, La. What did that mean? As if knowing my question, Professor Cordelia continued.

“You don’t boast much, but if you look at yourself straight… you’re quite an impressive person in your own way.”

“No, I’m not a remarkable person.”

I was just a child with the glow of being the heir to the Kainus dukedom. Once that background disappeared, I became so pitiful.

Having heard my words, Professor Cordelia let out a sigh.

“The second youngest professor in academy history. Moreover, the second professor to obtain the status of a full professor. A professor at the level of a high expert at the age of 21. And… a professor with teaching evaluations better than the master’s.”

“…”

She pulled me closer and gently stroked my head.

“Even though your family has fallen, you’re still an impressive person.”

For some reason, no words came out. While continuing to stroke my head, Professor Cordelia spoke.

“The trajectory of your life already shows what kind of person you are.”

Everyone said I was the successor of a ruined duke. Those who didn’t say it with their mouths said it with their eyes, and those who didn’t say it with their eyes were sure to say it behind my back.

But, but…

“So, show me who you are. Let everyone remember you as an extraordinary professor.”

I am not an extraordinary person. I know that.

Being able to receive education from a young age, being able to socialize with countless people—all of it was the glow of the family. I only realized that after losing it.

However, if there’s someone who sees me, not as the successor of a ruined family, but as their own disciple.

If there’s someone who looks at me, who has already fallen and lost my wings, and says, “You’re an amazing person.”

“…If you say it like that, how can I refuse….”

Drip. A warm sensation touched my cheek. Looking at me like that, Professor Cordelia smiled and said,

“What’s this? You’re much bigger than your master, but still such a crybaby.”

“It’s noisy….”

As I bowed my head, Professor Cordelia hugged me tightly.

Damn. Suddenly making a perfectly fine person cry and causing a scene.

Silently grumbling to myself, I continued to embrace Professor Cordelia.

…

Giselle Ircalli closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Finally, the academy entrance exam. It was a moment to evaluate the achievements she had gained before entering the academy.

…It’s not like she lacked confidence. She was quite confident in her abilities.

However, thinking positively about everything was strictly prohibited.

“Even if you have skills, there are plenty who had bad luck and ended up with unfavorable results.”

So, she couldn’t let her guard down and had to continue to be vigilant of her surroundings.

Giselle straightened her clothes and looked around.

And there were those approaching her.

“Giselle-nim!”

She confirmed the approaching figures. Those with decent skills. They were the kind she could associate with without suffering losses.

Jezel wore an elegant smile as she greeted them.

“Hey, Emily. Is Delua here too?”

In response, the girls began pouring various words towards Jezel.

“How do you think this exam will go? There are many outstanding students this time, and if we’re not careful, it could be a big problem.”

“Yeah, definitely can’t let our guard down. You too, be careful. It’s unfair to not be able to fully demonstrate your abilities.”

“Ah…! Thank you for worrying!”

Well, they are skilled individuals, so I’ll respond appropriately, but it’s a bit tiring. Jezel looked around.

And soon, she could see the crowd that was bustling a moment ago parting.

At the center stood a girl with flowing snow-white hair, proudly displaying her sword.

Seeing that, Jezel couldn’t help but swallow involuntarily.

‘That’s…’

Vanessa Delphius. The girl rumored to be the strongest in this term.

Supposedly the successor to the Northern Grand Duke from a young age.

A monster who had been slaying monsters since a young age, a being so formidable that even those considered versatile couldn’t possibly keep up.

As Jezel noticed her gaze, the girls around her started talking.

“Vanessa Delphius… They say she’ll be the strongest in this term. Well, it’s practically confirmed…”

Jezel made a thoughtful sound. Of course, after Vanessa Delphius, it would be herself.

Being treated as second place was a bit annoying, but anyway, Vanessa Delphius was in the Swordsmanship Department. There wouldn’t be a reason for her to get involved.

As Jezel entertained these thoughts, a voice reached her ears that she couldn’t ignore.

“I heard she reached the level of an expert.”

“…What?”

Jezel furrowed her brows. An expert? If she was truly an expert, even most noble knights would find it believable. She turned her gaze towards Vanessa Delphius.

…It was just hard to believe that such a slender, innocent-looking girl had that level of skill.

‘…I, too, if I just had a few more months…!’

Jezel was on the verge of reaching the level of an expert herself. However, the term “expert” had been shocking to her even before entering the academy.

And, as Jiselle was trying to ignore those words, suddenly a voice echoed.

[Uh. Uh. Can you hear me well?]

‘…Amplification magic.’

Using amplification magic in this noisy place of test-takers meant that the person was a professor at the academy.

Finally, it meant that the entrance exam to the academy was beginning.

As she was thinking about it, she discovered the identity of the person floating in front of the crowd, speaking out.

[Now, let me explain the academy entrance exam.]

‘…That person?’

She couldn’t help but feel dazed.

Blond hair. Deep green eyes. But… the man in front of her emitted an overwhelming and arrogant aura more than anyone else.

[Before that, I am Professor Idun Kainus of the Department of Magic, here to assist you with your entrance exam.]

‘…Is he the one?’

The moment their eyes met, Jiselle couldn’t help but hold her breath.