When we reached the hall, our group was divided into several parts. Both of us were led to different classrooms. Both of them had a similar arrangement. The classrooms were arranged like a small auditorium, each row of desks rising higher than the one before it. From the lectern at the front, the instructor could look up and see every student clearly without obstruction.

We were told to sit wherever we want, but keep a distance. So, both of us decided to sit in the far back. It was the most secure location

For a while, it was just a scene of people shuffling around to get to their desired seats. Chairs scraped against the floor, small arguments on who gets to sit where took place here and there, but eventually, everyone sat down.

Both rooms were silent, but Carine's had a slightly more noticeable mumbling from a few corners.

It almost didn't feel like an exam hall, more like a battlefield.

For those in the Gilded Track, it was a war for honor and pride.

For those in the Standardized Track, it was a war for survival.

I just so happened to be in both wars at the same time.

The entrance door opened once more, almost in unison. The first one who came into my view was an instructor on Feyt's side, an unassuming-looking man with a tired look on his face. Behind him was what I believed to be a student council member, carrying a stack of paper; no doubt, they were the exam papers.

On the other end, the one who came in was also an instructor, an older man with his hair tied back into a ponytail. He adjusted his glasses as he stood on the lectern at the front. Seconds later, another person stepped in, a council member holding our share of the exam papers.

It was none other than Saint Clara… or rather, President Saint Clara.

She'll be supervising Carine's room then?

Strange. I thought such errands would be left to the other council members. A president surely had more important responsibilities than acting as an assistant for the instructors. Yet here she was, smiling gently as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Maybe she just had a good work ethic, right? I mean, a commoner couldn't become the president without trying their best, so she must'vereally put in the work to get there.

On both sides of my presence, the instructors talked almost at the same time. Their words were both commanding but not strict, and they basically just relisted the rules read out by Instructor Avala back at the hall.

No using your own tools. Turn in the paper at the time limit. You'll be supervised by the instructor and the council member. Yada yada yada.

I initially thought each room would be assigned more than one council member, but since they divided us into relatively small groups, I guess this was a number manageable for them.

As the instructors were explaining, both council members were making their way through the rows of desks to hand out the papers. Clara did so with a warm smile and a cheer of "good luck!" to every single one she passed.

But when it was my turn for the paper, her steps slowed their pace almost imperceptibly. She placed my paper on my desk with a silent smile, then moved on, continuing her "Good luck!" streak with the others.

…What was that about?

The way she stared at me, and that smile that didn't reach her face… it was almost like she had some feelings against me.

…What did I do?

Could it be because I… got healed by her twice? Maybe she thought I was someone who gets into trouble a lot. If so, I couldn't really blame her. The two incidents I was in were pretty dire… Seeing my face might bring up some awful memories.

But I really wanted to be her friend on both sides of the coin, not just one. It would feel weird otherwise.

Maybe once this exam is over, I'll talk it out with her.

I shifted my focus to the papers before me. We were each given two papers, one containing the questions, the other a blank paper acting as our answer sheets. On each of our desks were writing tools for us to use at our disposal.

The instructors kept their eyes on the clock as the council members handed in their last papers.

When it struck 7:45…

"Begin." Both of their orders rang through the room.

The sound of writing immediately began to fill both rooms from corner to corner.

I glanced down at the questions. They were exactly the sort one would expect from an academy that forged the kingdom's knights.

Some touched on politics, like laws a knight should follow, if the knight in the story had a justifiable reason to do what he did, et cetera.

Others were mathematics, though not in general. Problems framed around supply lines, calculating rations based on the distance marched, stuff like that.

A handful of questions dealt with military history. From which strategy was used in this war, to how the strategy used in that war could be improved.

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For a brief second, though, the letters seemed to shift. There was a faint blur across the page, almost like a haze. My eyes adjusted instantly, the questions snapping back into clarity as if nothing had happened.

Strange. Am I that nervous about this?

Back to the matter at hand, the questions weren't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. It was the kind of exam meant to separate those who had studied from those who only wanted to get in. Thankfully… after reading all of those questions, I got the answers burning in the back of my head already.

I hadn't burnt through Father's supplies of books for nothing, after all.

But my confidence stood only for a fraction of a second.

Why, you ask?

Well… when I took just a glance at Feyt's papers…

My mind went blank.

Oh… Oh god.

What… in the hell… is this??!!

A wall.

It was a wall of text.

Text covered the paper's surface almost corner to corner. Add a few bit more, and this paper would be drenched in black.

Just looking at the question numbers made my body numb.

Fifty questions.

Compared to the twenty-five questions I had as Carine.

Combined together… that's just a quarter away from a hundred!!

Carine's question sheet was neatly organized. Meanwhile, Feyt's sheet was like someone scaled down a whole library and crammed it into the paper.

Who…

Who in the right mind designed this?!

Was this what they meant by how the standardized track was harder? I was already bracing myself for that, but I didn't think it would be double!

I pressed a hand to my face and exhaled, chuckling lightly as I stared at the number fifty at the end of the page.

And yet, around me, the room didn't erupt in outrage the way I thought it would. Sure, a few faces went pale, and their reactions were absolutely warranted, I tell you. But most didn't flinch.

Instead, there was the steady sound of pens scratching paper, muttered equations under breath, and quiet parrotings of the exam questions.

Still, not everyone took it calmly.

"Fifty? That's even more than last year!"

"They doubled it again?!"

As if on cue, the instructor at the front cleared his throat, voice carrying easily across the room.

"Oh, yes. I nearly forgot to mention… This year's standardized exam has been intensified for the sake of fair scoring between tracks. Good luck," he said lazily.

You kiddin' with me?!

It was easier back then?!

My jaw was absolutely floored by the sudden announcement. But even though I expected a full-blown outrage from the others… most of them just scratched their head, shook them, or just sighed in dejection.

Then they dipped their heads and began writing.

The realization hit me like a brick.

Most of them had already been here before, beaten down once or twice by exams like this, and they had come back for more in hopes of getting in this time. They knew there wasn't any point in raising their voice right now, especially considering we had a time limit.

Toughing it out, huh?

I shook my head, refocusing on the exam. This wasn't the time to be worried about what others were thinking.

If I used Carine's wealth of knowledge, these questions should be easy!

…I hoped, at least.

—

Royal Knights Academy — Student Council President's Office

The door swung open with little ceremony.

"Good morning~!" A cheerful voice carried into the office before its speaker even stepped inside.

The Third Prince strolled in with his usual, easy gait. His blonde hair flowed easily following him. He looked perfectly at home, even in someone else's office.

But when his eyes swept the room, his smile stiffened for a moment.

The seat at the far end was empty. No Clara.

Instead, a student council member was tidying up a stack of folders near the shelves, papers tucked neatly under her arm. She jumped at his entrance and gave a quick bow, nearly dropping her folders.

"Y-Y-Your Highness?!"

"At ease, at ease." He waved her fluster away with an easygoing chuckle. "Tell me, where's the president? I have some business with her."

"T-The president? Ah, you mean Saint Clara." She quickly straightened her posture. "She insisted on supervising one of the exam halls herself. She said she wanted to see firsthand how the exams were conducted."

"Personally, hm?" His smile held, but his eyes widened slightly with surprise.

That wasn't in the plans…

But no matter.

"I suppose it makes sense. She entered through the Special Admission Track, after all—naturally, she'd be curious about the exam she never had to take."

"Y-Yes, I believe that as well, Your Highness."

"Well then," he flashed a smile. "May I wait here for her return? There's something I'd like to discuss with her."

"O-Of course!" she said frantically, folders still in hand. "Should I pour you some tea while you wait?"

"No need," he said, lifting his arm. He made his way to the couch in the center of the room. He sat down lightly, then continued, "Carry on with your duties. Pretend I'm not even here."

"R-Right! At once, Your Highness!"

With that, she hurried back to her task, though her hands trembled faintly as she fumbled with the folders. The prince reclined on the couch, eyes looking out the wide windows on the far end of the room, half-circling the president's desk.

The office sat at the very top of one of the Academy's main building wings; these wide, clear windows overlooked the grounds like a throne above its domain. The president's office was meant to symbolize the pinnacle of the student body, and here sat Clara—a girl of common birth—granted that very seat.

When the news of her election reached him, he was utterly baffled. A commoner, elected by the majority of votes to be the president? This was something he had envisioned as one of his main goals in the future. A goal to strive towards.

The fact that it happened now was a surprise… a delightful one, sure, but a surprise nonetheless.

When he met Clara for the first time, she had been everything the rumors painted her to be. Kind, gentle, caring… she was like a living flower who could caress you to sleep.

He was glad. He had finally found another diamond to shine brightly besides Carine.

The only thing he disliked was the ridiculous nickname that had taken root around her.

The Saint.

It wasn't an official title, not in the slightest. It was something Munith had branded to Clara herself, her own personal musing. And just from that one passing comment, suddenly half the kingdom repeated it as though it were her real name.

Pushing all those aside, he wanted to hear more about how she managed to secure the votes to win her position, and believing she would be resting here after her speech, he made his way here the moment he arrived at the academy.

He let out a quiet exhale, enjoying the scenery of the clear day through those windows. It was a beautiful day for the exams today.

But all beauty hides shadows.

The Board of Directors.

Their influence reached into every corner of this academy, their approval stamped on every change and action. He had managed to please them enough to earn the approval for his exam designs, and also earned himself a seat as one of the exam's judges. Those alone were a miracle.

But now wasn't the time to breathe a sigh of relief. Instead, he let out an awkward chuckle.

I hope I won't mess this up now.

His plans from now on lay in waiting.

Wait for the exam results.

Wait for the board to realize too late.

Wait for Carine to fulfill her end of the promise.

And wait he did, sitting alone in the president's office, warm sunlight pouring across his figure. In the distance, the tip of the Royal Palace stood tall, the flag of Setus waving proudly.

Deep down, he swore…

Starting with this exam…

He would change this academy…

And eventually, this whole kingdom.

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