13. Practical exam (1)
#13
A small city of white pagodas.
It was the most famous title for Phileon Academy.
As the name suggests it was given the nickname because there were 100 large and small pagodas built within the site but in reality there were 103 pagodas.
“Our house was a dog house.”
Ronan muttered as if he was dumbfounded. When I went to visit Varen I was so distracted that I couldn’t see it properly but it was incredibly large.
Marya said. Asher was nowhere to be seen. This was because the exams for the martial arts and magic departments were held in different places.
“I remember the first time I came here too. “It’s spacious isn’t it?”
“Nimi this is not at the level of wide. “I will raise three dragons.”
This educational facility which was larger than any other estate was literally a small town within a city. The site surrounded by a separate wall contained lakes rivers forests and mountains and was equipped with all the facilities necessary for students to live there for five years.
Ronan was sure that there would probably be an entertainment district or entertainment district somewhere in the dark. It is a healthy business that does not go to the actual broadcast because the students are the target group. He pointed to the huge castle in the center of the site.
“I heard you took the test there right?”
“Yes that’s right. “Galerion Main Building.”
Gallerion Castle the largest building in Phileon served as the main building. It was a fortress that was not only aesthetically pleasing but was also quite good militarily. It was said that the practical exam for the martial arts department would be held there.
“Anyway…”
“why?”
“Because the outfit is flashy. “What are you wearing like that?”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. Marya was wearing clothes that had never been shown before.
It was a very sophisticated and elegant uniform and it was easy to look like a woman from an aristocratic family.
“It’s a test that takes place once a year so you need to put in some effort. Not so good? “I said the cutie was pretty.”
“Ignore that idiot because he’s the kind of guy who would call you elegant even if you scooped up soup with your bare hands.”
“Hmph what does it look like to you?”
Hanging from her waist were two short swords that appeared to have been originally used by her. The scabbard was also a metal scabbard with a colorful pattern engraved on it which was different from usual. Ronan who was silent for a moment opened his mouth.
“Well…it’s not bad.”
“Hehe right?”
Marya started laughing tapping Ronan’s arm wondering what was so good about it. Her laughter was so lively that it caught the attention of the people around her.
A few seconds later she turned pale and covered her own mouth.
“Hot!”
“Did a bug get in her mouth?”
“Hey you too be careful. I forgot too. Do you know how many nobles are here now?”
“nobility?”
Marya explained that now in Phileon royal families and nobles from all over the continent are crowded together.
Their expressions were all frowned upon and this was due to Phileon’s rule prohibiting the entry of carriages and outsiders except test takers.
She giggled as Marya covered her mouth again.
“It’s going to be amazing. “I want to start an argument by bumping her shoulder but there’s nothing I can do because I have no way of knowing which country the other person is a noble from.”
“But what does laughing have to do with nobles? “Can’t you even smile in front of nobles?”
“It’s not true but they may become our main customers in the future so we shouldn’t show off as commoners for no reason.”
“What’s wrong with commoners?”
Marja lifted her head and met Ronan’s eyes. At this point I couldn’t tell if she was asking because she really didn’t know or if she was being sarcastic. She twitched her lips and opened her mouth.
“…There are definitely a lot of good nobles. However there are many nobles who treat commoners like cockroaches. This is why merchants who grow their businesses are obsessed with appearance and titles. “The moment you look down on it the deal is empty.”
The main source of income for the Caravel merchants was trading with nobles. As the estate was managed and the assets were large if the transaction went well a lot of money could be made.
However in order to conclude a deal with arrogant nobles one had to adopt a servile attitude as a basis.
“I will get the title somehow. “I will graduate from Phileon achieve merit become a nobleman and make my father stop bowing down.”
Marya’s voice trembled slightly. It wasn’t hard to imagine what she must have been through as she followed her doon around. She must have seen all kinds of shit.
Ronan said crossing his arms behind his head.
“I understand. But I won’t notice.”
“hey! What have you heard so far? “Do you want me to pay attention just for today?”
“When someone asks you introduce yourself as an uneducated servant.”
Ronan chuckled vulgarly. Fortunately she never got into trouble with the nobles.
They passed through streets paved with luxurious cobblestones and entered the main castle. After going through a simple background check the two people went straight to the testing site.
****
The waiting room was a narrow long space that looked like a hallway had been turned into a room.
Ten chairs lined the long wall. On the wall opposite the entrance was a gate with ornate patterns engraved on it. It was a door leading to the testing room.
There were ten people sitting in the waiting room. When one person leaves one person comes in and so on so there were always ten people.
Candidates sitting on chairs lined up in a row were reviewing the skills they had prepared.
At that time the door opened and a sonorous voice rang out.
“Next person please come in~”
“yes! Viscount Hyern’s second son Bilkerian Odlanby de Hyern! “I’ll do my best!”
“You don’t have to say your name or affiliation~”
The practical test is as short as 3 minutes. It took about 5 minutes at most. The boy who was waiting in front walked quickly saying something absurd about his official rank.
The scene inside the door could not be seen as if the magic was working and the door that let the people in closed by itself. Ronan stuck his tongue out at her.
“Nimi~ It’s long it’s long. How is that a name? “It’s an order.”
“Be quiet…! “Close your legs too…!”
“If you put people in a boring place like this you should at least let them chat. “Hey isn’t it?”
“Yes…yes?!”
Ronan spoke to the boy waiting on his left nudging him with his elbow.
Marya sighed softly. Still I felt like a fool for expecting it to be formal in an event like this.
She let Ronan distract her and began to review the techniques she was about to demonstrate.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay…”
At that moment the boy sitting on my right caught my eye. He seemed to be around the same age as himself and even though he had a noble personality he seemed like the son of an aristocratic family. Marakya tapped the boy on the shoulder.
“Hey…don’t be too nervous.”
“Hey! yes? Oh yes! Sorry Lady! “I was a little loud wasn’t I?”
It was so tense that it felt like it would burst if pricked with a needle. Just by looking at it it looked like he was staring at Phileon for the first time.
For some reason Marya recalling memories of last year smiled kindly.
“If you’re too nervous things won’t work out. Are you the first to apply?”
“No this is the last one. Huh… I really want to get in but I always get rejected because I don’t have the talent.”
Surprisingly the boy was older than him. The last one meant that I turned 15 this year and would not be able to take the Fileon from next year. She smiled sweetly and encouraged the boy.
“Hehe I’m sure it will go well this time. Cheer up.”
“Thank you. You are so kind. “I am Daerian Marshol de Mirrodin the third son of Baron Mirrodin!”
“It’s Sen.”
She used her middle name rather than her real name. When Marya offered to shake her hand Daerian hurriedly grabbed her hand with both hands and shook it up and down.
Ronan was disgusted when he saw her attitude as if she was treating him like a princess. Wow.
“Are you going to show off your family’s swordsmanship?”
“Yes that’s right. This time…I memorized it perfectly.”
“I’m looking forward to it. That sword looks really good too. Was it made by Daruan Workshop?”
“oh! “I can’t believe you recognized this… you have great insight…!”
The two continued to talk about various things after that. The conversation progressed in such a way that when Marya let Daerian fly Daerian was thrilled and praised her beauty and elegance.
‘Damn you’re a born merchant.’
Marya seemed like a completely different person when dealing with nobles. It was hard to believe that she was the same girl who had hit her head with a chair when they first met.
Ronan pretended not to be interested in her yawned or twitched his mouth but kept his ears open for them. It’s unpleasant but strangely addictive. It’s like the smell of a belly button.
As I listened to the conversation while holding back my nausea it was Daerian’s turn. Marja opened her mouth with a bright smile.
“Your turn is next Prince Darian. I hope you do well.”
“Lady Sen….”
Dare Lian sniffed his nose as if he was even touched. He was still holding on to Marya’s hand.
Speech skills were at the level of magic at this point. Ronan slapped Marya on the back of the head and shouted “Stop!” “You witch!” She had to refrain from wanting to scream.
Daerian said.
“It’s an honor Lady Sen. If you don’t mind may I ask your full name? “When I visit Lady’s estate in the future I will definitely do today’s favor.”
For a moment Marya’s expression hardened. Dare Lian mistook her for someone from a noble family. Ronan listened to her with interest.
She was excited to see what she would choose.
Will she imitate her nobility by assuming a random name or will she believe in Dare Lian’s values and reveal her truth?
Marja chose the latter for her.
“I don’t have a last name. “Please just call me Sen.”
“yes?”
A look of bewilderment appeared on Daerian’s face.
“Um um… then… do you mean… a commoner…?”
It was as if he was asking about the news that his spouse or parents had died. The strength in Daerian’s hands was slowly loosening.
Marya slightly bit her lower lip and smiled artificially.
“yes.”
“…under.”
His hand fell completely. Daerian slapped Marya’s cheek. match! The murmur in the waiting room stopped for a moment due to a sound like clapping hands.
Ronan who had his hands in his pockets stood up.
“hey.”
“Stay still.”
Marya whispered. She glanced back at Ronan and said ‘It’s okay.’ It seemed like she was saying it with her mouth.
After thinking for a few seconds Ronan sat down. Her sharp gaze was fixed on Darian.
It was as if Daerian had become a different person. There was no trace of the same emotion from before on his hardened face. Between the distorted eyelids extreme contempt and contempt were shining.
“dirty….”
Darian stood up and took his handkerchief out of his front pocket. It was a luxurious handkerchief with the family seal engraved on it. He began to wipe his hands thoroughly as if he were wiping away dirt.
“Now the commoners are trying to match it.”
“I’m sorry if you felt offended. “Lord Daerian.”
Marja did not resist her slaps. She had her head down with her hands resting somewhat on her knees.
Ronan frowned at her. It wasn’t even an hour before he told his father he didn’t want to see him bow his head.
“Did you say Sen? Just wait and see. “I will definitely remember this shame.”
The gamble was a failure. Deerian was one of the nobles who hated commoners that Marya had mentioned earlier.
Ronan then realized why she had given him her middle name. If she used her real name it could have caused damage to her top.
After he finished speaking he threw away his handkerchief as if it were just a shit-stained tissue.
The fluttering handkerchief landed on Marya’s head. Darian straightened his collar and spoke out loud.
“Never be in my sight again you dirty commoner bitch. Even if you pass Phileon you will have to live as if you are dead.”
“Keep that in mind.”
Marya did not put her handkerchief away. She met Ronan’s eyes and smiled her pretentious smile.
At that time the door leading to the exam room opened and the guide’s voice rang out.
“Next person please come in~”
“Tsk I want to wipe off my tongue that spit out dirty words….”
The named Daerian turned around. Ronan who had been glaring at him the whole time pulled the hilt of his sword.
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