After about thirty minutes, the time given for the test was over. The piece of paper along with the quill pen and ink vanished leaving the desk in front of every participant empty.
Raymond stood up and announced. "The results are out. Look at the desk and check if you pass. If you did, then move to my right, but if not. Move to my left."
Every participant stared down at their desks. It was empty. Then, starting from the front row the test paper began to appear. This time without the quill pen and ink.
I had written what I could. The questions were tough, I wouldn’t lie. Most of what I wrote were things I learned from the old man and also some which I picked up from the people of valley town. The rest were things I had learned from the game.
As the piece of paper materialized on the desk before him, Derek squeezed his eyes shut for a tense beat. He peeked through a tiny slit, holding his breath, before finally summoning his courage to open them wide.
What? I passed. Barely... His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the bold seventy-five number written on the test paper.
Many had gathered to take the exam, but only a few were destined to get in. Out of over eight hundred participants, five hundred failed to reach the cutoff mark.
Once the results were fully revealed and everyone had accepted their fate. The desks and chairs vanished into thin air.
"Like instructed earlier, if you passed. Wait behind you’ll move to the next stage. However, if not. Use the left door and leave. Thank you for choosing the royal academy." Francis, the captain of the Stalwart House, who was wearing a green robe stood up and proclaimed.
He had a cold and stern expression as if irritated.
Raymond, who was standing, turned towards him and said with a calm voice. "You don’t have to say it that way, Francis. It’s not easy to have the courage to be here. Most of these people are coming from a long distance."
Francis turned to Raymond. "That doesn’t matter. The royal academy is not for those who don’t know anything. How can you say you want to become a mage when you can’t pass a simple test?"
"It is not everyone that is equipped with such resources." Captain Abigail uttered with a soft voice as she glanced at Francis.
This conversation was between the captain and of course couldn’t be heard by the participants.
The arena had just started to clear up, as many left with a gloom expression. There were those who shed tears. Some spoke in hushed, desperate whispers about what to do next knowing that their futures were effectively ruined, while others trudged away in silent resignation as if they had known from the very beginning that they never stood a chance.
This sure is brutal. Nearly half didn’t pass. I understand the exam was tough, but this number of people is just too much. As a stranger to this world, I barely even passed. So for those who were born here... this must feel like the absolute end.
As if hearing his thoughts Roselle walked up to Derek and said. "Not moving means you passed. Well, what did I expect from a noble?"
Turning to look at those who were leaving, she continued. "This is just the first stage of the exam and nearly half has gone. What would now become of the second and last stage? I get that it’s hard to pass, but this number is just unreal."
Derek glanced over at Roselle. So she made it as well? She did seem confident earlier.
"What did you get?" Roselle faced Derek as she asked.
Really? She’s asking me that? Why do I get the feeling she wants to compare scores with me? Then again, I am a noble to her. She probably wants to see the difference in our knowledge. What should I do? Should I tell her a different score?
Roselle’s gaze was steady and sharp, locked onto him waiting for an answer.
"I barely passed. Got a seventy-five." Derek replied. He felt as though if he didn’t, her gaze would kill him.
"Seventy-five? That’s... well. It doesn’t matter." Roselle cut herself off, turning her face away from him.
Yup. I knew it. She wanted to confirm her suspicions... Having his eyes still on her, he asked. "So, wouldn’t you share yours?"
Without facing him she responded with a confident tone, "Ninty-Five."
As expected. For someone who didn’t want to become a mage in the first place that’s quite a high score. Did she study or something? Many had prepared for this exam and still failed but someone who just decided at the last minute got a high score... Is she a genius?
By the time the crowd had thinned out significantly as those who failed filtered out of the arene. The remaining examinees looked hardened, their eyes set and ready for whatever the second stage would throw at them.
Derek removed his gaze from Roselle and looked around... Hm. I can see a lot of elites here. Nobles and royals were definitely going to pass. It makes you think if they knew the question beforehand. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. As children of the elites, they probably had access to a lot of information so it’s understandable that they all passed.
The royal academy entrance exam was an exam made for those who want to become a mage. Not just any mage. But, high mages of the royal family and the kingdom in general.
Graduating opens the door to a life of guaranteed success. Not just through the immediate prestige and benefits the academy provided, but by paving a smooth, clear path toward any future career.
Some graduates may choose to remain active mages, joining the elite squad of the house they had been assigned to during their academy years to take on high-ranking missions. Others may enter the direct service of the royal family, while many might transition into stable, respected professions like becoming a royal instructor at the academy.
Of course, such a future comes at a high cost. To ensure only the elite survived, those in charge made the entrance examination brutal, designing a cutthroat system engineered to weed out anyone who wasn’t truly exceptional.
"It’s time for the second stage of the exam!" Francis spoke out loud. "As explained earlier, display what you have. Your talent, magical abilities. Exhibit perfect use of your magic power and show that you are worthy of becoming a royal mage."
While Francis was speaking, Raymond glanced at him with a frown. His job had been taken away from him.
As the center figure of the captains he was the one assigned with the job. However, Francis couldn’t contain his irritation. It was almost as if he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Having this in mind, Raymond faced the crowd of the remaining participants. Francis had just finished speaking, so he added.
"And make sure to give your all. The royal academy can be for everyone as long as you prove yourself" After speaking, he glanced over at Francis who had a cold expression.
"You may begin!"