Chapter 33: Chapter 33 - Royal Academy ( Part 3)
The morning sky of Seraiya Kingdom shone with gold and blue.
The majestic parade of the royal chariots moved forward on the stone path towards the most honorable educational institution of the kingdom.
The Royal Academy.
For centuries it had been called the cradle of heroes.
Kings received education inside its walls.
Queens mastered the art of diplomacy under its white marbles.
Legendary swordsmen trained in its territory.
Great archmages, who changed the history of the world, used to walk along the very same corridors.
Each generation desired to enter there.
Few of them succeeded.
Jennie leaned her chin on the window of the chariot.
"...It’s much bigger than I expected."
Beside her, Princess Lilia was literally trembling with excitement.
"I always wanted to visit here!"
Jennie managed a weak smile.
"I always wanted to stay at home."
Lilia did not even notice her.
Finally, the chariot stopped in front of the main gate of the academy.
Jennie stepped outside.
For the first time in five years...
She was truly impressed.
In front of them stretched a whole city.
White buildings of amazing height occupied the whole mountain side.
Magic bridges floated between the huge towers.
Crystal fountains sparkled with the morning sun.
Ancient statues of legendary heroes were watching the territory.
Training arenas resounded with sounds of steel meeting steel.
Tall libraries were proudly standing close to the heart of the campus.
Mana lamps lighted the paths covered with flowering trees.
Students of all noble families of Seraiya were moving through the gates.
Some of them wore expensive robes.
Some held masterfully made swords.
Some had magical familiars sitting on their shoulders.
The academy lived history.
Power.
Glory.
Jennie looked around.
"...This place costs a lot."
Lilia laughed.
"It’s your first impression?"
"It seems too difficult to clean."
"..."
Lilia blinked.
She was expecting admiration.
But...
Jennie was already counting how many maids are working in the academy.
Her training with Martha had permanently changed the way of thinking.
That was terrible.
The royal knight came to them.
"Princess Lilia KingHeart."
Lilia nodded.
"Welcome to the Royal Academy."
The knight turned to Jennie.
"And Lady Jennie Queens."
Jennie still was not used to be addressed as ’Lady’.
She spent years carrying the buckets.
The knight bowed in respect.
"The Headmaster is awaiting for you."
They walked along the stone way to the administration building.
On the way...
Hundreds of students were looking at them.
Of course, most of them recognized the royal princess.
But many quickly noticed another person.
The beautiful girl walking one step after the princess.
Long white hair glimmering in the sunlight.
Calm red eyes.
Elegant maid uniform contrasting strangely with the student’s costumes.
Even in the dress of servants...
She walked with quiet dignity.
As if a member of royalty.
Whispers instantly broke out.
"Who’s that?"
"The princess’s maid?"
"She’s beautiful..."
"I’ve never seen her before."
"I’ve heard that she’s famous markless girl."
"Impossible."
"Didn’t she became the personal maid of Princess Lilia?"
"Why is she here?"
Jennie listened everything carefully.
Many years of training had developed her senses.
She sighed inwardly.
Please, lose interest.
Please.
Unfortunately...
These prayers remained unanswered.
In the Grand Hall of the academy thousands of new students gathered under the huge crystal dome.
At the head of the hall there stood an old man in the elegant blue robes with the golden embroidery.
Long silver beard reached up to his waist.
Emerald eyes of the Headmaster were calmly observing everyone.
Headmaster Orion Valerius.
One of the greatest scholars of the kingdom.
Former Royal Court Mage.
Master of the Royal Academy.
He raised one hand.
The hall immediately grew silent.
"Welcome."
His voice was calm.
But everyone heard it clearly.
"Today is the beginning of your journey."
"You’ve entered into the place where talent means nothing."
"Discipline."
"Courage."
"Character."
"They will determine your future."
Jennie slightly nodded.
An intelligent old man.
She liked him.
"Before becoming students..."
The Headmaster said.
"You should pass the Entrance Examination."
A wave of excitement went through the crowd.
"The examination will consist of three stages."
"Academic knowledge."
"Swordsmanship or physical combat."
"And mana control."
"The result of the test will define your class."
Jennie slowly opened her eyes.
No...
Three examinations?
It means that there are three chances to accidentally stand out.
She immediately made a decision.
Fail.
Not entirely.
Only partially.
Achieving perfectly average score.
She nodded to herself.
An ideal strategy.
Excalibur whispered in her hair.
"Master."
"What?"
"You said the same thing during maid training."
"I succeeded."
"Lady Martha now considers me her masterpiece."
"..."
It was, unfortunately, the truth.
The first stage of the examination was written test.
The students entered in the individual classrooms.
Rows of well-polished tables were stretching in the room.
Blank sheets of parchment awaited on the desk.
Jennie sat quietly in the end of the row.
Perfect.
Away from the attention.
The instructor said:
"You can start."
Jennie looked at the first question.
Explain the Three Fundamental Principles of Mana Circulation.
She knew the answer right away.
Modern theory.
Ancient theory.
The errors in them.
Several improved methods.
She could easily write the whole book about that.
Instead...
She intentionally wrote only half of the correct answer.
Second question.
List the names of the Eight Great Kingdoms.
It was easy.
She deliberately made a mistake in one of the names.
Third question.
Describe the proper sword stance.
Jennie drew a slightly curved diagram of that.
Perfect.
Average.
Ordinary.
Or so she thought.
Several teachers were silently walking between the desks.
One of them stopped beside her.
He looked at her paper.
His eyebrows slowly raised.
"...Interesting."
Jennie inwardly froze.
What?
I’ve literally wrote the wrong answer.
The teacher continued reading her test.
She unintentionally corrected a theory suggested by the modern scholars.
Without knowing it...
She wrote the ancient and historically correct version instead.
The instructor silently smiled.
"A fascinating interpretation."
Jennie felt the first hints of regret.
The written examination ended.
Students went to the enormous training ground of the academy.
There awaited the test on the sword fighting.
Jennie looked at the training arena.
And wooden training swords that were laying there.
She whispered to herself.
"This time..."
"I’ll definitely fail."
Somewhere far away...
Fate silently laughed.
