Chapter 14: Count Aldrick’s Test

The heavy silence in the classroom lingered as Count Aldrick stood at the front, his piercing gray eyes scanning the students before him. With a single movement, he placed a stack of thick parchment onto his desk.

"Your first task," he said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade, "is to prove to me that you are worthy of being here."

Murmurs rippled through the students, but a single glare from Aldrick silenced them.

"This is an examination," he continued, his tone emotionless. "It will assess your fundamental knowledge of magic theory, history, strategy, and combat application. You have one hour. Begin."

As soon as he finished speaking, the parchments floated into the air before landing in front of each student. Ethan glanced down at his own and quickly scanned the questions. They ranged from historical events and tactical scenarios to complex magical formulas. Some questions even required writing full analyses on battle formations.

The moment Ethan's quill touched the parchment, the room was filled with the quiet scratching of pens. He focused, recalling everything the guardians had taught him. The questions, though difficult, were nothing compared to the rigorous training he had undergone in the forest.

Minutes passed, then an hour.

"Pens down," Aldrick commanded.

Like clockwork, the papers lifted from the desks and floated toward him, stacking neatly on his desk. Without another word, he began grading them.

The room was utterly silent as the count worked. Students exchanged nervous glances, some gripping their chairs in anticipation. Others fidgeted anxiously, knowing they had struggled.

After what felt like an eternity, Aldrick finally stood, holding the corrected papers.

He called out the names one by one, his voice never changing in tone.

"Leonard Falken—35."

A boy in the back visibly paled.

"Marian D'Or—42."

Some students let out sighs of relief while others grimaced at their scores. Most hovered around the 40s and 50s. A few managed to score in the 60s, and only a handful reached the 70s.

Then—

"Talia Vaelris—80."

Talia's expression remained neutral, though Ethan noticed the brief glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Adrian Vaelris—80."

Adrian grinned, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Not bad."

Then, Aldrick lifted the final paper and stared at it for a moment before speaking.

"Ethan—100."

A ripple of shock passed through the class. Whispers filled the room once again.

"A perfect score?""How? Even the prince and his sister only got 80!""Is he actually a commoner?"

Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the weight of everyone's stares. But what unsettled him the most was Count Aldrick's complete lack of reaction.

The instructor simply placed the last paper down and turned away, as if Ethan's achievement was of no significance. No words of acknowledgment. No change in expression. Nothing.

Instead, Aldrick clasped his hands behind his back and addressed the class.

"Your results are a reflection of your ability. Many of you have failed. Some of you have barely passed. A select few have shown promise."

His gaze swept over the students once more, stopping briefly on Ethan before moving on.

"Do not expect praise," he said coldly. "Your accomplishments mean nothing unless they can be repeated and proven in real battle."

Silence.

Then, without another word, Aldrick turned toward the blackboard and began writing.

"The lesson begins now."

And just like that, the test was forgotten, and the true challenge began.