After the proctor entered, he stood at the podium.
"So the rules for this exam are no copying or cheating. If you are found cheating, you will never be allowed to enter any academy, including those outside this kingdom," the proctor said while walking around and handing over the papers.
After that:
DING... DING... DING....
"The bell has rung. You may start."
Everyone then started reading the questions. Some were happy to see the questions, while some were already scratching their heads.
Meanwhile, Eveline and Leon were already writing, since they knew the answers from reading books in their family’s rich libraries.
’AH... is this the written exam sister was talking about?’ Zane thought while flipping pages.
’I do not want to stand out, so I will answer a few questions only,’ Zane thought to himself.
"MMM.. Number 10 is easy," he thought, looking at the question:
"What is the difference between Aura, Mana, and Magic Circles?"
"Aura, Mana, and Magic circles are three different frequencies of the same mana. Controlling its form allows a single individual to bridge physical martial arts and high-tier spellcasting," Zane wrote while shaking his head, sighing, and taking a breath.
"Well, let’s see another one. Oh, this one looks easy compared to the others," he thought while flipping the page.
"When the kingdom is under a heavy enemy attack, what is the first thing to do as a soldier?"
"That’s easy."
"Evacuate all civilians to a nearby allied country."
Zane then answered a few more questions until he reached the final question.
"What makes a king a great king?"
’What kind of stupid question is this one, too? Huh,’ he thought while writing his answer.
The proctor had noticed that Zane was writing the exam while showing clear dissatisfaction.
DING.... DING ..... DING...
"The bell has rung! Everyone submit your papers and head to the plaza to take your second exam."
Everyone went out. When Zane was about to submit his paper, the proctor asked a question:
"Hey kid, what is your name?"
"Zane, sir," he replied while putting his paper on top of the other papers.
"Okay," the proctor replied while taking the paper and leaving.
’Huh! ... Just like that,’ Zane thought.
When Zane arrived at the plaza, he was at the end of the line.
"Everyone will be putting their hand on this diamond crystal. As for ranks, we have from E to SSS+ rank for your class, and your talent will appear beside your rank. Any questions?" another proctor said while holding a file with the names of the students.
For a while, people’s names were called to take the exam, and then...
"Number 10, Brandon Ronald."
A young man with brown hair wearing a gold suit, neatly combing his shining hair, walked to the podium.
"Wow, that’s the Baron’s youngest son!" some girls started whispering to each other.
"I heard he’s strong and amazing. I wish he was my fiancé," the girls were whispering.
’Mmm... can you see me, my love, Eveline?’ Brandon thought to himself while looking at Eveline.
But Eveline was busy looking over where Zane was standing.
’Tch... who is she looking for? I am up here,’ he took a short breath. ’Forget it,’ he thought while putting his hand on the diamond crystal.
FWOOOSH!
A red aura erupted from the crystal.
And on the crystal, it showed:
[ S Rank | Class: Mage | Talent: Fire ]
"Wow, S rank! That’s amazing," the crowd whispered.
"Next, Leon William."
"It’s the prince! I wonder what rank he is going to get."
Leon then walked to the diamond crystal with a small smile.
FWOOOSH!
A huge golden light surged from the crystal straight into the sky!
"AH-- the Royal Family has created another genius!" Everyone was shocked, though the teachers were not, as they had experienced this with every member of the royal family.
[ SSS Rank | Class: Knight | Talent: Light Magic ]
’I knew he was gonna be strong despite his annoying noise,’ Zane thought.
"LITTLE BRO, did you see what your brother did? Don’t disappoint me!" Leon shouted.
"Little brother? Does that mean the youngest prince is here?"
People started whispering, looking around at each other.
A few more people were announced to have decent ranks and classes.
"Number 15, Eveline Everheart."
"The cold beauty is here!"
"There’s no need to even test her. Rumor says she defended the line from a beast wave from Demon Mountain all by herself," others near Zane whispered.
’Interesting,’ Zane thought, putting his hand in his pocket.
Before touching the diamond crystal, Eveline scanned the crowd and spotted Zane standing near the back.
She gave a brief smile, turned, and placed her hand on the crystal.
FWOOOOSH!
A heavy, freezing wind began to blow, completely freezing the entire podium, including the crystal itself.
"Woow... huh," she took a heavy breath as cold steam billowed from her mouth.
"HUH?!"
Everyone was in absolute shock at what they had just witnessed.
"This has only happened once before, and that person was the Fifth Queen," one teacher said.
"This crystal is a little bit weak; the Fifth Queen froze the entire plaza," the Principal commented.
[ SSS+ Rank | Class: Swordsman | Talent: Wind & Ice Magic ]
’Amazing, she is really strong,’ Zane thought while looking at her.
Eveline then walked over and sat down right where Zane was standing, as no one else was near him.
"What do you think of my talent and rank?" she asked, sitting beside Zane.
"Amazing," Zane said, blushing slightly while looking straight ahead.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"You haven’t changed at all," she said, crossing her legs and arms.
"There are many people here, so I can’t say much. How about we talk after the entrance exam?"
"If you say so," she smiled. "You owe me for making me wait."
Zane simply looked at her and smiled back.
"Zane William!"
"Here" Zane shouted from back.
"Is he the one Prince Leon was talking about? I wonder what his talent is, since rumors say he’s a cripple," people started whispering among themselves.
"The youngest prince... that’s surprising, especially since he registered among the commoners. Principal, did you know he was coming?" one teacher asked.
"Not exactly, but the Duke once mentioned it. I didn’t take it seriously at the time," the Principal replied.
Zane then stepped forward and arrived before the Diamond Crystal.