Academic Examination Results
Lux’s Side
“Good morning, Lux-sama.”
“Good morning, Florence-san.”
As I arrived at the noble academy and took my seat, Florence-san, who sat beside me, offered a polite morning greeting. I returned it with a smile.
Then, she said,
“The results of the recent academic exam are out. If you’d like… would you like to go check them together?”
The recent academic exam had taken place just a few days after the Royal Exchange. As its name suggests, it was designed to assess our scholastic ability. The noble academy’s exams cover a wide range of subjects considered essential for nobility, and we had to answer accordingly. It was our very first written test here, and I remember how a quiet tension had gripped the student body.
If the results are out, then of course, I definitely want to see them.
“It’s only been a few days, and they’re already available? I’d love to go with you, Florence-san! Where are they posted?”
Hearing that, Florence-san smiled softly, just a hint of happiness in her expression, and replied,
“It seems they’ve been posted at the very back of the lecture hall. Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s go!”
And so, Florence-san and I rose from our seats and headed toward the rear of the classroom.
There, on the back blackboard, a large sheet of paper had been pinned up. Neatly written across it were the results of the academic exam, displayed in rank order.
“Seeing the rankings out in the open like this… it’s a bit nerve-wracking, isn’t it?”
“It is… I heard this ranking reflects the total combined scores across all subjects, for everyone in our year.”
“I see…”
With Florence-san’s explanation still in mind, I stepped closer and began scanning the list.
There are about a hundred students in each year here at the academy, so anyone ranked within the top fifty is technically above average. Trying to ease the tension in my chest, I focused my eyes on the top name.
“Wait… what!?”
The moment I saw it, the words hit me like a shock. I couldn’t help but exclaim.
Written at the very top was:
1st Place: Floria Florence – 1000 points
I stared at it in disbelief, then turned immediately to Florence-san, who stood calmly beside me.
“F-Florence-san! A perfect score of 1000 points and first place… I knew you were smart, but this is incredible!”
“It was just luck. I doubt I’ll do as well next time,” she replied with a gentle, composed smile.
Her tone was calm and humble, as if this extraordinary achievement were nothing at all.
The exam consisted of ten subjects, each worth a maximum of 100 points. Which means Florence-san scored perfectly on every single one.
Of course, that’s not something anyone could achieve by mere luck.
I looked at her with admiration, my chest stirring with envy and awe, but I still needed to know my own results. So I pulled my gaze away from her and back to the ranking sheet.
…And as I lowered my eyes beneath Florence-san’s name:
2nd Place: Lux Rodwell – 937 points
“Wha…!?”
I-I’m in second place!?
While I stood frozen in disbelief, Florence-san spoke beside me in a voice as warm as sunlight.
“Congratulations, Lux-sama.”
“Ah, thank you… But I’m still sixty-three points behind you. How did I end up in second place?”
“I’ve heard, just as a rumor, mind you that the first exam at the noble academy is deliberately made difficult. Apparently, unless someone studied diligently even before enrollment, it’s hard to score above 800.”
“So that’s how it is… Then, as you said earlier, I probably won’t manage the same results next time.”
When I said that, Florence-san tilted her head slightly, a curious expression in her eyes.
“Do you really think so? I believe Lux-sama is more than capable of achieving the same, or perhaps even better, results.”
“I only got this rank because I started studying before I enrolled.”
“…Lux-sama, you’re so much more capable than you give yourself credit for…”
Florence-san’s words trailed off as three male students approached us. One of them stepped forward and addressed me directly.
“Rodwell… You know today’s the first swordsmanship class, right?”
The sudden, intimidating tone made me tense up. I tried to respond in the most peaceful way I could.
“Huh? Y-Yes… um, may I ask your name…”
“You’re going to spar with us today. In swordsmanship class.”
“S-Spar with you…? Wait, you mean all three of you, at once?”
“That’s right. Sorry, but we’ve got our pride on the line. You don’t get to say no.”
With that, the three boys turned on their heels and walked away, leaving us behind.
I’m supposed to face all three of them at once in today’s swordsmanship class…?
Faced with such an abrupt challenge, all I could do was stand there, caught between confusion and disbelief.