A few days had passed since the exam, and the day of the announcement of the results had arrived.
In preparation for this day, Cain had been summoned to the castle almost every day for a lecture.
The king confronted him about the fact that the Adventurer's Guild had ranked him at A and about the destruction of the national academy's training ground. Cain, of course, was allowed to counter-argue.
"The examiner told me to cast a spell with all my might. They said a barrier was set up. I thought it would be too dangerous to use super or imperial-level spells, so I lowered it to a beginner level. However, due to the blessing, the power increased and ended up destroying the barrier. As for the Adventurer's Guild, I was originally planning to register at C rank, but the captain of the knights said a word to the guild master, and I ended up at A rank."
Cain was only being dragged around by the circumstances, and he didn't think he had done anything wrong.
"How many times I've had to wring my hands over your actions... But before that! Cain! You mentioned imperial-level spells? Can you use the spells written in that book??"
"Yes, I understand them, so I can use them. However, if I use an imperial-level spell, I don't know what will happen..."
"Cain! Absolutely don't use it! Really, don't use it!!"
The king earnestly tried to stop him, almost panicking.
Then, as if remembering something, the king spoke again.
"By the way, where did you take the exam? Tellesia and Silk said they didn't see you during the exam."
"I just registered at the south gate and took the exam in the classroom I was directed to."
"...Cain, do you know why the academy has both a north and a south gate?"
"Of course, I know. The north gate leads to the noble district, and the south gate leads to the commoner district."
"So, which gate did you enter, and where did you register?"
"Of course, the south gate... Ah!"
"That's right, there's a registration desk for nobles at the north gate, and the exam is held in a completely different place! You took the exam with the commoners. That's why you didn't meet anyone. Tellesia was angry about not seeing you."
"Moreover, you only registered with 'Cain' at the desk. That's why the academy was in an uproar. The headmaster even consulted with the chief administrator, Eric."
"Eh, why did that happen... And why was there such an uproar?"
Cain was genuinely confused and tilted his head.
āāā
Let's go back a bit in time.
A teacher who had finished grading the entrance exam rushed into the headmaster's office.
"Headmaster, I've finished grading all the exams, but there's a problem. Only one student got a perfect score on the written exam, and that student is a commoner. If this student becomes the top scorer... This year, the third princess and the daughter of Duke Eric are taking the exam. The princess is second, and the duke's daughter is third in the written exam."
The examiner explained to the headmaster, who began to worry, folding his arms.
"Can't the princess and the duke's daughter surpass the commoner with practical test points? If we discriminate against a commoner for such a reason in this country, I will be punished."
In the Kingdom of Esfort, since the time of the first king, Yuya, it has been said that all students should be treated equally and that the right to education should be given equally.
"However, in the practical test, that commoner student destroyed the training ground with a beginner-level spell and fought evenly with A-rank adventurer Claude Iceflame in sword skills. Both magic and sword skills received an S+ rating."
"Ah, that student. Then there's nothing we can do. We need to consult with the chief administrator, Duke Eric. This situation is problematic as it stands."
The headmaster then visited Duke Eric.
"Duke Eric, I apologize for the inconvenience. There's a problem with the entrance exam, and I need your advice."
"Headmaster, what's the matter? Can't you just announce the results as they are?"
"That's the thing..."
The headmaster explained the situation to Duke Eric, including the fact that the commoner had a perfect score, the destruction of the training ground, and the fight with the A-rank adventurer.
Eric laughed after hearing this.
"Headmaster, you can't laugh about this. The commoner will be the top scorer, the princess will be second, and your daughter will be third."
The headmaster spoke seriously to Eric, who laughed and replied.
"Why not just leave it as it is? Isn't the student's name 'Cain'?"
"Yes, the name is 'Cain.' How do you know that?"
The headmaster asked Duke Eric.
"Sure enough, it's Cain. It's better to leave it as it is."
Duke Eric continued to laugh.
"Why is that?"
The headmaster tilted his head.
"Cain's full name is 'Cain von Silford, Baron.' He's the son of the Count of Garm and has been ennobled since he was five, making him the official head of the noble family."
"!!!!!!!!!"
The headmaster was shocked.
"Why would such a person..."
"Probably because he registered at the south gate for commoners. That sounds like something Cain would do."
"...I see. I understand. I'll announce the results in that order."
The headmaster bowed to Duke Eric and left.
"Cain, you really made a big splash. The prime minister will probably be surprised by the repair costs later."
Alone in his room, Duke Eric muttered.
āāā
Cain arrived at the board where the list of successful candidates was posted. A crowd had gathered in front of the board. Some were celebrating, while others were crying. This royal capital academy was of a high level. Out of 220 successful candidates per grade, classes were divided based on performance. The top 20 were in the S class, followed by A to E classes, each with 40 students. Moreover, the names and numbers of the top 20 were also posted next to their candidate numbers. Over 1,000 students took the exam.
"Where's number 285?"
Cain looked at the board, searching for his number. Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was Silk.
"Congratulations, Cain! You're the top scorer! Tellesia is second, and I'm third. Look, there, see the names and numbers listed?"
She pointed to the most prominent place on the board, which read, "Top Scorer: 285 Cain," "Second: 012 Tellesia Terra Esfort," and "Third: 025 Silk von Santana."
"Really? I'm glad I passed."
For Cain, passing was more important than being the top scorer.
"By the way, I heard from Father that you registered at the south gate and took the exam at the commoner's test site. I also saw the destroyed training ground. It was terrible. When I was heading to the practical test site, there was a huge explosion, and I was shocked. Also, Tellesia isn't here today, but she was angry about not seeing you at the test site."
"I didn't know there was a registration desk at the north gate. I thought it was strange that there was only a place to write my name."
After a brief chat with Silk, they parted ways.
"See you at the opening ceremony! I'm looking forward to the uniform."
Silk ran off.
After completing the registration for successful candidates, Cain saw a familiar face. It was his sister, Reine.
"Reine, it's been a while."
Reine, who had noticed Cain calling from behind, smiled widely. At fourteen, she was gradually becoming more mature and developing a womanly figure. Even with a brother's bias, she was a beautiful girl.
"Cain! It's been a while. You never come to the mansion. Congratulations on passing the exam. How was it? Which class did you get into?"
"I'm the top scorer and in the S class. I'm just glad I passed."
It was a bit difficult for Cain to say he was the top scorer, but he honestly told Reine.
"Top scorer... Impressive, as expected of Cain. I didn't recognize your name because it didn't say Silford. You'll have to work hard on your opening speech, then."
Reine seemed genuinely surprised that Cain was the top scorer.
"Opening speech?"
Cain hadn't heard that the top scorer had to give a speech.
"Didn't you know? The top scorer gives a speech every year. I thought you knew that."
"That's right... I wish Tellesia could have done it."
"It's too late now that it's been announced. But since you passed, you should go report to Mother at the mansion."
"Okay, I'll go today."
"I'll be back soon, so I'll wait for you at the mansion."
Reine said, holding her documents, and entered the school building.
"I should visit home more often."
Cain walked out of the school gate and headed toward the Garm mansion.
Jin and Alek, his older brothers, had already graduated and returned to the Gracia territory. Of course, Maria, the first wife, was also there. Jin was learning about estate management to succeed Garm, and Alek was overseeing a city in the Gracia territory as an administrator. Currently, only Sara and Reine lived in the mansion. Garm was also back in the territory during this period.
When Cain arrived at the Garm family's secondary residence in the capital, Reine hadn't returned yet.
"I'm back... Or not."
He raised his hand to the gatekeeper and entered.
"Oh, Cain! I assume you passed the exam, but how did it go?"
Sara, his mother, greeted him.
"I passed as the top scorer. Reine told me to come report to you."
"Wow, top scorer! That's amazing! I'll send a letter to Garm in the Gracia territory."
"Thank you, Mother."
"What are you going to do today? Stay at this mansion?"
Sara suggested, but Cain still had to report to his family at home.
"Silvia is waiting for me at home, so I'll go back today. I'll visit again soon."
Cain left the Garm mansion and returned home, reporting to the butler, Coran, and Silvia.
"Cain-sama, as expected. I'm surprised you're the top scorer."
"Cain-sama, of course!"
Coran was surprised, but Silvia, for some reason, seemed to take it for granted and puffed out her chest.
Both were happy for him.
"Thank you, I'm looking forward to the academy."
Time passed, and he finally welcomed the opening ceremony.