When I reached Arlet and the others, the two girls gave me a warm hug which I really needed.
"I missed you guys!"
I told them while returning their embrace, it's already 3'o clock in the afternoon. This is the first time I've been separated from these two for the whole day. I mean, it's just half a day but it still felt so long for me unlike when I'm in a mission.
"We missed you too~"
Said Arlet who was taking advantage of this situation by touching my chest, but I didn't mind at all. Aria on the other hand was simply passionate. Alric from behind them was taking pictures of us with what looked like a smartphone back on Earth, is his nose bleeding!? But more importantly, where did he get that!?
After my match, Arlet already wanted to go home but I insisted that we stay a little longer to watch the next matches. I was waiting for Minerva's turn.
Although it didn't go so well since it's already been 30 matches and it still wasn't her turn. Until finally, after the next three fights, it came.
"Minerva Stonegale and Lyre Major. Enter the field."
My focus swiftly dropped onto Minerva who just left the crowd. She gave me one brief glance at me before she climbed up the disc along with a platinum-haired girl who's face, I couldn't read.
"Are the two of you ready? Introduce yourselves."
The first one to speak was Minerva's opponent. Their voices from outside the disc are being amplified enough for us to hear. Which gave me the conclusion that the disc must not only be a platform but also a magic device, now that I'm seeing those speakers from below it.
"Lyre Major, a musician."
"Minerva Stonegale, I'm a librarian."
After the two bluntly introduced themselves, a battle between a librarian and musician started. The first to make a move was none other than Minerva.
"[Windblast]!"
Minerva started off with an attempt to blow away her opponent with wind magic. Due to this, Lyre was forced to do the same spell to push the enemy spell back. It turns out she could use wind magic too.
But after she had recovered from that push just now, in front of her was Minerva who had already formed a [Riverwind Spiral] on her right hand. She was just about to plunge it onto Lyre's chest but before it could have been done, a loud and unpleasant sharp sound resonated across the whole venue which forced all the audience including me to cover our ears. It was like the sound of chalk being scratched against a blackboard. It lasted for a few moments.
And before we knew it, Minerva was already... defeated.
She was lying outside the disc against her back, unable to recover after what just happened. She was still covering her ears and her expression looked tormented. I wanted to rush out there to help her but I wouldn't go pick her up unless I'm sure she needs help.
Lyre walked over to Minerva, her facial expressions were still unreadable since she didn't seem to have any. But after that, she tried helping Minerva get up by the hand which Minerva took unhesitantly.
"That girl... This is my first time seeing Sound Magic."
That surprised me, the one who said that was Aria who specialized in wind magic. Looking at her purple eyes, I can see she was fixated at the white haired girl.
"Sound Magic? What's that?"
"Sound Magic is a variation of wind magic. It causes damage through either vibrational waves or hearing damage. On top of that, it's mana cost is not that high but it's said only a very few individuals are capable of doing it."
Sound Magic... It was so powerful that it affected the whole arena and knocked out Minerva outside the ring? I didn't even get to see what happened for her to get there as I've closed my eyes when that earsplitting sound appeared. Furthermore, I didn't know sound can be so harmful.
Now that both Lyre and Minerva were up, it was time for the judges to rate the scores. Wait, hold on... Minerva wasn't even able to display her technique because the battle ended in a flash, how is she going to be rated?!
I wonder... Would I have won against that girl if I fought her? If I so much as got close she'll activate that magic for sure.
"In this battle, Lyre Major has won. Minerva Stonegale, combat grade 90. Lyre Major, combat grade 92."
What? Why does Minerva have a higher flat score than Lyre? I mean, she lost and couldn't even land a hit with her spell. I'm so curious I had to ask Aria.
"Hey Aria, why did Lyre only score a 92? Her spell is so strong."
"Seven, this is an examination for combat class. The teachers rate us based on our wits and battle strategies. Lyre only won because she had an affinity for sound magic. Furthermore, look at what Minerva-san did."
Aria pointed back at the battlefield, there was something peculiar out there.
Now that I take a closer look at it, at the spot where Lyre stood was a decently big round crater caused by [Riverwind Spiral]. No way, that spell shred that hard substance?! Even my swords had a hard time even piercing it!
I didn't know Minerva's spell was that powerful. I underestimated it quite a bit, if it had hit me directly then I surely would die.
"That aside, it was pretty dangerous wasn't it? If it hit that musician girl then she'd be mincemeat for sure."
That's pretty grotesque, Alric. But you're right about it being dangerous, if it were me who would be judging scores I would have disqualified her for that. But it didn't seem like they plan in doing so.
"Hmmm~ I wonder if I have an affinity for Sound Magic. I'm mostly focused in Dark Magic so I don't know any other spells."
Is what Arlet at the back informed us. Apparently, it seems to be true. I did never see her use any magic aside from her current one. However, her statement suddenly made Alric go "Pft".
"Hunter, I didn't know you were that useless at home."
"H-Hey! I'm a noble! I don't need to use livelihood magic!"
Arlet retorted to Alric's horrendous sneering. Although I quite agree, even I know livelihood magic to help clean the inn I used to stay at sometimes. By the way, livelihood magic is only a simple category of minor spells used for everyday lives, such as cleaning, lighting fires and invoking consumable water.
While watching the two argue, I felt someone grab my hand. It turns out to be Minerva who snuck up on me. There were evident signs of brushed blood around her cheek and some scratches on her beautiful skin but she still smiled after I noticed her. She's so close, what a fragrant smell.
"I'm back."
After hearing her voice, Aria and Arlet briefly diverted their gazes to her then to me with a disappointed expression. Alric on the other hand didn't have a clue for a few seconds but caught on, effectively making him bleed out of his nose again with a poker face while staring at me like the other two.
"This is my friend, Minerva."
I introduced her myself since she looked too shy to do it herself. I didn't even expect her to be the shy type when it comes to other people.
"Sup, I'm Alric. Alric Ruthenford, but you can call me Al."
The first to greet her was Alric, although his introduction was nice, his bleeding wasn't at all!
I signaled Aria and Arlet that it was their turn with a single glance and they quickly caught on.
"Aria Vleutonelle, I'm Seven's girlfriend."
"I'm Hunter Arlet, also Seven's girlfriend."
The two of them showed me malicious grins at the same time as if they were planning something mischievous. I responded with a moment of bewildered silence while waiting for Minerva to speak to them.
"S-Seven's girlfriends..."
Minerva giggled uncontrollably like she just lost her mind. No matter where I look at this situation, this feels absolutely bad for me! Alric help! Stop filming with your smartphone!
"I-I'll be going now! See you guys tomorrow!"
After saying her farewells, she walked away. Strange, I thought she would be surprised after finding out I had a thing for girls, because she'll think I'm hitting on her. But why does she have a relaxed smile on her face like something good happened!?
"What a weird girl. Let's talk about her later at home, wife."
Arlet said while watching Minerva exit the school gates, most probably to head back home. Meanwhile, now that I'm done watching her match I'm fine with going back home so I told that to the others and we all agreed to go home.
▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️
The day of the entrance examination passed and it's now the next day after. No eventful things happened last night except we discussed about whether we will live in the school dorms or in the mansion. As a result, we all voted to staying in the mansion. That way, me and the two girls won't be separated because the school dorms can only house two people at the same time and the choosing of roommates isn't voluntary but based on grades. And I doubt our grades are the same.
The four of us are currently on our way to school. Arlet and Alric were hesitant in going but Aria and I managed to convince the two to go. Man, I still can't get over how much of a coincidence it is that these three had their first names start with 'A'.
"Hey, I just realized. Are we going to be classmates?"
The one who asked was me, it was directed to Arlet who seemed knowledgeable of the school.
"I don't think so. The school has six grade levels, but each grade level has atleast four sections. The class you'll be assigned to depends on how high your total score would be from the entrance exams."
If I consider the fact that Aria and Arlet are magic elites from the Adventurer's Guild there's no doubt their grades won't be average. In the case of Alric, with his father's reputation, I can partially tell he's excellent by himself. Now if we're talking about me, maybe I'll pass. Probably?
While walking, I caught sight of a familiar blondie at the gate. It turns out to be Minerva, but what is she doing out here? Furthermore, she seems to be talking to Leyla-san who's a professor at this place.
After getting a bit closer, the both of them noticed us and Leyla suddenly had a stern smirk on her face while looking at me. I could only stare at her in confusion, somehow, I feel like I did something wrong.
"Good morning, Seven Clavery. Would you mind explaining to me why you couldn't come to the disciplinary office the other day like we discussed?"
Owh no! I forgot she asked me to come to that place after the entrance exams were over but it turns out I wasn't able to because I forgot! How should I get out of this situation?! Being scolded by a teacher brings back tragic memories!
"I-I-I forgot... I'm sorry, Professor Leyla!"
I bowed my head immediately after apologizing to increase the effectiveness of my apology. And with a sigh, Leyla-san somehow forgave me.
"You made me wait for so long, but it is fine. I had figured that you have forgotten so I left after an hour."
"Thank you, Professor!"
"It is fine."
Leyla-san left and entered the school. But I can feel Arlet's gaze running above my back.
"Just what did you do to get called by a teacher to the disciplinary office, wife?"
She inquired and I explained it in detail for them to hear. In the end, Arlet was looking at me like I'm something cruel.
"Seven... Are you actually the infamous Dark Lord?"
She said jokingly while pulling out the claws on her forehands. Please tell me she's kidding.
"I-It's my fault. If I confronted him myself then Seven wouldn't have needed to step up."
"Don't take responsibility, Minerva. I'm the one who jumped to conclusions."
I reassured her, but it didn't seem to go greatly for me since Arlet suddenly began choking me. And yes, I can die by choking. So she should stop!
"Hey guys, our scores are going to be announced."
Aria interrupted us and Arlet stopped so we could all enter the school premises. Just like yesterday, the school was full of applicants hoping to enter the leagues.
Thousands of people again, but this number will be reduced after the announcement of our grades.
Or so I thought, but there was already giant signboards spread out across the courtyard. Taking a look at one of them, I could read the words "Students Who Passed" in fonts at the top before being followed by the small names of students that I don't know.