It's the first day of exams. The test before the real final. Tio describe it as an exam to see how well you will do in the final. Score a good mark here and you will be fine during the final exam, buf flunk here and hell awaits.
As usual, we all gather for breakfast. Nar and Sas look at me with confidence, seeing how calm I am. Seeing how their little sister has all the confidence needed to ace the exam. Sure, if it's just the practical part, the number one spot is secured for me, but
(Why did I have the feeling that I did not study enough...?) [Diana]
I'm sure the time I spent doing my homework, the time I spent listening to everyone explain their favorite subject to me, is enough. I'm sure I can remember and write down the basic steps of dining with the Queen, or how to properly reply to a formal letter from another noble, or the basic step of making a magic circle. I'm sure I remember the basic history of this country, but the more I try to remember it, the more it feels like it's slipping out of my mind.
I study hard, and yet I feel like the confidence I have is slipping away. This is such a strange feeling. I'm sure those who work hard are rewarded, but why do I feel like I'm being punished?
(Typical exam student face she makes) [Nar, Sas]
After the second dose of encouragement from Nar, Sas, the head maid and others, I take the carriage with Nar and Sas, as they needed the carriage to transport something today. Strange, but I do not question it further. I wonder what it is for? Maybe it's just part of their job, so I don't really feel like digging too much, not when I have my exam.
The first day is all theory, so we sit down and start writing and writing and writing. There's even a test on calligraphy, and I'm sure Kara, Mara and Marianne do very well at it. I'm sure mine isn't as bad as Afnan's, at least I hope not. There's also math, science, magic, history, and all the other stuff, but it's impossible to cover it all in one day, so the theory will take place over the course of three days.
Time passes, and when I return home on the third day, I hear Sas complaining about the illegal hunters who are driving the ecosystem to the brink. That's not good. Even a little kid like me knew the importance of balance in the ecosystem. I wonder, is it intentional as to cause disruption at the forest to cover for something even more dangerous, or is the illegal hunter just greedy?
The practical part of the exam is coming up, and we start the day with etiquette. Awkwardly, they look at me like I'm out of place. I'm sure I can follow the step to perfection, and I can tell by the way our examiner marks us that I actually get the full score, so what's so strange about that. Even Tio has a "?" mark on her face? Are they just surprised that I actually made it, if so
"How rude!" [Diana]
(This is a rarity... To see her act like a real noble lady for once...) [Tiara]
Next is the musical exam, and there is no doubt in our minds, the one who will get the top score is
"After you, all geniuses of musical lady" [Diana].
"That makes me even more nervous" [Neloufa].
"You might as well play the piano with one hand to give us an advantage" [Afnan].
As expected, Neloufa aces this test. And once again, when my turn comes
(Is this really Diana?) [Marianne]
(Who kidnapped her and replaced her with such a proper young lady?) [Tio]
"I can hear what you whisper!" [Diana]
"That's the Diana I knew, by the way, that's an inappropriate behaviour, minus 2 points for you, sweetheart. Little Marianne and Tio, minus 3 points" [Merlin]
"!" [Diana, Marianne, Tio]
Marianne and Tio apologize profusely to me, but what is done is done. I'm sure they're just teasing me, so I don't really mind, although I have to admit it stings to have our marks deducted.
Finally, it's magic practical exam, and my turn is the last one. Of course, everyone knows that I'm going to get the highest score here, so they look at me enviously, although Master Merlin seems to have something else in mind.
One by one, they chanted the magic they knew best, from offensive to defensive to healing. They were judged on how well they used their magic, how well they kept the spell intact, and how effective the spell was. One by one, until finally it was my turn to show Master Merlin my best spell, but
"All right, Diana, what's the point of taking an exam you're sure to pass? That's not the purpose of an exam, and that's why your test will be special" [Merlin].
"Meaning?" [Diana]
I don't like the sound of that.
"One hour. Try to take this bottle of mana from me in one hour. This is your test, whether you like it or not." [Merlin]
"!" [Diana]
Master Merlin... Always full of surprises