December has finally come and it's the day I have been waiting for.
Because of my forgetful self not remembering the date for last year's exam, I made the mistake and missed it.
I'm actually half-glad that I missed it since that gave me the opportunity to train my body with the exercises I learned from my previous world.
I wore a light blue cotton blouse with long sleeves, on the right chest part of the blouse is our family crest, embroidered with white thread. Then simple brown cotton pants and black shoes to complete my formal attire for the examination. My hair clipped and tied to the back with a small ponytail.
Commoners would only need to wear white long sleeved shirts but nobles are required to wear clothing such as what I am wearing right now. A top with our family color and crest.
Today was for the body test and it would be for the carrying different sizes of rocks and testing agility without using aura.
I closed and stared at my fists in exhilaration. I am confident that I can get a high score for this one. I trained for a whole year without using aura, my body would be familiar with this kind of setting.
But since the body test is looked down on, they won't really bat an eye that much if I aced it, so my results on the next two should be able to follow through.
"One at a time, one at a time." I reassured myself.
I'm going to face the challenge that Noah and the First Division superiors gave to me. I definitely won't back down from this.
I went downstairs after wearing my clothes and with my mother, we went straight to the capital's arena where the test is going to be held, the Coliseum.
The test is open for the public to watch but since there is an opening ceremony first, everyone who is taking the test will be in the arena's open hall.
I waved my mother goodbye as we parted ways, she went to the audience seats and I went to the hall.
I opened the door and saw a few people already inside the large and wide room, with a stage and podium in front.
I glanced around for a few seconds then walked to the person in front of the desk.
"Hello, I am Nera mi Ponterise."
The black-haired man bowed his head to me. "Welcome, my lady. Here is your number and please sign your name here." He pointed to the paper laid down the table.
I nod my head and took the circular piece of metal from him.
"55," I mumbled and pinned it over on my left chest, beside our family crest.
There's quite a lot of people here already...
And weirdly enough, I don't feel nervous. In fact, all I feel is excitement that my hands couldn't stop shaking.
I walked to the front rows of the seats, reserved for nobles, and sat on the farthest chair of the last row.
This is the only special treatment nobles can get because in the test itself, no status exists. Only strength and skills. Although... I do have the privilege of being taught in an isolated environment dedicated for knights.
I yawned, already feeling bored without the ceremony even starting yet.
They put the ceremony and the body test in the same day, which really signifies how insignificant they see natural strength as. Well, it only needs a short time so I think it's fine.
"Excuse me, are these seats taken?" A voice came from my side.
I turned my head towards the direction where the voice came from and saw a dark blue-haired woman smiling, pointing at the seat beside me.
'Oooh, a Count's daughter.'
I shook my head with a small smile. "Go ahead."
"Thank you." She bowed and turned to the door, waving her hand. "Hey! These seats aren't taken yet, hurry up!"
I looked at who she was calling and there were three more people running up to her. Two men, green and blue haired, and one girl with yellow hair.
'Viscount, Count, then Baron...'
I swiftly turned my head back to look to the front. They all slightly bowed at me as they walked to their seats.
They really chose to be close to me despite the seats in front not having anyone on it. They must be shy.
"Uhm, my lady, may I ask you something?" The previous blue haired woman, who sat beside me, asked.
"What is it?"
"I'm pretty sure someone of your status is allowed to sit at the front. Why didn't you?"
"Oh, I didn't know that,"
I raised my brow at this newly found information. So, Marquess children and above are allowed to sit at the very front? No wonder the seats there are few, well-arranged, and bigger than the rest of the noble section.
"What's the point anyway? I'll be able to hear whatever they're going to say properly even from here."
"Oh, I see..." She smiled which made me awkwardly smile back. "Well, I might as well introduce myself then. Greetings, I am Rosa cu Pentrefila." She took her hand out.
I smirked. Even though she knows we're both nobles, she didn't do the proper greetings as a noble but she held herself like a knight. Introducing oneself informally and with a handshake at that. I like her already.
I shook her hand, "Nera mi Ponterise, nice to meet you."
"Oh, I already know, Lady Ponterise! Of course, you're famous!" Rosa replied, gleefully.
I chuckled slowly, "Is that so?"
Infamous, you mean.
I didn't know at first but then Jasmine told me that there were rumors around high society that I was weak and feeble, the black sheep of the Ponterise family just because I missed the test.
How stupid. I didn't really mind what those people think of me. Knights are the only one I want to gain a good reputation on, but even knights are nobles.
The yellow-haired woman elbowed Rosa and bowed her head.
"We're sorry, Lady Ponterise!"
"For what?"
"What Rosa said, please don't misunderstand. We don't believe the rumors!"
"Ah, yeah! That's right!" Rosa continued, "Don't take my words as an insult."
I gave them a reassuring smile.
"Don't mind it..." I waved my hand and leaned back in my chair, "I just have to prove the rumors wrong, right?"