Noah's challenge was for her to get a higher final score than him in the Knight's Exam and right now, she just heard that the same brother of hers is called an exception by others.
'That Noah? An exception?'
She still couldn't wrap her head around it. Nera knows how strong her family is but what she didn't know was how strong they are compared to the other families.
After grunting in her head, she breathed in and out to relieve her nervousness.
'Gah! There's no point overthinking this. I just need to do my best from now on.'
By how the scores were mentioned, 95% is for the upper Second Division, where both of her brothers are, and 100% is for First Division.
The First Division doesn't have sections since it already is a small group of individuals.
'Is that why they were so adamant in accepting Noel's proposal to them? Even though Father has a high-ranking position in that division, he still couldn't get it approved. They're really careful with their decisions, huh?'
"That is all for the rules. The pointing systems for each test will be further elaborated by the moderators on site, you can ask them your concerns." Duke Alacase announced.
"They're surprisingly simple," Rosa spoke and Nera nodded.
The rest of the rules were pretty straightforward. The gist of it was 'Don't cheat, don't unnecessarily hurt your peers, and always give your best.'
"The last few ones aren't much of rules but nonetheless, it was nice of them to add those," Dianne commented.
The ceremony ended and they all stood up. Nera was going to follow with Rosa's group but then she met the eyes of Duke Vanderwale. They were far apart but both of them had sharp eyesight, with the Duke wearing specialized glasses to emulate a knight's vision.
"Good luck." He mouthed encouraging words to his pretend niece and she smiled at the warm words he gave her.
"Thank you, I'll do my best," Nera replied back.
Her father wasn't around, and the only member of the First Division that was in the hall was Duke Alacase.
'They must be in the arena already.'
Nera ran to catch up to Rosa's group heading to the arena.
"You guys nervous?" Ren, the green-haired man from Viscount Youlro's family, asked.
"Huh? I'm nervous for tomorrow, actually." Dianne said, confidently.
"I agree, there isn't much to look forward to in this test. Just for fun." Gerald cu Coulden commented.
"If you're talking like that then, at least try to aim for a 100 in this one, it's additional points," Rosa rolled her eyes.
Nera, walking behind the group, heard them talk. Wearing a bitter smile on her face after hearing them look down on this part of the test. Couldn't blame them, it's how it is in this world. Mana will always be regarded as more important than anything. It's how this world had progressed.
'Let's shake them up a little bit then.' Nera slightly grinned on her own.
***
They arrived at the wide arena and saw that it was split into two parts. The quarter was for the strength and the rest was for agility. Since there were only a few members of the First Division, they had always assigned the off-duty knights of Second Division to monitor the examinees for this part of the test.
The part of the strength test was then divided into 10 sections, which means 10 people can take the test at the same time. The agility test was one big track field with obstacles.
The examinees every year are more or less than a hundred, which is why they needed this part of the test to be finished immediately.
Nera bitterly smiled at the unenthusiastic air around her.
"Listen up," A knight cleared his throat. "The pointing system for this body test will be split into two parts: 30% from strength then 70% from agility. Agility is more important than just pure strength, remember. That's all." He gestured to the announcer.
"But both aren't that significant." Nera heard a snicker behind her and she clicked her tongue quietly at that.
"Numbers 1-50, line up to the strength test, 50-59 to the agility," The announcer spoke, holding something similar to a megaphone near their mouth.
"The rest of you stay by the waiting area to be called. For everybody's information, after you get to finish both, go back to the waiting area and hand your number to the knights assigned in there to able to register and see your name and your total grade.
"The knights who will monitor you through each test will be registering your individual grades on the main crystal ball and it will be calculated to your total grade immediately at the waiting area. Good luck."
The proctors that will be giving grades have these devices similar to tablets that is connected to the crystal balls placed in the waiting area, the main computers of the arena.
The number that the examinees have serve as their own identification cards for them to officiate their grades with their names. All they have to do is tap it on the crystal ball then they will be registered and able to see their official grade.
"We'll be on agility first then." Dianne patted Nera's back and she held her number to show her.
"You're 56," Nera looked at her number plate. "Right after me!" She grinned.
"We'll be racing each other!" Rosa shouted happily.
"You're pretty excited about this." Nera spoke.
"Yeah, this is the only part we can play around a bit." Rosa replied.
Nera sighed in her head but smiled at Rosa. 'She's right anyway. There's no looming danger on this part of the test unlike the next two.'
"Good luck, Lady Ponterise." A deep but quiet voice spoke behind Nera. She turned her head and saw Gerald bowed his head in front of her.
'What a gentle voice he has and very pretty features too...' Nera quickly observed the man in front of her. She didn't get a good look on him earlier but now that he was closer, she definitely confirmed it. 'This man is beautiful... Not as much as Young Master Jamie, but still.'
Gerald cu Coulden has sky blue hair tied in a bun, dark purple eyes, and fair skin.
Nera smiled at him, "You too, Young Master Gerald."
Gerald's eyes widened, "You know me?"
"Lady Tremin mentioned you and Young Master Ren." Her smile, unconsciously, became full of worry.
"Oh, you must've heard about our injury too then?" Ren interjected between the two.
'Sigh, how beautiful are people here in this world?' Nera thought as she saw the other man walking towards them.
Ren ve Youlro has seaweed green hair, tied in a bun, almond brown eyes, and light brown skin.
"Yes..." Nera trailed off and glanced at Dianne.
"We're already fine, don't worry. You must be too?" Gerald asked and elbowed Ren on his torso.
"Of course." Nera chuckled, "Let's do our best on the whole exam." She said to the whole group.
"That's a given." Dianne announced and they all lined up on the agility test.