The ferry rises above the third wall, revealing its massive parapet behind the tall stone embrasures. The parapet stretches around the mountain, like an extremely long stone-tiled sidewalk. On the inside edges of the parapet near the fourth wall are colorful hedge-gardens that create one massive ring around the wall.
And of course, Absinthe and Melchior's jaws drop as thousands upon thousands of test takers stand on the parapet, facing the massive door that leads into the inside of the fourth wall.
Drago laughs as he rustles his sandy-blonde hair. "Lots of people this year! The Practical Exam will be quite fun."
With the sheer number of people on the docking platform, dozens of the final ferries have nowhere to land, so they hover above the parapet, awaiting further instruction.
As the ferry continues to rise, Absinthe's gaze sweeps across the vast assembly of students, his mind whirling with the implications of such an enormous turnout. The air vibrates with anticipation, every individual exuding a palpable energy that speaks of ambition and determination.
Absinthe scans the crowd below him for a certain somebody. He suddenly feels a strange chill as he picks out a gaze from a student on the parapet below. His head tilts to the side in curiosity as he spots a girl with a blindfold... staring right at him? It's strange... but he definitely feels a presence behind the pale cloth on her eyes.
However, his thoughts are pushed aside as he notices his main adversary sifting throughout the crowd of students.
With her long, silver-platinum colored hair and terrifying demeanor, Absinthe immediately knows who it is.
He nudges Melchior in his ribs and quickly whispers. "Mel, Seraphina is looking for me! She knows what I look like and she is totally pissed!"
Drago glances at Absinthe and tilts his head. "What did you do to get the Ice Princess herself mad at you?"
'Huh. They actually do call her that.'
"Uh… existing, probably."
The spearman whistles in response. "You should probably just back out of the test. Seraphina vi Rosenfeld is one of the three favored to win."
Absinthe suddenly remembers the people back home in Misest. He remembers his servants and people's hopeful expressions, the words of Sister Sappho, and the sacrifice their father made. He remembers the cheers from the people from the city, awaiting their victorious return. The expectations feel like chains, but Absinthe chooses to stand regardless.
His wavy long hair flows in the wind as he strikes a smile, full of joyful arrogance.
"What are you talking about? Why the hells would I test if I'm not aiming for the top? Those favored to win mean nothing to me because the burdens we bear are far... far different. I swear on my name."
Before Drago can respond, a great, melodious voice echoes throughout the massive stone parapet.
"Loooooovely afternoon test takers! The Highest Luminary Sol has blessed us all with fine weather today."
Floating above the crowd of students and even higher than the ferries is a woman with golden ornaments in her hair, tying it up in a clean bun. She has a bright smile on her face that brims with radiance… actually her whole being emits a warm light. If she was standing in front of Absinthe, he might've been compelled to hug her.
"I am Lady Alma Absalom, Instructor of the Grade 1A Class of House Solaria. I am your eagle-eyed proctor for Vivil Sanatoria's 760th Practical Entrance Exam! Before I say the rules of the exam, I will now announce Magdellien's Three Top Favorites!"
Melchior puts a hand to his chin in thought. "Is it really that big of a deal?"
As Lady Alma Absalom's voice carries across the assembly, Drago's gaze flicks towards Melchior, his eyebrows raised in a silent rebuke. "Course it is. 40,000 students across the world apply for Vivil Sanatoria yearly, and maybe only a tenth make it to we are. Everybody needs to know who stands above us all."
Alma clears her throat before announcing, "We have an amazing pool of talent this year! Starting with the Third Favorite is 'Stormstriker' Cedric Valens, first in line to inherit the Valens Shipping Co.! Next in line is the youngest daughter of "Icebound" Vesera, the Inheritor of the Permafrost, 'Winter Rose' Seraphina vi Rosenfeld!"
Absinthe winces slightly upon hearing it.
The proctor pauses as she eyes the massive and diverse array of students. "And finally, the student polled to come in first is none other than the Radiant Princess of Triumvera, 'Dawnstar' Daphne au Therasia!"
Cheers erupt amongst the students, upon hearing her name. A strange fervor envelops the masses, startling Absinthe and Melchior slightly. It appears that despite being figures of envy, they're also national celebrities.
"The Princess herself? Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously. The scions of the three great Triumvera Religions are fighting for first."
As Lady Alma Absalom's words hung in the air, Absinthe's gaze drifted towards Seraphina vi Rosenfeld, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The name Vesera echoed in his mind, memories of Misest's downfall flooding his thoughts.
Shaking those thoughts away, Absinthe keenly scans the parapet from their vantage point, curious to get a look at the nation's Princess.
Not sensing anything feverous on the walls, he then peeks over the edge of the ferry, looking inside whilst upside down.
Absinthe almost falls off the edge as he and the girl he's face to face with yelps.
"Pardon?!"
In front of Absinthe is a young lady who stares back at him with wide eyes. Shoulder length golden hair frames cinnamon-tan, sunkissed skin. Yellow-hazel eyes meet Absinthe's violet.
Despite her delicate appearance, he senses a powerful aura radiating from her, as if he's standing in front of a raging volcano.
Absinthe laughs, still upside down, and he spots the lady's young retainer moving towards the window with a panicked expression. "You wouldn't happen to be the Princess of this nation, would you?"