Strongest Noble's Daughter Uses Water Magic

Practical Entrance Exam

We were outside in the courtyard, at the back of the academy. The field was wide and bare, with several targets set up on the other side of the barren field, and a variety of weapons set on the table by the entrance. Not only that, but the number of students on the courtyard were about ten times the number in the classroom.

“Whoa… This is where we will be having our practical exam? There are a bunch more students here,” Azalea asked, amazed by the sight of the large and empty field, as well as the number of other students in the area.

“Can't say I'm surprised. With how good Flammel Royal Academy is, it would take more than one classroom to fit all the applicants from all over the kingdom,” Leia pointed out. She took notice of the stack of weapons and said, “I hope your girls know how to fight with weapons, if the exam requires us to fight with them.” 

Azalea had a troubled expression at those words. “Well, I often play swordfight with some kids back home, but that’s with sticks, if it counts… What about you two, Levi? Mindy?” 

Mindy had a dissatisfied expression at the array of weapons before us. “… They don’t have anything for harpies…” 

At that, Leia and Azalea turned to the table of weapons, and then back to Mindy. It did not take them long to notice the problem. “Ah… Yes, it would be impossible for you to use any of these weapons,” Leia stated. “B-But don’t worry! If you did well enough in the written portion earlier, and if you do well enough in the magic part, I’m sure things will work out.” 

While they were conversing about Mindy’s problem with the weapons, I put more attention on our surroundings. Namely how all the other nobles were staring at our group in disdain and disgust. 

“Why is Lady Leia speaking to those commoners?” 

“Forget ‘speaking’ to them, she’s being quite friendly with that group.” 

“A noble making friends with commoners? And she dares scold us for our actions as nobles?” 

“Shh! Don’t say that out loud! Don’t forget who her father and brothers are. What will you do if she tells them of what you said?” 

“Tch… Yeah, I guess that’s true…” 

My interest grew at that last part. Leia did faintly mention how powerful her family was herself. How powerful exactly, I was not sure. In terms of strength amongst the nobles, I only knew Anberibca as the strongest noble family in all of Flammel Kingdom. All other nobles family, I knew nothing about. Not even if there was a family that was supposedly a rival to the Anberibca. 

Hands clapping together resonated in the area, promoting all heads to turn to the person calling for their attention. The sight of this person made me widen my eyes in surprise. 

“Alright, that is enough. If you have time to speak, you have time to be silent and listen. Welcome to the practical portion of the entrance exam,” he greeted. 

‘E-… Edward?’ I thought in shock. Apparently I was not the only one surprised, for many others were just as surprised. 

“Whoa! Edward Anberibca? Here?!”

"No way! Why is he here?!"

"I think it's pretty obvious 'why'. But still, to see the Captain of Royal Army Knights here in the flesh... It's a huge honor."

Edward did not seem amused with all the whisperings. "The next person to speak when they should be silent can forget about attending this academy. When you're on a mission, you are to give your every attention to the higher ups and are expected to do as you are told. If you can't do either of those, you can kiss your future goodbye." At those words, everyone went silent.

At that, everyone went silent, giving him their complete and undivided attention.

"Good. Now then, as most of you may know, I am Edward Anberibca. For reasons I much rather not disclose, I will be working as your professor for a few years in this academy. Assuming, of course, if you are able to even get into this school." When he said that, I could not help but feel as though he was specifically speaking to me in that tone. "In the practical portion of the exam, it will be taken in two parts. The first will be target practice with your magic. Turn your attention to the targets set before you on the other side of the field. In this part of the exam, you are to hit at least one target with your magic. Sounds simple enough for beginners such as yourselves, don't you think?"

Rather than sounds of agreement, though, there were a lot of complaints in response to the requirement.

"From this distance?!"

"That's impossible!" 

"I never heard of the distance being this big!"

"Couldn't you have given us a bigger target?!"

I honestly would not blame them. The distance from where we were to the target had to be about fifty feet, and the targets were quite small. 

Rather than answering to the complaints, Edward simply called, "To the four who called out, state your name and ID number."

The four nobles looked at him in confusion, before answering the question.

"Number 095, Shierra Len."

"Number 062, Ren Millard."

"Number 340, Daniel Simpsons."

"Number 187, Rowan Ulius."

"You four are disqualified from the exam. Leave and never even think about returning." At those words, the four applicants were baffled with what they heard. 

"What?! You're disqualifying us?!" Ren questioned.

"I believe I had already warned you about going against orders. There will be no second chances. Leave now, if you wish to keep your pride as nobles- nay, as human beings."

The four were more than dissatisfied with the sudden decision. "Don't go joking with us! You may be the first son of the Anberibca House, but I bet you're here because you have shamed your family, and are too scared to go back to the front lines!" Rowan claimed, resulting in gasps from many in the audience and the other three disqualified, all wondering if the boy had lost his mind.

Edward, especially, was not pleased with the accusation. "Oh? And I suppose you don't mind testing that theory? With your family name on the line?"

"Yeah, by all means," Rowan accepted. "Duke your father may be, my father is a marquess! I will prove my family is worthy of the Duke Class, and your family is but the weakest! A disgrace for fire users!"

"Have it your way then," Edward allowed. "In fact, the other three disqualified applicants can also join in this little brawl, if you so wish."

"No need!" A magic circle appeared before Rowan. "Fire vs earth... Let's see which is the most superior once and for all! Rock Wrecker!" At his chant, a large boulder was shot out of the magic circle, making its way to Edward.

"Flare Fist," Edward chanted, sending a fireball towards the boulder with a punch. Before it hit, however, the boulder split, avoiding the flame.

"Hah! Where do you think you're aiming? Rock Wrecker is an Earth Spell that splits the boulder before-"

"Burst." At that last word, the fireball Edward tossed exploded, destroying all the pieces of the boulder before they even hit him.

All of us were baffled at the display. Not only did Edward already have such a perfect counter prepared for the spell in such a short time, but the destructive power behind it was just as powerful.

"I have a brother who is far more proficient in using Earth Magic than you, swine. You truly think I don't have a counter ready for every means of Earth Magic out there?" he questioned in a dangerous tone. "If anything, it is because of people like you I decided to be here as a teacher. People who are so prideful and refuse to listen to reason, only for a heavy price to be paid after. Be it their lives or the lives of the people they were to protect. You say this exam is too hard. Do you want to know what the previous exams were like? The targets were bigger and closer. They were far too easy for anyone to pass. Not just the entrance exam; many other exams you will be taking if you get accepted are not in the least bit harder. That's why I proposed to the king and the principal to let me deliver some real world experience to you newbies, who have no idea of the true dangers that lie out there. Don't think I will go easy on any of you, especially the nobles. You are all young adults now, not little children. It will do you all wisely to act your age."

Everyone was silent at that, not daring to say a word against him. Not even Rowan, who was still baffled upon seeing his spell get bested so easily like so, was able to say a thing.

"Now then, as I had said previously. To the four who spoke upon so disobediently, leave the premise, and never return." At Edward's demand, the four students hastily left. As soon as they left, he turned back to the rest of us. "Now then, the rest of you will go in groups of twenty. You will be called based on your ID number. Once your number has been called, step up and use whatever magic you can use to hit the targets. We will start with ID numbers 001 to 020."