Strongest Noble's Daughter Uses Water Magic

Exam Results

Days had passed since the entrance exam. Since then, Mindy and I have remained at home, going about our days as we usually had. Grocery shopping, light training, homeschooling, you name it. The thing is, though, even though things were pretty much back to the way they were prior to the exam, it did not feel like things were back to normal, and for a good reason.

The past few days, my mind kept replaying to the revelation back in my spar against Leia, specifically how she... how she was my replacement in the Anberibca family. I thought back to what she said before that revelation, how knowing her true identity would change our view of her. At first, I thought it would be because of the large gap in ranks between us as commoners to high-ranking nobles, but after that revelation... It had to be because she knew about me, about my history with the Anberibca family. I did not know what family she came from, or how much she knew about me, but just the fact that she was the new daughter of the very family I was born and shun away from was more than enough to change my view of her.

“Tomorrow is the day results will be in. Are we going to go and check our placings on the exam?” Mindy asked me. The two of us were out in our backyard, having some lunch, consisting of sandwiches, chicken wings, and fried fish, as well as some veggie sticks with a dipping sauce. “Hmm… Good question. It’s not as though we have to go, but my fa- that is… he told us we were to attend school as students. If we were to act as soon-to-be students, I think we have to go," I pointed out.

Mindy had on an angry expression on her face when I said that. "I still can't believe they never told you about Leia. Did they find it amusing to wait and see how you react if you were to find out for yourself? How low could those nobles be?!"

I could only smile softly at how she was getting angry for my sake. It did hurt when I found out the hard truth, but I had gotten over it. I was an adult, after all, and there was no use crying over spilled milk.

"There is nothing we can do about it," I told her, patting her on the head. "If anything, all this means is that we have to keep our distance from that family from now on. The less contact we have with them at this point, the better."

Mindy calmed down slightly, but still had a pout on her face. "Okay... That servant who visited last time did say that was the last time they were ever going to assist you. From this point on, we have to provide for ourselves. Since that family was cruel enough to toss you aside and hide such important information, I can't imagine what they will do next. But don't worry, Lady Levi! With my ability, I will inform you if they ever try anything funny, or if that girl dare to even approach you!"

Her added assurance brought more smiles on my face, as I moved my hand to her ears, and gave her some pleasant scratches. "Thank you, Mindy."

From how the girl was leaning her head into my hand, it was clear that she was liking the feeling and wanted more, in which I happily obliged to. Though, with how much she wanted more of my petting, it made me wonder more and more if this child was not really part dog instead of part bird.

******

The next day, the two of us went to the academy to check our placings on the entrance exam. While we do have enough money to pay the tuition fees during our time here, it would still be nice to see where we stand, and it would also be nice to know how much we would have to pay. The higher our rankings, the cheaper the fee.

"Looks like that board there is where the rankings are," Mindy said, pointing at a board surrounded by many applicants.

I nodded in agreement to her assumption and walked over to it, with the harpy following. Once we arrived, I noticed the board had five papers pinned on it. Each one was titled 'Top Five', 'Higher Average', 'Average', 'Lower Average', and 'Failed'. The two of us checked three of the five lists, which were right in the middle of the board, searching for our names, placings, and current fee. 

"Ah! I'm part of the average," Mindy said.

"97th out of the 200 students who passed. And the tuition price looks good, too," I said. "I guess that written exam really did a number on your ranking."

"It's not my fault they have the wrong information for purebred..." the harpy pouted.

I held back a chuckle and patted her head. "I was not blaming you. Now then... where is my name...?"

"Oh! Mindy! Levi!" came a familiar voice.

The two of us turned and saw Azalea approaching us.

"Azalea! Hello," I greeted.

"I haven't seen you guys since the exam. How are you two?" she asked us.

"We've been well," Mindy answered. "How about you? We never got the chance to go to the markets the past few days, so..."

"I've been doing pretty good myself. Especially after I saw my placing on the exam. Number 156! Kind of wish I did better though, but I can only guess it's because of the written portion, and the weapon combat."

I looked to the board and found her name on it, as well as took a look at the tuition.

"Your fee looks a little pricy for you. Are you sure you can pay that off?" I asked.

"That's only the fee for now. Thankfully, my folks back home pitched in, and my uncle offered to help pay for the rest if it wasn't enough. I got just enough to pay that off for this semester," she proudly announced.

Hearing that worried me and Mindy, for aside from the tuition fee, there were still other things Azalea would need to pay for during her stay in the capital. Aside from shelter and food, which were most likely provided by Pocoro, she would also need to pay for whatever other necessities would be required during the school year, like a weapon, unless if the school was going to provide that for the students. There was also the matter of clothes, as I doubt she was going to be okay with wearing the same exact thing every single day. Outside of school days, of course, in which a uniform will be given to us.

"So, what about you two?" Azalea then asked. "Where did you two place?"

"Well, Mindy here is ranked 97th. As for me..." I looked back to the board to search for my name in the average and higher average, only to not find my name anywhere on either of those. "Huh? My name is not up?"

"I wouldn't say that, Lady Levi..." Mindy corrected.

I turned to her in confusion and saw her pointing at the list above the averages, aka the 'Top Five'. I raised a brow in confusion and took a look at the list. True to her claim, I was surprisingly ranked fifth of our generation.

I was not the only one surprised, for the nobles around us finally took notice of me and started to talk.

"Hey, isn't that girl...?"

"That commoner in a cloak, yeah."

"What sort of dirty trick did she use to get that rank?"

"Bad enough she's a commoner, her magic affinity is water."

"Someone like her getting ranked that high? There has to be a mistake."

I was not surprised at the response I was hearing to my placing, but still... I never thought I would score this high. I was starting to think that maybe there was a mistake myself, but that couldn't be possible. Not in a prestigious academy. 

"Levi! Hey!" came another familiar voice. One that was the last voice I want to hear.

Rather than turning to the person who called for me, I turned to Mindy and said, "I think we're supposed to pick up our schedule and uniform if we pass, yeah?"

"Yes, of course. Let's go," Mindy nodded, leading me away from the crowd.

"Huh? Leaving already? But Leia's calling," Azalea asked.

"Sorry, but we can't stay and chat for long," I apologized. "Other than picking up our uniform and schedule, we have a lot of things to do today. See you later, and tell Leia I said 'hi'." Without another word, Mindy and I both continued our leave, ignoring the presence of everyone around us.

I did not want Azalea to get involve in whatever quarrel I will undoubtedly have later with my replacement and my family. She was only an innocent commoner girl who just happened to befriend the both of us. The less involved she gets in our private affair, the better.