I Favor the Villainess Chapter 19

When you hear the words chivalric order, what kind of impression do you have.
For many people what comes to mind are muscular gentlemen wearing full plater armor.
Of course, that's a thing in the world of 「Revolution」 as well.
However, rather than in the present, it's something that existed a bit in the past.

The soldiers under the kingdom's control are called an army, not a chivalric order.
The army is mainly responsible for maintaining public order and national defense, as the relations with neighboring Naa Empire have currently deteriorated it's recruiting people.
Their equipment is generally not a full plate armor, it's mainly made of leather or cloth to prioritize mobility.
The main reason is that the development of magical tools greatly decreased the necessity of heavy armor.
Magical tools are often used for both attack and defense.

Of course, full plate magical tools do exist.
However, because such items are extremely expensive, only a small minority wears them.

Now let's return to the main subject.

Why I brought up chivalric order――.

"So, this year as well we will conduct a selection exam for candidates for the Order of the Academy.

Saturday, the academy's lecture hall.
Saying so in front of the students is the current leader of the Order of the Academy, Lorec Cugletto.
Perhaps you might recall his last name, Cugletto is a house of one of Claire-sama's followers.
Cugletto house is a military family, they're a distinguished family holding important offices in the army.
Noticing the importance of magic in the kingdom before others, they asked Tred-sensei to teach them, maintaining the influence of their house even after magic was introduced.
The follower's name is Lorettsama, but I don't know much about her.
However, her older brother, Lorec-sama is a cool man with frank, open-hearted character.

According to Lorec-sama, the Order of the Academy is an autonomous organization within the Royal Academy.
It consists of several members selected from among the students, the top members have authority comparable to teachers.
Traditionally, royalty often belongs to it, and along with the student council and public morals committee elite internal students long for it.
Of course in accordance to its name, the Order of the Academy at times of emergency participates in combat, it's not just an honorary position.

"Of course, I'll participate"

Rod-sama announced before anyone else.
Well, hearing about such an important organization in the academy, Rod-sama will take up the challenge.

"I'll also participate"

Yuu-sama also came forward.
The combat ability of prince characters like Yuu-sama is never low.
His handling of magic is ordinary, but he's been trained in self-defense from an early age.

"Sein, you too"
"… It's bothersome, honestly"

With Rod-sama's encouragement, Sein-sama reluctantly raised his hand.
With his personality he'd prefer to say he doesn't want to participate, but it wouldn't look good for a prince not to.

"I appreciate the participation of the princes. Certainly, do your best on the exam. Does anybody else want to enter?"
"I shall also attempt it"

The one who raised her hand was Claire-sama.

"Claire-sama… However, isn't such a burden too heavy for a lady?"
"That is not the case. Certainly, I cannot compare to men at physical strength, however considering my handling of magic and everyday office work, I am also sufficiently qualified to participate"

Claire-sama who gave fair argument was majestic.
It seems the the Order of the Academy's leader, Lorec, was a little hesitant, but as she would be working under him, he soon consented.

"Then me too"

I announced my candidacy.
If Claire-sama is going, of course I'll also go.
Because of love.
By the way, in the game, according to your choice it was possible to not take the exam.
When I raised my hand, Claire-sama had a visibly displeased expression.

"It is impossible for you"
"Huh? Claire-sama, who lost to me on the test that followed the enrolment in all but Etiquette, is saying that?"
"Kii! I will not be defeated on the next test, watch me!"

Claire-sama has no resistance to being agitated.
Mmhm, she's cute today as well.

"Misha, participate as well. In the unlikely event this commoner passed, is a person who would hold her reins not necessary?"
"I'm not Rei's guardian…"

Following Claire-sama's words, Misha also raised her hand.
In addition, a few other students raised their hands, Lorec-sama wrote down their names and distributed the exam outline.

"The exam begins tomorrow, on Sunday, in the morning. The exam consists of two parts, office work and magic. Detailed information is written in the outline, so please look over it. Well then, excuse me"

Saying so, Lorec-sama left.

"Hmph, for a lowborn like you it is absolutely impossible to join the Order of the Academy"

Claire-sama raised her chin and threw a nasty comment at me.
As for me, I admire her figure that's in the perfect form today as well.

"Claire, Rei, Misha too, I'm looking forward to your participation"
"Rod-sama…"
"We have to do our best, Sein-niisan"
"It doesn't matter to me"

The three princes came here.
Rod-sama is completely calm, Yuu-sama isn't as confident, Sein-sama finds it bothersome from the bottom of his heart, each of them is different.

"You really don't waver. For the most part, you don't yearn for the Order of the Academy, do you?"
"Yup. I want to stay together with Claire-sama"
"As expected"

Sighing and saying good grief, Misha's a person used to hardships.
For her, something like that would be unthinkable.
Participating aside, her character is not one to cut corners.

"Do you know what is tested on the exam, Rod-sama? We were only told it will be office work and magic."

Claire-sama asked Rod-sama.
As I mentioned earlier, it's well-known fact that royalty has belonged to the Order of the Academy for generations, she thought he'd have the know-how.

"I can't say that. Chances have to be fair. Well, we'll see tomorrow. No matter the preparations today, we won't be able to prepare much until tomorrow"
"You are right"

They're having such a conversation, but naturally having finished the game I know the contents.
The exam is divided into written office work part and practical part consisting of combat.
The written part asks about the knowledge regarding the academy's rules and office work, it simply tests the intelligence.
Although it's called academy's rules, you can answer it if you're aware of general rules of organization activities, there isn't much difference there.
The information regarding office work is rather straightforward.
The problem is the practical skills exam.

I've heard that in the practical exam of the past handling of weapons like swords or spears was tested.
With magic becoming the main technology of war, the importance shifted towards proficiency in handling magic.
As I said before, magic ability depends on inborn qualities and is not influenced by the social status.
Ever since the examination method changed, the proportion of nobles and commoners joining the Order of the Academy has considerably shifted towards the latter.

However, because commoners don't see joining the Order of the Academy as such a serious honor, there's a tendency of only few taking the selection exam.
What's important for commoners is the appointment exam for government offices, hence many don't appreciate Order of the Academy activities taking away their studying time.
Well, profit over honor, right?

While I'm absentmindedly recalling such things, Claire-sama sternly glared at me and declared.

"Commoner, it is a match!"

It came.
Claire-sama specialty, it is a match.
Following the first test, it's the second match.

"Supposing you do not pass the Order of the Academy's examination, you will leave the academy"
"Eh, I don't want that?"
"How about thinking about it a little!?"

After all, same as with the previous match, there's no merit in it for me.
I think the game's heroine did well to go along with it with no reward.
Well, it's fun to play with Claire-sama.

"It can't be helped. Then, let's go with the same conditions as the last time"
"Wait a moment. Are you intending to cheat again?"

Tsk, she remembered.

"My, I won't do anything this mean. If I fail, it's Claire-sama's loss. How about I win if I pass?"
"Very we… It is no good!? Either way, will it not be my loss!?"

Tsk, she noticed.

"It can't be helped. If I fail, it's Claire-sama's win. If I pass, I win, let's agree on that"
"Should it not be that if I pass I win?"
"Claire-sama will be accepted, right? Such a condition for Claire-sama's win is too disadvantageous"

At any rate, Claire-sama is sure to pass.
Because I'm aware of it beforehand, I won't make it the condition for our match.

"Very well. If you win?"
"Same as before, you will do one thing I ask of you"
"Very well"
"Got it. Then, it's a match"

As before, we swore to God in front of Misha.
Like this, we've decided to take part in the Order of the Academy's selection test.

Chapter end