I Favor the Villainess Chapter 20

Sunday morning.
It's the selection exam day.
Us examinees gathered in the lecture hall.

"Good morning, Claire-sama. Let's do our best today!"
"You are noisy, commoner. There should be no possibility of me failing"
"Eh? Then you are worried about me? Thank you!"
"I have not said anything like that!?"

While I and Claire-sama were having our usual morning ceremony, the Order of the Academy's leader, Lorec came.
He put what seems to be exam papers on the lectern and started speaking.

"Everyone, you did well to apply. This year the plan is to accept five applicants. I definitely want you to do your best"

Commotion arose among the examinees.
It's probably because the acceptance rate is lower than expected.
As I knew beforehand I wasn't surprised.

"First of all, we will conduct the written exam. Be aware that this exam was prepared to weed out weaker candidates. Those who fail to fulfill the criteria will be rejected without being able to participate in the practical exam. Those who fail will be eligible for candidacy the next year, I want them to try again then"

While the leader was explaining, a man with hazel hair and eyes, who appears to be from the Order of the Academy, handed out the exam papers face down.
The lecture hall became still as death.
The atmosphere is tense.

"The time limit is sixty minutes. Then, begin!"

The written exam questions the basic understanding of the academy's rules.
For example――.

Question 2.
List three acceptable penalties for being late in the morning.

From simple things like that,

Question 13.
Explain the meaning of the paragraph 21 of the academy's rules "Demon subjugation duty"

to slightly difficult questions like that.
Although I called them difficult, the name of the paragraph is written properly, it is vastly different from trick questions on exams in modern Japan.
However, it's a high hurdle for us new students who have just enrolled.
It seems internal students who have been in the academy since the middle school more or less remember the academy's rules, however it's particularly disadvantageous for outside admission students who didn't come in contact with them.

Also, in addition to questioning their knowledge, there are problems that assume practical experience.
For example――.

Question 18.
You took over a job of your predecessor.
Which of the following tasks do you prioritize.
1. Reconfirmation of the job specifics
2. Coordinating with the superior
3. Processing petitions from the students
4. Contacting outsiders

And the likes.
If I had to say, for this type of problem it doesn't matter whether you are an internal progression or an outside admission student.
Rather, outside admission students used to various duties may be at an advantage.

All the questions now require written answers, but in the game, they were multiple choice questions.
Having memorized all the questions, it wasn't too hard for me.
I don't know if I can score higher than Claire-sama, but I think it's unlikely I'll drop out.
What I'm afraid are careless mistakes.
I carefully reviewed my answers.
It should probably be okay.

"Alright, that's enough. We'll collect the answer sheets"

At the leader's words, the atmosphere finally relaxed.
Several people started talking about how difficult the exam was.

"Please wait a little while until grading is finished. The people who passed the written exam will be announced on the notice board in the afternoon, everyone please check it. Practical exam will start in the afternoon. That's all, you're dismissed"

Examinees dispersed in small groups.

"Claire-sama, how do you feel?"
"Who do you think I am? I swear upon the name of François family name that I will pass"
"As expected of Claire-sama. But, sometimes when you're stressed you can mistake the answer field by one"
"!? It, it is alright. For me to be so stressed…"

Her eyes are swimming.
She seems to have become worried.

"Are you okay, Claire-sama. Will you be able to eat lunch?"
"Your concern is unnecessary! Never mind that, shall we go to the dining hall!"
"Claire-sama invited me to a meal! Is it a date? Is our first date a school cafeteria date?"
"Why should I do something so sad as going on a date with a maid!?"

Mmhm, Claire-sama with an uneasy expression is good, but after all Claire-sama should be like this.

Naturally Lene joined us and we ate a light lunch.
With the practical exam in the afternoon, considering we'll be moving around we avoided heavy foods.
Neither I nor Claire-sama even consider losing.

When we visited the notice board a little before noon, there was a crowd in front of it.
It seems the results were posted.

"Sorry. François's employee here. Please let me through"
"Could you not treat my family name in this manner!?"

Claire-sama complained, but François family name was overwhelmingly effective, the people in front of the notice board quickly parted.
It's like the story of Moses.
Thank you thank you, while bowing my head we arrived in front of the notice board and checked the results.

・Written exam results―――――――――――――――――――――――――
1st place: Rod Bauer
2nd place: Yuu Bauer
3rd place: Claire François
4th place: Rei Taylor
5th place: Misha Yule
6th place: Sein Bauer
・
・
・
This is all, these twenty people will participate in the afternoon practical exam.
―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Hmm, fourth place.
It's acceptable.

"Ohoho! After all the likes of a commoner are no opponent for me!"

Claire-sama laughed loud with a triumphant look.
She's straightforward.
I like that.

"It seems Claire's group also passed"
"I'm glad"
"…"

The three princes also came.
Well, they had quite a leeway for passing.
Even so, among the people I'm involved with, Sein-sama scored the lowest.
In any event I wonder if he's bothered, his expression is impregnable.

"If you'd failed my workload would have decreased…"
"Ah, it seems Misha also passed"
"Well, this much is natural"

It's easy to say, but Misha is also an outside admission student, aside from the cheating me, the fifth place is a praiseworthy result.
Well, in her case, she has the history of going to the academy's kindergarten.
Yule house only fell to ruin later.

"Well, even if we talk like that, for those who failed here, the Academy's Chivalric Order would be harsh"
"Yeah. The questions were only about basic matters"
"…"

So the three princes said (although one of them stayed silent), but with more than half of over fifty examinees failing, I don't think it was easy in the slightest.

"Applicants who passed the written exam, head for the practical exam. Gather at the sports grounds"

Lorec-sama called out to successful applicants.
From recruitment to examination, the Order of the Academy's leader Lorec takes care of everything, it seems it's a kind of tradition.
Naturally, usually the work is shared, and routine tasks are entrusted to lower-ranked members, but the leader is at least expected to conduct the selection exam himself.

"Let's go, Claire-sama"
"Do not order me, commoner"
"Fufu, I'm looking forward to it"
"?"

As I'm aware of the contents of the practical exam I can't suppress laughter from leaking out.
Now, let's fully enjoy Claire-sama.

Chapter end