“What?”

“Seven? Up to seventh in Team 1?”

“Third-years had six per team. Is this allowed?”

The auditorium erupted in uncontrollable murmurs. Questions burst forth.

Heike stood frozen, eyes wide.

[Heike Ainsidel, are you not present?]

“…….”

[Heike Ainsidel…]

“I’m here.”

Heike rose from the darkness, facing the professor.

Clearing her throat, she said calmly,

“Professor, you just called seventh place. You announced second team starts from seventh—could you confirm if there’s a mistake?”

[Second-year Team 1 consists of first through seventh, a total of seven members.]

“What?”

The brazen rule-breaking silenced the auditorium.

All eyes were on Heike and the professor.

Even from afar, Heike’s face visibly paled.

Despite making the coveted Team 1, she looked anything but pleased.

“…….”

[Ainsidel, come up.]

“Professor, I’m content with Team 2. I don’t understand why seventh place should be in Team 1.”

[This was decided through discussions by the Imperial Second Academy and First Academy magic department faculty. If you cannot accept it, we must exclude you from this selection exam.]

‘Hah.’

Exclude? Not a joke—after three rounds, who’d accept that?

Heike, gaping at the professor, walked forward as if possessed.

Glancing aside, my teammates were all steeped in shock.

“…Seven all of a sudden?”

“Another teammate?”

I couldn’t help but be stunned too.

I stared between the professor and Heike Ainsidel.

A rule set a month ago, shattered with a single word.

The school’s whim was excessive. With 1,500 students and Imperial News reporters here, proceeding like this would erode trust in the ranks given and all future decisions.

It wouldn’t cause total distrust, but…

One thing nagged.

‘Why Heike Ainsidel, of all people?’

Why did the school, despite the risk, force Heike into Team 1?

Her ability to read objects’ memories and histories is impressive.

But she wasn’t trained to specialize in it like Auguste, nor does she have Ulrike’s exceptional combat skills to be deemed essential.

If they had to pick from the remaining 18 students, Auguste would’ve been a better fit.

Similar sentiments echoed from the audience.

“…She’s Team 1 material? Why go this far?”

“Who’s she? Don’t know her.”

“Heard she was tenth last exam.”

“If they’re forcing someone, Hildegard or Auguste make more sense…”

Countless whispers, loud enough to catch, pierced my ears.

Heike climbed onstage, face rigid.

We were just as bewildered, and with the audience’s hostility, the mood wasn’t right for chatter, leaving only silence.

The announcer, confirming Heike stood by Ulrike, casually drew his wand and waved it. Golden magic formed words in the air.

[Second-year 1-3 / Third-year 2-4 / Third-year 1-3 / First-year 1-3 / First-year 2-4 / Second-year 2-4]

Our exam was listed first.

[This militia final selection exam was identical for first- to third-years. The list shown aggregates scores for final rankings. Second-year Teams 1-3 demonstrated the highest ability across the Imperial Second Academy, with outstanding individual members. Thus, the school judged that limiting Team 1 to the standard roster would compromise its potential due to safety concerns. Exceptionally, we expanded second-year passers from 18 to 19, selecting 19 total passers across all years, with Team 2 maintaining six members without vacancies.]

Heike’s inclusion gave one more student a chance. This softened the second-year participants’ expressions.

Fine, I get that the bonus-point team became Team 1.

But why? The question lingered.

“…….”

I scanned the auditorium’s encircling seats.

The other 1,500 students, minus exam participants, still looked unconvinced.

Someone raised a hand, speaking loudly.

“Professor! The militia selection roster was announced a month ago. You cited safety, but Team 1’s skilled enough to handle Grade 4 berserkers with six. Third-year Team 1 had six, didn’t it?”

The professor was unfazed by the near-aggressive crowd.

[The school determined Heike Ainsidel’s unique ability would be highly effective in the field, and her exceptional judgment and combat skills warranted Team 1 placement.]

Behind us, exam footage prepared by the school played.

Heike, casting a silencing spell, spoke to Leo.

When I was pinned by Leo’s vines, Heike gave half-right, half-wrong advice.

Even if half-wrong, following it would’ve benefited Team 1.

‘That’s what caught their eye? No… others could deduce that too.’

Not it.

There’s another reason.

Without further explanation, the school ended the announcement post-footage.

[Objections are handled by the First Academy Militia Administration. We commend Lucas Askanian through Heike Ainsidel, the seven top performers. As the face of the Imperial Second Academy, strive for citizens’ safety. That concludes second-year Team 1.]

“Huh, no way…”

Amid ear-splitting applause, bewildered murmurs slipped through.

The professor began calling Team 2.

[Now, second-year Team 2, eighth place: Auguste Rosenheim.]

Familiar names followed.

Melvin Klockner, Hildegard Blomberg, Philip Göring, Oswald Schmidt, Günter Bock.

Melvin looked near death when Philip’s name was called for the same team. I ignored Melvin’s ominous vibe from behind, waiting for the announcement to end.

Team 3 included Florian.

After second-years, first-year Teams 1-3 were announced.

Adelbert’s final rank was second.

Back in the seats, I clapped for my cousin instead of Elias, who stared at him impassively.

Adelbert, tense, smiled and flicked his fingers slightly.

“Adelbert’s waving at you, Luca~”

“Saw it.”

“Getting too chummy?”

“Maybe. Good to be close.”

“No way. You can’t get close with that guy. Only hang with me among Hohenzollerns~”

Elias slung an arm around my shoulder, swaying side to side.

That guy? Watch the eldest more. Though she’s trying to get close.

Brushing it off with a laugh, Elias grinned, changing topics.

“Know we’re getting new dorms? No uniforms either—custom outfits.”

“Wow, where’d you hear~?”

Narce, beside us, lit up.

“First Academy Militia Administration. They’ve had a militia.”

“Hm… Big resource waste. All teams?”

“Hahaha! Dunno, but resource waste’s for sure. Mimicking imperial mages. It’s just school.”

True.

My brother’s mage group was imperial too.

Top mages operate under the Emperor’s name.

Joining the imperial ranks is a mage’s peak honor and success. Not for me, but generally seen that way. It’s why people go to university.

Obviously, the Imperial Second Academy Militia is school-affiliated, not imperial.

Even the First Academy isn’t imperial.

“So… what about Heike?”

Elias cast a silencing spell around Narce and me, speaking.

A topic we’d mulled since the school brushed off protests.

“Feels off. You too, right, Luca?”

“…….”

I nodded.

The school’s excuse didn’t land.

Heike’s ability is field-useful?

So is Auguste’s. What about Philip or Oswald?

Why force Heike into Team 1 with flimsy excuses? Why Team 1, not 2? Why, coincidentally, Heike *Ainsidel*?

Narce, beside me, said softly,

“Doesn’t feel natural to me either.”

“…….”

“But… stay cautious without showing it. Heike’s clueless and rattled.”

Yeah. Heike, hit with rare open criticism, looked glum, now slouched far back in the rear seats.

Facing 1,500 people’s jeers—or what felt like it—no one stays sane.

‘If Narce says so… Pressing Heike won’t yield answers, so we’ll need to soothe her.’

[…That concludes the Imperial Second Academy Militia’s first cohort announcement.]

“Whoa, done?!”

Elias, antsy, prepped to bolt.

Even done, leaving meant endless steps.

In this tense announcement hall, maybe because we were shoo-ins for Team 1, Elias didn’t seem nervous. Same for me and the others.

‘Everyone looks like they finished a chore.’

Team 2 and 3 students looked like they barely survived.

[Lastly, we announce the Imperial Second Academy Militia’s first cohort representative mage team.]

“Huh?”

“…Hm?”

Elias, gripping the armrests to leap, sank back.

[Today, nine mage teams were born. Our faculty, synthesizing first- to third-round results, selected the team with the qualities and capabilities to represent the Imperial Second Academy and our foundation.]

“Why do that?”

Elias muttered, eyes fixed seriously on the announcer.

Yulia and Leo, slightly startled, were the same.

Far off, third-year passers’ eyes met ours. Richthofen glanced impassively, then turned away.

The announcer, center stage, checked a note and faced the audience.

[Second-year Team 1, Imperial Second Academy representative team.]

“…….”

A staffer in the aisle gestured for us to come up.

Surprisingly, Elias, who’d seemed ready to flee, rose first, heading onstage.

As Leo led our newly formed team up, I grabbed Heike, half-dead in the back, and brought her onstage.

Confirming we were all there, the professor addressed us.

[All years took the same exam, but no team achieved top results in such a short time. Your meticulous strategies and actions during the exam wouldn’t have been possible without relentless effort, perseverance, and dedication. With your exceptional knowledge and capabilities, you’ll wisely overcome any challenge.]

Where do they get such sleep-inducing platitudes?

Thinking that, the professor looked at me.

[Lucas Askanian.]

“Yes.”

[Despite the shortest magic training, we honor your ability to lead your team to victory and end the exam fastest across all years. The Imperial Second Academy firmly believes you’ll become a mage shining beyond our institution, for the Empire and the imperial family.]

“…Thank you, Professor.”

Shine for the imperial family too?

I smiled, thinking that.

[Thus, our foundation wishes to appoint Askanian as the representative team’s leader.]

“…….”

Hm?

Teammates’ eyes snapped to me.

Not just them. Speechless briefly, I sensed 1,500 gazes and Imperial News camera shutters, speaking slowly.

“I’m deeply grateful for this honorable offer.”

Meeting the professor’s eyes, I continued.

“But I’d like to pass this opportunity to another. Leonard, who’s led friends longer, would guide our second-year Team 1 more splendidly.”

“…….”

[Leonard, your thoughts?]

Leo glanced at me, nodding.

“I’ll follow the team’s opinion.”

“Agreed.”

Elias jumped in fast.

His tone suggested dodging a tricky burden.

“The others feel the same, right?”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely.”

Ulrike and Tsheringen nodded. Others, assuming Leo’s lead, gave the professor a ‘why ask?’ look.

Leo wore an ambiguous smile but, used to this, showed no aversion.

I watched, satisfied, and looked at the professor.

‘Good.’

Leader? That hassle’s for someone else.

[Very well. From now, Leonard Wittelsbach represents second-year Team 1. Serve your team well.]

“Yes, I will.”

[Next…]

Not done yet.

I blanked my mind, staring into space.

Then, the professor said something outlandish.

[After this long exam, you can now greatly contribute to your future and the Empire. We announce the name of the representative team safeguarding the Empire’s safety.]

“…?”

I exchanged glances with teammates.

Picking a representative team was surprising but fine, but naming it? Sure, teams need names, but so rushed?

‘…Something they didn’t tell us?’

They wouldn’t waste effort like this.

As suspicion crept in, the professor swapped his wand for a staff, tapping the floor lightly.

As with prior announcements, golden cursive words appeared in the air.

[Eszett]

“…?!”

“Wha?”

My friends’ faces were a sight. Probably everyone in the seats too.

I barely held back a laugh.

Eszett, ß.

A letter unique to the German alphabet.

‘What’s with this naming sense?’

It’s like saying, ‘Your team’s name is now Hieut.’

The sound’s fine to us, but the initial shock was unavoidable.

[This letter is unique to our language. We named second-year Team 1, representing our school, with the hope it becomes a singular global presence.]

“Anyone wanna ask why they picked that?”

Elias cast a silencing spell, using ventriloquism.

I ignored his nonsense, staring blankly at the letters.

‘Why even need a team name…’

As I thought earlier, we can’t keep calling them second-year Team 1, Team 2 forever.

Imperial and Bavarian special mage teams have names alongside numbers. My brother’s team has one too.

‘Guess the school’s treating us seriously.’

Nineteen out of 100. Seven of those.

We earned it through a grueling exam.

Just then, I heard something unbelievable.

[As of February 10, Eszett will transition from Imperial Second Academy to imperial affiliation.]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep