That “one student” was probably the class representative.

According to what Zahid had said in the past, the class rep had gone to the East Wing to pick up name tags and was seriously injured when an earthquake struck.

After dinner yesterday, I had gone to the East Wing carrying a bunch of balloons.

I already knew the class rep would get hurt there because of the earthquake at night.

Of course, that didn’t mean I could stand guard over the East Wing all night. I didn’t even know the exact time the earthquake would happen.

So instead, I lined up balloons enchanted with detection magic in front of the entrance.

They were originally from the Noart estate—when they sensed seismic activity, they would bounce wildly.

The idea was that if the rep saw the bouncing balloons, he might not even enter the wing at all.

‘Since the incident happened inside the wing, it must’ve been right after going in. So if he never steps inside to begin with, he won’t get hurt.’

I didn’t do it expecting anything. I just didn’t want anyone getting injured.

Besides, Zahid wouldn’t have to do the class rep job he hated so much.

While I was smiling smugly to myself, Heidi spoke.

“You’re supposed to head to the classroom now. I heard the classes are split by exam scores.”

“By score?”

“Yes! They’ll be posted outside the classrooms. There are only two classes, so I guess it’s not a huge deal.”

She quickly added that last part as if to comfort me.

Truth be told, everyone at the estate assumed my scores would be low.

I did have a reputation for struggling with spelling, after all.

As soon as I arrived at the villa, Julian had arranged for a private tutor—but the rumor that I couldn’t read for a long time after that had spread all throughout the estate.

Just one line—“Twelve years old and still can’t read or write well”—was enough for people to dismiss my other abilities entirely.

Even though the tutors claimed I excelled in other areas, I hadn’t really believed it myself.

So I didn’t have any great expectations.

To me, the entrance exam had felt manageable. But I figured everyone probably felt the same way.

Just when I had finished getting ready—

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

The moment I heard that blunt voice, I jumped to my feet.

I ran to the door and opened it myself.

“Woof woof woof woof!”

<Nice to see you!>

Zahid and Fire were standing in front of the door.

“Wow, Zahid!”

I blinked in surprise.

“Did you come just to see me? Could it be you missed me that much?”

“…I arrived too late last night to come by. Did you eat dinner alone yesterday? You don’t have a roommate, right?”

“Yup. What, does your heart ache at the thought of your fiancée eating dinner alone? How sweet. I always wanted to marry someone thoughtful.”

“Ugh—! I just noticed, that’s all!”

“Noticing turns into caring, and then caring becomes love. That’s how it goes. You’re doing great. I’m proud of you.”

I patted Zahid’s shoulder and smiled sweetly.

He sighed and handed me a letter.

The handwriting was obviously Julian’s.

“Ha…”

I shook my head and muttered.

“To be honest, I didn’t even like that scarf. Yellow doesn’t suit you at all. And seriously—complaining about the price of a scarf in a letter? Does he have no sense of economics?”

“Wait, that’s what you’re taking issue with in the letter?”

Zahid grumbled, stuffing the letter back into his pocket.

“Whatever. Let’s go.”

“So Zahid, you’re here to pick me up? Planning to stick to me like glue all throughout the Academy?”

“…You’re the only one without a roommate. I came so you wouldn’t get lonely without friends.”

“Aw, how sweet. Your own roommate’s probably sitting in his room alone right now, learning the hard way not to get close to people with fiancées. A nightly reflection on life lessons.”

“You really don’t need to worry about my roommate.”

Zahid said curtly.

“It’s not like I even want to be close with him.”

Hm?

…That’s strange. I’m pretty sure they’re going to become very close.

Like lifelong allies and battle comrades, even.

I guess he’s just shy right now. Like he was with me at first. Cute.

And so, I headed to the classroom with Zahid.

Other students were also making their way from the dorms to the classrooms.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The atmosphere was awkward, and everyone talked about the same thing.

They were all nervous about the entrance exam results.

Whispers drifted through the crowd—people calling the rankings “inhuman,” wishing they’d get into Class 1, wondering how they’d live down the embarrassment if they came in last.

“Don’t worry.”

Zahid suddenly spoke next to me.

“Half of us are going to be in Class 2, anyway.”

“Hm? Oh… I’m not really worried, though.”

“Class 1, Class 2—doesn’t matter. We’ll be gone in two months anyway.”

“Yeah… I guess. Nothing really matters.”

I didn’t actually have much on my mind.

But Zahid kept trying to act all grown-up and comforting, so I just nodded along.

And then, in front of the classroom—

There was already a loud crowd gathered around the posted exam rankings.

“Alright! Ranks 1 through 21 go to Class 1! Ranks 22 through 43 go to Class 2! Once you’ve checked your name, head to your classroom!”

One of the assistants shouted energetically. Zahid snorted and turned to me.

“Worried about being last? Don’t be. Relax that face.”

“Hm? I already told you I wasn’t worried…”

Then, Zahid and I stepped up to the rankings list.

“…What?”

Zahid’s face twisted in horror.

Rank 1: Rosie Noart

Rank 2: Ray Lavendal

Rank 3: Nesha Saliod

“Hm…”

I nodded slowly and muttered,

“Guess the test felt easy because everyone else just did worse than me…”

Zahid stood frozen beside me.

I quickly scanned the list for his name.

No Zahid at 3rd. Not at 4th. Not at 5th either…

‘Wait, what? I could’ve sworn he was top scorer before the regression…?’

My face grew increasingly perplexed as I kept looking.

And then—

Rank 43: Zahid Dyfenril

“Ah…”

Forty-third place. That’s dead last.

I blinked and looked at Zahid.

He opened his mouth in disbelief and then asked, flustered,

“Wait, didn’t you say you couldn’t spell? Huh?”

“Who said that?”

“Your brother! Look!”

Zahid pulled out the letter again, and the words “So she won’t be ignored just because she can’t spell” were clearly written.

“Seriously?! What’s with your brother?!”

Zahid said in disbelief, clearly irritated.

“You said you couldn’t spell! I thought you’d be totally stupid—wait, why would he say this stuff to the top scorer?! Does your brother not know his own sister? Huh?!”

“Well, we haven’t known each other long since he lost his memory… And I didn’t know I was this smart either. It’s my first time being graded on a curve.”

“Ha…”

Zahid ran a hand through his hair and squeezed his eyes shut.

“All right, class is starting soon! Head to your classrooms!”

The assistant shouted.

“Duke Dyfenril, you’re in Class 2!”

Zahid let out a deep sigh, completely defeated.

“…Ha… What the hell…”

He looked so crushed that I gently tried to console him.

“Hey, half of us are in Class 2, right?”

I figured repeating his own words might help.

“Class 1, Class 2—doesn’t matter. We’ll be gone in two months anyway.”

“…Don’t try to comfort me like I’m an idiot.”

“I literally just repeated your words. I’m still not sure how to comfort someone who came in dead last… Anyway, go on, Zahid. Off to Class 2 with you.”

I waved cheerfully.

“I’ll head to Class 1, then. Sadly, we won’t be stuck together all day at the Academy after all. Your dream can’t come true, it seems. But hey, that’s life. Things don’t always go the way ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) you want.”

“Like I wanted that!”

“Woof! Woof woof woof!”

<Marry this one! I’m sorry!>

An assistant yelled for everyone to hurry to their classes.

“Oh, Zahid.”

I grabbed his arm and whispered quickly,

“Even if you’re dead last, I don’t mind. I don’t care if you’re the dumbest one here. Even if you’re struggling with learning, I still like you.”

Then I left him behind—speechless—and stepped into Class 1.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep