บท 8: Results
Everyone who were not standing got up on their feet. The moment had come.
"Every year, the tests might be different but what we test are the same. We test mainly two things- your affinity which was determined from your birth and your capabilities which could be improved through practice. And use two different scores- one for the first test which tests your affinity and the other for the next four tests combined which tests your capabilities. We will be taking in students by taking a holistic approach to the two scores." The instructor announced.
"First, I would like to clarify the score distribution. The result of the first test will be revealed in 'tiers' which, I believe, should come as no surprise to you all. And as for the second part- the four tests each carry a maximum possible score of 9; so, the full score in the part is 36."
"Before I announce the results, I am happy to declare that we will be having two very special students this year, whose scores outshine all. I will call their names the last."
"Okay, I will start calling the names of those of you who passed one by one. Once you hear your name, you will immediately head towards the central road in front of my desk and stand still there."
"Alec Nondreal. Tier 3; Score- 20 distributed 3-4-7-6." He announced.
"YES!!" A young man standing on the northern field cheered and ran towards the desk.
This way, the instructor- Micheal Northfields- announced ninety seven more names one by one. The examinees called upon did not waste a single moment and ran towards the central road as fast as possible.
98 examinees. No. 98 students were now standing in front of the desk. As for the rest, most of them had given up hope. And some of the more confident ones thought that they might be one of those two special students.
"Now, I will call the names of the special students."
"Firstly, Isabella Hunt. Tier 5; score- 26 distributed 6-6-7-7"
"Tier 5 affinity!" Many shouted.
The result was worthy of such a din. Because tier 5 were so rare that they appear in the Confederation only once every decade. The last time a tier 5 talent appeared was about eleven years ago.
But what was even more surprising was that this time, the talent of the highest level was a commoner. Commoners with tier 5 affinity were even more rare as there was only one for every four nobles with tier 5 affinity.
Last but no the least- she scored 26 in the other part of the test. It was among the top scores- only two less than the highest obtained score till then.
But Isabella stood her ground as she had yet to gain permission from her young master.
"Isn't that the maid Adrian Darkheart picked up this morning?" Those who were at the scene began to whisper.
"Yes. Did he know of her talent? Or is he just lucky?"
"Speaking of Adrian Darkheart, I did not hear the instructor calling his name."
"Hmph. He is just a little boy who still hides under his mother's skirt. Why is it so surprising that he isn't selected?" A burly young man who was selected snorted.
Dolf Ironcross could not stand still. He retorted, "How are you sure he is not the other special student who is yet to be announced?"
Many were surprised by the fact that Dolf Ironcross, whose 'first' was snatched by Adrian Darkheart, was siding with Adrian.
Unbeknownst to others, Dolf sided Adrian because he suspected that his unnatural examination had something to do with the man that snatched away what was supposed to be his. He did not know how but he knew his suspicions were not wrong.
Any man who could affect the academy examinations were anything but ordinary.
The burly young man did not dare to report not only because of Dolf's superior background, but also because of his perfect score in the combat test.
Actually, the perfect score was the examiner's way of apology. He would definitely not have a perfect score otherwise. But that was enough to exhilarate him.
And sure enough, Dolf Ironcross was not wrong on his conjectures as the instructor's voice again resounded through the crowd.
"And the last student who is selected to get admitted is- Adrian Darkheart. Tier 4; Score- 36!"
The announcement rendered everyone who were badmouthing Adrian completely silent.
"Adrian Darkheart obtained a perfect score- a feat unprecedented since the founding of the Academy. Furthermore, all of the examiners from the tests remarked that they were aggrieved by the fact that they were unable to give him a higher score. This testifies that the capabilities of Adrian Darkheart potentially exceeds that of any other youth in the Confederation; or possibly- the entire continent."
Everyone in the scene gasped, be it the selected students or the examinees who had to leave empty handed.
All of them set their eyes on the person who stole the spotlight. Tier 5 talents might be rare but they definitely fell short when compared to a perfect scorer.
All of them saw Adrian looking down at the ground, his fists clenched and his whole body trembling. They thought that he was extremely excited.
But little did they know…
'Tier 4?! Tier 4?! Not 5?' He was trying very hard not to lose control.
The announcement triggered another one of his traumas, a more bizarre one at that.
Imperfection.
This trauma caused him to be a perfectionist. His lazy self had one motto- 'Do less, but do it to perfection'. Hence, he wanted to score a perfect 36 on the examination.
But he managed to control himself through self-consolation.
Once he regained his rationale, while walking towards the central road, he thought for reasons why that 'old lady' might have hid his true result- tier 5 affinity. Isabella silently followed.
He suspected that it had something to do with his safety as none of the Kingdom's enemies would want a monstrous genius like him to live. Or…
He smiled.
'Miss Bell, O miss Bell, I wonder what sacrifices you have prepared.'
The two of them reached their destination under the gaze of a thousand pairs of eyes.
"Alright everyone. Those of you who are selected, congratulations. And those of you who are not, don't be disheartened as failure is a part of life. It's your decision whether to succumb to it, or learn from it. We have already sent your results to the emissaries from the other academies. You can communicate with them outside." The instructor declared.
'<Sound> property sure is convenient.' Adrian thought while the hundreds of rejected examinees were leaving through the gates.
Those dejected faces which should have satisfied Adrian's sadistic self rather filled him with a sense of pity.
'What a pity. How good it would have been if I were the cause of their sufferings!' He shook his head.
"And as for you." Instructor Northfields turned towards the selected students.
"I will congratulate you again on behalf of all my colleagues and our students. As you might already know, you will be joining us this very day. So, we will give you half an hour to bid farewell to your guardians. Once you are done, return back here. Measurements will be taken for your uniforms and dorms will be allocated." He ended the speech with a smile.
Outside the gates, some guardians were consoling their rejected relatives, while others were crying along. Some were counselling with emissaries from other academies while others were leaving with their entourages. And some were still waiting.
Among them were Isabella's father and Adrian's guardian, Rosalyn.
After a few minutes, a cluster of youths were coming out of the academy. Unlike the examinees who came out earlier, they had a proud smile on their faces.
As Adrian and Isabella were at their forefront, they were easily spotted by their respective guardians.
"How was it?" Rosalyn asked.
"Perfect score." Adrian answered lazily.
On the other hand.
"Father, I have made it!"
"Great! That means you will be able to serve young master without problems."
"…"
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