Astra Academy is the best educational institution in the world.
Despite recent scandals relating to demon appearances, it still maintains its spot. With an enormous budget funneled from the imperial family and the nobles throughout the empire, the scale and freedom of the lessons and examinations held here are unrivaled.
Teaching quality aside, there is no doubt that the staff at Astra Academy does things very elaborately.
This occasion is no different.
Having an entire map full of diverse terrains and special mechanics is undoubtedly expensive and difficult to pull off. There are so many safety regulations one needs to follow that the government will shut the operation off... normally, that is.
However, since all three imperial heirs are participants in this exam, the imperial family actually lends a hand to finish the preparations.
''Is there any problem, Your Highness?''
''...Nothing. You can leave now, Violet.''
''Understood.''
''Whew...''
One such heir is Nydia Alaina Astra, who recently got her title from the emperor.
'So nervous...'
Nydia considers herself to be lucky.
She is a princess, but she is not an illegitimate princess. There could be many problems if she were one. Still, she can't help but feel stressed as her cousin, the crown princess, has someone monitoring her at all times.
Studying... is not fun. Having to take care of her image isn't, too.
If anything, she just wants to return to the old days when she was Amelia Luminous's maid. She misses her colleague dearly, even if she has just met her. The cold-looking yet unbelievably goofy owl...
''What am I thinking...''
Shaking off the strange thoughts, the raven princess puts on the bracelet that the staff has given her and exits the private room.
When she arrives at the joint preparation hall, a busy scene greets her. It is mostly students trying their best to calm down. Some confident ones are warming up beforehand.
The rules of the competition are relatively simple.
Fundamentally, it is a monster-hunting race. When the timer starts, holograms of known monsters will be summoned randomly across the map. Each monster has its own number of points—according to its strength—students can obtain by killing it, and whoever has the most points at the end will be crowned a title and receive significant benefits while on the academy grounds.
Of course, one can choose to cooperate or work alone, and the points will be distributed accordingly. Attacking other participants is prohibited since there can be too many complications occurring because of it.
On the first day, the first- and second-year students will step on the stage.
''Let's see, where is she...''
After scanning the hall for a few moments, Nydia finally spots a familiar blond head. Upon approaching the noble lady, who is stretching comfortably by herself, a sudden sense of inferiority hits her.
''...Lady Luminous.''
''Hm? Why, isn't this Her Highness, the imperial princess?''
''You seem confident.''
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
''Well, yes. I am confident. But... why are you here this early?''
The exam's time limit is an hour, and each grade holds its round separately, which means a second-year student like Nydia will participate after an hour or so.
Regardless of that, Nydia only seeks her former employer for a talk.
''It doesn't matter.'' She replies. ''I just want you to know that... I will surpass you one day.''
For a brief moment, the blonde widens her eyes. Then, as if amused, she extends her slender hand forward and lifts Nydia's chin ever so slightly.
''I also want to tell you something, Your Highness.''
''...''
''You won't be able to catch up to me. Never''
With that, 'Amelia Luminous' clutches her sword and steps out to the field, leaving behind a detached Nydia. Biting her lips, the raven princess mutters,
''Just you... wait.''
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Two minutes before the exam begins.
While the audience excitedly anticipates the actions, the academy's staff are busy executing the last check before commencing the holograms. Sitting among the judges on a padded seat, the principal, Alice, calls one of the people behind her.
''Hey, is that fitted properly?''
The young staff member, whose demeanor becomes noticeably more nervous, replies, ''Yes, ma'am. [Balnok the Crucifier]'s hologram has indeed been installed in the center area. However... are you sure we want to preserve its original strength...?''
''What? It's only level 52. They can handle it.''
''Ma'am... they're freshmen. I would understand it if we were testing third-years, but...''
''It's fine. Just watch.''
Grabbing the magical microphone, Alice utters her childish voice into it, ''Ah, ah, testing.''
''This is Astra Academy's principal speaking. I want to quickly announce that there will be a surprise monster target in this round. At the very center of the map, [Balnok the Crucifier] has been put. Defeating this target will grant a significant amount of points. It is recommended that participants observe the target's status screen wisely before forming a raid team to conquer it.''
Afterward, the demon's full status screen is shown on the large displays hovering above the battleground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Balnok
Race: Demon Title: The Crucifier
Level: 52
HP: 247/247 MP: 278/278
STR: 6.9 INT: 7.0
AGI: 5.1 STA: 6.8
Skill: [Cross Graveyard Lv.9], [Dark Magic Lv.8],
[Status Condition Nullification Lv.7],
[Protection Lv.6], [Berserk Lv.6], [Ice Magic Lv.6]
[Inspect Lv.6].
State: --
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediately, surprised murmurs spread among everybody, including students of all grades and even some outsiders who have come to watch.
There have been many rotations of monsters throughout the years, and demons are relatively rare solely due to their immense lethality. Not including their sheer intimidating appearances, all of their moves are lethal. A possible solution for this problem is lowering their stats and removing their dangerous skills, but at that point, normal monsters will suffice.
To bring in a 'full' raid boss like Balnok is a bold move from the academy's side.
Particularly, Alice is adamant about this. Through her observation, this generation of freshmen has unrivaled potential. Especially...
'Amelia Luminous.'
While she has seemingly gone under the radar as everybody only focuses on Claire these days, Alice, after hearing accounts from Claudia, realizes what a genius like Amelia can achieve.
Most professors believe Balnok can be defeated with a raid team consisting of the top students from classes A and B, plus Claire, but Alice thinks Amelia and Claire are enough. Claire has that raw elemental output to deal with Balnok, while Amelia has an incredible battle sense to navigate through the boss's patterns.
'This child will no doubt be the star of this round.'
Posing an amused smirk, Alice presses the countdown button. According to her instructions, the camera will first be spotlighting the blonde noble.
[5]
[4]
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Battle start]
Lightly warming up on her designated spot, a snowy hill on the right side of the map, Amelia then pulls out her slender sword. Everyone expects her to dash off to find monsters the next second, flaunting Luminous's prided elegant sword arts, however...
''Hm? What is she—''
Alice's intrigued response soon evaporates, replaced by a speechless moment of genuine bewilderment.
In the frame, Amelia can be seen flaring her colossal claymore of bursting fire, which is enhanced even further by ropes of lightning sparking all over its blade.
With a graceful motion, she leaps high into the air, dragging her sword along while leaving behind a vivid red trail. The trail forms a curve, following the figure as she rains down right in the middle of the battlefield, akin to a comet.
CRACK—!
The next second, Balnok's skull is split.