A/n: Ahem...sorry for the delay, life was a bit unpredictable haha....

Lanoria Academy, one where anyone no matter their status can enter as long as they had the required age and talent. Today marked the day of the 326th year of enrollment.

In front of the academy’s gates stood several carriages that brought over young nobles throughout the entire human territory, others were walking on foot others dressed plainly, others flashy.

“Um, Lotte, why did you come with me? And with that much luggage as well?”

Standing in front of the gates, Leila asked the girl who was a little shorter than her with a clueless expression.

“Leila dear, of course it is to enroll in the academy. What other reason could there possibly be?”

“But don’t you turn 11 years old only in four months? I thought the required age was 12.”

“No need to worry. My father and tutors gave a word so that I could enroll earlier than planned.”

Having known Charlotte’s abnormal behavior over the year, Leila gave a hopeless sigh and decided to give up. She wasn’t worried about her failing the test, no; she was worried that she would instead end up having the highest scores amongst all the 1st years and in exchange incur hatred and jealousy of others. But thinking again, Charlotte was probably not going to be bothered by those either.

Again, she sighed.

The enrolment consisted of two tests; a written test and a practical one. The first test was the written exam and all applicants were to enter the class rooms according to the student number they received.

The first test went smoothly. Afterwards, the students were separated in another smaller group and to follow the instructor in charge of them to test out their elemental affinity for magic. Since not all students had a gift for this, they would then be placed in a different class.

“#212, Charlotte Ionesse. Please step forward.”

Out of the crowd of children a smaller girl stepped forward.

“I have heard about your situation, but no matter what your age, you will still be tested according to the rules. Please place your hand over the crystal and pour in some mana.”

Without saying a word, she did as told.

Although it was common knowledge that children in this world would only learn how to control their mana after they enroll in the academy, if you were able to accomplish at least this without anyone’s guidance than it proved that you had the talent for magic. In a way, it was a test within a test.

He didn’t expect much from this noble young girl who was not only much younger but probably also a lot more spoiled to be able to know these basics. So when the crystal ball began to emit a red light, he looked at her rather surprised and amazed as well.

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But, it still wasn’t the end. After that faint red light, a blue one appeared, next was a green one and then a yellow one and now even a sleek of lightning!?

It wasn’t just the instructor, even Charlotte herself was confused. She had already expected that she had the affinity of only darkness magic, but that expectation was completely proven wrong.

Not only did the darkness element not even appear, but in its place were all the other elements. This didn’t make any sense.

“*cough*alright. Next!”

After writing something down, the instructor called forth the next student. Still confused, Charlotte went to ask Ran through telepathy.

[Oh? You just found out? I thought you already knew this.]

For some reason it sounded like he had already known this fact even before this.

[But the last time I checked, I was only able to use darkness magic.]

[How did you test that out in the first place?]

[Chant a spell one by one of every element.]

[….mistress, I’m afraid that is the most absurd way I have ever heard someone test out their affinity.]

[So it seems. I still don’t get it though.]

[Haaahhh…at least now I feel at ease knowing that you are after all still only a human. For you humans, your elemental affinity only stabilizes around the age of what humans call puberty. The reason was probably because at that time your body had yet to familiarize with the other elements. Well, that’s as far as I can tell.]

[I see. Thanks. Should I say ‘as expected of an elder’s wisdom’?]

[Oi! That’s goi-!]

But before he could even retort back, she cut off their telepathic communication.

And that concluded the test. It was a lot simpler than she had originally thought it would be. Everyone was to go to their temporary assigned room in the west dorm and wait till the next day for the results to come out. The fact that they could test all those students in one day was what Charlotte found amazing.

The next morning a large crowd of children gathered in front of the scoreboard for the written test. Leila and Charlotte met up with each other and walked together to see the results.

“Yeay~! I did it! Lotte, I passed!” Leila hopped up and down while hugging charlotte. Although not within the top ranked, Leila had managed to land a score within the top 30 and was ranked 28th. All that cramming the last few weeks had fully paid off!

As for charlotte, when Leila spotted her name on the board, the only thing she could say was “As expected of Lotte. You really are the greatest!”

Listed all the way at the top and ranked #1 stood the name [Charlotte Ionesse].

Charlotte still stood there with one arm crossed over her chest while fanning herself with the other and only raised an eyebrow then retrieved her gaze.

Then, out of the crowd a familiar annoying youthful voice called out to her using her nickname with a broad grin on his face.

“So, how did you do? I actually got ranked 9th. Well, I have been absent the last few centuries, so should I say not so bad.” He praised himself while stroking his chin proudly.

As for Charlotte’s reaction; her lips slightly twitched when he called her ‘Lotte~’ just a moment ago, but then replied coldly “I would be more worried if you actually failed the test.”

“Ohw~ I thought you would at least praise me~”

“I already told you that I find that manner you are currently speaking in extremely disturbing.”

“Uwa~ you actually added ‘extremely’ this time.”

(Now you just sound like an irritating high school girl!)

 She closed her fan with a snap “Leila, let’s go. We have to get our uniforms now.”

“Okay….?” Looking between Charlotte and that boy who she remembered was Charlotte’s new servant; she really didn’t understand their relationship at all. She knew that Charlotte wasn’t one to look down on other people even if they were servants, but for some reason Charlotte seemed to always use harsh words against this person alone.

Not waiting for Leila to response, Charlotte pulled her along by the arm and she tried to get away from Ran as fast as possible.

No matter what or how he acted towards her, she wouldn’t forget his real identity. And, even if she had formed a contract with him as her the master, she knew that if he really wanted to, he could easily break it. He was dangerous, in a lot of ways.