“Raven, you can definitely handle it. If anyone bullies Hae-koji, let me know! I’ll secretly go and give them a good beating.”

“Don’t worry, Bella. There’s still practical training left. If I only defeat them enough not to die, they won’t say anything.”

When Raven returned after leaving the exam room, I could tell that his words had become a reality. He mercilessly defeated those who had mocked him with boasting words, including Walter and me, at the training ground.

“Pain is the greatest, so I aimed for less noticeable places. Don’t worry. Maybe after a few days of suffering, it’ll get better.”

“…Raven, you’re more wicked than I thought.”

“Take it as a compliment for being smart.”

Sitting at the dining table, I stared at Raven, who calmly continued his meal, as if I couldn’t believe it. I already knew that he was exceptionally intelligent for a twelve-year-old, but somehow, he seemed increasingly challenging to deal with.

As the second day of the Knight Order exam passed, and the next day arrived, the list of final candidates who would take the last exam was revealed.

At the top of that list was Raven’s name, as expected.

“The final gate of the admission test is not a sparring but a real combat test. If ordinary applicants might go to nearby swamp areas or forests where monsters appear, we can’t take the princess there. Raven, you will take the test separately at the Rose Palace, under my and Sione’s supervision.”

“People will undoubtedly gossip about me again. They will complain that it’s favoritism and unfair.”

“To dispel such suspicions, I plan to record all your combat scenes on video. Since you will summon much harsher monsters than ordinary applicants, it would be better for you to be prepared.”

“I’ve seen enough of monsters near the border. I haven’t faced them directly much… Walter, I’ll somehow make use of what I’ve learned from you.”

Perhaps satisfied with Raven’s response, Walter nodded with a content expression.

Maintaining an appropriate tension in front of enemies is crucial. You shouldn’t be too complacent or too frightened. It seemed to be the view of Walter, the Knight Order leader.

On the third day of the admission test, Raven took the final test in the vast courtyard accompanied by the sponsorship of the Rose Palace.

“Sione, can I come watch Raven’s test later? I couldn’t attend the tests held by the Knight Order. I want to cheer for him from afar.”

“It should be fine since the monsters I summon use illusionary magic. However…”

“However?”

“Even though it’s illusionary magic, if Raven succumbs to my magic, you may feel sensations similar to a real battle. If Raven gets injured or hurt, never interfere. It may affect you too, Bella.”

In fact, Sione didn’t seem worried that I would defeat the monsters instead of Raven.
Rather, it might be a concern to witness Raven in agony up close.

I was allowed to watch the test only after promising not to intervene.

“Just in case, I’ll prepare a place slightly away from the open field so that you can observe without being seen. I’ll cast a spell to hide your appearance, so there’s no worry about being noticed by people.”

“Yeah, I’ll be careful not to disturb Raven.”

After Sione left for the test site, I finished the class faster than ever and headed towards the sponsorship.

Although I casually responded to her, I couldn’t help but feel anxious, fearing an unexpected accident might happen.

Upon arriving a bit late at the open field, Raven’s test was already underway.

Having moved to the predetermined location, I, along with the maid sisters, hid behind a tree and watched the test process.

Rosaria, busy with her duties as the lady-in-waiting, couldn’t join us, but Roy and Ronya followed me, curious about what was happening.

“That… is that the opponent Raven has to defeat?”

The horned monster emitting black smoke looked formidable even at a glance.

It was so gigantic, about five times Raven’s size, that Walter’s confident assertion didn’t seem unreasonable.

“That’s a higher-ranked monster called Balrog. I heard you can occasionally see it in dungeons in desert areas…”

“Even if it’s an illusion, it’s too much. I heard Balrogs are supposed to be dealt with by at least five skilled adventurers. What is Lady Sione thinking?”

As the two finished talking, I looked towards Raven with a worried expression.

In fact, I thought that Walter, being an adept knight, would have requested a monster that matched Raven’s abilities.

But as I stared at the enraged Balrog, which could tear Raven apart in an instant, my lips dried up.

“Surprisingly, it might be fine. Raven doesn’t seem to be afraid of that monster at all.”

Observing Raven slowly drawing his sword from the scabbard, I could see composure rather than fear.

It seemed to be true that she had seen countless monsters at the border. Even in the face of a Balrog, known to be challenging, Raven showed no sign of wavering in her gaze.

“The battle has begun! It looks like she’s aiming for a vital spot right from the start.”