Chapter 27: Selection Ceremony (1)
Seeing Evan pierce through my disguise, I, Anna, struggled to hide my flustered expression.
“W-What are you talking about? I don’t understand…”
Even though I loved to play pranks, I hadn’t anticipated this situation.
So, while I could mask my face, my voice betrayed my emotions.
“As expected, she’s the Princess.”
With this, Evan grew certain of his suspicions and presented his evidence.
“I felt it from the moment we met. The Royal Guard Knight acting like a guest was a nice touch, but I noticed the Dean was unusually attentive.”
“Huh?”
“As far as I know, the Dean isn’t someone who prepares in advance for a mere Royal Guard Knight. He’d only put on such a show for royalty or higher.”
“Oh…”
I unwittingly let out a sound of acknowledgment.
But Evan’s explanation didn’t end there.
“Also, the dormitory supervisor gave me a hint.”
“You mean they tipped you off?”
“No. I inferred it from their behavior. The supervisor’s expression, as if something terrible would happen if I didn’t come out, and the courtesy of giving up their own office for a conversation with a mage apprentice.”
Lansed Academy, a place where everyone from commoners to ducal heirs gathered.
For someone who’d been a supervisor here for over a decade, the only existence burdensome enough would be beyond a noble—a royal, wouldn’t it?
“Hmph.”
“It’s obvious that a guest too high-ranking for the supervisor to handle has arrived.”
Under Evan’s relentless probing, I paused briefly before revealing the truth about who I was.
“You’re right. I’m Anna Kaien, daughter of the current king, Gaspar Kaien. People usually call me Princess.”
“I see, so that’s who you are.”
Evan’s eyebrow twitched.
But he didn’t show overt surprise or take any particular action.
“After spewing insults in front of an Emperor, a princess from an island kingdom is…”
Still, it was certainly unusual for someone of a Princess’ status to come here in disguise.
This was noteworthy for Evan, but he didn’t feel the need to show it.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t properly greeted you. Allow me to offer my respects. I am Evan Lafard.”
Having been mocked plenty for imperial etiquette, Evan preemptively bowed before I could say anything.
“No need for formalities. It’s a bit late for that.”
In my short life, I had met many people.
And they were all invariably shocked upon seeing me, for two reasons: my status and my strikingly beautiful appearance.
But Evan, staring at me so clearly, was different.
He looked at me with emotionless eyes, like someone detached from the world.
“This is surprising. I didn’t expect to be caught so easily.”
“Don’t worry. I’m probably the only cadet who knows. And I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Thank you. I don’t want things to get noisy before the selection ceremony.”
“Speaking of which, as I mentioned earlier, I plan to cause a stir at the selection ceremony. Can you help me?”
Moreover, Evan seemed solely intent on using me for his purposes.
“What if I don’t lend you my support?”
“Then I’ll have no choice. But I’ll still act as I said.”
“Really? You’re seriously going to say you’ll participate in the Executor process as an instructor, not a cadet?”
The words Evan had whispered to me.
They were that he intended to become an instructor for the Executor process.
“Why an instructor? Can’t you just train as a cadet?”
“As I said before, I don’t want to undergo training. So, what’s left? Becoming the one who conducts the training.”
“You’re willing to face fierce opposition just because it’s troublesome?”
“Just? Just? Are you calling training that could kill someone ‘just’?”
Like Evan’s reaction, I also knew how grueling the Executor process was.
In fact, some of the Executors I’d met hated even recalling their training days.
“I’m new to the Academy today, so I don’t know much, but no matter how I think about it, they won’t allow that.”
“Probably not. Most will likely oppose it.”
“And yet you’re still going to propose it?”
“Yes. Because the Dean will find it interesting. If he shows even a sliver of interest, my plan succeeds. I believe I’m fully qualified to be an instructor.”
Was it reckless?
Or did he have that much confidence in his abilities?
I felt a slight sense of awe toward this boy who seemed my age.
“You’re crazy.”
“I hear that a lot.”
“…The Dean will definitely be intrigued. And so am I.”
Thus, I wanted to confirm what kind of person Evan was.
Was he being reckless, or was he the real deal? I intended to find out firsthand.
“The selection ceremony is going to be very interesting.”
I felt I had made the right choice coming here.
***
A week had passed since the announcement for the Executor process selection.
With no details about the test, everyone trained diligently to prepare for the selection ceremony.
And today,
The day to decide the preliminary Executor cadets arrived, and everyone ate lunch with excitement.
“Young Master, who do you think will be selected for the Executor training process among the other cadets?”
“Hmm? I don’t know. Oh, I’m done. Take your time and come later.”
Having emptied his plate, Evan stood, glancing somewhere.
“Why are you so busy today? Is something up?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Is there anything I can help with…”
“No. I’ll wander alone today.”
With that, Evan left.
He then approached the instructors exiting the dining hall after their meal.
“Instructor Nell.”
“Oh? Evan, what’s up?”
Nell, among the instructors, greeted Evan warmly.
“What’s this? Got something to say?”
“Just came to pay my respects. You know I’ve always admired you, right?”
“Hah… What’s with the sudden flattery?”
Evan’s abrupt remark.
Still, it felt good.
Which instructor would dislike being admired by an outstanding cadet like Evan?
“Got a favor to ask?”
“No, I just wanted to express my genuine respect. Not just for you, Instructor Nell, but for all the instructors.”
“Geez… You say the strangest things.”
The instructors laughed among themselves, patting Evan’s shoulder or back.
“Thanks. If you keep at it like you are now, you’ll reach heights beyond us. So keep working hard.”
“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind!”
Bowing, Evan walked off in another direction.
There, assistant instructors were eating.
“Assistant Instructor, I’ve always respected you.”
“Assistant Instructor…”
“Assis…”
Evan met each one, expressing his respect.
Jack, watching from afar, tilted his head.
“Why’s he acting like that all of a sudden?”
Thus, Evan conveyed words of respect to the entire training staff of the Academy.
***
The cadet selection ceremony for the Executor training process was held in the grand auditorium.
Assistant instructors managed the cadets, while instructors took their places on the stage.
Only two seats on the stage remained empty: one for the Dean and one for a distinguished guest.
“What’s with the empty seat? Is someone not coming?”
“No idea. I see all the faces I know.”
Everyone speculated about the empty seat next to the Dean, but no clear answer emerged as the ceremony proceeded.
“The Dean is arriving.”
At an assistant instructor’s shout, the room fell silent.
At the same time, Head Instructor Everhart stepped forward, announcing loudly enough for all to hear.
“Before revealing the selection list, we will welcome the distinguished guest visiting our Academy.”
Everhart’s words caused a stir among the cadets.
“They’re revealing the list? I thought we were taking a test today?”
“No, but who’s this guest?”
The fact that the cadets for the Executor process had already been chosen was shocking enough, and now an unexpected guest?
It was more than enough to cause confusion.
“Silence! We now welcome Princess Anna Kaien, who has visited our Academy.”
With these words, Anna, with her golden hair, appeared on stage alongside Anton.
The cadets, stunned, stared blankly at the stage.
“The Princess…”
“Whoa!”
Jaina, realizing the one who advised her was the Princess, couldn’t hide her shock.
“The one who gave me advice was the Princess?”
While most were astonished, Jack was beyond excited, practically bouncing.
“Hey! Hey! The Princess is here!”
“I know, calm down.”
As the room grew chaotic again, Everhart quieted them.
“Silence! Now, I will reveal the list of those selected based on past evaluations. First, I’ll explain how we compiled this list.”
The Head Instructor held up a scroll and began explaining the evaluation process.
“An Executor is, without exaggeration, the kingdom’s greatest warrior. Thus, even for the training process, we could never select cadets based on a single test.”
He explained why there was no test and what replaced it.
“Therefore, starting from the announcement, I and the instructors evaluated you. Your everyday behavior, your performance in training, and, most importantly, your character.”
In short, the cadets had been monitored 24/7.
“Sigh… If I’d known, I would’ve stayed up all night in the training hall.”
“They didn’t hear me complaining, right?”
The cadets regretted their past actions, wearing wistful expressions.
But what could they do?
Time had passed, and the evaluation was done.
The results were in the Head Instructor’s hands.
“Now, excluding Evan Lafard, who was already selected, I will call the names of nine cadets.”
The cadets swallowed hard, staring at the Head Instructor’s mouth.
“The order in which I call you reflects your evaluation rank, so keep that in mind. First… Jaina Vaberin!”
As expected, Jaina was called first.
No one disagreed; it was a consensus.
“Amod Pokan!”
The next cadet called was a commoner but a senior who’d stood out in the top ranks for years.
“Ferdin Oren!”
One by one, names were called.
The cadets felt those chosen were deserving.
“Jack Reed!”
Even when Jack, a freshman, was called, only a few grumbled, and most acknowledged him.
“Lastly, Elliott Harpman!”
With Elliott, always called first, the list ended.
Those not called seemed disappointed or ready to protest but held back.
With not only the Dean but also the Princess present, no one dared speak out easily…
“I have something to say!”
Evan raised his hand.
Rumble.
The cadets parted like a sea, fearing they’d be caught in the crossfire.
Suddenly, the stage was Evan’s alone.
“What is it?”
“It’s about the Executor process selection.”
Evan’s sudden outburst naturally piqued the Dean’s interest, and Anna smiled subtly.
However, the Head Instructor looked slightly displeased.
“Speak.”
“I learned that the Executor process involves selecting not only cadets but also instructors separately. Since it’s about training the elite among the elite, that makes sense.”
“Get to the point.”
“But I wondered if there’s a need to choose only from the current instructors.”
“What?”
Everhart felt a chill for a moment.
What was this guy trying to say?
“No way…”
Contrary to the Head Instructor’s hopes, Evan shouted for all to hear.
“I, Evan Lafard, wish to participate in the Executor selection process not as a cadet but as an instructor!”