LMSAH – 19

In truth, the questions in Checkpoint 3 were only meant to gauge the examinee’s values.

For the ‘Crisis Response’ evaluation, timing stops the instant you open the door and step into Checkpoint 3.

Meaning no matter how long I dawdled here, my score wouldn’t be affected.

“My choice is: I won’t sacrifice anyone.”

At a glance it looks like you have to pick one of the two and sacrifice whichever side’s rabbits to get out.

And yes, that is how it was originally designed.

But once I learned this part doesn’t go into the timing records, there was only one thing for me to choose.

If this is a test meant to show your values…….

I wanted to show the proctor that I wouldn’t sacrifice a single thing.

“It’s not bravado; I really do have the ability to do that.”

By now the Abiliter projecting the illusion would be watching me.

In the maze’s timing rules, even if a tester breaks in fast with some trick, that still counts as the tester’s ability.

So they only measure the time; they don’t come into the illusion to watch.

Unlike just showing the illusion, entering into it multiplies the caster’s fatigue.

But Checkpoint 3 is different.

Because this one is a question to see the examinee’s values, the caster has no choice but to come into the illusion and confirm what you choose.

I tilted my head back and grinned up at empty air like a crazy person.

Let’s see which lasts longer—your illusion ability, or my sheer stubbornness.

✦ ✦ ✦

When I came out of the test hall, an attendant led me to the waiting seats.

“Miss Tania, please wait here until your results are ready.”

“Okay.”

The result was obvious.

I’d flopped down spread-eagle and even taken a carefree nap in there—so of course it was my win.

In the end, I left the illusion without sacrificing a single rabbit.

After finishing all their exams, Raspie and Rosemary, who were waiting ahead of me, greeted me.

“Miss Tania!”

“Miss Hero!”

……So Rosemary has officially decided my nickname is Miss Hero?

Just as I was thinking that was a bit awkward, she came scurrying over and threw her arms around me.

Off guard, I hugged a kid at least a handspan taller than me.

It felt like I’d become her favorite comfort doll.

“Miss Hero, I was worried because you were in there for so long.”

“So that’s what got you worried. Sorry, there was something that took a while. More importantly, how did your exams go?”

At that, Rosemary rustled out the paper she was holding and proudly showed me her pass slip.

“Ta-da! I did exactly what you told me, and I really passed! This says ‘pass,’ right? That means I have a home now? I won’t have to starve anymore?”

“Of course.”

At the Papiope Elite Ability Training Academy, as long as you don’t cause incidents, they don’t kick you out for poor grades.

“It’s all thanks to you, Miss Hero!”

Hand in hand with me, Rosemary bounced up and down like a kid her age. But…….

“Raspie, why the long face? Don’t tell me……”

Before I could say, ‘Rosemary, who isn’t an Abiliter, passed—don’t tell me you failed?’, Raspie hurriedly spoke up.

“I passed too. It’s just……”

“Just?”

“Miss Tania……”

He fidgeted, at a loss, lips working as he failed to continue.

Ah. He must’ve been worried I’d fail because I took so long on the last test.

It was cute, but at this point I couldn’t help but suspect it.

…Did he really develop separation anxiety?

I was about to tell Raspie he didn’t need to worry when—

One of the proctors who’d overseen the ability rating earlier approached me.

“Miss Tania, your results are in. Could we speak privately for a moment?”

“Sure.”

I gestured for Raspie and Rosemary to wait a bit, then followed the proctor.

When I entered a room that looked like someone’s office, a man inside greeted me with a smile.

“Hello, Miss Tania. I am Reuben, Director of the Papiope Elite Ability Training Academy.”

The proctor who’d brought me in stood near the director’s desk and watched me.

So, the director. I could guess why he’d called me in separately.

I blinked slowly and returned the greeting.

“Yes, Hello.”

“The reason I asked to see you alone is your entrance exam results. First, let me give you this.”

The director handed me an envelope. I took it naturally, opened it, and unfolded the paper inside.

Comprehensive Ability Evaluation Report

Name: Tania

Abiliter Level: S-rank

Crisis Response Ability: A+

(Record for shortest time)

Written Exam: 100/100 P

After reviewing your comprehensive scores, we have confirmed that you are the talent we have been looking for, based on your excellent performance and outstanding qualities.

Congratulations. You have passed the entrance examination for the Papiope Elite Ability Training Academy.

We look forward to seeing your talents shine even brighter with us at the Papiope Elite Ability Training Academy.

Every field on the comprehensive evaluation listed the highest score possible.

As if he’d been waiting for me to finish, the director continued with a serious expression.

“Miss Tania, these are the first scores of their kind since the Academy was founded.”

Obviously.

I’d deliberately put up numbers that Duke Papiope would covet.

“Have you visited any Abiliter orphanages, or agreed to accept sponsorship from a noble house?”

“No. After awakening my ability, this is the first place I came.”

At that, the director’s smile spread almost to his ears.

Abiliters with truly useful abilities were rare, and most of those were monopolized by noble houses.

But a child with ‘foresight’ and perfect scores in everything else had walked in on her own two feet?

He had to be thinking it was a chance he couldn’t miss.

“You may already know this, but our Academy can enroll you immediately upon passing.”

“Okay.”

“If you wish, we can arrange for you to enter at once. Would that be all right?”

“No. I don’t have parents, but I’m currently under the care of a guardian.”

“Th-then you mean……”

“Yes. I’d like to delay entry until I have my guardian’s permission.”

At my request to postpone enrollment, the director’s face sank.

“Forgive the impertinent question, but… is your guardian by any chance exploiting you for monetary gain?”

……Is it okay to use words that harsh with a child?

I was momentarily taken aback, then remembered I’d aced the written exam.

Recalling that he thought I was a prodigy made me feel a bit of pressure.

I’m confident my ability is absurdly overpowered, but I know full well my brain is closer to average.

Wondering how many years I could keep up the genius act, I opened my mouth.

“No. Mister is a good person. I only took the Academy’s exam because I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Then roughly how many days of deferral will you need?”

It had been about a month since Mister left home…….

He’d said he’d return as quickly as possible, so it shouldn’t take too long.

“I’ll enter the Elite Ability Training Academy within a month.”

“……If you wish, we can dispatch staff to make obtaining your guardian’s permission easier.”

In other words, could I come in a little sooner?

He seemed worried I might get promised a fat sum by some other noble house in the meantime.

“There’s no need to worry, Director. My goal is to be adopted by Duke Papiope.”

“……But.”

I brightened my smile to ease his concerns.

“Money isn’t something I need to agonize over. If I put my mind to it, I can make as much as I want.”

A truth no one could deny.