Reborn as the Head of the Stolen Mage Family

Chapter 15

Over 500 children gathered in Lucia Hall for the written exam.

With about 30 minutes until the exam began, they spent the time studying or chatting.

The written exam, the first hurdle, accounted for 30% of the entrance score.

Less critical than the practical exam, which weighed 40%, it was still the most nerve-wracking as the first test.

Of course, not everyone was nervous.

Some, having studied thoroughly, had no worries.

Others, confident in their practical or interview skills, weren’t concerned about the written score.

Children in these two groups showed no tension.

Marcel belonged to the first group.

Reviewing a summary note he made a week ago, his face showed no trace of anxiety.

‘I just wish the exam would start already.’

The contents of the note were already etched in his mind, making it almost boring.

But he had no interest in doing something foolish like chatting with others.

Unlike Alexein, surrounded by children eager to curry favor with House Dickens’ heir, flaunting an arrogant smile.

“I heard you got a new transport ship called Elros? I saw it at the landing site—it’s so cool!”

“I was so disappointed I couldn’t attend your last birthday banquet, Alexein. Please invite me next time!”

“My father enjoys Corkis matches as much as Sir Owen. Maybe sometime…”

Transparent flattery.

Yet Alexein, fully aware, reveled in it, smirking arrogantly at the fawning children.

In truth, Alexein belonged to the second group, unconcerned about the written exam.

As a prestigious family of magical research that produced an academy dean, House Dickens had abundant academy-related information.

Thanks to that, Alexein was perfectly prepared for the interview.

Of course, a good written exam score would be nice, but since only the top three ranks were announced at the entrance ceremony, he figured there was no need to aim high unless he needed a scholarship.

‘I’ll ace the interview, so a mid-tier written score is fine. I’ll look over Hendricks’ notes later.’

Thinking so, Alexein glanced at Marcel.

Unlike himself, surrounded by people, Marcel was aloof, focused solely on studying.

“Hmph. Pretentious jerk.”

Alexein was convinced he was better than Marcel, who cared only about grades.

Unaware that the children around him actually wanted Marcel but settled for him due to Marcel’s cold demeanor.

Meanwhile, I observed it all, keeping an eye on the exam hall’s interior.

There was no trace of tension on my face regarding the written exam.

Instead, I was focused on a special device installed in the hall.

‘Giving an hour of unsupervised study time before the exam seemed odd. As expected, they’re watching everything.’

Shortly after entering Lucia Hall, I sensed a subtle aura.

Though well-hidden by a skilled mage, it was unmistakable.

The entire hall was under a surveillance spell.

‘An hour of study time and a surveillance spell. They’re observing study habits and focus without supervision.’

In other words, the exam had already begun.

The proctors were likely monitoring the hall’s situation through the spell.

‘Those leaving their seats to chat are probably losing points fast. The ones studying diligently will get extra interview points.’

I genuinely admired the evolved exam methods compared to my time.

‘Was this Leo’s idea? A clever and innovative approach.’

I also noted the contrasting behaviors of the two heirs under the surveillance spell.

One lacked sociability; the other, academic zeal.

As I sighed softly at the sight of them—

“Oh, no…”

A small, troubled voice came from beside me.

I turned to see a red-haired girl sitting next to me.

Her worn clothing and visibly nervous demeanor marked her as a commoner examinee.

She was repeatedly scribbling on paper, her pen seemingly broken.

Watching her, I casually took a fountain pen from my case and offered it to her.

It was an expensive pen with the Kirhausen crest, but in Shainborough, it was as common as a pencil.

“…”

The girl looked between the pen and me, then stiffened.

Her unexpected reaction made me wonder if I should withdraw my offer.

‘Is she unused to kindness?’

I deduced simply and placed the pen on her desk.

But—

Tap—

She returned the pen to my desk with a sharp sound and stood up.

I stared, bewildered, at the pen and her retreating figure.

But that wasn’t the end.

‘What kind of kid is this? What did I do to earn such hostility…?’

The girl borrowed a pen from another commoner who arrived on Archimedes and returned to her seat.

I was momentarily speechless with disbelief.

Soon after, the doors of Lucia Hall opened, and the proctors entered.

“Please take your seats. The exam will now begin.”

In the end, I had to take the written exam, stunned by the encounter.

***

After the two-hour written exam, the children stretched their stiff bodies and left Lucia Hall.

The next exam, the “magical practical,” was in an hour.

During the break, examinees could freely spend time within the academy under the administrators’ supervision.

Most discussed the written exam or ate snacks to replenish energy.

Unlike the written exam, physical condition was crucial for the practical, so avoiding hunger was important.

Marcel ate only a little of his snack before offering the rest to me.

“I hate feeling bloated. Eat my share if you’re hungry.”

“Yes. Thank you, Young Master.”

I gladly took Marcel’s portion.

I’d need considerable energy to manage both my mana and his in the upcoming exam, so there was no reason to refuse.

Then, a small commotion arose at one end of the central plaza.

A piece of bread belonging to a commoner child eating snacks floated into the air.

“Huh?!”

The startled child reached for it, but the bread danced mockingly in the air.

“Pfft. Look at him flailing for that bread.”

Laughter came from nearby.

Marcel and I turned to look.

The culprit, manipulating the bread with a wand, was one of the sycophants surrounding Alexein.

Beside him, Alexein watched with an amused smile.

A predictable scene.

Alexein wanted to have fun bullying a commoner but didn’t want to dirty his own hands.

In the end, the commoner’s bread fell to the ground, rolling in the dirt.

Alexein’s group laughed harder, while Marcel looked at them with disdain.

And—

‘Ugh… Even if they’re young and immature…’

My expression soured.

Not just because of the upper-class children’s tyranny.

Because the one acting like a thug against a commoner was the heir of House Dickens.

‘To think that guy is Eustaff’s grandson…’

The Dickens I knew valued etiquette and scholarship, even among its distant branches.

Yet the heir of House Dickens was engaging in such low-class bullying against a commoner.

For a moment, my vision blurred, and I closed my eyes tightly before opening them again.

Then, for a brief moment, I felt a surge of magical energy from the commoner group.

As I tried to pinpoint its source—

Pop—!

“Argh!”

The juice bottle Alexein was holding burst, splashing juice everywhere.

“Ack! What is this!”

“My hat and shoes are soaked!”

“It got in my eyes!”

Alexein’s group shouted, brushing off their sticky clothes and hair.

The somewhat comical scene made children scattered across the plaza stifle their laughter.

But their smiles quickly vanished.

“Who did this!”

Alexein’s furious voice echoed through the plaza.

Despite his group’s efforts to clean him, his clothes, face, and hair were drenched in juice.

With rage-filled eyes, Alexein glared at the commoner children.

They avoided his gaze, glancing nervously at one girl.

It was the red-haired girl who had shown hostility toward me in Lucia Hall.

‘Hm…’

My eyes gleamed as I watched her boldly meet Alexein’s stare.

I had seen her manipulate her wand moments ago.

Though too fast for others to notice, it was clearly the motion for a 3-star wind attribute spell, Gust.

But that wasn’t the key point.

‘She executed the spell precisely in such a small area with just one small wand gesture. That’s near-instinctive calculation speed.’

Her wand handling and precision in applying mana were astonishing.

Even more impressive—

She didn’t target the sycophant directly bullying the commoner but punished Alexein, the instigator.

Her sharp judgment in identifying the root cause was remarkable.

She was clearly an exceptional talent in many ways.

I watched her with curious eyes, but—

Alexein approached her with a very different kind of gaze.

“Hey, Redhead. You did this, didn’t you!”

“…No.”

“Don’t lie!”

The atmosphere turned hostile.

Alexein’s furious outburst froze the crowd, but—

“Hey! What’s this commotion!”

Administrators stepped in to mediate.

Alexein, showing his juice-soaked state, demanded the girl be punished, while she firmly denied any involvement.

As the situation grew intriguing and all eyes focused on it—

Just as Alexein raised his voice at the administrator—

“Enough, Alexein.”

A cold, level voice came from one side of the plaza.

It was Marcel, looking at Alexein with a disdainful gaze.

“I can’t stand by when House Dickens’ dignity is at stake.”

A suffocating silence fell over the central plaza.

The heirs of Kirhausen and Dickens, two of Luxorin’s three pillars.

Even a small argument between them could have massive repercussions.

Everyone in the plaza held their breath, watching their exchange.

“Marcel Kirhausen… what did you just say?”

Alexein, incredulous, retorted, his eyes still brimming with unchecked emotion.

But Marcel continued calmly, unfazed.

“If you hadn’t instigated that childish act of bullying a commoner through someone else, this wouldn’t have happened.”

As Marcel bluntly called out his actions, Alexein’s face flushed red.

“When did I! What proof do you have to accuse me of something I didn’t do…!”

“Of course, there’s no proof. Just like you’re accusing that girl of humiliating you without proof.”

“…Marcel Kirhausen. Are you saying you’re taking the side of a commoner over me, a fellow pillar of Luxorin?”

“Alexein Dickens. Your shallow judgment, thinking this is about taking sides, is exactly why I’m concerned about House Dickens’ dignity.”

“…!”

Alexein’s mouth snapped shut.

His face, red and blue with rage, looked ready to burst, and everyone watching marveled silently at Marcel’s words.

Meanwhile—

“May I head to the practical exam hall first? It’s too chaotic here.”

“Of course. The practical exam hall is the Urbent Room on the second floor.”

“Let’s go, Eddie.”

Marcel calmly asked the administrator for permission.

His demeanor was the complete opposite of another’s.

“Yes, Young Master.”

I briefly stared at Marcel’s back before following him.

And—

“…”

Hendricks, Alexein’s Tail, watched their retreating figures with his mouth slightly agape.