Chapter 44
At that moment, a memory suddenly passed through my mind. Back when my apartment had exploded and I returned to Helderios, Lloyd had proudly shown me a document saying he’d bought a noble title.
Right, that was when I became a noble—going from a commoner to a Count of Zeronia.
I couldn’t help but reply, “Yes…,” in disbelief. Then the wizard handed me my exam card.
I was flustered by the sudden rise in status and trudged to the exam hall, holding the card. Along the way, I overheard people whispering beside me.
“Zeronia? Where’s that stuck-away village?”
I tried to ignore the familiar place name, but the rude comments hit my ears.
“That backwater? Hah, so some country bumpkin thinks they can step into the capital now?”
Was this the capital people’s arrogance? I turned to look at those whispering about me, and they quickly turned away when our eyes met. I tried to ignore them and keep walking, but I still heard murmurs in my ear.
“Looks like they’re trying to get a spot in the capital by using a guy.”
“Their face is decent. You go and rescue them. Give them a chance to get a seat as a concubine or something.”
Crazy idiots. They were clearly saying this just so I could hear.
They were laughing while looking at me. I wanted to say something but decided to keep quiet.
After years of office work before being possessed, one lesson was clear: “You don’t avoid something because it’s scary—you avoid it because it’s dirty!”
I’d just taken the exam, and there were too many people to confront. If I acted, it would only make things worse.
“Lucky bastards. One day, I’ll give you a big dose of payback.”
As I tried to walk past, a group coming from the other side slammed my shoulder. My exam card fell to the ground. Their laughter grew louder.
Ugh… so annoying!
I bent down to pick up my card, but someone got it first.
“Huh?”
Looking up, I saw Utias holding my exam card.
“Utias?”
When did he even appear?
I thanked him and took it, but his expression was strange—tightly stiff.
He finally spoke.
“Why are you holding back?”
I blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
Then—
“Kuuaaaahk!”
The people whispering about me suddenly flew into the air, clutching their throats and struggling as their faces turned bright red.
“Kyah!”
Nearby people screamed in shock.
Mages from the magic tower ran over to help them, but stopped when they realized who cast the spell.
“Utias!”
They only whispered his name, afraid the backlash would hit them.
Right. His whole persona was being kind only to “my woman,” the psycho maniac type.
Utias had no intention of letting them go. I might be the only one who could stop him. Since he didn’t seem likely to hurt me, I hurried to grab his arm.
“Utias, please stop.”
He tilted his head in confusion.
“These people insulted you. And you want me to stop?”
What a completely insane man. He caused all this trouble purely for that reason?
I quickly tried to reason with him.
“It’s fine. Please, Utias, stop now.”
One of the people was twitching violently, looking close to death.
Utias… I don’t want to see corpses before the exam… please stop!
“Please, Utias.”
He clicked his tongue while looking at me, and the people floating in the air dropped to the ground with a thud. Their swollen red faces slowly calmed, and they coughed. Mages rushed over to support them.
Utias looked at me calmly.
“You’re too soft-hearted. People like that should have been eliminated from the start, so they wouldn’t even think of climbing over you.”
With that strange comment, he suddenly disappeared.
All eyes around me focused on him, whispers starting again.
“What is his relationship with the Magic Tower Lord?”
Ah… I can feel it. All these burning gazes…
I avoided the stares and hurried toward the exam hall. People, likely just turned adults, were sitting at their desks chatting. Luckily, those who had seen the earlier commotion weren’t here.
I just wanted to finish the exam and go home!
But when they saw my exam number and name, whispers came again from those from other regions.
Do capital people always feel superior to countryside folks? Maybe they’re fighting over noble seats.
I also worried Utias might appear again to kill them.
“Please, stop whispering! I’m scared Utias will come!”
I ignored them and focused on the exam.
The written exam ended. Passing would be marked on the exam card, and of course, I passed. Next came the practical exam.
The practical test was in the main hall. Healers guided us there. The hall was set with glass orbs to test healing magic, with knights standing strictly on both sides. Mages were also there to record cheating.
Utias was on a high platform. Our eyes briefly met, but I quickly looked away.
I stood in front of the orb with my number. The task was to cast healing magic to light up the orb. Only until fifty people remained.
If many strong healers were present, the exam would take longer. Back in Zeronia, the intermediate healer test was simple—just light the orb, and you passed.
Is it harder here because there are more competitors?
When the time came, a mage on the platform cast a loud spell to announce:
“Everyone, please place your hands on the orbs.”
I quickly obeyed.
“Then, we will begin.”
With the signal, all orbs in front of the royal hall lit up.
Time passed, and surrounding orbs gradually dimmed. People left in disappointment or cried while leaving.
Then—
“Ah!”
Some tripped and fell with loud crashes.
“Who… who pushed me?”
Murmurs spread. The hall had no wind… so what happened?
“The reading shows no magic reaction.”
The mage’s words pierced the air. Knights dragged out struggling students. I peeked—they were the ones Utias had choked earlier.
“Now, everyone left is a passing candidate for the Empire Healer Exam. Congratulations.”
I lifted my hand from the orb. Only a few dozen remained.
Did I really pass?
Receiving the certificate, I felt dazed. I knew I would pass, but I didn’t expect the senior-level exam to be this simple.
The certificate reminded me of all the harassment from the bald clinic head back in Zeronia. This was so easy to earn…?
As I walked out in a daze, the surroundings were noisy.
“Helderios?”
“Wow! Is that Davien we can actually see?”
“They say Lloyd is here too. Let’s go see!”
The crowd murmured. As I stepped outside, I saw Helderios’ ridiculously extravagant carriage.
“Kaeh! How did it go?”
Davien, talking to Lloyd, saw me and waved. Everyone’s eyes turned to me.
I had to ignore all these stares to reach the carriage home and ran to Davien.
“You passed.”
“Kaeh.”
Then Utias appeared in front of me.
He smiled brightly and handed me a red bouquet.
“Congratulations on passing.”
I took the bouquet in surprise. Davien shouted:
“That’s a magic stone!”
Looking closely, each flower was made from a refined magic stone.
I thought each magic stone was extremely expensive… and he made them into a bouquet?
Still dazed, Utias continued:
“It’s a passing gift.”
He then kissed my forehead, smiled, and vanished.
Later, I thought:
“Looks like they skipped the awards ceremony for this exam. No one was outstanding enough. So today, the certificate is all we get. With my skill, I could have been first… too bad, right?”
After Utias’ magic stone bouquet gift, the twins’ reaction was terrifying. Davien treated my forehead like it was dirty, rubbing it with a handkerchief, and Lloyd radiated a murderous aura like he could destroy the Magic Tower right then.
The carriage to Helderios was filled with an intense silence.
