Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 31

 

 

 

12. Entrance Exam (2)

 

 

The first exam was held at separate locations provided by the Academy.

In Leila’s and my case, it was at the Temple.

The atmosphere was quite sacred, so much so that the thought of cheating didn’t even cross my mind. Well, I wouldn’t cheat in any other atmosphere either.

The exam wasn’t difficult.

So I was able to submit my answer sheet and leave feeling relieved.

After finishing the first exam, Leila and I returned to the Duke’s Mansion, and the next morning we received notification of the first exam results.

I came in first place.

Thanks to that, Leila, who I thought would be devoted to swordsmanship training, seemed to receive a great shock as soon as she got the results through the communication bracelet—which Big Sister had also developed—that was distributed to applicants before the exam.

“I thought I would naturally be in first place…”

Leila’s arrogance seemed to have completely disappeared.

Who would have thought she’d make such a dejected expression.

Is second place really that disappointing?

Unable to contain herself, Leila suddenly thrust her face close to mine and asked accusingly.

“How on earth did you study?”

“Mainly with past exam questions.”

“…”

It’s true.

The Academy’s first entrance exam is a procedure to establish discrimination.

So I asked Big Sister to get me several past exam question books, and solving those was all I did.

It wasn’t that difficult either.

“It was really hard though… especially military science…”

Military science was the easiest and most interesting for me.

Military science.

It’s a field of study I acquired through experience in my previous life.

Of course, there’s definitely a gap between theory and practice, but since the questions were essay-type, I faithfully wrote down the doctrines and methods of practice based on theory.

I remember it as probably the most enjoyable time during the entire exam.

It’s a hundred times better than boring subjects like art history or music history.

Though part of the reason is that I know it well.

“But what are they thinking, asking 14-year-olds like us about war strategy and tactics and military management? Isn’t that too much? Even if they need discrimination!”

“That was the easiest for me. Isn’t it interesting?”

“Is there something wrong with you? It wasn’t just military science. There was art and music too! They even had stories about the history of the Drenik Empire!”

Well, that’s my specialty.

I picked up a lot of things knowingly and unknowingly while rolling around on battlefields.

I was worried about being treated as a spy, so I just wrote fragmentary content—stuff anyone would know if they studied.

Leila looked at me like she was seeing some kind of freak, then shook her head back and forth.

“You always exceed expectations. Teaching me mana release, beating me, getting first place!”

Leila beat her chest as if she was dying of injustice, then turned her head away with a sulky expression.

I shrugged my shoulders.

There’s still a long way to go before you know everything.

Anyway, first place.

Since both of them participated as exam supervisors and question committee members, my sisters probably already know, right?

I should tell Father and Mother as soon as both the first and second exams are completely finished.

They’ll probably be incredibly happy.

“Oh, but where are you taking the second exam? Mine says here at Cedric Hall. It seems like a big auditorium or something?”

At those words, I recalled what I had seen through the bracelet earlier.

“I have three different exam locations?”

“Th-three locations?”

Leila’s face was colored with shock.

She really uses her face well.

Her expressions are quite diverse.

“Then you don’t mean… you applied for Autonomous Major?”

“Yeah.”

At my words, Leila was silent for a while, then nodded her head this time.

“Right. I shouldn’t try to understand.”

“Why?”

“Because this is beyond my scope of understanding!”

Autonomous Major.

Swordsmanship, Spear Arts, Magic, Summoning.

“Why on earth did you choose it?”

“Because I want to do everything.”

Honestly, I couldn’t choose any one of those four.

Because I liked them all.

But I didn’t want to choose one and lose the opportunity to learn about the other three.

So I chose it.

The Autonomous Major that boasts an extremely low acceptance rate.

“If you pass Autonomous Major, you can take any classes you want until graduation. You don’t have to choose a separate major until graduation. And you can research with professors from all majors under the dean’s authority?”

“…Who doesn’t apply because they don’t know that?”

Leila started to sniffle.

“Do you not want to attend the Academy with me…?”

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She probably thinks I won’t pass.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

I chuckled and reassured Leila.

“How, how could you choose Autonomous Major…”

Leila muttered blankly.

Well.

That’s understandable.

Autonomous Major requires getting approval from all professors in three majors to pass.

“Tell me honestly! What else do you have besides Spear Arts and Summoning Arts!”

 

 

There are many talented people in the world.

And that thing called ‘talent’ varies from person to person.

Some people can grasp everything with just a quick glance, while others can’t succeed even after dozens of attempts—this is because their ‘talents’ are different.

But there aren’t many people who possess diverse talents.

Even if they exist, most cases are just shallow knowledge in a few fields. Scholars say this:

The reason swordsmanship and magic cannot coexist isn’t just because of the opposing characteristics of cores and circles, but also because both fields are so difficult that learning just one is overwhelming enough.

Therefore, the Autonomous Major, which requires choosing three of the main majors and getting approval from all professors to finally pass…

Nobody applies for it.

Unless they’re showing off, drunk on arrogance, or incredibly foolish fellows.

So some people say this.

Why does this major even exist?

By the way, this time there was only one applicant.

Only Dane Sogress.

So for this one person’s exam, and because Dane chose spear arts, magic, and summoning arts respectively, the three professors who had gathered were conversing with expressions of disbelief.

“Liberal arts major, are there even people applying these days?”

“When it was first created, many people applied. But even at best, it ended with passing 2 subjects, and most couldn’t pass even 1, right?”

“That’s right. It’s better to just apply for one thing – magic if magic, swordsmanship if swordsmanship, spear arts if spear arts.”

“Being good at everything is the hardest thing in the world…”

Magic Department head, Drnabo.

Spear Arts Department head, Ingrid.

Summoning Department head, Delfineso.

None of these three won their professor positions in a card game.

So they know well how difficult it is to be ‘good’ at even one field.

Let alone three fields?

“It’s been about 200 years since the liberal arts major was created, right? The acceptance rate is…”

“Is there even an acceptance rate to speak of? Almost no one has passed.”

“I heard it wasn’t that difficult at first?”

“That was in the early days when the Academy needed talent. 300 years ago, it wasn’t the same Empire as now.”

Liberal arts major.

A special major for those overflowing with talent.

At first, various students passed.

Back then, it was a time of conquest when any talent, no matter how small, had to be utilized.

Thanks to this, the status of the liberal arts major became very high. All the Empire’s historical talents had passed through here.

“But as time passed, the standards gradually became higher. Focus and concentration became important too. The atmosphere shifted toward being better at one thing rather than awkwardly dabbling in multiple areas.”

“Then why did they leave it? If no one would apply, and even if they applied, they wouldn’t pass.”

To Ingrid’s question, Drnabo answered seriously.

“It’s symbolic.”

Symbolism.

The symbolism that only the Imperial Academy’s greatest talent could achieve.

Now it’s a faded, inefficient major maintained only in name…

But occasionally, there were some.

Those who challenged this symbolism.

“So in the last 100 years, there were 2 people? One dropped out and switched majors, and the other was the Previous Emperor.”

In other words, unless you’re a real genius, passing itself is impossible.

Of course, with “professor discretion,” if the professors look favorably upon someone, admission might somehow be possible, but the problem is that the Academy professors’ pride makes half-hearted efforts impossible.

“…”

At Drnabo’s words, the two professors fell silent-

“Let’s see. Just how overconfident this brat is to challenge the symbolism.”

A common thought arose in the three professors’ minds.

Dane Sogress.

The youngest son of war hero Aken Sogress.

Unlike his two sisters, perhaps he’s just an ordinary fellow drunk on arrogance.

Just as the three professors, who were already busy to death and had gathered for the single applicant to the liberal arts major, were gradually becoming sharp-tempered.

“Good day.”

Today’s protagonist, Dane, whom the three professors had been waiting for eagerly, opened the examination hall door and entered.

“I am Dane Sogress, who applied to the Imperial Academy’s Liberal Arts Department.”

Unlike other fellows, he didn’t rattle off his father’s or siblings’ achievements – this simple introduction without mentioning being someone’s son was pleasing.

But that was as far as it went.

“Do you know what it means to apply for the liberal arts major?”

Delfineso asked.

“Yes, I understand that I must receive passing grades from all professors in the three major exams I selected.”

“Then you’re confident?”

What came back was an answer without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Spear Arts Department head Ingrid let out a chuckle.

“You said Dane, right? Hmm. It’s not too late even now. I greatly respect your father, Count Sogress. There’s no one in this Empire who wields a spear better than Count Sogress. I don’t want to see such a person’s son return after failing.”

This was Ingrid’s advice, filled with both personal feelings and sincerity.

Professors rarely say such things to applicants.

Ingrid felt very sorry.

14 years old.

An age when one would be busy realizing and training a single talent.

Choosing the liberal arts major and applying for the exam at such an age was something that didn’t make sense logically.

Moreover, the son of Aken Sogress, whom she respected.

“Thank you for your words. I will do my best.”

At Dane’s words, Ingrid was stunned.

Confidence.

She could feel it.

A completely different kind from arrogance.

‘Could he be feeling pressure from his sisters?’

Summoning Department head Delfineso had a plausible thought.

Occasionally, noble family children overshadowed by their siblings do this.

Big Sister is a talent receiving love calls from magic towers across the Empire and an unprecedented magical genius who has already created numerous inventions.

Little Sister has already summoned several giant summoned beasts and is considered an incredible genius counted as the next big summoner.

Both are tremendous talents, so it seemed understandable.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Finally, Drnabo nodded.

“Good. Then let’s start the exam. The exam will cover magic, summoning, and spear arts according to your chosen majors. It will be a different type of exam from individual major exams. Any questions?”

“No.”

“If you fail, the remaining exams are automatically failed as well.”

“Understood.”

The professors exchanged glances.

The first person to step forward was the Summoning Department professor, Delfineso.

Delphineso Ends.

A being who reached the pinnacle among Alteon Empire’s summoners, and a woman who set the record of simultaneously maintaining as many as three Grade 2 or higher summoned beasts that were said to be difficult to even summon, let alone control.

“I’ll start first. The exam method is simple.”

Delfineso crossed her arms and continued speaking.

“Satisfy me using any method related to summoning arts that you can do.”

Liberal arts major.

A method where three professors from different majors give whatever exams they want.

This was the moment it became clear why there were no applicants.

However, Dane opened his mouth without hesitation.

“Then could you please summon a summoned beast?”

Asking her to summon a summoned beast?

What followed was even more absurd.

“Any summoned beast is fine.”

“What?”

Delfineso was momentarily flustered.

Only those who have completed formal education can receive summoning sigils as summoners.

That education is conducted exclusively at the Academy.

So naturally, she expected him to explain theories related to summoning arts at most, but asking her to summon a summoned beast?

‘Is he planning to use a summoned beast as lecture material?’

Delfineso formed hand seals, deciding to humor him.

He had clearly said any fellow would be fine.

“Answer my call.”

The moment the incantation burst forth, the air split open and a summoned beast revealed itself.

“Good heavens.”

Ingrid drew in a sharp breath.

Drnabo did the same.

What tore through the air and revealed itself was—

“There, I summoned any fellow as you wished.”

Eterak.

A 4th-grade summoned beast, and among 4th-grade summoned beasts, the most ferocious fellow…

It was what they called a ‘mad summoned beast’ that attacked anyone it saw except its summoner.

An appearance reminiscent of a giant wolf.

Claws much larger and sharper than those of a wolf.

Blood-red eyes.

And most decisively, even its ferocious howl.

“Kwaaaaak!”

Its power was so great that it was said to require several dual-grade knights working together to bring it down.

Its appearance was enough to make a weak-hearted person collapse on the spot, and even Delfineso swallowed hard.

‘What is he trying to do?’

Nothing should go wrong, but if he acted recklessly and provoked Eterak with some strange behavior, he would have to reverse summon it immediately.

It was then, as Delfineso was making full preparations.

Step, step.

Dane began walking.

Toward Eterak.

Delfineso was horrified.

“Stop right there! What are you trying to do!”

Dane paused briefly, tilted his head, and asked.

“Didn’t you tell me to prove it in any way?”

Yes, that was true.

But he hadn’t told him to prove it by jumping into a fire pit.

“I will demonstrate it.”

Dane began walking again.

“Grrrrr…”

It was when Eterak, spotting the approaching Dane, bared its teeth, Delfineso urgently raised his hand to form reverse summoning hand seals, and the other two professors shifted restlessly.

Dane gazed into the air not far from Eterak and reached out his hand.

And as he grasped something invisible and pulled it toward his body—

“Yes, good boy.”

Eterak’s tail slowly lowered.

“…Huh.”

A sigh escaped from Delfineso.

The tail lowering.

That meant it had dropped its guard.

And the teeth it had been baring gradually disappeared behind its slowly closing muzzle.

“You’re much bigger than Gendfubo, aren’t you?”

Finally, it approached and rubbed its face against Dane’s outstretched hand.

“…”

“…”

What on earth had just happened?

“Krung.”

“That tickles.”

Delfineso was dumbfounded.

That ferocious Eterak, even if the summoner harbored no ‘hostility,’ was not only lowering its tail and rubbing its face but even licking him?

‘Good heavens.’

He quickly realized the reason.

When he concentrated, he could see it.

The thread of mana linking himself and Eterak.

There was one more.

Specifically, toward that boy named Dane.

Though its color was fainter than his own, one thing was certain.

Even if it wasn’t complete submission, it was at least preventing that Eterak from showing hostility.

“Hahaha…”

Could this make sense?

Natural affinity?

This was beyond what that alone could explain.

Guts.

Boldness.

Based on that, he had instantly analyzed the already linked thread of mana and then formed and connected a thread with similar mana.

‘The only method to counter summoning arts. Or rather, a method that summoners without symbols can use.’

He recalled his old self.

He remembered doing something similar and receiving praise from his master.

But Dane was more impressive than his past self.

Delfineso quickly reached a conclusion.

“You pass.”

Without needing to see more, he passed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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