Chapter 41 - Exam Day and Exam Started
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A week has passed since I finished the lessons from Grayfia-san.
Today is the day.
The day I will be having my promotion exam to High-class Devil.
As we were just finishing our breakfast, Mephisto-jiisama came to the mansion.
"Good morning."
Hearing Mephisto-jiisama's greeting, I greeted back.
"Good morning, Mephisto-jiisama. Have you had breakfast yet?"
Meanwhile Scathach-sama and Kulshedra-san only nodded slightly.
"Good morning, Mephisto-sama. Please sit down."
Sakuya-san pulled out a chair for Mephisto-jiisama and then poured hot tea for him.
"I already had breakfast, Rey.... Thank you, Sakuya."
After Mephisto-jiisama sat down, Sakuya-san gave him a slight bow and then stood behind me like a perfect maid she is.
Then, after sipping his tea, Mephisto-jiisama asked,
"How's you condition, Rey? Are you ready?"
"Yes."
I answered affirmatively to Mephisto-jiisama's question.
Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod.
"That's good.... Your exam won't start in two hours. But we'll come to the exam venue at the latest half an hour earlier.... Besides, I heard that there will be some observers who will be coming to see your abilities for the exam. They are devil nobles of the various Families."
"...."
I frowned slightly hearing about the "audience" during my exam later. Looks like Grayfia-san's earlier guess was correct.
"Don't worry. You don't need to be nervous and have stage fright.... Also, their presence has its advantages too. You can take this opportunity to introduce yourself and make connections with them. Especially with those who are your age."
Ah. I already heard some prominent ones of the young generation of Devil. The little sisters of two of the Devil Kings for example.
Then I gave a small nod.
"I understand."
After that, we spent an hour talking about exams and other stuffs. Like the order of the exam stages, who are the Judges or Examiners for the exam, who might be coming to watch, who should pay more attention to, and so on.
And when it was time, an hour before the exam started, we set off.
But not all of us go.
Scathach-sama chose to not came and prefer to stay in the mansion because she doesn't really like being in the crowd and strangers. So it's just me, Mephisto-jiisama, Kulshedra-san, and Sakuya-san.
"Let's go."
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After traveling about half an hour by car, we then stopped.
"We've arrived.... Come."
Mephisto-jiisama said to us.
And after getting out of the car, we saw a large building that looked like....
"This is.... A Stadium?"
We saw a magnificent stadium in front of us.
"Yes. This is the place for your promotion exam to High-class...."
Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod and answered me.
But I'm still confused.
"Why Stadium? I thought the exam venue was some kind of school or something."
I said somewhat disappointedly because this was completely beyond my expectations. After all, it's an exam you know, so the first thing I imagine is a classroom in a school.
Mephisto-jiisama then laughed after seeing my expression.
"Mahahahaha! .... Yes. It may seem a bit strange, but actually it's not really. Because, this stadium also has a multi-purpose hall and other features that support the implementation of exams."
"So that's why...."
After that, Mephisto-jiisama started walking towards the Stadium door and we followed him.
And while walking, Mephisto-jiisama also gave some additional explanations.
"However, the promotion exam to High-Class isn't as crowded as the promotion exam to Middle-class. The promotion exam to High-Class is quite rarely happens. And even if it's held it's usually only once every few years and even then the participants are usually no more than five people at most."
"That's... very little."
"Aye. But thats not strange either. Opportunities for class promotion aren't easy to obtain. Especially for promotion to High-class. It takes a lot of time, effort, accomplishments, and even connections for that.... If not for your special reasons this time, probably there won't be a promotion exam to High-Class this time around. That's because there's no qualified Reincarnated/Hybrid Devils to be promoted to High-class for the past ten years and probably for the next few years as well."
"I see...."
"Besides being a place for promotion exams, this place is also often used as a Rating Games match venue."
"Oh? For the Rating Games too?"
"Aye."
I know about Rating Games.
Rating Games are a kind of competition/match between High-class Devils who have Peerage.
I heard it was done to measure the abilities of High-class devils and their Peerages. And the higher their abilities and achievements in the Rating Games, the higher their honor and social standing would be.
"Oh. It just so happens that there will be a Rating Games match being held at this Stadium in a few days. How about you go watch it?"
"Hmm.... Maybe that's a fine idea."
Since I came to the Capital, I have watched the Rating Games matches several times. But that's only through the TV. So watching live at the stadium is a new experience which will likely feels different.
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After we entered the Stadium and walked for a while, we then entered a room.
And once inside, we saw a spacious room that looked quite luxurious. And in that room, we saw several people.
Then, one of them turned around upon noticing our arrival.
"Hm? .... Oh. You've finally come."
A shoulder-length, red-haired youth, Sirzechs Lucifer-sama, greeted us and smiled.
Hearing Lucifer-sama give his greetings and smile towards the door, the other people who are also familiar to us, namely the other three Devil Kings and Grayfia-san also looked over.
We then walked over to them and then I greeted with a slight bow elegantly as a noble should be to the Four Devil Kings.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
Sakuya-san who was behind me also bowed down but in a maid-style manner.
Then, the Four Devil Kings gave a small nod. And Sera-san answered on behalf of them.
"Good morning, Rey-chan and the others! Long time no see! And take it easy, Rey-chan. You don't need too formal."
Not only answered the greeting cheerfully, Sera-san also patted my head. And that makes me feel a bit awkward and shy.
But then, Mephisto-jiisama spoke.
"I heard there would be guests who would watch Rey's exam? Where are they?"
"Ah. About that, most of them will only come shortly before the final test, which is the ability test, starts."
Sirzechs-sama answered.
"Oh. Makes sense.... After all, what's interesting about Rey is his ability and potential. They obviously wouldn't want to wait for hours just to watch Rey sitting down at the table filling out exam papers."
Right. However it is, wherever it is, whenever it is, Strength is everything. In the face of absolute strength, other things didn't really matter…. Though not everyone thought that way.
"That's right. But likely, most of those interested in coming will be those from open leaning or neutral. While those from the pure-blood factions are probably only a few."
"Hmph. I'm not surprised. Those hard-headed lots didn't really accept Rey's existence from the start. Only a few who interested in giving him a chance because they realized his potential."
"Yes. It's quite a pity."
Then, Sirzechs-sama asked me.
"Rey-kun, are you ready for your exam?"
"Yes."
I nodded firmly.
"Good then.... Rey-kun, you will be escorted to the exam room after this. And later an exam officer will come to the exam room when it's time.... Meanwhile, we will stay and waiting here. Together with the guests who came later."
Hearing that answer, I frowned slightly.
".... What about Kulshedra-san?"
Kulshedra-san is my weapon. While for the ability test later, apart from measuring the level of Demonic Power, I heard that I have to demonstrate my fighting ability as well by fighting against someone I don't know who. So I definitely need her with me.
"I know what you're worried about. But there's no need.... Lady Kulshedra will be escorted to the ability test site when the time comes."
"Oh. I understand."
Then, Sirzechs-sama looked at Grayfia-san.
"Grayfia, please take Rey-kun to the exam room."
"Yes."
After that, I walked following Grayfia-san.
And after arriving at the door of a room with rows of tables and chairs, we entered it.
And once inside, Grayfia-san patted my shoulder and said,
"Good luck, Rey.... I believe you can do it."
I just nodded firmly in response to her words of encouragement.
"Nn."
Grayfia-san smiled gently at me and then left.
Then I sat down on one of the chairs there.
And after about half an hour of waiting, the examiner came.
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