Chapter 16: Entrance Exams (III).
Chapter 16: Entrance Exams (III).
The admission took a whole hour, helping that many people who were unable to read and write were tiring but somehow fulfilling.
"Thank you so much, really!" Each of the men lined up to give her their thanks. They had already submitted their forms and were ready to go to the next hall with her. "When we pass this whole exam thing we sure hope to be your classmates so we have your back."
"Yeah! We have your back Miss Rowan!" (Jonathan) was the lead of her fanbase, he was ecstatic that they formed a little group of their own on this one. Each being thankful for her help and understanding of the common people.
"Indeed." The scary middle aged man from before also tagged along, out of all the circles that were forming this seemed to be the safest.
"...Mm."
Rowan scratched the back of her head not saying anything, because the tiredness was clear on her eyes and just wanted to get onto the next hall.
The headmaster of the school was watching, a crimson-red haired girl was carrying a whole crowd around her. He was just there to watch the future young soldiers, seeing their talents and potential but amongst them only one stood out.
Like a little general with her own small army, a lone wolf alpha who seems to bring people into its circle.
"Keep an eye on that one, I want that woman to be observed." He tells all the other professors that were behind him and all their attention was now turned to Rowan with a confused look.
"Headmaster, what could be so special about that girl? There are other strong looking men here that are better to be observed." One of the professors lifts his glasses, truly seeing nothing interesting or worth their time to be even observing a woman like her.
A woman will always have one path, she'll get married and settle down to live with her family.
The headmaster chuckles, watching dismissively with his hand. For all of his years of living, he has learned that one should not underestimate the will, strength and courage of a female warrior. "You'll see, she's much more than meets the eye. A member of the royal family has taken a keen interest in her. I thought it would be worth the trouble."
…
The staff gathers all the examiners to the next exam hall. "Now everyone for the next part of the exam. There will be a test for your physical prowess, weapon handling and cooperation."
Everyone of the students could hear a cart being pulled, they realized it was full of weapons ranging from the ones you can use at close and long range. They cheered at the sight that they would be able to hold the weapons soon and show them what exact they're made of, "Whoah! So the exams are really officially starting!"
"First, before we get to the weapons. We will now be testing each and one of you on strength and speed."
Rowan was in line to test her strength, where it was to lift a certain amount of weights and hold them high up in the air for a certain amount of time.
"..." She held the bar for as long as she could.
When she was training with the soldiers in her manner she lacked strength and stamina when she first started but she tries her best to keep up.
"Fifty-five kilos and almost a minute. You're… quite the girl!" The staff notes down her time and compliments her of her capabilities.
It's not often you see a woman who can carry that much weight.
Rowan wipes off the sweat from her forehead and hands before nodding to the staff that her turn was over. "...mm."
Truly she was a woman with a few words but the circle of men that favored her for helping them with their forms was impressed, not only that she was intelligent but it seems that she could also keep up.
"Is it just me or is she really awesome?"
"That's actually pretty decent normal weight."
"What's with all the praise? Anyone can do what she did."
"Yeah but you forgot she's a girl."
Everyone's eyes were on her, she was drawing unwanted attention to herself and she understood why.
These weights after all were the same weight she used to work with back at the mansion with everyone else in training, some are lifting heavier weights so why are they making such a big deal out of it?
Jonathan Smithers, one of her new acquaintances, runs up to her and praises her strength. "You were awesome Miss Rowan! I think you're even stronger than my mom! And she helps around the shop!"
Rowan blinks considering his words and background of having a family of smiths, where they're used to carrying heavy weapons and armor- it was a compliment.
"Thank you." (Rowan) smiles politely as she waits for her turn in the track to test her speed, but she overhears a few laughing men not too far away.
"Bwuahaha! He compared her to his own aged mum!"
"That's hilarious man, we should show her how it's done." The following men in line soon showed her how it was supposed to be 'done'.
"Next!" The exam proctor calls on for the next person to try lifting the weights. They all carried heavy weights that were more than the crimson-haired girl's record, expecting cheers and applause from the crowd.
"Hmph, how do you like that?" They flexed their muscles and chest a bit puff from their 'wonderful performance' for everyone to see- not one even batted an eye at their attempts of showing who was better at lifting weights.
"Alright next."
"...Oh."
Rowan didn't mind them, focusing on passing not wasting her time. "Miss Rowan Bonheur. You're up for the speed test, you'll be sprinting on the track and we'll have a mechanical clock take note of your speed."
"I'm ready."
Rowan sprints throughout the track, her long red hair flowing as the wind blows. Everyone around who was watching raised their eyebrows, they were either impressed or disappointed in themselves not accepting the fact that a girl bested them at their own speed record.
"She's fast!"
"Beyond average… we have a good examiner." They take note of her speed, such physical attributes are rare. "Congratulations Miss Rowan you're the second fastest amongst all the examiners that we've recorded."
Rowan wipes the sweat running on her forehead, nodding at the observers. "...thank you."
Everyone else who followed behind her trying to beat her record were left panting for air, their legs really tried on running at their fastest but it only damaged their body.
"What the hell? How is she so much faster than us?"
"Hah… she… I don't know how she did it… but she must've cheated." One examiner accused her of cheating and fell on the floor due to the tiredness he was feeling.
His companion agrees with him glaring at Rowan, he has not met any woman that is capable of keeping up with a man. This must be witchcraft! "Right… because… this is just… wheeze… impossible."
The next physical examination is the most exciting part, the examiners will finally show their mastery over a weapon. "Next you'll be paired with one of your fellow examinees to be your sparring partner for this part of the exam. You'll have a chance to show your prowess in the art of weapon mastery."
"This is a military academy which means we focus on making elite soldiers that will one day benefit the kingdom."
"Show us what you can do." The cart that they pulled out before was placed in front of them, those who didn't have a weapon at hand can choose freely amongst the batches.
Jonathan being in a family of blacksmiths was one of the many commoners who were fortunate enough to have a weapon at the ready.
He eyes the free weapons in display, holding his chin. "Some of the blades there, I can tell that they're taken care of but the sides are a bit dull. Whoever has their own sword brought will have an advantage here."
Rowan raises her hand, "How will we be paired?"
"By observing your physical capabilities that we have recorded. We'll be pairing you up with people who have the same or similar strength and speed." One of the staff shows the list, detailing who their partner would be on a board. "We want it to be fair and square- a nice clean game."
"I really don't know where that idiom came from." A staff member crosses their arms hearing his words.
"It sounds cool, let me have my moment."
Jonathan sees the long list of names, he tries finding Miss Rowan's first before his. He was excited to see who would fight her first, the physical attributes that she displayed was phenomenal!
"If we ever get to face each other Miss Rowan, I will fight with honor and my pride on the line. Even though I consider you one of my best buddies here now I won't go easy on you!"
Rowan turns to him hearing his words, she wonders if this person is talking to her that much because well she helped her fill the documents… Did she accidentally make a friend?
"Likewise, fighting at your best is the most respectful decision." She places a hand on her chest, invoking a vow. "Please do not hold back just because I am a woman. I will pass the entrance exams with my own sweat and blood- to serve the royal family is my dream. I swear on my teacher's name that I will be a knight worthy of protecting the princess."
"Whoa- you want to serve the royal family? Specifically the princess?" (Jonathan) asks, eyes widened with shock. He thought she was just here to become any other soldier but boy is she aiming high.
"Yes, I am indebted to her for saving me. I thought this is one way that I am able to repay her." (Rowan) speaks very highly of the princess, even after only meeting her once it seems that was enough to make her much attached.
Jonathan taps his toes, "Just curious seeing that I have never seen the princess before or any royal family in that matter but- is she pretty?"
Rowan's crimson eyes blinks awkwardly before slowly nodding, the princess of their kingdom is one of the most beautiful ladies she has ever seen.
Is she pretty? Hah! The answer to that was very clear.
"...very much so." She mutters out, her new friend became even more pumped to join the private academy to join her in the quest of becoming one of the royal knights.
"Can't wait to become a royal knight too!"