Chapter 21: The Entrance Exam and a Demonic Encounter

Days later…

Lulu lay on her bed, pondering life.

‘How utterly mortifying!’

The experience of applying the medicine these past few days had been pure torment. Each session felt like a severe blow to Lulu’s mental fortitude.

Yet, she couldn’t betray any hint of shame or discomfort. To do so would shatter her carefully cultivated cool demeanor. Consequently, the young woman could only bury her face into her pillow each time, desperately trying to hide her flushed cheeks.

‘Ugh…’

‘Though it was highly probable Alexius was merely trying to repay her kindness, putting his heart and soul into the task, it still felt incredibly vexing!’

‘She absolutely had to find an opportunity to get back at him. Ugh… she had to get revenge on that damned little demon king!’

‘Oh, speaking of which, today was the day of the Magic Academy’s entrance exams.’

Lulu blinked, then slowly tried to stand. After several days of recovery, her burns had almost completely healed.

‘She absolutely had to go watch the little demon king’s entrance exam!’

The young woman stretched, then rose to find the little demon king seated in the living room. He clearly seemed startled, though Lulu couldn’t discern anything amiss.

‘His pants are on properly, aren’t they?’

Alexius: …

“Alexius, after breakfast, we’ll head to the enrollment site,” Lulu said. “Nia registered you in advance. I’m not sure how your studies have progressed these past few days, but… in any case, try to score well in the practical combat section.”

Lulu spoke with earnest advice. The little demon king nodded, then suddenly inquired:

“Um… Teacher, if I successfully enroll, will you be my instructor?”

‘Eh?’

Lulu blinked, genuinely surprised by the little demon king’s unexpected question.

‘Oh, he wants me to be his teacher at school too?’

‘Looks like the Demon King has turned into a loyal dog~ Pfft.’

‘Well, I usually teach the advanced classes, don’t I? The little demon king might barely scrape by to even get in, let alone the advanced class.’

Lulu lightly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then spoke with a smile:

“I teach the advanced classes, you know. If your grades are good enough, I’ll definitely be your homeroom teacher. Good luck, your master believes in you!”

‘Believe that, and you’ll believe anything! First, encouragement, then doubt! Make the little demon king live with regret; without confidence, he’ll never become the Demon King, haha!’

Alexius: …

‘Patience!’

“Thank you, Teacher. I will redouble my efforts.”

Alexius replied with a forced smile. Lulu nodded, then led the little demon king to the enrollment site.

****

Jiangxin Island was exceptionally lively today. It was likely the Magic Academy’s most boisterous day of the year, isolated as it was from Kafa City’s main metropolis.

The little demon king had been led away by a teacher at the enrollment site, leaving Lulu alone on the high platform. From there, she watched as a procession of well-dressed noble children approached one by one to test their magical power.

This was the first stage of the entrance exam: initially, students’ magic levels were tested and assigned a score. Then came the second stage, where students were grouped by their magic levels for several rounds of combat assessments.

Both victory and on-field performance were crucial scoring criteria, leading to another score. Finally, fifty percent of each score was added together, and the top five hundred students were admitted.

However… gazing at the teeming crowds at today’s enrollment site, Lulu suddenly felt a surge of pressure. ‘How could there be so many people this year? It feels like over five thousand! A ninety percent elimination rate, my goodness.’

Just as Lulu was consumed by worry, a man slowly approached her from the side. He patted her shoulder, making Lulu jump and turn around. She then saw Principal Brook, the old man, smiling warmly at her.

“Phew~ You startled me, old man.”

“Heh, Lulu, you’ve become much more composed.”

The old homeroom teacher began to tease Lulu. He hadn’t forgotten the once boisterous Lulu. The young woman nodded, then slowly stated:

“After all, I’ve grown up. I’m not a little girl anymore.”

‘Ahem, just maintaining appearances.’

She propped her chin in her hand, gazing blankly at the students queuing below to test their magical power.

“Mona, Rank 0.5! Good.”

“Rute, Rank 0.7! Excellent.”

“Kassius, a Rank One Mage! Wow, kid, not bad at all, I’ve got my eye on you! Next!”

The test administrator shouted loudly. The mages who had completed their magic level tests displayed expressions of both joy and sorrow.

Beside him, a recorder swiftly jotted down the results. The young man named Kassius emerged from the testing area, eliciting gasps of surprise from the surrounding crowd.

“Wow, as expected of Brother Kassius, the strongest in the preparatory class! So handsome…”

‘Ugh…’

Lulu and Brook exchanged knowing smiles, both shaking their heads.

That ‘brother’ was already seventeen years old, completely incomparable to the fifteen-year-olds around him. Moreover, he hailed from a top noble family, possessed excellent bloodline, and had abundant resources at his disposal.

If he still couldn’t reach Rank One, he might as well give up. While his accumulated magic level resulted in a high score, Lulu had taught many such children. A significant number of them had artificially inflated levels, and their learning abilities were truly subpar.

“This year’s students show decent potential; the competition is quite fierce,” Brook remarked softly beside her.

Lulu nodded, a hint of worry clouding her brow.

“Has your student arrived at the site yet?” the Principal suddenly asked.

Lulu grew even more wistful. She nodded, then her gaze began to search the crowd for the little demon king.

A moment later, Lulu finally spotted the small figure amidst the throng. She stretched out a hand to point him out to the Principal, then said with deep concern: “He… he’s here, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to enroll. He only seems to be Rank 0.2…”

The Principal nodded, a touch of helplessness crossing his face. A moment later, he suddenly spoke:

“There’s something I’m not sure I should say, Lulu. If your apprentice truly lacks significant magical talent, then continuing to cultivate under you, or forcing him into the Magic Academy, would only be delaying his life.”

“Perhaps it would be better to find him another path, and let him live independently. He’s no longer a child; at fifteen, with hands and feet, he can certainly support himself.”

Lulu fell silent for a moment. Perhaps… the Principal was right. She only wanted to prevent a bad ending, so why concern herself with anything else?

“But… I saved him from the enemies pursuing him. I promised to teach him magic so he could seek revenge. Besides… after spending so many days together, even a pet cat or dog would develop some affection, wouldn’t it?”

The young woman sighed, never having wished for something so fervently as she did today.

‘Little demon king, you *must* pass and get admitted!’

****

‘Hm?’

Alexius looked up, glancing at Teacher Lulu, who stood conspicuously on the platform alongside the Principal, then offered a slight smile.

‘Strange. This person actually hopes I do well. Is she planning to work me to death once I get admitted?’

‘Heh~’

Before the little demon king could turn his head away, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Alexius turned around, only to see a flamboyantly dressed, blond-haired man grinning as he scrutinized him. His gaze was far from friendly.

“Hey, are you in the wrong line? The queue for janitorial applications isn’t over here~”

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