★ Eleonor’s thrilled he’ll take the test. At her inn, Arcus is told to stay in Eleonor’s room so he rests well. He insists on the sofa; she has him “just try the mattress”… and he wakes up the next morning having slept like a log thanks to a bit of sleep magic. She teases him; Arcus doesn’t get the joke. (Sanitized.)
★ Exam day: Eleonor tests with the nobles, Arcus with the Knight Class. The Knight queue is massive becoming a knight can change your status. While waiting, Arcus finds a slip with the name Ema Helena familiar, but he can’t place it.
★ Arcus aims for top score to snag that scholarship:
• Magic: perfect wind shot examiners are stunned.
• Sword: he defeats an active knight examiner.
• Team battle: his random teammates are Ema Helena (which is weird she should be the Saint-route heroine, not Knight Class) and Reine Deon (baron family). Ema’s a magic type with a spark skill that just dazzles foes (Arcus remembers it should weaken demons / strong heal, but here it’s only a flash). Reine’s a sword talent with charm. They win: two enemies get caught by charm + spark; the last nearly eats Arcus’s finisher before the examiner stops it as too dangerous. Arcus earns the nickname “Test Breaker.”
★ After the exam, Arcus chats with his teammates on the way to Eleonor unaware Eleonor’s been watching. She immediately asks about “those two girls.” Jealousy flares; she blinds him with her ability for a moment, and he comes to on her lap, lightly restrained. To calm her, he says they’re not his type, adding he actually prefers older women. She goes quiet not mad, but she doesn’t unbind him right away.
★ First day of class, Arcus ends up in the same class as Ema. She guides him in; everyone’s in awe from his exam feats and pepper him with questions. Ema rescues him by reminding the room the teacher’s about to arrive.