19.
In truth, the question posed in the 3rd Gate was merely a gauge for the examinee’s values.
The recording of the ‘crisis management ability’ score had ended the moment the door to the 3rd Gate swung open and I stepped inside. This meant that no matter how long I stalled, it would have zero impact on my final grade.
“My choice is not to sacrifice anyone.”
At first glance, the test seemed to force a cruel ultimatum: sacrifice one of the rabbits to earn your escape. That was, indeed, the original design. But now that I knew the time spent here was meaningless for the score, I had the luxury of a different choice.
If this was a test of character, I wanted to show the supervisor that I was not a person who sacrificed anything.
“It’s not bravado; I truly have the power to do so.”
By now, the Abilitator who had cast the illusion must be watching.
In the maze portion of the exam, even if an examinee finds a shortcut, it is credited as their own ingenuity; the evaluators don’t monitor the simulation directly because entering an illusion drains them of significant vitality. But the 3rd Gate was different. Because it was designed to probe an examinee’s core values, the caster had no choice but to enter the illusion and witness the decision firsthand.
I looked up at the empty air and grinned, a flicker of madness in my eyes.
*Let’s see who lasts longer—you, holding this illusion together, or me, enduring it.*
✦ ✦ ✦
When I exited the exam hall, an attendant led me to the waiting area.
“Tania, please wait here until the results are posted.”
“Yes.”
The outcome was a foregone conclusion. My victory was sealed the moment I took a leisurely nap on the floor of that chamber, leaving the illusion without sacrificing a single rabbit.
Raspi and Rosemary, who had already finished their tests, were waiting.
“Tania!”
“Hero!”
……Has Rosemary decided to make ‘Hero’ my permanent title?
Just as I thought this might become troublesome, she sprinted toward me and threw herself into my arms. I found myself staggering slightly under the weight of a child a head taller than me; I had evidently become her comfort object.
“Hero, I was so worried because you were gone for such a long time.”
“So that’s why you were fretting. Sorry, I got held up. More importantly, how did you both do?”
Rosemary rummaged through her papers and proudly flourished her certificate of acceptance.
“Ta-da! I did exactly as you said, and I actually passed! It says ‘pass’ right here, doesn’t it? Does this mean I finally have a home? I don’t have to go hungry anymore, do I?”
“Of course.”
The Papiope Training Institute didn’t expel students for poor performance unless they caused trouble.
“This is all thanks to you, Hero!”
Rosemary gripped my hand and hopped around, full of the unbridled energy of a child. But then…
“Raspi, why is your expression so dark? Don’t tell me……”
Before I could finish the sentence—*Surely you didn’t fail when even Rosemary, who isn’t an Abilitator, passed?*—Raspi hurriedly spoke up.
“I passed. However……”
“However?”
“Tania……”
He trailed off, chewing his lip, unsure of how to voice his concern. Ah. He must have been terrified that I had failed because I took so long in the final test.
It was cute, but at this point, I really had to wonder: does he actually have separation anxiety?
Just as I was about to soothe him, one of the supervisors who had managed the ability assessment approached me.
“Tania, your exam results are out. Could we speak in private for a moment regarding them?”
“Yes.”
I gestured for Raspi and Rosemary to stay put and followed the supervisor. Inside the office, a man sat waiting; he smiled as I entered.
“Hello, Tania. I am Ruben, the director of the Papiope Training Institute.”
The supervisor stood at his side, watching me with keen interest. I guessed why I had been called in. I blinked slowly and offered a polite nod.
“Hello.”
“The reason I asked to see you, Tania, is your exam performance. First, I would like to hand this to you.”
The director slid an envelope across the desk. I took it, opened it, and unfolded the document.
**Comprehensive Ability Evaluation Report**
**Name: Tania**
**Ability Grade: S-Rank**
**Crisis Management Ability: A+ (New record set)**
**Written Exam: 100/100**
*Based on your comprehensive scores, we have confirmed that you are the talent we have been looking for. Congratulations. You have passed the entrance exam.*
The report displayed the highest possible scores across every category. As if waiting for me to finish reading, the director leaned forward with a serious expression.
“That score is the first of its kind since this institute was founded.”
It was only natural. I had deliberately set a record high enough to tempt a Duke.
“Have you perhaps been scouted by any other Abilitator orphanages, or have you promised sponsorship to any noble family?”
“No. Since my ability awakened, this is the first place I’ve come to.”
The director’s lips curved into a triumphant smile. Rare, gifted Abilitators were usually monopolized by the nobility. To have a child with ‘Precognition’ and a perfect score walk through his door unbidden? It was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to lose.
“You may not be aware, but you are eligible to enter the institute immediately.”
“Yes.”
“If you are willing, I would like to facilitate your immediate enrollment. Would that be acceptable?”
“No. I don’t have parents, but I have a guardian I am currently under the care of.”
“Th-then that means……”
“Yes. I would like to postpone my enrollment until I receive permission from my guardian.”
At my refusal, the director’s expression darkened.
“This may be a rude question, but… has your guardian been exploiting you for financial gain?”
……Is it really appropriate to use such heavy, formal vocabulary with a child?
I felt a flash of bewilderment, but then I remembered the ‘genius’ persona I had unintentionally cultivated. The pressure of maintaining that act made me hesitate, but I managed to keep my composure.
“No. My guardian is a good person. I simply felt burdened by being a financial weight on them, which is why I chose to take this exam.”
“Then, how much of a delay do you need?”
It had been about a month since the mister left for his trip. He had promised to return as quickly as possible.
“I will enroll within a month.”
“……If you wish, Tania, I can dispatch personnel to help you obtain your guardian’s permission more easily.”
He was desperate to speed things up, fearful that some noble family might swoop in and poach me in the interim.
“There’s no need to worry, Director. My goal is to be adopted by Duke Papiope.”
“……But.”
I smiled brightly to soothe his anxieties.
“Money is not a concern. If I put my mind to it, I can earn as much as I want.”
It was a truth no one could deny.