When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 09: The Practical Exam

Chapter 09: The Practical Exam

When the time came, the candidates were called to the training grounds within the facility.

Since this place was responsible for maintaining the peace so close to the royal family, the training area was impressively spacious.

It had two circular arenas, like coliseums, with swords, spears, and other weapons neatly lined up along the walls.

The training ground even had spectator seats set up all around the arena, suggesting it was designed for events like this. By now, those seats were already filled with people of all ages, watching intently. 

Some were probably related to the Knights, while others might have been family members of the test-takers. Either way, many eyes were focused on the candidates gathered below.

“Are they expecting a circus or something? There’s quite a crowd here, but there’s not going to be anything that entertaining to see.”

“Well, even a clumsy performance would be exciting if it’s your own family up there, right?”

“Exciting might not be the word—they’re probably feeling nervous, wondering how to welcome back their family if they don’t make the cut.”

Looking around, Yulis estimated that about a hundred candidates had gathered for the test.

With that many participants, it made sense that a large number of spectators had come to watch, filling up the seats.

Still, Yulis couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic, knowing that all those eyes added a lot of pressure on everyone.

(But seriously, now that I’m standing here, the tension is really hitting me…)

If he failed to get into the Knights, he would definitely be sent to the academy.

As a noble, staying home without a job and turning into a full-time slacker would never fly with his father, the head of the family.

And that would mean he’d end up right in the middle of a scenario packed with disaster flags.

(I-I have to avoid that at all costs… If it’s her, I’m not worried about playful jabs but rather a serious sword to the back…!)

Yulis clasped his hands together, as if in prayer, steeling himself for what was to come. 

With his life quite literally on the line, it made sense for him to look more desperate than anyone else.

Meanwhile—

(Hmm, I wonder how many people I need to beat to pass? More importantly, I should figure out what to say to get Master to pat my head as a reward…)

Standing beside him was a cute maid, utterly lacking any sense of tension, her thoughts focused more on being pampered than on the upcoming test.

“Hey, look over there!”

“No way, she’s really here!”

“This is the first time I’ve seen her so close…”

Suddenly, the surrounding crowd began to buzz with excitement. 

Curious, Yulis followed their gazes to see what everyone was looking at—

(…Ugh.)

Amidst the audience seats, there was a space that stood out distinctly from the rest.

It was a glass-walled area, almost as if it had been prepared specifically for VIPs, and a single girl stood inside it.

She had glossy, braided golden hair and eyes that shone like emeralds. 

Even from a distance, her refined and graceful appearance was strikingly beautiful. Her elegant and poised demeanor was unmistakable. 

Even Yulis, who hadn’t attended any social gatherings since his reincarnation, recognized her immediately.

(Why is a heroine here of all places…?)

This girl was Fia Mercury, the third princess of this country. 

She was one of the heroines who would eventually work alongside the protagonist in the game. 

Yulis wanted to shout out loud, Why is she here!? This is ridiculous! as he buried his face in his hands, quietly beginning to sob.

(Is this some side event that doesn’t affect the main story, just a casual inspection or something? Why didn’t anyone tell me this was important!? Okay, maybe they did, but still!!!)

Sure, if it wasn’t directly related to the main storyline, it probably wouldn’t have been shown as a major scene. 

At most, it might have been mentioned in a brief line of dialogue.

Either way, what’s done is done. His task remained the same.

Yulis uncovered his face, directing a slightly resentful gaze at the princess, even though he knew she couldn’t see it.

“(Wow, the princess is actually here. What’s she doing? Looking for some hidden gem among the candidates?)”

“(…Let’s just think of her as a decoration watching from a high place and not worry about it.)”

“(Yeah, fair enough.)”

As they whispered to each other, a group of knights finally appeared from the back of the training grounds. 

Each of them was holding some paperwork, likely the exam officials or something similar.

One of them stepped forward and addressed the candidates in a loud voice.

“Thank you for waiting! We will now begin the practical exam!”

—The practical exam.

Just hearing those words sent a wave of tension through all the candidates.

“To put it simply, you will be divided into groups and will engage in battles! However, this is not about winning or losing, but rather about assessing your potential and current abilities! Fight with the intention of showcasing your individual skills, but no lethal moves!”

In short, it was a combat showcase. 

The purpose was to evaluate each candidate’s skills and determine if they were suitable for being accepted as knights.

(It’s like some kind of audition… Are they trying to form an idol group out of us or something?)

As Yulis thought about all this, the knights stationed nearby began to move among the gathered candidates.

One of them walked right between Yulis and Iris, causing them both to tilt their heads in curiosity.

As the knights moved through the groups, the candidates standing near the path naturally shifted a bit to avoid being in the way, moving slightly forward or backward.

Before long, the roughly hundred candidates had naturally divided into four groups.

“The groups you’re in now are your assigned groups! We’ll start with the front-right and back-right groups! When your group is called, step onto the platform!”

One by one, each group moved towards the circular platforms, their faces showing signs of nervousness.

“Well then, Master… good luck out there♪”

“Yeah, you too, Iris.”

Yulis and Iris had been placed in different groups, both among the first to be called. 

Although Yulis would have preferred that a heroine like Iris didn’t join the Knights… now that it had come to this, he didn’t want to wish misfortune upon her. 

So, he gave Iris a genuine cheer, took a deep breath, and psyched himself up.

(No holding back… I’m going to put on a show for all those potential sponsors of this ‘idol group.’)

And so, the moment of truth arrived—one that could take him down a completely new path, away from the original storyline.