Reborn as the Third Prince: To Build and Conquer my way to Royalty.
Chapter 37: Mana fortifying test.

Chapter 37: Mana fortifying test.

"No way, did the prince just finish the dream test? Didn’t it just start?"

"Incredible..."

"I heard it takes a long time to finish; none of the other students have stepped out."

The people muttered as Sylus made his way toward Zani.

Although Zani was already sprinting toward him, completely ignoring the girl she was tutoring a few minutes ago.

The girl was devastated, but at the same time, she also could not believe Sylus was done with the examination.

Getting closer, Zani stopped, scanning Sylus’s body from head to toe.

"Are you done already? If so, does that mean it was easy?"

One hand in his pocket, Sylus reacted,

"I don’t think a five-star exam was supposed to be easy. I was just well-prepared."

The dream test was supposed to be an exam that focused on mental fortitude.

You are to place your hand on a magic orb, which then sends you into a scenario you are meant to solve—like puzzles to get out.

Obviously, to the people of this world, that was something they needed to be worried about.

Not Sylus.

He found that the test was similar to him playing the famous game of Ludo from India.

All he had to do was advance toward the enemy camps by answering a bunch of questions and riddles.

By the time he was done with it, he discovered he had already finished the test.

Zani sighed, "If you believe you did well, then I’m sure you did." She smiled as well.

Smiling back, Sylus unexpectedly saw the girl standing behind Zani.

She looked as though she was going to collapse from overexcitement.

Zani was quick to take notice of this, her smile fading as she took on a solemn expression.

Before Sylus could speak, she seized his hand.

"We need to head to your next exam, my lord."

And with that, she lugged him out of the scene, giving the girl one final glance.

Though Sylus wasn’t sure why Zani was in such a haste, he didn’t mind it either.

...

Sylus went on to participate in the remaining two exams, which were oral and written.

Compared to the dream exam, the two were much easier—at least to him.

His aspect, [Rention], born from the [Phisloper title], was able to recall past events damn near perfectly, making both of those exams lightweight.

By the time it was afternoon, many of the students had completed their exams and were now standing in the hallway to take the last test:

The Mana Fortifying Exam.

Everyone had a number and would only enter the chamber when the last person was out.

So far, over 190 students have done the exam, and not a single person had a smile on their face when they came out.

Unlike the last two exams that had scores, this particular exam gave only two options: either you pass or you fail.

Standing at the side of the hall, Sylus paid attention to a girl who looked to be crying in her father’s arms.

It turned out she had just taken the exam, and even before she came out, she was already bawling her eyes out.

Perhaps that was why they allowed loved ones into the building—to act as some kind of emotional support for the students who failed.

’...To succeed is to steal another’s dream, as they say.’

Sylus knew all too well how failure felt, so he fully comprehended how the students were feeling.

While he was waiting for his turn, Lumberg’s assistant suddenly made her way towards him.

Zani was cautioned, but she didn’t act—not until she was certain about what the assistant wanted.

Even Sylus was quick to recognize her.

Stopping in front of Sylus, she bowed her head—

"Your Highness, my name is Satlla Yals; I work for Prince Sio."

Sylus nodded his head.

"Yeah, I remember you."

"That is good, then. I know I do not have the right to say this, and I understand as well the consequences that may follow, but please, I ask that you not tamper with His Highness’s pride once he steps out of the chamber."

She bowed her head even more.

Come to think of it, Sio Lumberg was one of the people currently in the chamber for the Mana Fortifying Exam.

"Why is that? Are you certain he will fail?"

Satlla seemed to be frozen at the question, almost as though she was dreading speaking.

"His Highness Sio has always had a small magic circuit since his birth. While he is still an excellent fighter, there is only so much mana he can use before he starts to damage himself."

"...So you are certain he will fail."

"Y-Yes, Your Highness."

Zani added,

"I believe her to be saying the truth, my lord. When I first saw Prince Lumberg, I thought the same thing as well."

Sylus kept quiet for a while.

To be honest, he didn’t really care much if Lumberg failed.

Nothing makes him special from the hundred others who did.

Still, he understood the pressure that was placed on him as the only son of his kingdom.

"How sad."

Satlla didn’t quite hear him, but from the look on Sylus’s face, she could tell he was feeling bad about it.

Not long after, Sio Lumberg stepped out of the chamber.

When people glimpsed him, they all turned their gazes toward his location.

Murmurs about whether he passed or not reverberated.

The look on his face was stoic, making it hard to tell if he was happy or sad.

Then came the announcement—

(Contestant 198! Please step into the chamber.)

"My lord..."

"Yeah, I know. It’s me. I’ll be going then."

Sylus ambled away.

It didn’t take long for him to walk past Sio, only for him to hear something sink into his ears.

"You win."

As Sio strolled past him.

His fleeting shadow lingered.

Sylus would have halted to ask what he meant by that.

But that voice he heard didn’t sound like that of someone who won.

In actuality, Sio Lumberg failed the exam.