The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 44

Since this was a magic academy, it was only natural that there would be a practical exam to test magical abilities.

In the game, the story began at the entrance ceremony, so the exam was never mentioned.

I had been secretly looking forward to it—but…

“I did not see this coming.”

Before me stood a massive golem—a towering three-meter giant made of solid stone.

Beside me stood… someone else.

“We’ll protect everyone together, Lord Wertheim!”

A blond pretty boy looked at me with sparkling eyes.

…How the hell did it come to this?

“The Royal Academy of Magic”

On the morning of the exam, I left early from the Wertheim estate, heading toward the capital by carriage.

As usual, I entered the city through the southern gate and traveled north.

To the north of the capital stood the royal castle.

A bit to the east was an enormous structure—though smaller than the castle, it was far larger than my own ducal mansion.

This was the Royal Academy of Magic.

The academy gate was grand and imposing.

When I stepped out of the carriage…

…The area was buzzing with noise.

Yet the moment I looked around, the chatter died down.

Wait.

Was I being feared?

I’m not a villainous noble, I swear!

I noticed a girl staring at me, so I smiled at her—

She screamed and ran away.

…Ouch.

Feeling deflated, I checked in and entered the exam hall.

At least inside, people weren’t completely silent—though I still felt a lot of stares.

I walked to my assigned seat and made eye contact with the girl sitting next to me.

She immediately looked away.

…That hurts even more.

Luckily, my seat was by the window, so I just stared outside, waiting for the exam to start.

Ah, what a beautiful sky…

Before long, an elderly examiner arrived, and the written exam began.

“Onto the Practical Exam”

There was nothing notable about the written exam, so we soon moved on to the practical portion.

We left the main school building, crossed a large training ground, and arrived at a series of gymnasium-like structures.

Inside—

…Wait.

Was this really a gymnasium!?

The space was unnaturally vast, almost like we were outside.

Was this magic at work?

The game never described this level of detail, so I had no idea how it worked.

“Now then, I will explain the exam.”

A different examiner stepped forward.

The rules were simple:

Demonstrate your best magic.

Not your strongest, but your best—a key distinction.

Magic wasn’t just about combat.

There were countless spells that enhanced daily life.

This test aimed to evaluate magic holistically, which made sense for the kingdom’s most prestigious academy.

One by one, candidates stepped forward to display their magic.

Some unleashed fairly powerful spells, yet the arena remained completely unscathed—likely due to protective wards.

My name was called in the final group, second to last.

And the very last candidate was…

Ugh.

Him.

I spotted someone I did not want to deal with.

Without making eye contact, I hurried to my position.

I felt a gaze on me, but since our eyes didn’t meet, I considered it a close call.

Please don’t look this way.

Candidates took their turns, casting spells one after another.

Then, just as it was almost my turn—

The guy before me turned to glare at me.

…Seriously? You too?

“Kraut von Wertheim! You’ve been getting awfully full of yourself lately, but let me show you—”

“The most outstanding student at this academy… is ME!”

…Who is this guy?

He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place his name.

“I am the one most worthy to stand beside Princess Lilie! HAaaaahhh!”

Oh.

I see.

He considered me a rival for Princess Lilie’s affection.

Even though I had zero interest in that.

Let’s call him Henohenomoheji (placeholder name).

Moheji placed his hands on the ground, channeling magic.

The earth rose up, forming a massive humanoid shape.

“A golem, huh?”

The stone giant stood a towering three meters tall.

I had to admit—his magic capacity far surpassed mine.

But then, Moheji suddenly collapsed.

“Something’s wrong! It’s an overcharge!”

The examiner’s urgent shout echoed.

At the same time.

The golem swung a massive fist at me.

Hey, hey, HEY!?

I barely managed to dodge backward.

The golem’s fist slammed into the ground, leaving a crater.

If that had hit me…

I’d have been smashed open like a pomegranate.

Moheji had poured too much magic into the golem, losing control.

And yet—

For some reason, it only targeted me.

Was it because I was nearby?

Or was it because Moheji personally hated me?

The answer became clear when the golem locked eyes with me.

Yep. Definitely the second one.

“Lord Wertheim, run! We’ll handle this!”

“That’s… not really an option.”

I glanced around.

The other examinees were panicking, rushing for the exits.

If I fled, it would only worsen the chaos.

“How do you normally deal with runaway magic?”

“Normally, excessive magic results in explosions or self-destruction. If it explodes, the barrier handles it. But in this case… it’s still receiving unconscious commands from its caster.”

…You’re telling me he’s STILL ordering it to kill me, even while unconscious!?

If he was awake, he wouldn’t dare attack a ducal heir.

But since it was unconscious instinct, it was even worse.

“Then I definitely can’t run away.”

If it was targeting me, the best thing I could do was stall it until the others escaped.

“Shouldn’t a magic academy’s teachers be able to handle this!?”

“Combat-capable faculty… aren’t suited for proctoring exams. We’re mostly researchers.”

Are you KIDDING me!?

You talked big earlier, but you can’t actually fight!?

“I’ll hold it off. Get the students out.”

“But—”

“It’s already targeting me. This is the safest option.”

Just then, the golem charged.

Despite its massive size, it was fast.

I braced myself—

And then—

“I won’t let you do as you please! Your opponent is ME!”

A golden-haired, green-eyed young man stepped forward.

A protagonist straight out of a shoujo manga.

Which made sense, because—

He was the hero of Swords, Magic, and Flower Crowns.

Vice.