As Yuui took control of Alicia's body, her once timid eyes turned sharp in an instant, and her voice lost all traces of weakness.
"Alicia!? No surname? A Nameless One?" Instructor White raised an eyebrow.
The so-called "Nameless Ones" referred to those in the Bredt Kingdom who had no surname—only a given name.
Such people were usually orphans or nobles who had committed serious crimes and been stripped of their family name by the state.
In the Bredt Kingdom, from nobles to commoners alike, a surname was a source of pride, for it symbolized the contributions one's ancestors made in building the kingdom.
Even a commoner with a surname meant that their family had once been noble; even if they had since fallen, they still carried the honor once belonging to nobility.
Thus, in any formal setting, it was customary for people to introduce themselves with their surname first, as it represented their family's glory and history in serving the kingdom.
For this reason, those without a surname—or those who had been stripped of one—held a social standing even lower than commoners.
So, when Alicia stated only her first name, murmurs of ridicule immediately rose from the crowd of examinees behind her.
"Unbelievable! Even Nameless Ones dare show up for the Academy's entrance test now?"
"Such a lowborn without a surname doesn't deserve to stand among us! Throw her out!"
"His Majesty should amend the law—these wretches should be driven out of the kingdom entirely."
"..."
As the noise grew in that section, the eyes of both instructors and students from nearby test areas turned toward them. Seeing this, Instructor White raised his voice sharply, "Silence!!"
The surge of magic power within his shout instantly crushed the clamor.
Then, looking again at Alicia—or rather, at Yuui now inhabiting her—he said coldly, "Alicia, do you understand that your actions have delayed the examination for others? You will be punished for this."
"Punished?" Yuui asked flatly. "What kind of punishment? Disqualification?"
"Not that severe," Instructor White said, shaking his head. "Since you're a new student, and you didn't take that card for selfish gain, I'll simply make you the last to take the test in your group."
Alicia: (^▽^) Yay, Yuui-san! We won't lose our qualification!
"Yeah," Yuui answered softly in her mind, then raised the Slower Swallow card and asked aloud, "Then what if I leave the testing ground right now to return this card to the man you expelled from the academy, and then come back to finish my test? Will the punishment remain the same?"
At that, many of the onlookers thought Alicia must have lost her mind.
That man had nothing to do with her. Why care so much? And for a Spirit Card, no less! Couldn't she just keep it? Even if the Spirit was weak.
However, Instructor White's gaze narrowed at her words.
"You can, but if you leave now, even if you pass the Summoning Test upon returning, I'll increase the difficulty of your Duel Test tomorrow. If you fail the Duel Test, you'll still lose your chance to enroll in Saint Fusion Academy. Are you sure you want to risk that for a stranger, Alicia?"
Alicia: Ah, the Duel Test will be harder!? What should we do, Yuui-san!
"What's there to worry about? Worst case, I'll duel in your place, like before."
Answering her in his mind, Yuui continued aloud, "You're mistaken, Instructor. I'm not doing this for that man. I'm doing it for the Spirit within this card—Slower Swallow."
Alicia: (･´ω`･) Yuui-san, that sounded kinda weird…
Yuui: Quiet for a bit, don't interrupt my thoughts.
Alicia: (˘•ω•˘) Okay…
When White heard that she was doing it for the Spirit, disappointment flickered briefly in his eyes.
Abruptly, then, Yuui's next words caught his attention again. "Slower Swallow responded to that man's summon from ancient times. It even dared to challenge a powerful instructor like you for the sake of its new master.
"So even though it's weak and low-level, it's still a Spirit worthy of respect. And because of that, I believe that man doesn't deserve it. A true Duelist should never discard their own card, no matter the reason. The moment they vent their anger on it, they forfeit the right to call it theirs."
"And yet, despite thinking that man unworthy of the Spirit, you still intend to return it?"
Instructor White looked at Alicia closely now, genuinely curious. Depending on her answer, he would decide what difficulty her Duel Test would take tomorrow.
"Yes," Yuui said, gazing at the Slower Swallow card. "I'll return it. I'll make it see its master's true nature. Whether it still chooses to follow him, to fade away, or to follow me—that decision should be its own."
"Heh, interesting," sneered a well-dressed black-haired boy in the crowd. "She's pretending to give the Spirit a choice between life and death, though come on—anyone can see which she'll pick. It's obvious that weak bird will cling to her. Still, to go to all this trouble for a measly Level 1 weakling... how fitting for a Nameless One. No trace of noble dignity!"
Up above, Instructor White shared a similar thought at first, but soon dismissed it. Something deep inside told him that this girl named Alicia wasn't doing this for power. When she comforted the Slower Swallow earlier, her eyes were filled with such gentle purity.
'It seems only a duel will reveal this girl's true heart,' White thought.
In this world, a Duelist's heart could be seen through their duels—whether good or evil, it would all show in a single match.
Of course, that would have to wait until she passed the Summoning Test first.
Having made his decision, White said evenly, "Very well. You are permitted to leave the arena to return the Slower Swallow to its original master. Still, as I said, your Summoning Test will be the last conducted today. And if you pass, tomorrow's Duel Test will be made significantly harder. So, one last time, Alicia—are you sure you're willing to stake your future on a weak, one-star Spirit?"
Yuui met Alicia's gaze inside her mind, then withdrew, giving control of her body back to her.
As Alicia opened her pearl-bright eyes and looked up at Instructor White, she said firmly, word by word, "I am."
"Good." White waved his hand. "Then go, and return quickly! Next examinee—Amy Rexus, step forward!"
The named girl emerged from the crowd. Her violet eyes glimmered with disdain as she glanced at Alicia's simple gray-and-white outfit. Then, lifting the hem of her ornate gown like a princess, she ascended the summoning stage with elegance.
Alicia watched her, momentarily captivated by the luxurious dress. Then, she soon tightened her small backpack and ran toward the academy gates. Yuui, after a brief glance at the noble girl, followed swiftly behind her.
...
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