Chapter 7: The Practical Exam and the Prince's Gaze

The day of the monthly practical magic exam had finally arrived.

The main arena of the Royal Academy of Magic was packed with hundreds of students seated in rows along the circular stands, creating a constant murmur that filled the air. In the center of the open field, ten giant magic circles had been set up, each enclosed by a transparent barrier to contain any energy discharges.

I sat in the row reserved for participants, alongside other first-year students. The academy uniform, with its silver piping, felt a bit tight across my chest, accentuating the sense of constriction I felt amidst my racing heartbeat.

Why did the entire student body have to watch a practical exam? Wouldn't it be far more peaceful to just sit quietly in class? If I made an accidental mistake or my magic exploded in some bizarre way, Alicia’s reputation as a genius villainess would be shattered in an instant!

Panic-stricken thoughts swirled in my mind, yet outwardly I maintained a cold, impassive expression, staring straight ahead with a posture as rigid as an ice statue.

"The next participant: Lady Alicia Valerian!"

The examiner's voice boomed through the magical megaphone, cutting through the din of the arena.

Instantly, the murmurs in the stands died down. Every eye turned toward me. There were looks of curiosity and admiration, as well as envy from certain noble students who disliked me.

I slowly rose from my seat, calmly adjusted the collar of my robe, and walked toward magic circle number one in the center of the arena.

Deep down, I wanted to burst into tears.

*Please, Alicia’s body... unleash that icy magic just like yesterday!* Don't embarrass me in front of the prince and the heroine!*

As soon as I took my place in the center of the magic circle, Professor Orion Grandis—acting as the head judge—raised his right hand to signal the start.

"The exam begins. Destroy the giant stone golem before you using advanced elemental magic within ten seconds."

Before me, a massive stone golem, three meters tall, suddenly rose from the ground; it growled softly, its eyes glowing red.

Without wasting a moment, I raised my right hand, closed my eyes for a split second to tap into the body's residual muscle memory, and thrust my palm forward.

*Bzzzt— Crash!*

In the blink of an eye, a small snowstorm erupted from my palm. A massive, razor-sharp pillar of ice shot forward, slamming violently into the stone golem's chest and shattering it into glittering shards of ice dust under the sunlight.

The stadium fell into absolute silence for three seconds before erupting in thunderous applause and cheers from the spectators.

"Incredible! A single hit and it was blown to bits!"

"Lady Alicia's control over the ice element is truly on a whole different level..."

Professor Orion nodded slowly from the judges' box, marking a perfect score on his transparent slate. "Ninety-nine out of a hundred. Well done, Lady Alicia."

I took a deep breath, slowly lowered my hand, and adopted a haughty expression with a raised eyebrow—as if to say, *'That was nothing at all.'*

Inside, however, I was clutching my chest in sheer relief.

Safe! I survived! Nothing exploded! However, as I turned back to rejoin the ranks of the participants, my gaze accidentally met that of someone seated in the special VIP stands reserved for the nobility and royalty.

Prince Leonhardt Arcelion was sitting right there.

The black-haired young man did not join in the applause like the others. Instead, he stared intently at me from afar, a subtle, meaningful smile playing at the corners of his lips. His sapphire-blue gaze was piercing, as if it could see right through the cold mask I had worked so hard to construct.

To the prince's left, Elena Rosehart was also clapping softly, her emerald-green eyes shining with sheer admiration.

A cold sweat suddenly ran down my back.

Why are they both looking at me like that? It makes me want to run to the ends of the earth right now!