Right after enrollment, Alice was faced with the academy's aptitude test.
The academic proficiency exam at Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart wasn't just about evaluating students' learning.
Those who scored exceptionally well, ranking at the top, would be designated as "Candidates for the Demon King" and qualify to participate in the Night Party.
However, that wasn't what concerned Alice at the moment. Her focus was on another function of the exam.
Namely—dormitory assignments.
At Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart, dormitory allocation was based on exam results. High-achieving students would be grouped together and enjoy the best dormitory conditions.
Conversely, all those who performed poorly would also be assigned to the same area.
Alice had little interest in the title of Demon King. If anything, the only thing in this world that piqued her curiosity was the "Divine Machinart" that Shouko had mentioned before.
And from what she knew, becoming the Demon King wouldn't grant her access to the Divine Machinart.
If the position of Demon King truly offered any advantage related to the Divine Machinart, then Charlotte, who was already in the spotlight, would handle everything. There'd be no need for Alice to involve herself in the battles of the Night Party.
So, for Alice, the dormitory assignment was the most crucial matter.
"Charlotte, next time, tell me such important things earlier." Alice let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Charlotte had filled her in on the details of the aptitude test just before she entered the examination hall.
Otherwise, she would've aimed for a middling score and called it a day.
Seeing Alice's relieved expression, Charlotte silently speculated.
Though logic told her that most normal people would focus on the qualification for the Night Party, based on her understanding of Alice, she knew Alice's concern was definitely the dormitory situation.
Still, with her around, Alice didn't need to worry about the Night Party. After all, she was the woman destined to become the Demon King.
Charlotte nodded confidently and said to Alice, "Don't worry. As long as you're in the top 10%, you'll be assigned to the best dormitory."
"Understood."
The school currently had 1,236 students, including Alice.
So, she just needed to rank within the top 123 to get into the best dormitory. Alice nodded to herself and stepped into the examination hall.
--+--
A few hours later, Charlotte looked at the results slip in her hand showing rank 101, her expression slightly peculiar. "Somehow I feel this ranking is a bit... intentional?"
After saying this, she handed the results slip to the curious dolls nearby.
"Is that so?" Alice took the small towel Kirakishou had prepared for her and replied offhandedly, "Must be your imagination."
The school published the previous students' grades, so Alice had simply picked a decent number.
Of course, her main goal was to avoid getting involved in the sequential battles of the Night Party.
The specific rules of the Night Party were: on the first day, the 100th rank would challenge the 99th. Regardless of the outcome, on the second day, the 98th would join the fray, and so on until a winner was determined. Alliances were permitted.
"It's not your imagination."
Suddenly, a clear female voice cut into their conversation.
A tall, slender beauty with striking crimson hair walked towards them.
Her azure eyes radiated an intellectual light, and the uniform she wore identified her as a professor at the academy.
"I'm Professor Kimberley, from Machine Physics. I'm also your assigned faculty advisor." Kimberley stood before Alice, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. "You're Alice Kuonji, correct?"
"Your transcript, with identical scores across all subjects, caused quite a stir among the faculty."
She adjusted her glasses and asked curiously, "Are you not interested in the Night Party?"
Anyone entering this academy shouldn't lack interest in the Night Party.
Yet here before her was a student who had deliberately controlled her scores to avoid participating. Kimberley's instincts told her this student was anything but ordinary.
"Does the school forbid it?"
"...Well, no."
"Then it's fine."
Alice picked up Kirakishou and looked at Kimberley with a puzzled expression. "Was there anything else?"
"...You can take my course. It offers plenty of credits."
With that, Kimberley shrugged and turned to leave.
She wasn't the type to pry into students' backgrounds; her earlier questions were merely out of curiosity.
Once Kimberley was far enough away, Alice glanced sideways at Charlotte.
Noticing the look, Charlotte stepped closer and whispered into Alice's ear, "She's a pretty good professor, both in skill and character. She does give out a lot of credits."
Alice nodded in understanding and then headed towards the dormitories.
"How are the preparations for the Night Party going?"
Charlotte walked slowly behind Alice, speaking softly. "Most of the top thirteen are still hiding the Magic Circuits of their dolls."
As if remembering something, her voice raised a bit. "A-and... No.4—Felix Kingsfort approached me."
He approached Charlotte, who was also one of the top thirteen?
Alice stroked Kirakishou's hair and asked in return, "To form an alliance?"
"N-no, that's not it." Charlotte's expression turned strange.
Under everyone's gaze, she slowly revealed the answer.
"He was trying to court me."
Having said that, Charlotte shyly turned her face away.
Talking about such topics for the first time was inevitably embarrassing.
Huh?
Alice's eyes widened slightly. Not just her, the dolls also halted their steps upon hearing this.
"Someone actually tried to court you?" Robin was so shocked he forgot to flap his wings, nearly tumbling from the air.
"What do you mean, 'actually'?!" Charlotte shouted, both embarrassed and indignant, then covered her cheeks somewhat awkwardly. "I'm quite popular, you know!"
Seemingly drawn by Charlotte's outburst, many nearby students glanced over.
However, upon realizing it was Charlotte, they immediately averted their eyes.
"Heh." Robin pointed at the students with their odd reactions, curling his lip disdainfully. "Look at their response. Who'd believe that?"
Hearing this, Charlotte glared fiercely at the surrounding students.
"Hey, hey, Tyrant Rex is looking this way."
"Let's go, quick."
The students' murmurs only made Charlotte more flustered.
So what if she got a little carried away during fights? Why were they so afraid of her?
"See, I told you that 'Tyrant' title fits perfectly," Robin's remark snapped Charlotte back to reality.
"...Sigmund, bite him."
The dance of dragon and bird commenced once again.
Alice paid them no mind. She stared directly at Charlotte and asked, "You didn't accept, did you?"
If Charlotte had agreed, their cooperation would end right there. Alice had no interest in getting involved in her romantic games.
Moreover, such unnecessary complications would greatly displease Alice.
"Of course not." Charlotte placed her hands on her hips, her expression displeased. "I've rejected him countless times, but he still pesters me now and then."
As if recalling how persistent he was, she hunched her shoulders slightly. "You've warned me before, Alice. I won't trust someone just because they show me a little kindness anymore."
"I don't know why he's approaching me yet, but it's definitely not love."
"He's one of the most prominent figures among the top thirteen, yet he hasn't leaked a single piece of information about his doll's Magic Circuit."
"Someone like that wouldn't approach others for love."
Charlotte wagged her finger, then abruptly changed the subject. "Enough about him. Our biggest opponent on the surface right now should be the current number one in the academy."
She pointed towards a black-haired man approaching from the opposite direction.
"Magnus."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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