Author: Himezaki Shiu	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: PunishedLyly	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

At Ciel’s current level, she shouldn’t look out of place even at a ball exclusive to royalty. In fact, I’m sure she’d be able to steal everyone’s attention.

As for me, I’m not notably bad; I’ve at least learned etiquette and manners just below what’s expected of high aristocracy. For a typical commoner, it’s more than enough.
According to Mother Fii, this should be sufficient for the exam. In fact, even when interacting with royalty, you don’t really need that level of courtesy, apparently.

However, considering this is coming from someone who treats royalty as mere neighbors—and that she probably means “if they have any complaints, just silence them by force”—I can’t really take her words at face value.
The worst part is, she’s not exactly wrong. There’s likely no one who would dare criticize Mother Fii even if she ignored proper decorum.
I’ll leave that kind of dominating approach as a last resort.

As for the etiquette test, it’s apparently rare for anyone to be rejected admission due to low scores in this test.
Its purpose is to assess your current level of knowledge, and those who don’t meet the standard are simply required to take a course. The standard itself isn’t high; you just need to be at the level where you can interact with nobles without causing issues; I’ve already reached that level.

Beyond the beginner course, which is for those who can’t reach the bare minimum, the academy also offers intermediate and advanced courses. The intermediate course teaches etiquette for lesser nobles, while the advanced course focuses on the refined manners expected of high-ranking nobility.

The advanced course is a particularly popular course because completing it gives anyone the qualifications to find employment under high nobles.
My current level of courtesy should fall somewhere between intermediate and advanced, I think?
As for Ciel, she sits comfortably at advanced level as long as she doesn’t speak.

As such, the test itself isn’t particularly difficult. Perhaps due to time constraints, we’re only being tested on basic table manners and dancing.
For table manners, there’s a lot to evaluate, so topics that test your knowledge—such as appropriate conversation topics and knowing who should sit down first—were included in the written exam, and only our mannerisms were assessed in the practical test.

If anything, I’m more concerned about the dance test. Unlike Ciel’s usual solo dances, the dance I need to perform is one that needs a male-and-female pair. If Ciel were to participate, she’d undoubtedly steal everyone’s attention; however, she’s particular about who she dances with.
Specifically, if she’s paired with someone less familiar than the mansion’s servants, she starts to pout. And while I was practicing, she repeatedly called out, “I want to dance with Ain someday too!”

While I’m not opposed to the idea of dancing with Ciel someday, our skill levels are vastly different, making it a little daunting.
Ever since I started practicing, I’ve gained a newfound realization for just how abnormal Ciel’s dancing skills are.

As for how the dance test works, those who opt in are paired randomly—participation isn’t mandatory, but you’ll be required to take a dancing course later if you skip it—and everyone dances at the same time. Even if you end up with a less-skilled partner, your ability to compensate for them is apparently also part of the assessment.
Also, I think the reason for this test format is simply to save time. After all, if they evaluated each pair one by one, we’d be here until sunset.
What worries me is the randomness of the pairing. Specifically, the possibility of being paired with the thunder sorcerer boy or the boy with high magic power is… very troublesome, to say the least.
Speaking of the high magic power boy, why is he even taking the dance test? He clearly looks like a commoner, so I doubt he has any experience with formal dancing.

As I grumbled to myself, the exam continued. We were now gathered at the corner of a large hall, different from the arena before. Two names would be called at a time, and the assigned pairs would step out from the waiting area to the center of the hall.
The hall had a luxurious chandelier hanging overhead and a plush red carpet, making it quite impressionable. From the layout, the corner we’re using as a waiting area likely serves as the banquet space where tables are during formal functions.
In front of us is a wide staircase leading to an open space large enough for several pairs to dance in, and beyond it is a large chair that is clearly for royalty to use.

Perhaps the king would come to the academy during dance parties or important ceremonies, such as graduations.
If the king were to attend, I’d much prefer to remain a regular student, quietly watching from afar. And so, I’ve been brainstorming ways to ensure that remains the case.

While I was lost in thought, the number of examinees gradually dwindled until, for some reason, Ailneige was the only one left.
I’m fairly certain I didn’t miss our name being called.

『We’re the only ones left now. I wonder why that is?』
『It feels quite ominous, doesn’t it?』

Bullying in the middle of an exam… seems unlikely.
On occasions where there’s an odd number of examinees, a faculty member might step in to pair with the last person, but I can’t shake the feeling that it was intentional for Ailneige to be the last one remaining. Or perhaps I’m just being overly paranoid.

「Ailneige.」
「Yes.」

The proctor who had been calling out names earlier finally addressed me, so I responded.

「Due to the imbalance in numbers, you will be paired with a specific individual. While you may feel a level of anxiety, we will take this into account when grading, so be at ease.」
「Understood.」

Nothing about that statement brought me any ease, and I’m extremely curious as to why my partner is not here yet, but I agreed regardless.
Nothing I say here would change the situation anyway, and grumbling or probing for information would likely do no good for me. Still, the choice of words just now gives me a rough idea of the situation.
Expressively alluding that the person I’m paired with may cause “anxiety”, and the fact that my partner is not here—aka given special treatment—brought only one specific person to mind.

It’s probably her anyway. Just as I thought this, the hall’s doors swung open, revealing the figure of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl.

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And that finally ends our Christmas update barrage! (Which is good, because my creative juices are running thin) Hello again princess, I sure hope you aren’t bringing trouble along with you!

Honestly, it was unexpected to see the princess again this early. However, we did have the red-haired girl showing a weird reaction a few updates ago, so perhaps that has some connection. Meanwhile, it’s funny how Ain seemed to have resigned to her fate the instant she realized the princess was coming.

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay healthy, stay safe, and have a nice day~!