Examination day had finally arrived, and now an elegant chalk building towered above them. This was the Imperial Magic Academy campus.
Tanya and Laplace stood just outside the school gates with Alisa’s siblings in tow. Unfortunately Nadine couldn’t make it due to work obligations, but she told them to give Alisa her best wishes all the same.
As for Alisa, she was currently inside that building, sitting the exam.
There were plenty of other people waiting outside with them—mostly upper-class servants or affluent merchant couples. Hence, Tanya and her ragtag band of misfits stuck out like a sore thumb.
Here, the barrier to entry would not be merciful. It, too, towered above them.
“Look! There’s Alisa!” shouted one of Alisa’s younger brothers, clinging to Laplace’s shoulder as she levitated just a finger’s length off the ground.
“Alisa!”
“Sensei! Oh jeez, what are you all doing here?!”
Alisa jogged over, and from the look on her face, Tanya knew.
“I think I passed.”
At this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
“Awisa, awe you gonna be a Mage?” her little sister asked innocently.
“She sure is! Your big sister is on her way to joining yours truly in the realm of spellcasting!” Laplace grinned.
They had done everything within their mortal capabilities. Now all they could do was wait... and pray.
Just then, a goofy voice shouted: “Hey, little girl! (lol)”
They turned to find a boy about Alisa’s age standing there, dressed in a young nobleman’s finery. Quick summary: chubby, blond, shorts.
“Uhhh... Did you need something?”
“Hmph! I overheard your conversation. I’ll bet you’re so proud of yourself, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
The boy snorted. “How ridiculous to see females trying to attend the Imperial Magic Academy. Whew... Feels good to get that off my chest.”
“Oh dear, he really shouldn’t be wearing that outfit,” Laplace snickered.
“It’s not nice to judge people on their appearance, Laplace. At least save it for when he’s not around.”
Meanwhile, the boy continued talking as though he’d failed to notice how uncomfortable he was making their group.
Then Alisa looked up suddenly. “Sensei!”
“Hmm?”
“This guy sat the exam with me just now. During the written portion, he got in trouble with the proctor for looking around too much. And he was a total mess during the practical exam, too. So how come he’s so confident?”
“Who knows. Maybe he’s on the verge of a breakdown and he’s trying to keep himself together.”
“What are you people whispering about? Whatever. Seeing as you apparently don’t know how things work around here, allow me to fill you in.”
“Oh yeah?” Who the hell is this kid, and why is he bothering us?
Tanya tilted her head skeptically. Alisa squinted dubiously. Laplace was still snickering. And yet somehow, despite the extreme “yikes” vibe, the boy still pressed on.
“My uncle’s on the board of directors, and he told me they can’t have too many females passing the entrance exams!”
“...What does gender have to do with it?” Alisa asked, confused.
The boy snorted again. “Wow, you really are ignorant. If the whole town gets overrun with girl Mages, just think of the problems it’ll cause for the Guild and the Imperial Magic Association! That’s why they have to regulate it!”
“Regulate it?”
Regulate it? It took a minute for that to sink in. What do you mean, regulate it? It’s a hard test, but whoever passes gets in, right? Why would they need to regulate that?
“I mean exactly what I said. Every girl examinee gets some points docked. I forget exactly how many... Ten? Twenty? Of course, you can better your chances by making donations. Obviously I don’t have to worry, since my father is the Count of the Nine Southern States, but as for you poor people, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
WHAT? Tanya balled her hands into fists and glared at Chubby Blond Shorts. “What are you talking about?!”
“Eeeek! M-My point is, that chick isn’t gonna pass!” Tanya’s loud voice had made him flinch, but he carried on smugly nonetheless. “She sure made me look stupid, by the way. I should’ve been the best in our group, but no, she just had to bust out all the intermediate and advanced spells! Don’t worry—I already told my uncle all about her!”
Tanya took a deep breath. “So you’re saying... they make the test harder for women specifically?” she asked quietly, in a tone of forced calm.
Oblivious to the murderous rage oozing from her every pore, Chubby Blond Shorts Aristo-Brat smirked knowingly. “Yeah, pretty much! It’s just the way things work when you’re part of the elite. For a girl, you’d have to be a genius to ace the Imperial Magic Academy’s entrance exam, and there’s only ever been one of those around here—Tanya Artemiciov, that one freak of nature who somehow graduated at the top of her class. But even she wouldn’t stand a chance against a real man like me!”
“Pffft. (lol)”
Laplace burst out laughing. The little boy on her shoulder giggled, too. They didn’t seem angry in the least.
Clenching her fists, Tanya exhaled slowly. She could see the humor in this situation, of course, but it really wasn’t a laughing matter.
“Wh... What’s your problem, goth chick?!”
“Pfffhaha! A genius and a freak of nature! It seems you’ve got quite the reputation, Tanya!”
“...Huh?”
The Aristo-Brat stared at Tanya, mouth agape. Behind him, his servants exchanged “oh shit” looks and quietly retreated into the carriage. Chubby Blond Shorts didn’t notice this.
“W-Wait, so... you’re...?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Tanya Artemiciov.”
“Huh-whuh?!”
Ashen, the Aristo-Brat stumbled backwards and fell onto his rear. The sight irritated her. Cowards like you ought to keep your heads down and your mouths shut, you pathetic little boy.
“But... but then why are you wearing a Knight’s armor?!”
“I just changed classes. To a Magi-Knight, actually.”
Chubby Blond Shorts leapt to his feet. “M-Magi-Knight?! The master-level class?!”
At this, even Alisa couldn’t help but snicker. Thank goodness, Tanya thought to herself. She’d been worried that this conversation had crushed her little spirit, but evidently not. Still... it had probably been hard for her to hear.
I can’t let this sexist world beat her down. It’s time to show her what it really means to fight like a girl!
“P-Prove it! I won’t be cowed by your lies! Show me proof that you’re the real Tanya Artemiciov!”
“You want proof, eh?” An idea struck her. “Alright then... how’s this for proof?!”
Whipping her sword off her back, she plunged it into the ground where they stood.
“Gyaahh!”
In a flash, a sheet of frost spread outward from her blade.
“Wh... No incantation?!”
“I summon thee! Icicle Prison!”
“Gaaaaahhh!!!”
In a blink, Chubby Blond... (you know the rest) was trapped in an icy cage.
“Just wondering, but is all that stuff you said true?” Tanya asked, wearing her best, brightest smile.
“Y-Yesh...?”
“Ah, I see. Okay, well, FUCK THAT!”
“Eeeek!” Chubby Blond... (cont’d.) squealed as Tanya drew close.
“Can I ask one last thing?”
“Shure...?”
“This cool uncle of yours... what’s his name, pray tell?”
“Gyah!” He caved immediately. “M-My uncle is the head of the p-proud and d-distinguished Gan family! Dan Gan! Impressed much?!”
Dan Gan. “Aha. Yes, I know that lowlife,” Tanya mused, a smug smirk on her face.
Dan had served as an academy director all throughout her days at the Academy. When it was announced that she would be valedictorian of her graduating class, he came up to her and said, “You know, you’ll scare all the boys away if you keep showing off like that.” In other words, just your bog-standard sexist creep.
He had no particular talent or impressive accomplishments under his belt—just a wealthy family. At the time, she’d wondered how someone so painfully mediocre could’ve acquired such a prestigious position with the Academy, but now it made sense. He must’ve had connections who could pull a few strings.
Regardless, as far as Tanya was concerned, he could fuck off and die. To put it mildly.
“Heh heh... heh heh heh...” Tanya chuckled darkly. As she pulled her sword from the ground, the Icicle Prison shattered like glass. She no longer had any use for this Aristo-Brat. He’d probably learned his lesson; no sense in scaring him to death.
“Whuh?!” Chubby... (cont’d.) flinched as the ice came down all around him. “Uhh... w-well... I won’t forget this!” he wailed as he ran off with his tail between his legs, all the way back to his fancy carriage. The fact that none of his servants had come to his rescue spoke volumes of his popularity back home.
“Oh my gosh, Sensei! You’re so badass!” Alisa exclaimed, eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe you stood up to a noble!”
Meanwhile, everyone in the vicinity was looking at her with awe. But Tanya fell silent—and the look on her face suggested she was about to cause some real mischief.
Laplace noticed this right away, of course. “Hahahaha! Oh, Tanya, I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’ve got plans for tonight, don’t you?” she asked, beaming like a child on Christmas morning.
“Yeah... After this, I think our new friend’s going to start sleeping with one eye open.”
She smiled as Laplace laughed even harder.
All the effort Tanya had put into mastering all those spells—and this asshole was going around reducing test scores on the basis of gender? There was no way Tanya, of all people, could let such reprehensible behavior continue.
So she continued plotting, Laplace continued laughing, and the kids all cheered.
“Just you wait! I’m gonna tell my uncle on youuuu!!!” Chu... (cont’d.) wailed as his carriage rolled away.
Unfortunately, nobody noticed or cared.