I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

The day of the Guard Selection Exam has arrived.

The location is the First Training Ground, and participants have gathered five from each class, so there's quite a crowd.

And that's not all—each participant is assigned a protectee.

"Alright, quiet! We will now begin the explanation of the Guard Selection Exam!"

As the academy head takes the stage, the students who were chatting and laughing suddenly tense up.

The Guard Selection Exam involves protecting the assigned protectee until evening.

At first glance, it sounds simple and easy, but of course, there are obstacles.

Not only are there monsters in the training ground, but the academy's specialized monster capture unit, the Aliens, also plays the role of the enemy.

They lurk within the training ground, waiting for any opportunity to target our protectees, so we can't let our guard down.

Anxiety spreads among the first-time participants.

"The academy's specialized capture unit, the Aliens. They are a combat specialist unit responsible for capturing and exterminating monsters within the training grounds..."

"I heard they're composed of recruited high-level adventurers and mercenaries, right?"

"Don't make students face something like that..."

I understand their feelings, but in the real world, you never know what might happen when you're guarding a noble.

To put it bluntly, students below a certain level probably aren't cut out for this.

Of course, the Aliens' skills are the real deal.

Exterminating monsters is one thing, but capturing them is on a whole different level of difficulty.

You have to understand the monsters' habits and characteristics thoroughly and maneuver without killing them.

In other words, they're an elite unit composed of seasoned combat professionals.

Unlike the lazy knights, these guys are highly motivated professionals who take their work seriously.

"Now, we will assign protectees to each student. Your task is to protect that person until evening."

The protectees assigned to each participant include teachers and other academy staff.

Even though they're protectees, they all have combat experience.

You might think that means they don't need protection, but it's not that simple.

"If the protectees have to defend themselves, that counts as an immediate disqualification. For example, if the protectee blocks or dodges an attack, or if they would have died without your intervention."

"That's way too harsh..."

"Can't you cut us some slack..."

One of the participants, upon seeing their protectee's face, seemed to realize there would be no mercy.

His protectee was a tough-looking man, probably one of the academy's affiliated adventurers.

The man glared at him, causing the student to shrink back.

"Now, let the exam begin!"

As soon as the academy head declared the start, the Aliens suddenly emerged and launched attacks on the participants.

Arrows and magic flew relentlessly toward the protectees.

"Whoa!"

"What's with the sudden attack!?"

I countered the incoming magic with Dark Needle.

Letitia stood in front of her protectee, deflecting attacks with her sword, while Lillisha intercepted with fireballs.

Rouche shot down arrows with her own, and Esty, well, she was rolling on the ground while holding her protectee.

Everyone handled it pretty well.

Esty probably managed thanks to her foresight, but overall, it was a decent performance.

Meanwhile, my protectee smiled warmly after seeing my quick actions.

"Well done, Lord Alfis."

"...Yeah."

My protectee was Sister Kukris of the Soaris Church.

She usually works at the church but also serves as a part-time lecturer at the academy.

She gives off a gentle impression, but don't be fooled.

Of all people, why did I have to get her as my protectee?

I'd rather have that tough-looking guy over there.

"Anyone whose protectee had to defend themselves is disqualified!"

With the academy head's merciless announcement, more than half of the participants were disqualified.

This sparked protests from many of the participants.

Meanwhile, the protectees began preparing to leave, their expressions calm and indifferent.

They were utterly heartless.

"Hey! That's not fair! That was cheating!"

"Yeah! If we hadn't been caught off guard, we could've protected them!"

"Do you really expect us to accept such a cheap trick!?"

The disqualified students began hurling accusations at the academy head.

But then, Kukris slammed her mace into the ground.

—Boom!

The impact was so powerful it nearly shattered the ground, creating deep cracks.

The bedrock heaved, and the trembling ground caused the participants to stagger.

The mana swirling around Kukris formed the shape of a skull.

"W-what the..."

"M-monster..."

The disqualified students were completely terrified.

You'd never imagine this from someone with the title of "sister."

In terms of sheer mana, Kukris is likely one of the top five in the country.

If she poured all that mana into physical enhancement, she could easily shake the ground.

Kukris, the sister of the Soaris Church, is also known as the Dark Saint.

But her troublesome nature goes beyond that.

"Everyone, I understand how you feel. To have your dreams cut short before they could fully blossom... it must be painful. But life is long. This humiliation will pass in the blink of an eye. So, what is truly necessary in life? It is..."

After silencing them with violence, she suddenly started preaching.

Her approach is different, but this annoying vibe reminds me of my sister, Miley.

Actually, I think I dislike this even more.

"It is love."

In the stunned silence, she blurted out something utterly ridiculous.

"Love is what adds color to life, forever etched as a page of youth in your hearts. Everyone, fall in love."

She had a blissful expression, completely lost in her own world.

Yes, if my brother Vaido is a battle maniac, this sister is a love maniac.

No, she's more like a love addict.

"Come on, let's fall in love! Let's confess! Oh, you there! How about that girl next to you!?"

"Huh!?"

"If you fall in love, today's failure will vanish into the distant corners of your heart! Forget this silly exam and confess your love!"

"Wait, this makes no sense!"

The sister started pestering a random female student.

She was so desperate that even the teachers had to step in.

This is exactly why I can't stand that sister.

"Sister Kukris! The exam has already started!"

"My, my... you all just don't understand. Oh, there's Teacher Linlin! When are you going to get married?"

"Stop it right now!!"

I've never seen the academy head so furious before.

Please, don't bring up marriage or anything like that with Linlin.

She acts all composed, but she's actually quite sensitive about it.