In truth, Herta's actual age in the game was undoubtedly far greater than a hundred years. But since she wasn't the real Herta, there was no need to quibble over such trivial matters. Besides, being called "little girl" was certainly preferable to being called "old hag," right?
Herta didn't argue. Elizabeth smiled and continued, "I did come here specifically to see you, but it's nothing urgent. I simply had some free time today and thought I'd drop by for a casual visit."
While ordinary people couldn't easily access Herta's identity, for Her Majesty the Queen of a nation, obtaining such information was as simple as issuing an order.
Elizabeth had naturally been very curious about this "genius who discovered Free-Floating Magic Power." However, meeting her in person left her feeling somewhat disoriented; the person before her didn't quite match the photos.
According to the records, Herta should have been a sixteen or seventeen-year-old young girl. How had she become a loli?
Elizabeth didn't dwell on this inconsistency. "You don't need to mind me," she said. "Just continue with your exams as usual."
Elizabeth had barely finished speaking when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. The Principal and Newman rushed over, both visibly tense as they turned to face Her Majesty the Queen.
It was clear that Elizabeth's surprise visit had caught everyone off guard. Even the Principal had only just received word of her arrival. With no time to prepare for the Queen's personal appearance, how could he possibly remain calm?
As for Newman, his situation was even more precarious. As a spy confronting the supreme leader of an enemy nation, even the most seasoned operative couldn't possibly maintain his composure.
Then, as if tempting fate, the moment they arrived, Elizabeth's gaze fixed on Newman. Just as he parted his lips to speak, she preempted him with, "You're Newman, correct? You've done splendidly. Great Britain needs more diligent Members of Parliament like you, dedicated to serving the nation and its people."
Newman: "???"
His first thought was: Her Majesty praised me! Does this mean my career will skyrocket?
But then reality hit him: Damn it! I'm a spy! What good is career advancement now?!
The Principal and Newman sat down beside Elizabeth to watch the practical combat examinations with Her Majesty the Queen. They periodically offered her water or snacks, but she politely declined each time.
To Herta, the Queen didn't project the imposing aura of a sovereign. Instead, she seemed more like a kindly old grandmother, a stark contrast to her youthful appearance.
My loli grandma is Her Majesty the Queen?
What utter nonsense.
The first match quickly concluded with the contestant on the left barely securing victory. The second pair of examinees stepped forward, followed by the third. At this point, Elizabeth turned to Herta and asked, "What do you think of these students?"
Herta, who had nearly zoned out, snapped back to attention. She glanced at the arena and bluntly replied, "Boring, uninteresting, pointless."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "But these are already high-level battles. These students are more skilled than ordinary soldiers in Great Britain. How can you find it dull?"
Elizabeth's strength was undeniable. After all, she was the first to wield magic, leading Great Britain to its rise. While the students' battles might seem somewhat monotonous to her, she could still sense their efforts and envision the nation's future in their struggles, making the spectacle thoroughly engaging.
Herta, however, held a completely different view. "It's like watching a turn-based game," she scoffed. "They just keep cycling through the same few moves. Utterly boring."
As she spoke, Herta suddenly patted Lily on the shoulder. "When Lily takes the stage later, she'll put on a real show for you—far more entertaining than this!"
"Ah... ah?!" Lily startled like a rabbit, her eyes widening in shock. "Who? Me?!"
Lily was already nervous about the practical exam, and Her Majesty the Queen's presence only amplified her anxiety. Now, Teacher Herta was suggesting she perform some grand display of her skills right in front of the Queen?
Lily desperately wanted to refuse, but she lacked Herta's blunt candor and ability to say whatever came to mind.
Hearing this, Elizabeth's curiosity was piqued, and for the first time, she made a request. She waved her hand at the Principal and asked, "Can this child compete earlier?"
The Principal immediately replied, "Of course! I'll arrange it right away!"
And so, the fourth practical exam became a match between Lily and one of the top ten students in her grade.
When the proctor called her name, Lily felt tears welling up. Instead of stepping onto the field, she clung to Herta's leg, stammering, "A-are you sure this is okay?!"
Little Herta gently ruffled Lily's hair, savoring the soft, fluffy texture beneath her fingertips. "Just do as I told you," she reassured her. "Trust me, you'll be fine!"
With her heart pounding with anxiety, Lily walked onto the competition arena. Her opponent was a bespectacled boy who chuckled when he saw her. Turning to the nearby proctor, he asked, "Why am I fighting her? Are you sure there wasn't a mistake in the pairings?"
Normally, practical exams were designed to match equally skilled opponents, allowing both students to showcase their abilities and avoiding situations where one was easily defeated. After all, how could they properly assess their performance otherwise?
The proctor glanced down at the newly posted roster and confirmed, "That's right, it's you two. Prepare yourselves—the battle is about to begin!"
Hearing this, the bespectacled boy turned to Lily and declared, "I don't know what's going on, but I won't hold back! Brace yourself!"
Lily, already on the arena floor, realized that panicking was pointless. Throwing caution to the wind, she tightened her grip on her golden longsword, stepped forward with her left foot into a horse stance, and, her cheeks flushed slightly, shouted somewhat bashfully, "Ex..."
Two utterly ordinary letters, devoid of magic or mystery, yet they seemed to flip a terrifying switch.
Instantly, gilded patterns spread from the hilt, melting the blade into a flowing torrent of liquid light and flame. The air within a hundred-meter radius froze as an indescribable surge of magic power—vast as an endless sea—erupted from the blade!