Headmistress Ooba was often regarded as a strict and harsh woman, demanding perfection from her students and only accepting those she deemed talented. She believed that only individuals from royal or noble backgrounds could truly be valued as scholars. While this perspective was misguided, it stemmed from her concern for the empire's educational disparities; many peasants could barely afford a basic education, let alone an advanced one. To serve as the empire's scholar, one was expected to possess extensive knowledge not only of the empire but also of the world at large. After all, a civilization as powerful as theirs required individuals capable of addressing nearly every question and situation. Ignorance was simply not an option.

Mirajane entered the academy with the conviction that a future empress should be as intellectually capable as her husband—a sentiment shared by many. Yet, if only one of them could be accepted, she silently hoped it would be Erza, knowing how much the position meant to her friend.

When Ooba first laid eyes on the girls, she was immediately impressed by Mirajane but skeptical of Erza. In her mind, the niece of the ambassador and fiancée to the future emperor would undoubtedly possess exceptional intellect. In contrast, the daughter of a scoundrel and a peasant woman who had merely stumbled upon good fortune seemed to lack potential. Nevertheless, she resolved to give both young women a fair opportunity to prove themselves.

"Walk for me," she commanded. "You mustn't clop around like a mule. Step lightly and move like a feather in the wind."

Mirajane glided across the floor with effortless grace, while Erza, a bundle of nerves, moved agilely but trembled slightly. Ooba noted this but chose not to comment. Next, she had them undergo an etiquette test that included serving tea and sitting properly. Both performed well, yet Erza's anxiety was palpable. With each poise test, her nerves escalated, and she feared that failure was inevitable.

"You're doing great," Mirajane whispered to her. "Just breathe."

Erza tried to focus on her breathing, but it was difficult with someone watching her, anticipating her failure. To her surprise, Ooba later complimented her.

"I must say, you both look quite graceful and refined," she remarked. "You could easily pass as the emperor's daughters."

"Thank you, Headmistress," they replied respectfully.

"But now comes the most important test: the test of knowledge."

Ooba quizzed Mirajane first in her private study. About an hour later, Mirajane returned, beaming, with the headmistress singing her praises.

"Excellent, my dear! You will undoubtedly prove to be a remarkable student and an even more remarkable empress."

"You are too kind, Headmistress," Mirajane replied, winking at Erza and whispering, "You'll pass with ease."

Erza managed a nervous smile. After taking a deep breath, she followed the headmistress into her study, where she would be quizzed on the history and culture of the Tiānkōng Empire. She knew she needed to answer every question correctly to pass.

"Why is our realm called the Tiānkōng Empire?" Ooba asked.

"Because our realm is located in the mountains, bringing us closer to the sky than any other realm," Erza answered.

"Correct. What creature symbolizes the empire?"

"The Phoenix."

"Correct. How was Makarov made emperor?"

"He was chosen by the former emperor, who had no children."

"Correct. And why was he chosen?"

"Because he was the most honorable man the former emperor ever knew."

Ooba fired one historical and cultural question after another at Erza, and she answered each one with confidence. As her anxiety faded, she noticed the impressed gleam in the headmistress's eyes.

"Your final question," Ooba said. "How did the Great War begin?"

"Through vicious rumors."

"I'm sorry, but that is incorrect."

Erza's confusion deepened. "Excuse me?"

"The Great War started because Lazan City sought to destroy the empire, the Verdenshav Kingdom aimed to enslave our people, and the Kiwanja Tribe wanted to steal our prized valuables."

"With all due respect, Headmistress," Erza replied, maintaining a respectful tone, "I believe you're mistaken. Those were merely rumors designed to incite conflict between the empire and the other realms."

"Are you correcting me?"

"I meant no disrespect—"

"Silence!" Ooba snapped.

"But Headmistress—"

"I said to be silent! You are dismissed."

"But I didn't get that question wrong."

"I told you, you are dismissed. Leave my study immediately."

"I will, but only when you provide proof that I'm wrong."

Ooba was furious with the girl's defiance, yet she complied with the request. She retrieved a book on the empire's history and flipped to the chapter on the Great War. Erza read it intently; it stated that the war began due to threats from other regions. Deep down, however, Erza knew this couldn't be true.

"Now will you kindly leave?" Ooba demanded.

"Headmistress, I believe you've been misinformed."

"I said leave! Are you deaf, child?!"

Erza intended to argue further, but Mirajane, hearing the commotion, rushed in to diffuse the situation before it escalated. She apologized on Erza's behalf and requested that the headmistress reconsider, but Ooba remained obstinate.

"I cannot fathom what the emperor sees in you!" Ooba raged at Erza. "He told me you were the epitome of a perfect scholar and an honorable young woman. That is why I gave you this opportunity. But now I see you are a disgrace! Not only do you lack the required knowledge, but you cannot accept your mistakes with dignity. Instead, you lie and insult me! You will never bring honor to your family!"

Her words pierced Erza like a knife. She envisioned the shame and disappointment on her mother's and the emperor's faces. They had hoped for her to receive a great education and become a royal scholar, but she felt she had let them down. How could she ever face them again?

"Trying to correct the headmistress," Irene had scolded her. "How could you be so foolish? If you had simply accepted your mistake, she might have given you another chance. But now that you've insulted her, that will never happen."

"I'm sorry, Mother, but I wasn't wrong," Erza replied.

"What do you mean? Of course you were wrong. The headmistress herself showed you the chapter in the history book."

"But that's not what I read in the scrolls."

"What scrolls?"

"Don't you remember, Mother? Before we gained access to the royal library, we could only afford discarded ancient scrolls. Those always claimed that rumors and lies were the true causes of the battles and bloodshed."

"Where are those scrolls?"

"I don't know. We stopped reading them after we arrived at the library. They're probably long gone by now. But, Mother, do all the history books say different things? If they do, then misinformation is being spread, and perhaps we should speak with the emperor."

"Erza, have you considered that those scrolls were likely discarded because their information was incorrect?"

"If that's true, then we need to verify it. You taught me that a great scholar's duty is to help the world know the truth."

"But you can't just correct people without proof."

"Then we'll find proof. I'm sure if we searched the palace, we could uncover—"

"Erza, this isn't the priority right now. We need to focus on your future. Since there's no chance of you getting into the academy, I must think of another way for you to secure an honorable life. Otherwise, I'll have to arrange a marriage for you. Is that what you want? To survive by marrying a man who might dishonor you, as I was forced to do with your so-called father?"

"No, of course not."

"My parents made me marry that man, claiming that becoming the wife of a soldier was the only way to bring honor to our family. But he used the war as an excuse to run off with his concubine, leaving me pregnant. That day, I vowed to the heavens that if my child was a girl, I would never force her into marriage. I would find another way for her to achieve honor."

"And I appreciate that, Mother. I truly do."

Erza felt a deep gratitude for her mother's sacrifices. Despite her youth, she understood the struggles Irene had faced to ensure her daughter had the best opportunities. Sometimes, this awareness filled Erza with guilt, knowing she had yet to bring any honor to their family. She longed for a chance to do something worthy of her mother's love and sacrifice.

A knock echoed at the door. It was the emperor's imperial messenger, who announced that the emperor requested an audience with Erza.

"Now I'm in for it," she thought, bracing herself for a harsh scolding.

Despite her fear, she hurried to the emperor's throne room, hoping for the best.