Arc 2
~School Life, Raumia and the Beginning of Everything~
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“Hm… now that I think about it, how are we supposed to enter the school?”
“Ehh…? Well—I guess. It’s that right? Entrance exam or something?”
“We don’t have many information. And a test looks bothersome”
“……You girls are really useless despite being older.”
“ “ “I DON’ WANT TO BE TOLD THAT BY YOU OF ALL PEOPLE!!!” ” ”
The three of us shouted angrily at Leon! However, the half-demon simply looked away uncaringly with arms crossed behind his head which was covered by a hood. Franz too smiled bitterly as Lily tottered beside him very closely.
Well, it can’t be helped. As much as I wanted to separate the child from this pedophile, we’re in a large crowd. Can’t make her worried too much.
By the way, hello there. My name is Charlotte Augmund, the leader (tentatively) of this troupe filled with miscellaneous bunch. Long story short, I am a reincarnated person and have been living as a male until I became what I am currently.
Upon this year, I have reached the 12th years of my second life and my mental maturity is at 29.
Now, we are at the Holy Kingdom Raumia. I, Leon, Anise and Alia are here to enroll as students of an Academy called Leimburg. Of course, I believe that I should have at least the privilege to study at school since I’m a part of the nobility but what about my friends?
“This is so difficult…” Anise, the maroon-haired fighter commented.
“Bear with it, Anise. Even I don’t like staying in the crowds for too long.” The blue-haired Aqua Mage—Alia said.
“But this place is just huge! How much further is the Intermediate Layer anyway?!” Alia complained.
Well, Alia. This is why we’re thinking up a plan. The Academy is located at the Intermediate Layer of the kingdom, while we’re in Public Layer. What is ‘Public Layer’?
Strictly speaking, there are three districts in Raumia. One for commoners and peasants to live in, above it was a ‘layer’ for landless nobles to inhabit with heightened quality of necessities, job vacancies, wealth, also security. And above it was the palace which housed the entire Royal Family plus all sort of important people.
“At any rate, we need more information. I don’t have any pass that can bring us to the Intermediate Layer and we can’t just waltz in to a nobles-occupied area all by ourselves.” I announced.
“Hm… can’t you just talk with the guards about the matter? Charl is a noble right~?” Anise asked while leaning closer.
“If nobles have some Guild Cards to identify their selves then I wouldn’t be driven off from the gate right?” I retorted angrily.
Those people claimed that I was just a commoner kid and shooed me away as if I was a small animal. I really hated them as they held condescending gazes latched on commoners! Not only that, they had lustful intents in their eyes! It caused goosebumps to crawl on my back!!
Also, the reason why I have no passes was because my family did not situate under Raumia’s region but instead, Aeinsland’s. The Warrior King had no interests in sending people to Raumia as he loathed this place out of the Rebellion which happened several years ago. And other stuff which I found out to be… very petty.
However, he’s a freeman in all and therefore let us Noble Households under his dominion to act freely as long as we could guard our territories from famish, chaos, internal sufferings, and outside threats. Yare yare.
“…Franz, don’t you have any way to clear up a way?”
“Depending on the way you want it, Little Missy. Is it the legal way or the illegal way?”
“Ille—oh whatever. Can you just do it in peace? I don’t think the Academy will accept bribery.”
Settling on the chair, we chose to relax in an open café. It’d be odd for commoners to act so polite and I’m already drawing attentions enough with my golden hair.
Franz fiddled with his mug before he patted Lily’s head a few times. Geh, is he really not a lolicon…?
“Sure do~ the best thing is to get letter of recommendations. You can get one from the Academy who usually let the Intermediate Layer open for public next weekend. There’s a free-for-all Exam to become students without worries over the funding.”
“…so it’s like a competition to obtain the rights to study without a damn care?” Leon asked readily.
“The thing is—you will have to select the category of your studies beforehand. There are basically three types: Knight Course, Mage Course and General Course. These three will determine which path you will follow when you enrolled. But……”
“…we have to take the Exam first…?”
“Yep. It’s basically that.” Franz laughed happily as he chugged the whole of his drink.
Really, he lacked manner when eating and probably living in the same way. Still I waited for him to continue from the place he left at.
“The Exam is simple actually. If you want to become a Knight Course Student, then you will have to defeat an Examiner who is basically from Knight Course. Meanwhile, if a person wants to be a Mage Course Student then they will have to receive magic aptitude test. General Course is unfortunately beyond my knowledge but anyway. The bad thing is, the Examiners are selected randomly so either you get a showoff, an absolute prick, a common arrogant noble with high nose or superior complex to a Valedictorian should you want to enter the Knight Course.” Franz further explained with a finger raised as if pointing at a floating blackboard.
“…I see. I have to fight against those who are more skilled than me. Or rather…we must prove ourselves worthy to be a student. And this system caused only exceptional few of commoners to become one. That’s why it’s presented once every season.”
Hm… this is bad. I do think that the Exam would never be a written form as writing and reading are privileges only for nobles. Even the Academy would consider that part, but the only way for someone like me to enroll is by paving my way to the top.
“Well, Little Missy and her friends are probably fine. The four of you always worked together and you all shared your knowledge as well as strength openly. It’s no wonder you can defeat a band of bandits despite how frequently they appeared.”
Franz commented as I exchanged gazes with my friends. They all nodded down except Leon who cared not a single thing. He didn’t like the idea of living in a place full of sacred aura especially coming closer to the [Sword of Light]. Though I understood his reason and sympathized with him, we could not turn back. And at the spot, we decided what path we will take.
“Okay then. We’ll participate in the Exam!”
“ “Yeah…!!” ”
“……haa… looks like I have no choice in this matter.”
The three of us raised our hands to the air and cheered together. However, I soon noticed and turned to the Minstrel.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“By the way, what will you do, Franz? What are you going to do now?”
When asked like this, the person in question pondered for a bit. He then set his stare at Lily who is his companion. Then he smiled softly.
“—That’s right. I would like Lily to join you. If you can, please help her become a student as I have something more important to do around the Guild.”
“Huh!?” Lily croaked.
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“Number 79! You may enter now!!”
In an open field circled with wooden fences, there were tents present with many people gathered outside the fences. Most were spectators and Examinees who wanted to gain a way to reach for higher education as well as power.
To begin with, at Intermediate Layer, the soils were better and far nurtured with magic influences, leading to crops and natures growing unreservedly. That’s why even a single patch of field possessed higher potentials for farming.
This time, at the western part of the Intermediate Layer, people gathered and youths from all places desired to enroll in the famous Leimburg Academy. The one and only best quality of an Academy which had proven its worth by producing various geniuses and great figures throughout its history.
Surprisingly, the Academy did not have restriction of ages to register as students. Although one needed to be at least five years old because it already meant they are regarded as youths in puberty. Or adulthood.
“Well, I’ll be going then, everyone.” I left the circle, armed and ready.
“Hehehee! Go all out, Charl!!” Anise waved a hand.
“…Have fun out there, Charlotte. Please refrain from getting overboard.” Alia said.
“Don’t make us waiting.” Leon snorted. Hey!
I entered the testing field brazenly. All eyes caught me and most of them showed surprises. Well, it’s not wrong for them to think that it’s incomprehensible.
Unlike most of the participants hailing from outside Raumia, I chose Knight Course and what I carried with me is just a simple wooden sword. If asked why, it’s because I can’t kill my opponent and using my finely sharp sword Tyrfingg (I named the sword Fei gifted me as such) would be overkill.
Also, it’s not like all people here are all dummies. I could sense myself being gauged. Probably, among the audiences and Examiners there were those who could detect my aura. Let’s just hope I won’t faint in the process as I hadn’t drunk my medicine lately.
“……Participant number 79. Are you sure to enter the path as Student Knight?” The referee who was a Combat Advisor of the army, asked. He’s a man with deep brown hair and beard but he has the vigor of a seasoned knight. He does look like he won’t cheat in the judgment…
“Of course. Please do not take any negative feelings and please judge the Exam as fair as possible. Nothing could be requested more than that, Mister Judge.” I stated with confidence.
“……Very well then. Your Examiner is allotted with Number 2. A Student Council member of the Knight Course. The rules prohibited both of you to commit murder. The victory condition is either you knocking out the examiner or forcing them to surrender. However, you cannot use magic and you are not allowed to use other weapons than the designated ones the guards have approved. Do not use any item and fight fairly in honor of the Royal Knights’ presence in this Exam. Tell me if you think it’s impossible to accept.”
Hoo……? Now this sounds good. To think from right off the bat I would fight a strong opponent… Such a blessing in disguise. But I think one sword won’t match me very well if the opponent is stronger than me.
I guess I could enjoy this battle then. Even if it’s an Entrance Exam based on what medieval age would do, I’m more excited than anything! I’ll see how much I’ve grown when fighting against people other than vagrants and Takeru-sensei!!
“Just perfect. Show me what you’ve got as an Academy which proclaimed as the best in the continent!” As I shouted, from the tent at the other side beyond the wooden fence, a person appeared.
It’s a bit distant for me to clearly outline the figure of the person. However, that contour must have been one of a male. And he had well-built proportions plus the way he held his sword…
Mh. A fighter. Probably stronger than I. Wielding the wooden sword and readying a stance, I fixed my gaze as a voice rang out—
“Damn it. Just why do I have to take care of some bean sprouts’ examination? Damn that woman for interfering my affairs so much!!” Kicking the ground with his heel, the person who entered was a young man carrying the vibe of arrogance, despise and loathsomeness.
However, from the way he walked to the way he raised his wooden sword, he looked nothing but a veteran. His black hair fluttered by the wind, hiding the cold gaze of obsidian grey under his bangs.
His mouth formed a “へ”-shape as he stood across me. His downcast gaze slowly raised up and he reflexively said.
“Whatever. I don’t give a damn whether you have something to do in the Academy or something else. This is not a place for women to be involved in, you hear me—“
At once, our gazes met each other.
“Ah……”
“…………………………wha……t…?”
The person was perplexed. And I too was stunned. For I remembered what his voice was. I clearly remembered and recognized that ‘always annoyed’ tone of voice.
Even after five years, I have never even forgotten it. His rude speech. His emotionless retorts. His disgusted gazes full of irritation to others. The parts of him which never changed have never tried to. I was certain he did not wish to change too. Both me, and him…… had some things that never changed so much they allowed us to recognize each other in a flash.
Right then and there. All my passions for battles and thrills were washed away with surges of emotions. So many memories resurfaced all at once and in my heart, a loud thump resounded stronger and stronger as moments passed by…
If I were to compare this situation with a game… especially a dating sim game, then there would be a window like this:
You have encountered the person you wanted to meet for a long time! What will you do?
1. Punch him
2. Erase him from existing
3. Kick his balls and shave his hair till nothing’s there