Episode 24: The Wall That Must Be Overcome

Royal Lytisia Academy, Knight Training Program.

A program to educate future knights full of justice and courage, focusing on combat abilities such as fighting techniques, strategy, and horsemanship, as well as knightly virtues.

Upon enrollment, one can obtain the title of Esquire, and upon graduation, one can be formally ordained as a Knight.

For commoners who possess no peerage whatsoever, this is an unparalleled opportunity for advancement, making it the object of everyone’s admiration.

However, for that very reason, it is a narrow gate with an entrance examination competition rate that climbs to as much as 100 to 1.

Considering this world’s population and the number of people with enough economic capability to take the exam, you can understand just how incredibly high that is.

Since the successful applicants are mostly third or fourth sons of nobles with no plans to inherit their houses rather than commoners, it is indeed an extremely high mountain for commoners to climb.

***

“…Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“Of course. I’m seriously thinking of passing.”

In response to me declaring this with my chest out, Adalbert before me showed a difficult expression.

Well, considering our respective positions and the difficulty and effort involved in the exam, it’s not something he can easily say “I see, do your best!” to, so it can’t be helped.

I had decided to take the entrance exam for Lytisia Academy.

A course that even commoners can enter… I never thought such a thing existed, but it’s far too perfect for me.

There’s no way I can’t take advantage of this.

I immediately proposed it to Adalbert. For me, an orphan, to take the exam, his cooperation is indispensable.

However, well, as expected, he showed a reluctant reaction.

“…Well, you might be able to pass… but this matter isn’t just about ability, you know.”

“Yes, of course I’m aware. I’ll cover the various examination costs from my own savings. I’ll continue to perform my work, and you can reduce my salary for that if you wish. If you’re reluctant to lend your name and such, I won’t force you, and I won’t cause any trouble for the Anciness family—”

“No, well, wait, wait.”

When I spoke as if rolling out my words, Adalbert stopped me while seeming slightly taken aback.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to cooperate. If Arcs is serious about enrolling, I’ll provide appropriate support on this side. We’ll also review the employment contract after consultation. …But, you see,”

He continued his words while wrinkling his brow.

“The problem is after you pass. Since it’s the Royal Academy, the costs are no joke. You won’t be able to commute from here, so you’ll have to enter the dormitory, and the necessary amount will pile up including that as well. Probably, it will be difficult to cover with your savings.”

…Indeed, he’s right.

This is one of the factors that makes enrollment difficult for commoners.

Even with some exemptions, if you ask whether that alone can solve it, the answer is NO.

“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult for us to provide that money. We can’t give special treatment and look after one servant.”

I can’t complain about this.

Whatever the beginning was, I’m currently a servant of this house.

It’s like begging a company for money for personal use—I can’t ask for financial assistance.

“…You’re absolutely right.”

“Yeah. That’s why I can’t easily approve of this matter. I’m sorry to you, Arcs.”

“No, it’s fine. Money is a difficult problem after all. Rather, it would be scary if you said OK immediately.”

True enough, Adalbert said with a wry smile as he brought the cup of tea to his lips.

However, conversely…

“Then, if it doesn’t cost money, would you be willing to approve?”

“…What do you mean?”

Adalbert placed his cup on the desk and looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

He’s probably figured it out but can’t believe his ears… that kind of emotion.

“I mean using the honors student system.”

Royal Lytisia Academy has an honors student system.

Like what existed in my previous world, it’s something that waives tuition fees and provides special programs for students with excellent grades.

If I use that, whether I’m a commoner or whatever, I can attend the academy without worrying about economic circumstances.

Well, of course, it’s not something you can receive just by saying you want to.

“Are you serious?”

He said in an exasperated tone.

It’s not a strange reaction at all.

The condition for being an honors student at Lytisia Academy is achieving a certain level of performance or higher on the entrance exam.

Exactly what score you need to get isn’t publicly announced, but according to rumors, it’s quite harsh, like “a total score of 80% or higher” or “being in the top 3.”

There are apparently years when no honors students emerge, and at the very least, it’s not something you can use just by saying you’ll use the honors student system.

“Yes, didn’t I say so earlier? I’m seriously thinking of passing as an honors student.”

However, I will break through that wall that could be called too high.

That’s the mindset with which I’m standing before Adalbert.

Though it was an unexpected development, I’ve been training all this time.

To become the strongest who can overcome anything.

Though it differs from my purpose, this is the time to make use of that here.

“…”

He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something.

He showed signs of thinking things through like “hmm” or “but you see.”

…But, ultimately.

“…Alright, fine. Try taking the exam. I’ll also handle the procedures on this end.”

“Really?!”

While laughing in an exasperated manner, he said it.

He’ll even handle the exam procedures. That’s a bit unexpected, a pleasant miscalculation.

…But, since I’ve said it, I have to follow through.

I wouldn’t make such big claims if I weren’t confident, but that said, it’s not something I can accomplish while being careless either.

I need to thoroughly prepare from now on.

“…However, to think you’d say this one month before the exam date. When did you start planning this?”

While sipping his tea again, he asked.

It seemed like he was searching through materials.

…Huh?

Something like that,

“Yesterday? I learned about the program’s existence yesterday.”

“Are you seriously saying that?”

While nearly spitting out the tea he had in his mouth, he raised his voice.

***

“U-um… the one who defeated the dragon horde in the Human-Demon Holy War was…”

“Gino Bruce Sandolfon, right. He’s said to have single-handedly defeated about 50 dragons in the Leerintz Duchy’s battle against flying dragons. Well, in reality he was just the leader of one small squad, and the anecdote that’s been passed down seems embellished.”

“Wait, did Nanai-san say such things…? And will that even appear on the test?!”

“No, this is something I read in a book. And since it’s not well-known, it probably won’t appear on the test.”

“Don’t make me anxious right before the test!!”

While swaying in the carriage, Eleanore and I had such a conversation.

Maybe I was a bit mean.

Because the Sandolfon family and the Leerintz Duchy suppressed the truth from spreading in order to flaunt their authority and passed down an excessively embellished story, this knowledge isn’t very common.

Unless you’re someone really interested in this world’s original history like me, or someone like a history researcher, you wouldn’t easily know this.

…So, what’s this about—this is about the exam test questions.

It’s a final check right before the actual exam.

One month has passed since I got Adalbert’s permission to take the exam.

Finally, the day of the Lytisia Academy entrance exam has arrived.

This past month, I thoroughly drilled in the test subjects: studying, swordsmanship, and magic.

Well, I was already doing it to some extent, so it wasn’t particularly difficult.

Needless to say about combat skills, I had grasped the basic knowledge from the library books.

Plus, I have my original story knowledge and love for the original story.

The feeling of knowing this world and wanting to know more drove my study motivation.

While also borrowing the power of Eleanore’s tutor Nanai, I think I’ve shaped up quite well despite the short period.

“Ugh, I’m starting to feel anxious now…”

In contrast, she seems quite anxious.

“It’s fine. Eleanore-sama will definitely pass.”

I encourage her as she looks dejected. Well, what just happened was partly my fault too.

While I was studying vigorously, she was struggling somewhat.

Well, since nobles aren’t tested on combat like knights and much of the test is academic examination, it can’t be helped…

But even so.

Even though she has a good head, how should I say, she’s lacking basic knowledge.

Or rather, she wasn’t putting her heart into studying.

“…This is also Arcs’s fault, you know…?”

“…I’m sorry about that joke earlier. You’ll be fine, my lady.”

“Not just about that either…”

She muttered that last part quietly, but what else besides that…?

Did I cause trouble without knowing it?!

If that’s the case, I’m incredibly sorry and it’s unbecoming of a servant, but when I look at her appearance, her cheeks are flushed for some reason.

No, I really don’t understand…!

…But somehow, I feel a bit of a gap.

Even more so when I consider her from the original story.

Since the main story Eleanore’s background is hardly revealed, her academic level is naturally unknown.

But if she was like the current her, I might laugh a bit.

Well, if the cause in that case is that she’s too busy with her evil machinations to concentrate on her studies, it’s not funny at all though.

…No good, no good.

What am I thinking right before the exam?

I should be confirming my knowledge even a little bit now.

After all, I’m trying to break through not just ordinary passing, but the ultra-high difficulty of “honors student passing.”

Thinking that, I try to lower my gaze to the magic book.

But at that moment, I suddenly had a strange feeling.

A feeling of being watched intensely by someone.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Eh, eh?! N-no, it’s nothing…!”

While becoming somewhat flustered and raising her voice, she said so.

Come to think of it, this kind of thing happened when we studied together too.

Even when I asked, she didn’t answer anything.

Is there something strange on my face?

Like a sign of death or something. That’s unlucky. Gahaha.

While I was thinking such things.

“…After all, it’s Arcs’s fault…”

It’s probably a soliloquy, but my ears caught it without fail.

She’s turned away so I can’t see her expression, but…

…Eh, seriously what is it?!

Me in a panic, and Eleanore seeming restless.

Even though it’s right before the test, for some reason neither of us could concentrate on studying.

***

After a while, the destination began to come into view.

Royal Lytisia Academy.

The shadow of a school building like a giant castle and a tower that seemed to continue endlessly toward the sky became clear.

And surrounding them was a wall that must be several dozen meters high, giving the appearance of something like a small fortress city.

…Well, that seems to not be far from the truth in terms of scale.

Beyond that wall, the story of “Celestia Kingdom” will unfold.

I was steadily approaching the wall that must be overcome.