The exam in royal capital begins.

Only people allow to enter entrance are applicants.

People who are not students are waiting outside of the gate.

The moment the gates close, an angry shout rather than a yell descends from the parents of the students.

This is happening even through exam is not started yet. The test results will be announced at the entrance in the evening, and there will be an outcry when they do.

I followed the instructor who was in charge of guiding us and came to the auditorium. It's like a hall and has quite a lot of space.

Written test held first in this place.

Perhaps they were kind towards me, somehow Dia and Talt are next to me.

It seems that the test starts after a sufficient break.

It's time for final preparation.

[I was getting nervous. Regardless of my grades, even if I say I can be in the same class as Lugh-sama, I can't take any embarrassing points as Lugh-sama's servant.] (Talt)

[You just do what you always do. You don't have to get so worked up about it, but if you understand what I've taught you and make it your own, you'll get a good enough grade. That's how I taught you. Or do you just not trust what I have said?] (Lugh)

[No, I don't think like that! I think I'm getting motivated.] (Talt)

The straightforwardness and simplicity of Talt is an advantage.

Dia's side was calm even without having to say anything. She's strong-willed.

I encourage the two of them to go to the bathroom, and I do it myself.

I take deep breath. The instructor came over and announced the end of the break.

[The young birds of the future Alvan kingdom, I'm glad you're here. This test will now begin. A written test is taken first, followed by a one-hour break for a practical test. Let's talk about a few caveats. These are just to see how good you are and give you a proper education. No one will benefit from stretching your limits...... Therefore, wrongdoings are met with severe punishment. When the wrongdoing is found, you leave the premises. You don't even need to look at the practice exam to know you' re at the lowest class.] (Instructor)

The lowest class in Knight academy.

This will be greatest shame for aristocrats.

It is the label of incompetence at the bottom of the pile in this country.

...... Still, some will cheat. That's why the expectations of those around us are so high.

[No questions will be answered. I'm not even going to allow you to leave. If a student leaves the class, the answer sheet will be collected at that point. That's it for the warnings. Distribute the question.] (Instructor)

Test papers were spread in front of everyone.

It is turned inside out and the content is not yet visible.

[Then start!] (Instructor)

With the words of the instructor, the test paper is turned over at the same time.

First, a light check on the contents.

Not all of them, but roughly the supposed questions are lined up.

It's a relief to know that I taught them about the history and laws of this country without missing a thing.

I smile slightly bitterly at the questions. The tendency of the questions is biased.

There is a high percentage of history and laws that they want the aristocracy to understand about this country. It's the kind of question the school is designed for.

The questions that require thinking and calculation skills are within the range of what they can handle.

With this, all three of us can get high score.

In fact, from next to me, both Talt and Dia were running their pens effortlessly.

『In writing, it is only 30% of the points that I can earn points』

The history and laws of one's own country, etc., one would think that a aristocrat would deserve to know that, but a lower-ranking aristocrat would not.

The history taught by parents is conveniently adapted for each territory, and they only teach the parts they want to teach. In the first place, they often know only a small area around their own territory.

A book that gives complete knowledge is valuable and expensive.

In addition, finding a book with the right content is difficult in itself. It's more of a book full of lies and mistakes, and there's a lot of times they grab onto that kind of garbage.

This test is more about the environment in which they grew up rather than the talent of the person.

Once again, I'm glad I was born in Toutha De. My house values wisdom, which is why the stacks were lined with expensive and correct books.

...... If I earn my marks here, I won't stand out in the afternoon exam.

◇

Written test has finished.

I was terribly tired after three hours in a row.

It's not divided by subjects like in Japan, but all of them are given together, so the volume is huge.

They may be looking at things like concentration, not just smartness.

...... However, not being able to leave for three hours is a painful thing in its own way.

One student had to endure the toilet for a while, but then he reached his limit and walked out of the school with a bright red face and tears in his eyes. And also, there is amazing guy who keep taking test while lurking out of it.

They have to display the excellence of their own home. So I guess that's why they go that far.

One after another, the students, exhausted from exam, walked out.

There will be a break for about an hour, during which the grading will take place.

We decided to go to the spacious garden and take a rest on a bench.

Dia looks excited and tells us the results of the exam.

[I've probably solved 90% of the questions. It's a good score, but I'm not sure I scored more points than everyone else.] (Dia)

[That's about it for me too. I only did what Lugh-sama taught me, so I was able to solve it properly!] (Talt)

[I'm glad things are going well. If you can solve 90% of the questions, you're probably in the top ten. Only about 30% of the students were able to answer the questions properly.] (Lugh)

[I can't wait to see the test results. How about Lugh?] (Dia)

[Full marks unless I made a mistake...... Just because we learned it once doesn't mean the answer is right.] (Lugh)

The accuracy of the records is vague, and the contents are often different from book to book, so this can't be helped.

[If Lugh-sama is in first place, we're celebrating today! I'll be inspired to make a lot of delicious food!] (Talt)

[It's not necessary. Maybe they'll do something in the dorms to celebrate enrollment.] (Lugh)

[Ugh, that's a shame. But I'll try my best in the direction of making desserts!] (Dia)

She laughs bitterly. Talt is always thinking about me more than herself.

Then Talt took out a basket.

[What need for tired heads to be sweet! Actually, I was up early to make a snack.] (Lugh)

[It's lovely. I was just a little hungry. It's going to be a great afternoon, isn't it?] (Dia)

In the basket was a steamed yellow bread.

It's something that's recently come into popular in Murteu, where the bread is steamed rather than baked to make it fluffy.

And it has the best way to enjoy the full taste of eggs by adding a lot of yolk.

[Talt, this is delicious] (Lugh)

[Me too. I like this pastry so make more next time.] (Dia)

[Leave it to me! I'm glad you like it. It was my first-time making pastries, so I wasn't sure if you would like it.] (Talt)

This pastry is something that I and my mother have never made.

Before I knew it, she was finding new recipes on her own when it came to cooking and making pastries.

I thought this kind of self-motivation was something that Talt didn't have, but it seemed to be growing where I couldn't see it.

Dia brews a cup of tea, saying it's for the pastries.

We don't have any utensils, but Dia uses earth magic to create a container, takes the tea leaves out of the pouch, and I create the water and heat it over with a fire.

This is how magic can also be used.

Even though the entrance exams had put the prestige of each family on the line, we were enjoying sweet steamed egg cakes and delicious tea at time like this.

With this, I will be able to prepare for the practical exam in perfect physical condition.

However, someone who break this peaceful atmosphere come near us.

[Hi, everyone in Tauthe de. I was wondering if I could be a part of the tea party.] (Son of Geffis Duke)

Then a beautiful boy with bright blond hair came to us. Yes, he is a man who showed up on a white horse and sent me a wink. He is the eldest son of the Duke of Geffis.

Honestly, I don't want to get tired of my precious break time.

However, Tuathe De is a baron, and he who is in front of me is from duke family.

There's no way I can say no.

[Sure. Go ahead] (Lugh)

[Thank you. I'm sure you know my name, but let me just introduce myself. It is Neush Geffis.] (Neush Geffis)

[My name is Lugh Tuathe De.] (Lugh)

[Hahaha, I don't care about honorifics. In this school, talent is everything and family background doesn't matter. That's what the royal family says, after all. We must obey our loyalty to what the Royal Family has bestowed upon us.] (Neush Geffis)

I didn't expect someone from the duke family to say that.

But if I continue to use honorifics here, I'm sure I'll be get a bad reputation.

[Well, I shall take your word for it.] (Lugh)

[Do that. I'm more comfortable that way too. Hey, girl, can you let me get a treat?] (Neush Geffis)

[Ha, yes. But it's not the kind of snacks that someone from the dukes would eat.] (Talt)

He doesn't take Talt's advice and eats the steamed egg custard bread with his hands.

[This pastry is good. There are no such kind of pastries in my castle. I’m taken a liking to it. I will take another one.] (Neush Geffis)

The behavior is too unbecoming of an aristocrat. However, when Neusch eats it, even that look becomes a work of art.

[What did you come here for? Don't tell me it's for the snacks.] (Lugh)

[I thought I should say hello to you. Because I need you for my dreams. Well, to put it simply, I'm here to scout. By the time I graduate, I'm going to gather the talented people in this school and take care of them. I want you more than anyone else. That's why I came to you in the first place.] (Neush Geffis)

... how much does this guy know?

After all, I hadn't shown my abilities in the entrance exam yet, so there was no way he would call out to a mere baron's child. More famous lineages abound in this place.

I can see if he knows the behind-the-scenes, but the behind-the-scenes of Tuathe De is a secret known only to the royal family, and to a certain duke family.

[Why me?] (Lugh)

[Because you' re better than anyone else in here.] (Neush Geffis)

[At least hero is stronger than me.] (Lugh)

[However, the idiots who are just strong can be used in their own way, but overall, I want you the most. Well, I'll just leave the greetings for today. Think about it... We're going to change this rotten country. You can see why you have to do it. If you leave it alone, it's too late. Also, the sweets are delicious. You made it, didn't you? This is a thank you.] (Neush Giffis)

With that said, he tossed the handkerchief towards Talt and walked away.

Talt looked at the handkerchief in a stunned state.

[This is a very good one, isn't it?] (Talt)

[The highest quality silk and the gold thread used for this design is also of the highest quality. Yeah, it's the kind of thing you can make a living playing with for a couple of months or so if you sell it.] (Lugh)

[No, I won't get that. I'll give it back to him!] (Talt)

[No, don't do that. That would be rude to the other side.] (Lugh)

Talt seem to be in a panic.

This girl is still in the habit of being a petty citizen.

[Hey, Lugh. I wonder what it means to change the country.] (Dia)

[... the aristocrats, who can see to some extent, understand that if things go on like this, the Alvan Kingdom will become like Swoigel. Neush also seem to understand about that too. Is he going to prevent it from happening, or is he going to turn it upside down if the country is so fragile that it will be? Either way, he's a very ambitious man.] (Lugh)

...... It's true that the Knight Academy is a good place to recruit talent.

Anyway, he can reach out to the influential person in a situation where there is no external pressure on him.

Nevertheless, this is the first time I've ever met a man who says with a straight face that he is going to change this country.

When he showed up on a white horse, I thought what kind of spoiled child he was, but I saw something passionate inside of him.

However, I don't know if it's a reckless dream without any thought or a plan with a vision to make it happen.

[Talt, Dia, it looks like the test results have been posted over there. Let's go take a look.] (Lugh)

[Yes, I hope Lugh-sama gets first place.] (Talt)

[Yes, that's right. If I don't earn points here, I can't be at the top of the class without standing out in practical test.] (Lugh)

[It's not that, I want to see how cool Lugh-sama is.] (Talt)

The three of us made our way to the crowds.

Well, how are the test results coming along?