Chapter 6: Royal Academy Entrance Exam
Although Irishe continued to burden Rest with one unreasonable demand after another after that... he was, first and foremost, an exam candidate.
Over the following year, he threw himself into studying for the entrance exam while enduring every trial thrown his way. He pored through reference books again and again, asking the sisters about anything he couldn't understand or researching it in the archive.
He also continued his training with Deeble. While he was still far behind in hand-to-hand combat, he had already surpassed his mentor when it came to pure magical skill.
With your current abilities, Lord Rest, you will undoubtedly pass the entrance exam with ease. However... smooth sailing breeds carelessness. It is precisely when you feel confident that you must remain on your guard.
"Never let your guard down, no matter how weak the opponent... right, Master Deeble?" Rest muttered to himself.
"Gaaaaaah!"
A fierce roar echoed through the air, completely drowning out Rest's quiet monologue.
Looking ahead, several grotesque humanoid figures emerged from the depths of the forest, heading straight for him.
They had ash-brown skin and smooth, hairless heads. Their bulky bodies bulged like balloons, yet their surfaces were covered in a thick plating of solid muscle.
They were not human. They were monsters known as ogres.
Pouring out of the woods one after another, the ogres raised enraged war cries and charged directly at Rest, who stood ready for them.
Rest was battling monsters again today. His mission for the day was to exterminate a pack of ogres—yet another task assigned to him by Irishe.
"Alright, let's do this," Rest said, stepping forward.
He was fully prepared, and the enemies were eager for a fight.
There was no reason to keep them waiting. Activating his magic, Rest kicked off the ground.
"【Physical Up】! 【Accelerator】!"
Through a parallel dual-casting spell, he dashed at blinding speed, closing the distance to the leading ogre in a split second.
"Gugyah?!"
"【Wind Cutter】!"
Unleashed at point-blank range, the blade of wind severed the ogre's head, sending it flying into the air.
Seeing its companion slain, another ogre swung its wooden club down toward him.
"Gah!"
"【Earth Wall】!"
Without a hint of panic, Rest cast his next spell.
A wall of dirt erupted from the ground, blocking the descending club in its tracks.
"【Earth Thorn】!"
"Gyan!"
Placing a hand on the earth wall that had just protected him, he triggered his follow-up spell.
A sharp spike shot out from the opposite side of the wall, impaling the attacking ogre through the chest.
"【Fire Bolt】! 【Ice Bolt】! 【Thunder Bolt】!"
He targeted the ogres at a distance with mid-tier long-range spells.
Flashes of red, blue, and yellow shot forth in rapid succession, piercing right through the monsters' bodies.
"Gaaaaaah!" the remaining ogres roared in chorus.
Realizing they couldn't win individually, they made a desperate move.
Several ogres lunged forward at once, intending to crush Rest beneath their overwhelming weight.
"【Smoke Screen】!"
A dense white cloud of smoke billowed out around Rest, completely concealing him from sight.
"Gah?!" the ogres bellowed, suddenly enveloped in the haze.
Trapped inside the thick smoke, they cried out in confusion.
Swinging their clubs wildly in all directions, they began striking each other in friendly fire.
"Hah!" Rest grunted, lowering his posture.
Amidst the crucible of chaos, Rest stayed low and darted between them.
Thanks to his 【Life Search】 spell, he could accurately track every enemy even inside the smoke screen.
Weaving past their fists and heavy clubs, he unleashed point-blank spells to eliminate them methodically, one by one.
"That makes the last one... wait, guess not," Rest murmured, narrowing his eyes.
"Googyaaaaaaaah!"
An exceptionally loud roar echoed from deep within the forest.
An ogre easily two sizes larger than the ones he had just slain emerged, trampling down trees as it strode into the clearing.
With skin of a reddish hue, it was likely a mutant variant—a monster commonly referred to as an "Ogre General."
That's a higher-ranked monster than a White Fenrir, Rest thought. If a creature like that showed up near a human settlement, it could easily wipe out a village or two without breaking a sweat.
Had he encountered it when he was first taken in by the marquis's household, Rest might not have been able to defeat it.
However... the Rest of today was not the same person he was back then. Showing not a trace of panic, he calmly focused his mana.
"【Physical Up】! 【Strength Up】!"
A spell to enhance his physical capabilities, combined with one to boost his arm strength.
"【Earth Wear】!"
It was a spell that coated his body in solid earth.
He covered his right arm from the elbow down, shaping the earth into a massive gauntlet. Sharp spikes protruded from the front of the gauntlet, drastically amplifying the lethal power of his punch.
"【Accelerator】!"
And to top it off... a spell to dramatically burst his speed.
In a single split second, Rest closed the gap into the Ogre General's guard and unleashed his right fist. The spiked gauntlet drove deep into its thick torso, sending out gruesome crunches of tearing flesh and shattering bones.
"Googyaaaaaaaah?!"
The Ogre General let out an agonized scream.
Rest, who had been standing a distance away just a heartbeat ago, had traversed the space in the blink of an eye and delivered a crushing blow.
The creature couldn't even comprehend what had just happened to it.
Still got enough breath left to scream, huh...?
"【Fire Bolt】!"
Deactivating 【Accelerator】, Rest triggered his finishing magic.
From the tip of his gauntlet embedded deep inside the beast's chest, he unleashed a torrent of fire magic.
"Nghhhhhhhhhhh~~~~~~~~!!"
Flames burst forth from the Ogre General's mouth, nostrils, and eyes.
With a voiceless shriek, its body incinerated from the inside out, the Ogre General collapsed backward onto the forest floor.
"...I won," Rest exhaled softly.
Just to be certain, he scanned the surroundings using his 【Life Search】 magic.
Aside from his own presence, there was only a single living presence left in the vicinity.
Every single ogre appeared to have breathed its last.
"Splendid performance," a voice called out.
With a polite round of applause, the presence hiding in the shadow of a tree stepped out into the open.
"That was a truly magnificent battle. You have grown remarkably strong over the past year."
"Thank you very much, Master Deeble," Rest replied with a polite bow.
The man who emerged was dressed in butler's attire—Deeble, Rest's master in combat.
Although a pack of ogres had burst out of the forest, the one who had herded them out in the first place was none other than Deeble himself.
"I intended to step in and assist should the need arise... but it seems my help was entirely unnecessary," Deeble remarked with a satisfied smile.
He smiled contentedly as he offered another brief round of applause.
"There is nothing left for me to teach you. I am truly fortunate to have had such an exceptional student."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you, Master. I'm truly grateful to have been able to learn under you..." Rest sniffled, suppressing the tears welling in his eyes.
Rest sniffled again, fighting back the emotion stirring in his chest.
Ever since coming to the Rosemary marquisate, he had been blessed with nothing but wonderful encounters.
He resolved in his heart to spend the rest of his life repaying the immense debts of gratitude he owed them all.
"Now then, let us return to the estate. The young ladies are awaiting us," Deeble suggested.
"The exams should be wrapping up around now anyway. Both of them will probably be home by the time we get back," Rest agreed.
Today was the day of the entrance examination for noble applicants at the Royal Academy.
Viola and Primula had headed off to the academy early that morning to take their exams.
"I'm sure the two of them did fine... but I'm still worried, so let's hurry home."
"Indeed. Shall we race to see who reaches the mansion first?" Deeble offered with a playful gleam in his eyes.
"You're on!" Rest accepted eagerly.
Rest and Deeble enhanced their speed with magic and dashed toward the royal capital at breakneck speeds.
A mountain of ogre corpses was left lying outside the forest... though they were promptly cleaned up by servants from the marquisate who arrived shortly after.
When Rest arrived back home, he bumped right into Viola and Primula in the entrance hall.
"I'm back," Rest greeted them. "How did the exam go for both of you?"
"Welcome home! It was an absolute piece of cake, of course!" Viola boasted, puffing out her chest.
"I think I did fairly well too," Primula added softly with a gentle smile.
"That's great to hear," Rest said, letting out a relieved sigh.
The Royal Academy was divided into five departments: Magic, Knights, Civil Administration, Clergy, and Arts. The sisters had applied for the Department of Magic, which was the very same department Rest planned to apply for.
"You're up next, Rest!" Viola declared, pointing an index finger at him. "If you fail, I won't forgive you!"
"Of course. I'll pass for sure, just watch me," Rest replied with a firm nod.
He gave a solemn promise in response to Viola's insistence.
The exam for commoner applicants was scheduled in one week. Naturally, he had no intention of failing.
This exam would mark a major turning point in his life... He was determined to pass no matter what.
"The test format seems to have been identical to last year's," Primula explained, detailing the experience. "First, there was a written exam common to all departments, followed by practical exams separated by specialty. The practical portion for us was target shooting, just like previous years."
Target shooting was a standard method used to gauge a magician's power. It involved casting a spell at a target while a specialized magic item measured the outputted destruction.
It was a completely standard procedure, consistent with previous years.
"Speaking of which... I saw your brother at the testing site," Viola mentioned nonchalantly.
"Cedric?" Rest asked, blinking in surprise.
"Yeah. He looked like he desperately wanted to come talk to us, so we just ignored him," Viola replied with a huff.
"Haha... That guy really never learns, does he?" Rest let out a dry laugh.
It's been a year since I last saw him, Rest thought. After making such a massive blunder back then, I'd hope he reflected a little and grew up mentally, but...
"Apparently, his practical exam results were pretty mediocre," Viola added, smirking. "He was throwing a total temper tantrum, shouting things like 'This is rigged!' and 'I demand a retake!'"
"He was also screaming that it was a conspiracy to ruin a genius like him," Primula said, her brow furrowing slightly. "It was quite unsightly."
"...So he hasn't grown at all, huh? Though to be honest, that's pretty much what I expected," Rest replied with a grimace, sharing a wry smile with the visibly disgusted sisters.
Cedric had evidently thrown a scene at the exam venue because of his poor practical score... though that was a bit unexpected in its own right.
While his personality left much to be desired, Cedric's magical talent was undeniably top-class among his peers. Barring an anomaly with infinite mana like Rest, he shouldn't have lost to anyone.
"Messing up the practical rather than the written... and of all people, Cedric," Rest muttered aloud.
Marquis Rosemary himself had recognized Cedric's raw potential, which was precisely why he had arranged for Cedric to meet the sisters in the first place.
"I was watching when he cast his spell..." Viola said, tapping her chin. "He actually used 【Thunderstorm】."
"Wait... 【Thunderstorm】? On a target shooting test?" Rest asked, doubting his own ears.
【Thunderstorm】 was undeniably an advanced spell, a magic that only a handful of mages could wield.
However... it was completely suited for area-of-effect attacks, making it a terrible choice for a single-target power test.
He had blatantly chosen the wrong tool for the job.
【Thunderstorm】 is a wide-area spell,.Rest analyzed internally. It can hit a vast range at once, but its concentrated destructive power isn't all that high. Using it for a target test that measures pure impact power is the worst possible choice...
"His score on the practical was strictly average," Viola noted. "Depending on his written test results, he might actually fail."
".........I see," Rest responded quietly.
Come to think of it... Cedric had always been like that.
He skimmed the surface of things and delved no deeper, delusionally believing he understood their absolute essence. He expanded his repertoire of flashy spells without ever trying to comprehend their fundamental nature.
He probably thought something like, "Advanced magic is obviously better than low or mid-tier spells! Look at me using high-level magic, aren't I amazing? Everyone praise me!"... Driven purely by his shallow urge for self-display, he picked 【Thunderstorm】Rest surmised with an internal sigh.
He truly was a pathetic, disappointing guy through and through.
If Cedric failed, his ambition of becoming a court magician would be shattered on the spot.
Barring extraordinary circumstances, the royal palace never hired individuals who hadn't graduated from the Royal Academy.
Which means the Eberne family's long-cherished dream of securing a full, hereditary viscount status will crash and burn... Father is going to blow his top Rest thought, a wry smirk tugging at his lips.
The Eberne house had been granted the title of honorary viscount for two consecutive generations. If Cedric became a court magician and earned his own honorary title, they would have officially been elevated to true viscounts.
If the son who was guaranteed to become a court mage—the genius everyone praised—failed the exam, his father would undoubtedly go berserk in a fit of rage.
And if the "magicless failure" he threw away passes the exam, imagine how humiliating that'll be for him... Man, I'd almost love to see his face.
"Now I'm suddenly extra motivated," Rest declared, clenching his fist. "I just found one more great reason to pass!"
With renewed resolve, he tightened his grip, firmer than ever in his determination to succeed.
◇ ◇ ◇
And so... the day of the entrance examination for commoner applicants finally arrived.
Whether he was accepted into the Royal Academy would drastically alter the trajectory of his entire life.
Without exaggeration, this single day would determine whether Rest emerged as a winner in life.
"Good luck, Rest! We believe in you!" Viola cheered, coming out to the main foyer to see him off.
"If it's you, Lord Rest, you'll definitely pass! Please do your best!" Primula added warmly.
The two sisters offered him heartfelt words of encouragement at the entrance hall.
They didn't just stop at words—they gave him tight hugs, too. The lukewarm, knowing glances from the surrounding servants made Rest feel a little uncomfortable.
"Thank you... For both of your sakes, I'll definitely come back with a passing grade!" Rest promised.
These two girls had rescued him from the miserable household of Honorary Viscount Eberne.
They had provided him with study materials, tutored him, and even found him a mentor to teach him magic and combat.
To live up to the expectations of those who had granted him the absolute best environment to learn, failure was simply not an option.
"Alright... time to go!" Rest announced to himself.
Slinging his bag over his shoulder—having checked its contents a dozen times—he stepped out into the crisp morning air.
Leaving the estate with plenty of time to spare before the exam, he jogged toward the Royal Academy.
The marquis's household had offered to prepare a carriage for him, but Rest had politely declined, preferring to go on foot.
Technically, I'm just a servant here, so riding in a carriage bearing the marquis's crest wouldn't be appropriate,he reasoned. Besides... running on my own two feet is faster anyway.
From the marquisate mansion in the noble district of the capital, the academy was about a one-hour walk.
Reinforcing his speed with magic, he could easily arrive in less than ten minutes.
"Phew... phew... phew..."
Pacing his breathing to a steady rhythm, Rest pumped his arms and legs, blurring the passing scenery as he surged toward his destination.
He wouldn't commit the foolish mistake of getting lost along the way. He had already scouted the route beforehand, memorizing every street and turn without flaw.
My studies are rock solid. I easily scored passing marks on past exams. Master Deeble even guaranteed that I could become a court magician right now. I prayed for success at the temple, and I went to bed early last night to get a full night's sleep... Everything is fine. There's not a single problem!
There were no issues. There was no way he would fail. He was guaranteed to pass... He had total confidence in that.
And yet... it's strange. No matter how much I study, this knot of anxiety in my chest just won't disappear. It reminds me of high school entrance exams back in my old life.
In his past life, coming from a difficult family environment, Rest had taken the exam for a high school that offered honors scholarships. He had studied like a man possessed, working himself so hard he practically peed blood.
Even after pouring his life into preparing, he couldn't shake off the dread on the morning of the exam. Just like right now.
Because I worked so hard... because I gave it my all... that's why I worry whether I can deliver the results.
Anxiety was natural. Even so, he would deliver results without fail.
It had worked out back during his high school exams... and it would work out today, too.
"Hard work never betrays you... I can do this. I've got this!" Rest muttered to himself.
Reassuring himself with those words, Rest continued dashing toward the academy—until an unexpected situation unfolded right in front of him.
"Kaaaaaaah!"
".........Huh?" Rest blinked, stopping mid-stride.
A high-pitched scream pierced through the calm morning air.
Drawn by the voice, Rest instinctively looked up at the sky.
"Somebody, save meeeeee!"
"...What in the world is she doing?" Rest blurted out, stunned.
Rest's gaze locked onto a girl plunging headfirst from the top of the royal capital's central clock tower.
It was Yuri Catleia—the girl he had encountered several months ago on Mount Errors—hurling straight toward the cobblestone street below.
Recalling their previous encounter, Rest instantly cast a spell, creating a massive sphere of water directly beneath her.
"Blub-blub-blub... Pwah?!" Yuri burst out of the water bubble, coughing and spluttering.
"I didn't expect to run into you here... Yuri," Rest sighed, catching her wet form as the water spell dissipated.
Having safely absorbed her momentum with the water cushion, he lowered her to the ground.
Once the magic faded, a soaking-wet Yuri stood before him, looking remarkably familiar.
"You're... Rest! What are you doing in a place like this?!" Yuri asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"That is two hundred percent my line," Rest deadpanned, casting a quick drying spell on her clothes. "Why are you always falling out of the sky?"
He asked the question with absolute, unadulterated sincerity.
"Well, you see, I had somewhere I needed to go, but I lost my way," Yuri explained with a bright, unfazed grin. "I thought if I climbed up somewhere high like last time to get a bird's-eye view, I might spot my destination, so I went up there."
"There" clearly referred to the clock tower, an iconic landmark of the capital.
While the tower was normally open to tourists, it should have been locked tight this early in the morning.
"I scaled the outside wall," Yuri added blithely. "It was a bit tricky!"
"Scaled the outside... You mean you free-climbed the outer wall?!" Rest asked, horrified.
"Yeah! There were plenty of handholds, so I thought I could manage, but right when I reached the very tip, my hand slipped. I almost got hurt!" Yuri laughed merrily.
Falling from the pinnacle of a clock tower wouldn't result in a mere "injury"—it would reduce a normal person to a red smear on the pavement.
Then again, speaking of "normal," no normal human could scale the sheer exterior of a tower that tall in the first place.
"I see... Well, sorry, but I'm in a hurry, so I have to go," Rest said, stepping around her.
He was mildly curious about where she was trying to go, but he had an exam to catch. While he still had time to spare, he couldn't stand around chatting forever.
"If you're lost, head straight down this street to the military police post, or ask a passerby for directions. Just make sure you don't follow any suspicious strangers," Rest advised over his shoulder.
Leaving her with that advice, Rest broke back into a run.
"Ah! Wait for me!" Yuri called out.
In a flash, she caught up and ran right alongside him.
Though she showed no signs of using magic, she effortlessly matched the speed of a physically reinforced Rest.
"You've saved me once again! Won't you allow me to repay the favor somehow?" Yuri asked earnestly.
"No, really, it's fine. Don't worry about it," Rest replied, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.
"Don't say that! We share a special bond of fate. Wouldn't it be lonely if we just parted ways forever right here?" Yuri insisted with a cheerful, guileless smile.
She was clearly expressing pure gratitude with zero ulterior motives.
Rest appreciated the sentiment, but his priority was reaching the academy on time.
Without slowing down, he sprinted straight down the main avenue.
"Sorry, but... I have a really important exam right now. If you really want to thank me, can we do it next time we meet?"
"An exam? By exam, do you mean the Royal Academy entrance test?" Yuri asked, perking up.
"Yeah, that's the one... Ah, we're here," Rest said, slowing down.
They had reached the grand gates of the Royal Academy while chatting.
At the reception counters set up outside the gates, a throng of prospective students was queueing up to check in.
"Ah! It seems you've rescued me yet again, Rest!" Yuri declared joyfully.
"Huh?" Rest blinked, confused.
"This is where I was trying to go all along! I'm here to take the exam too!" Yuri announced, beaming like a sunflower.
She stood tall, radiating sunshine and absolute confidence.
"If we both pass, we'll be classmates starting next year! I'd be so happy to be in the same year as you, Rest!"
".........Seriously?" Rest muttered flatly.
He couldn't help letting his exasperated, unvarnished reaction slip out.
There seemed to be a strange, persistent twist of fate linking him to this girl named Yuri Catleia.
This isn't some cursed fate or bad omen, is it...? I'm starting to get genuinely terrified...
Shivering at the sudden chill running down his spine, Rest pulled his exam permit out of his bag.
◇ ◇ ◇
After checking in at reception, Rest entered the assigned classroom designated by examinee numbers and took his assigned seat.
Incidentally... Yuri was assigned to a different room, so they had parted ways in the corridor.
Still... why on earth is a young lady of Marquis Catleia's house taking the commoner exam? What kind of wild backstory does she have? Well, now isn't the time to be distracting myself with unnecessary thoughts...
While Yuri's background was intriguing, he needed to focus entirely on the exam ahead.
First up was the written exam. The time had come to show the fruits of all the studying he had done with Viola and Primula.
Even though there were still twenty minutes left before the test started, almost all the desks in the classroom were already occupied.
Around thirty people per room, huh? That means roughly three hundred commoner applicants in total...
According to the information he had gathered beforehand, the number of passing spots for commoner applicants fluctuated year to year.
The exam for noble applicants was held first, and any noble meeting the threshold passed.
Whatever remaining quota was left over was allocated to commoner applicants.
Three hundred commoner applicants is about standard for a typical year. I heard only about twenty percent actually make the cut...
Although these commoners had obtained recommendations to take the entrance exam, the vast majority would end up failing.
The low acceptance rate was partly due to nobles handing out recommendation letters indiscriminately to their young servants, hoping to bring them along as personal attendants inside the academy.
High-ranking nobles boasted high-quality attendants who were practically guaranteed to pass, whereas lower-ranking nobles just fired blind shots in hopes of hitting something.
Rest arranged his writing utensils—including spares—on his desk, taking several deep breaths to steady his nerves.
As he honed his concentration, the front door of the classroom swung open, revealing a woman who looked to be an instructor.
"We will now commence the Royal Academy entrance examination for commoner applicants," she announced in a crisp, authoritative voice.
The exam was starting. Rest straightened his posture, feeling a fresh jolt of tension.
"First is the written examination. The written portion is common across all departments and will last three hours. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified immediately and expelled from the premises."
Answer sheets were handed out face-down to every applicant in the room.
A thick wave of tension washed over the room. Was the audible gulp of air coming from Rest himself, or from another nerve-racked student nearby?
"Begin! Turn your test sheets over and start writing!"
The examinees flipped their papers over in unison.
Rest picked up his pen and began tackling the questions.
First up is history, huh...? "List the names of the Five Dragon Generals who contributed to the founding of the Kingdom of Iwood."
He had thoroughly studied this topic. He immediately wrote down the answers without hesitation.
The next question, and the one after that, were breezes. Every single prompt lined up on the test sheet was something he had learned and mastered alongside the Rosemary sisters.
I really owe those two everything... Oh, here's a question on magical history: "Among the twelve Sages who serve as permanent councilors on the Sage Council, list all who have held their seat for over a century." The answers are Leonard Gascoigne, Van Wally, Nuada Kedis, and Kanehira Ichijo.
It was one of his strong suits. Although it was considered a fairly challenging question, he jotted down the four names smoothly.
By the time two hours had passed, he had answered about ninety percent of the exam with complete confidence, if not a perfect score.
Rest! Once you finish, make sure you double-check your answers properly!
Lord Rest, please verify that your answers aren't misaligned in the response grid. Carelessness is your greatest enemy!
The advice Viola and Primula had given him the previous day flashed through his mind.
With a wry smile, Rest whispered a quiet "Roger that" to himself and began reviewing his paper.
He used the remaining time to meticulously check every page, ensuring there were no misspellings in his name or examinee number.
"Time is up! Put your pens down!"
When the signal sounded, Rest let out a long sigh of mental exhaustion.
He watched apathetically as the proctors swiftly gathered the answer sheets across the room.
"W-Wait! Just a little more, give me five more seconds...!"
"Hand it over right now!"
Watching a desperate student furiously scribbling to the bitter end felt no different from test days in his past life.
One student was even barked at by a proctor: "Hand it in immediately or you'll be disqualified!"
I did well... I did everything I possibly could.
"AAAAGH! I forgot to write my name! W-Wait, give my paper backkkkk!"
A pathetic shriek echoed from the corner of the classroom, but Rest simply rubbed his tired eyes over his eyelids, completely unbothered.
After the written exam concluded and a short recess passed, it was time for the practical exam.
The practical portion was conducted separately by department. The test Rest was taking was for the Department of Magic.
Following the instructions of the proctors, the examinees moved out to the training grounds.
"Ho-ho-ho. Now then, we shall commence the practical examination for the Department of Magic," an elderly voice announced.
Greeting the crowd of roughly one hundred applicants assembled on the field was an old man clad in magnificent robes.
He boasted a long white beard and held a massive staff nearly as tall as his entire body.
Though he was easily well past seventy, his back was straight as a rod, radiating a hale and hearty vigor.
"My name is Velroid Hahn. I happen to serve as the headmaster of this academy."
"Velroid Hahn?!" an applicant blurted out in shock. "Why is a Sage and the Headmaster himself here?!"
Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.
Velroid Hahn.
Rest recognized the name immediately. He had read about him in his reference books while studying for the exam.
He was a member of the Sage Council—the supreme magical association of the world—and stood as the single strongest magician in the Kingdom of Iwood.
Though born a commoner, he held immense influence not only among the kingdom's highest power brokers, but even among foreign royalty.
Granted the title of Honorary Duke, he was one of the most powerful individuals in the entire realm outside the royal family itself.
"Normally, another instructor would be proctoring this test... but that fellow had an urgent matter to tend to outside the capital," Headmaster Velroid explained with a jovial stroke of his beard. "So I shall be standing in as your examiner."
The headmaster laughed heartily, but the applicants couldn't bring themselves to smile.
With the headmaster—one of the world's greatest mages—standing before them, several applicants froze stiff with sheer terror.
"Regardless of who proctors the test, the task remains the same," Velroid continued, pointing his staff toward a nearby setup. "Allow me to explain the contents of the practical exam."
He gestured with his staff toward a white line drawn on the grass ten meters away from a circular target.
A white line was drawn on the ground, and a circular target stood positioned ten meters away.
"You will stand behind that line and strike the target using magic. That target possesses a mechanism to measure destructive output as a numerical value, and whatever score appears will be your grade."
It was identical to what Rest had heard beforehand—the exact same format used for the noble applicants.
"You may only strike the target once, though you are free to cast multiple spells if you wish. Give careful thought to what magic you choose to employ."
Most of the applicants tilted their heads in confusion at the headmaster's instruction.
You could cast magic multiple times, but you could only strike once... It sounded like a nonsensical paradox to them.
Ah... I get it now, Rest realized, nodding quietly to himself.
He grasped the underlying meaning behind the headmaster's words.
In other words, combining multiple spells into a single strike is allowed.
Composite magic created through multi-casting was an extraordinarily high-level technique, one that many full-fledged court mages couldn't even pull off.
Simultaneous activation alone was difficult enough; combining those spells at the exact same moment was absurdly challenging.
Master Deeble did say that depending on how low-tier spells are combined, they can exceed the destructive power of advanced magic,Rest recalled. Mastering the basics is what unlocks true secret techniques.
"Now then, you will fire in order of examinee numbers. First up is examinee number 2001, Jack-kun."
"Y-Yes, sir!" Jack replied nervously.
A simple-looking boy stepped forward to the line, taking a deep breath before invoking his spell.
"【Wind Cutter】!"
He unleashed a basic Wind-element spell. A crescent of wind shot straight toward the target and struck it cleanly.
"Mm, 57 points," Headmaster Velroid declared.
A glowing white number appeared above the target. Text materializing out of thin air was likely an application of illusion magic rooted in Light element.
"Next, number 2002, Sergio-kun."
"Yes..."
Examinees stepped forward one after another as their numbers were called, casting their spells at the target.
Judging by the scores of over half the examinees, the average seemed to be right around 60 points.
Most used low-tier spells, though a select few managed to unleash mid-tier magic.
"Next... examinee number 2069, Lady Yuri Catleia."
"Yes!"
Answering with an exceptionally energetic reply, the red-haired girl Rest had reunited with before the test—Yuri—stepped forward.
Wait... she's taking the Department of Magic exam? Rest thought, puzzled. With her insane physical abilities and being the Grand Commander's daughter, I completely assumed she'd be applying for the Department of Knights...
"Hey, did he say Catleia...?"
"Why is she in the Department of Magic...? Wait, why is she even taking the commoner exam in the first place...?"
Murmurs immediately broke out among the surrounding examinees.
Seriously, if you want to hide your identity, don't go around giving your family name, Rest groaned internally once again.
"Alright, here I go! 【Stone Bullet】!" Yuri shouted, taking her stance.
Yuri held out her hand and cast her spell—a low-tier magic that launched stone projectiles at the target.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" she roared.
Yuri gathered her focus for an exceptionally long time... slowly, agonizingly slowly, a stone began to materialize in midair. After taking well over five minutes, a single pebble small enough to fit in the palm of her hand was finally created.
"......Are you serious?" Rest muttered.
The words slipped from Rest's mouth before he could stop himself.
She was clearly lacking in magic power.
To create such a tiny pebble, Yuri had squeezed out every last drop of mana from her entire body. It wasn't just her mana capacity; her cast speed and output were both well below average.
It's a pity, but at this rate, there's no way she'll pass...
Rest shook his head with a sympathetic look on his face.
However... immediately after, something nobody could have anticipated occurred.
"Alright... Hyah!" she shouted.
"What!? You've got to be kidding me!" Rest exclaimed, his voice cracking.
Witnessing an utterly impossible sight, Rest couldn't help but yell out.
Yuri had snatched the pebble floating in midair and hurled it with all her might.
The thrown stone let out a sharp, piercing whistle as it cut through the air, striking the target that had remained unscathed no matter how many spells hit it, and leaving a massive crack right across its surface.
The number displayed above the target read "175." Apparently, one hundred points was not the maximum score.
W-What insane brute force... Wasn't this supposed to be a magic exam...?
"I did it! That's the top score!" Yuri cheered.
Leaving the stunned crowd behind, Yuri hopped up and down in celebration of her victory.
Is that even allowed?
Isn't that... clearly against the rules? Won't she be disqualified...?
"Ho ho ho, I see. I certainly didn't expect that idea," the headmaster chuckled, shaking his shoulders amusedly as the chief examiner.
Yet... the headmaster, overseeing the exam, burst into a hearty laugh.
"Mm, indeed. There is no rule stating one cannot throw a stone created by magic. You may step down."
"Yes, sir! Thank you very much!" Yuri replied brightly.
It seemed she wouldn't be disqualified after all.
As Yuri stepped back with a happy smile, the cracked target was swapped out for a fresh one.
"Next... examinee number 2124. Seloric Brute."
"Here," an arrogant voice called out.
"Ouch!" Rest suddenly cried out.
The exam continued after that... when suddenly, Rest was forcefully shoved from behind.
"Get out of the way! Make path, commoner!" a youth snapped.
The boy who shoved Rest was unusually well-dressed for a commoner.
Since his family name had just been called, perhaps he was a noble?
"I am of a branch family of the house of Count Brute! Don't block the path I walk!"
Branch family... Ah, so he's a commoner then, Rest realized.
Among the old nobility, some lineages had branch families derived from the main line. While branch families bore the same surname as the main house, they often lacked noble titles or territory, effectively making them commoners.
That guy must be one of those... Acting so high and mighty when he's just a commoner himself. His name even sounds weirdly similar to "that guy," so he's probably good for nothing...
Exasperated by the boy named Seloric, whose name sounded suspiciously like his older brother's, Rest quietly stepped aside.
With the exam still underway, he had no intention of causing unnecessary trouble.
"Hmph!" Seloric snorted.
The Selori boy scoffed arrogantly and stepped up to the starting line.
"Watch closely, you commoners! Gaze upon the magnificent magic of one who carries the glorious blood of Count Brute!"
Seloric raised both hands... and unleashed a powerful burst of flames.
"Fire Bolt!" he shouted.
Seloric had cast an intermediate-tier Fire magic spell. The fiercely blazing flames slammed into the target.
For all his talk, the spell was indeed reasonably powerful.
The score displayed above the target was "102." Excluding Yuri's, it was the highest score so far.
"Hmph! Naturally, it's child's play for me!" Seloric smirked boastfully.
Seloric laughed arrogantly, puffing out his chest with supreme pride.
Strutting back to the line of examinees with pompous swagger, he looked down on everyone around him.
"Next... examinee number 2125. Rest."
"Here," Rest answered.
Finally, Rest's turn had arrived.
As he walked up to the line, a nasal sneer echoed from behind him.
"Haha! What could a shabby commoner like him possibly do?" Seloric mocked loudly.
"......" Rest remained silent.
The voice belonged to the Selori boy. Whatever had rubbed him the wrong way, he went out of his way to taunt Rest.
Is this guy a clone of Cedric or something? He's dissing me so hard...Rest thought.
Although mildly annoyed, Rest didn't let it ruffle his composure. He took a deep breath.
"Here I go...!" he declared clearly.
Declaring his intent, Rest activated the spell he had decided on beforehand.
"Fireball," he cast.
A ball of flame materialized in front of Rest. It was the familiar, low-tier Fire offensive spell.
"Haha! That's the lowest-grade magic there is! Trash magic fitting for a commoner!" a mocking voice jeered from among the examinees.
A derisive laugh rose from the crowd of examinees.
There was no need to check who said it, but Rest, fully focused, ignored the noise.
Laugh while you still can... I'll wipe that smirk off your face in a second,he thought.
"Amplification," Rest invoked simultaneously.
He executed a supporting spell that boosted the magic's power in parallel.
The Fireball expanded rapidly, soon swelling to a size larger than a full-grown human.
"Wh... What?!" someone gasped.
"Holy crap, look at the size of that thing!" another examinee yelled.
Surprised shouts burst out among the examinees.
Without looking back, Rest was certain the Selori boy was currently standing there open-mouthed.
But... I'm not done yet,Rest thought.
"Compression," Rest cast.
He compressed the massive Fireball into a compact sphere.
Most of the examinees probably had no idea what was happening, but compressing the flames exponentially concentrated their heat and explosive power.
I've already proven this spell is effective on Fireballs. And to top it off...!
"Acceleration," Rest incanted.
It was a spell designed to increase the velocity of an object. While usually used to boost one's own movement speed, Rest applied it directly to his magical attack.
He unleashed the single strike, amplified to the absolute limit through a Quartet of spells, straight at the target.
"Fire...!" Rest commanded.
The compressed, supercharged Fireball shot forward like a high-velocity bullet.
Flying at near supersonic speed, the Fireball struck precisely where he aimed, dead center on the target, and triggered a massive explosion.
"Wh-What...?!" someone shrieked.
"Incredible... Look at that power...!" another gasped in awe.
"N-No way... A commoner did that...?" Seloric stammered, pale-faced.
When the burst of flames cleared, all that remained of the target was a pile of shattered debris.
Even though the target was completely obliterated, the magical display floating above it registered the final score.
The score read "387." Without a doubt, it was the absolute highest score of the exam.
"Maybe Acceleration wasn't necessary... It would have been more than enough to pass without adding extra speed," Rest mused to himself.
"Liar! There's no way a low-tier spell could produce that kind of power! He must have cheated!" a hysterical voice shouted.
Before Rest could even savor his victory, an outcry erupted. Naturally, it was the Selori boy.
"It's a fraud! Invalidate it! There's no way I could lose to a filthy commoner like him!" Seloric screeched.
"Silence, young man," a sharp voice cut in.
The headmaster sternly reprimanded the ranting Seloric.
"Magic grows stronger the more it is compressed. Even a low-tier spell, when empowered by auxiliary magic, can achieve power far surpassing high-tier magic. To say nothing of casting a Quartet of spells simultaneously... I doubt even five royal court magicians in the realm could pull that off. It was truly magnificent."
"Ah... Ugh..." Seloric stammered, rendered speechless.
"Rather than trying to demean someone superior to yourself, strive to learn from them and emulate their strength. That will serve your future far better," the headmaster advised gently.
"......" Seloric fell silent, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Humiliated by the mild lecture, Seloric shut his mouth, glaring at Rest as if venting his misdirected fury.
"I did it... Master Deeble," Rest muttered to himself, clenching his fist at the satisfying result.
Glancing briefly at Seloric, Rest raised a triumphant fist, thoroughly content with his score.
Having completed the practical portion of the exam, the Magic Department examinees moved from the training grounds to the main auditorium.
They were told there would be a brief interview, so everyone sat waiting for their turn to be called.
"Hey... Is that the guy...?" whispered an examinee.
"Yeah, it's unreal. Breaking three hundred points..." another replied in low tones.
"Could he secretly be noble-born? Maybe the illegitimate child of some famous archmage?"
Looks like I stood out a bit too much... Well, I had no intention of holding back anyway,Rest thought.
The main topic of conversation among the waiting applicants in the auditorium was, naturally, Rest, who had achieved the top score in the practical test.
While the average score among the other examinees was around sixty points, Rest had scored 387—more than six times the average.
Having demonstrated such an overwhelming gap in skill, he had drawn unwanted attention to himself.
"Dammit... Why should I... a descendant of the glorious house of Count Brute, lose to a filthy commoner...!" Seloric growled under his breath.
While most examinees looked at Rest with awe and curiosity, Seloric alone glared at him with venomous hatred.
So bitter was his defeat that his glare looked intent on cursing Rest to death on the spot.
I mean, my clothes aren't even shabby. He's jealous and hates losing just like my foolish brother, but does having a similar name make your personality just as terrible...?Rest mused.
Perhaps there really was something to onomancy and name reading after all.
Rest made a mental note to think very carefully about names if he ever had children of his own in the future.
"That was incredible earlier! How on earth did you get that kind of power out of a Fireball?" Yuri asked cheerfully, taking a seat beside him.
"It looked like you were casting multiple spells at once... Is there some secret to it?" she pressed.
"Ah, yeah. It's called simultaneous casting or compound magic," Rest explained.
"Mhm, mhm! I knew you were amazing from the moment we met! My instincts were right on the mark!" Yuri beamed proudly.
"You were pretty unbelievable yourself... Honestly, you took my breath away," Rest admitted.
He never could have imagined someone would physically hurl a rock created by magic.
That display of raw physical force must have left every single examinee stunned. Exploiting a loophole in the rules was clever, but nobody else possessed the raw strength to replicate it.
"This might be rude to ask... but why did you apply for the Magic Department, Yuri? Honestly, I feel like the Knight Department would suit you much better...?" Rest inquired.
He had realized during the practical exam that Yuri possessed extraordinary physical abilities, whereas her mana capacity was nearly nonexistent.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Knight Department was where she belonged.
"Ah... Well, the Knight Department is full of former Order of Knights veterans..." Yuri replied, her cheerful expression dimming slightly.
A shadow fell over what had seemed to be an utterly innocent and carefree face.
"If my father's former subordinates were the examiners, I'd never pass no matter what I did. Even though my aunt gave me a recommendation so I could take the exam, I'd just end up dragged right back home."
"Your father's subordinates...? Dragged back home...?" Rest repeated, tilting his head.
"N-No, no, no! That's not it at all!" Yuri stammered, waving both hands in front of her in a panic.
She flailed her hands frantically.
"I'm definitely not the Order Captain's daughter! And I definitely didn't run away from home to take this exam!" she blurted out.
"Alright, alright... I get it," Rest sighed gently.
She really was incapable of telling a believable lie.
She was the Commander of the Order of Knights' runaway daughter, currently taking the commoner track exam using her aunt's recommendation.
Because she was a runaway, she likely couldn't register through the noble track.
"Family issues are always tough... Guess we've both got it rough," Rest offered sympathetically.
"Yeah... you're right," Yuri nodded solemnly.
She agreed with a serious expression.
"If we get the chance, let's have an open talk about everything. I'd be happy if you could share the secret to your strength then, too," she said with a warm smile.
"...Sure. If we get the chance," Rest replied.
"Next, Lady Yuri Catleia. Please proceed to the back room," an staff member called out.
"Ah, that's my turn! Well then, if we both pass, let's meet at the entrance ceremony!" Yuri cheered.
"Yeah, see you then," Rest bade her farewell.
Yuri waved at Rest with a bright smile before leaving the auditorium.
She seemed simple on the surface, yet carried complex circumstances.
Being around her seemed like it could get exhausting, but somehow, it was impossible to dislike her.
"Meet at the entrance ceremony"... huh. Neither of us will be meeting anywhere unless we pass,Rest thought.
"Next, Rest."
Just as he was lost in thought, his name was called. It was finally his turn.
Leaving the auditorium, Rest followed the examiner's instructions and moved to a separate room.
Inside the ten-mat-sized room, a single chair sat alone in the center. Behind the table at the front sat the headmaster he had seen earlier—Velroid Hahn—smiling warmly.
A crystal ball reminiscent of a fortune teller's tool rested on the table. Was it just decorative, or something more?
"Come, take a seat," Headmaster Velroid invited kindly.
"......Yes, sir," Rest answered, sitting down.
He had expected two or three interviewers, but the headmaster sat alone.
One-on-one, huh... That makes me even more nervous. I've learned basic etiquette at the Marquis household, so I need to make sure I don't commit any blunders...Rest thought.
"There is no need to be so tense. Though we call this an interview, I merely wish to hear your thoughts for future reference," the headmaster said reassuringly, as if seeing through Rest's nervousness.
Noticing Rest's stiffness, Headmaster Velroid spoke warmly.
"No one is disqualified based on this interview, so rest assured. Relax your shoulders and answer comfortably."
"Understood, sir..." Rest replied.
"Now then, for the first question: why did you desire to enroll in the Royal Academy?"
"......" Rest paused.
In an ordinary interview, one ought to give a safe, polished answer—such as wanting to improve one's abilities or gaining skills to contribute to society.
Yet... I get the feeling that if I try to sugarcoat it, he'll see right through me,Rest thought.
Though the headmaster's gaze was gentle, Rest felt an odd sensation as if his innermost soul were being peered into.
It's probably wiser to speak honestly rather than put on airs...
"...I want to be happy. I want to become someone who can be called a success," Rest confessed after taking a deep breath.
He laid bare his true feelings.
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?" the headmaster inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"I am the illegitimate son of Lucas Eberne, a royal court magician. When my commoner mother passed away when I was ten, I was taken into my father's house, where I was mistreated and cold-shouldered."
"......" The headmaster listened silently.
"Through a fortunate twist of fate, I was taken in by the house of Marquis Rosemary... But the inferiority complex from not being loved by a parent and being abused by the people who were supposed to be my family has never truly vanished."
"So you wish to prove your father wrong?" Headmaster Velroid asked.
"Yes, that's half the reason," Rest nodded.
He voiced the desires buried even deeper within his heart.
"And as for the other reason... I wish to have a proper family of my own."
"A family...?"
"Yes... A family where we care for one another, where we love one another. We might argue sometimes, but no one is unilaterally mistreated or abused. A family that understands each other at the deepest level... I want a family like that. As large a family as I can possibly have...!"
He wanted a family.
And... he wanted the power to protect that family.
So that it would never be stolen from him... He sought overwhelmingly absolute power, so that no unreasonable cruelty—like the father who stabbed him to death in his past life, or the abuse of the House of Viscount Eberne in this life—could ever tear it away.
"I want the power to protect my family... I want the supreme strength to crush any absurdity or threat that would ever dare threaten myself or those precious to me...!" Rest declared passionately.
The moment the words escaped his lips, Rest caught himself with a sudden start.
Was I... really thinking about all that...?Rest wondered silently.
It was a desire harbored in his subconscious, one that even he hadn't fully recognized until now.
In speaking his motivations before the headmaster, his true feelings had spilled out naturally.
"I see. So that is the core of who you are," the headmaster murmured, nodding generously after listening to Rest's words.
He gave a deep, understanding nod.
"I had intended to ask a few more questions... but those words alone have given me a thorough understanding of your character. It is a bit brief, but let us bring this interview to a close."
"Yes, sir... Thank you very much," Rest bowed.
Though he felt he might have said more than necessary, the headmaster's reaction was far from negative, so Rest counted it as a win.
"Lastly... would you mind touching this crystal ball?" Headmaster Velroid asked.
With a light wave of the headmaster's right hand, the crystal ball on the table floated gently into the air, drifting until it hovered directly before Rest's eyes.
"What is this...?" Rest asked.
"Well, you will understand once you touch it," the headmaster smiled.
"......" Rest hesitated for a moment.
Though suspicious, he sensed no aura of danger emanating from the orb.
The moment his fingertips gently brushed its surface, a dazzling light burst forth.
"Whoa!" Rest gasped, pulling his hand back.
"Oh?!" Headmaster Velroid exclaimed in surprise.
As he hurriedly pulled his fingers away, the brilliant glow vanished in an instant.
"H-Headmaster!? What on earth was that...?" Rest stuttered.
"Ah, this crystal is a magic item that measures a person's 'future potential.' It evaluates how much room for growth someone retains... but I must say, I am quite astonished."
"Potential...?" Rest repeated.
"Indeed. To score so remarkably on the practical exam, and then emit a light like that... It means you are not merely an early bloomer, but still possess immense room to grow. Truly splendid."
The crystal ball floated back to its resting place on the table.
When the headmaster placed his own hand atop the sphere, it produced only a faint glow, so weak it seemed to dissolve into the surrounding air.
"As you can see, the potential of an old man like myself is faint. But... your future holds limitless promise. Be sure to cultivate it carefully."
"...I understand. Thank you very much," Rest said.
He offered a polite bow of gratitude.
Though he didn't fully grasp everything, he had successfully navigated the interview.
"Well then, excuse me."
Obtaining permission to leave, Rest stepped out of the room.
◇ ◇ ◇
With the interview completed, the entrance exam officially came to an end, and everyone was dismissed.
By the time Rest left the academy venue, dusk was settling, and the sun had begun to dip below the horizon.
Rest walked down the streets of the royal capital on his way home. Because his examinee number fell into the latter half of the group, his departure had been delayed late into the evening.
Viola and Primula are probably worried about me, so I should head straight home without making any detours... or so I'd like to,Rest thought.
"...Do you have business with me?" Rest called out into the quiet street.
"...So you noticed me, you filthy commoner," a sharp voice spat back.
Ever since leaving the academy grounds, Rest had sensed a presence trailing closely behind him.
Turning around, he saw a young boy step out from the shadows of a nearby building.
"You are...?" Rest asked, tilting his head.
Cedric... no, wait, was it Seloric?
The Selori boy glared at Rest with a glare so venomous one might think Rest had slain his parents.
"How dare you humiliate me earlier! Don't think a mere commoner can make a fool out of someone carrying the blood of Count Brute and get away with it!" Seloric raged.
"Wow, talk about a misplaced grudge..." Rest sighed.
He had no intention of humiliating anyone.
Rest had simply scored higher right after Seloric triumphantly boasted about his own high score.
"That is precisely how you humiliated me! Stop messing around...!" Seloric snarled.
"...And so? Did you wait all this time just to complain?" Rest asked flatly.
He really was an extraordinarily foolish guy.
If he had the spare time for this, he ought to be studying or working instead.
He's basically a downgraded version of Cedric... It's so pathetic it's almost impressive,Rest thought, exasperated.
"Take this!" Seloric yelled, throwing something right at him.
"......!" Rest braced himself for an instant.
Shouting at the top of his lungs, Seloric hurled an object.
Rest braced for impact for a brief second... but the thrown object turned out to be a leather glove.
"I challenge you to a duel! I'm gonna kill you!" Seloric bellowed.
"What a short fuse... A duel over something so trivial...?" Rest groaned.
In the first place, formal duels were a privilege reserved strictly for nobility.
What was a guy who was just a commoner—even if he belonged to a branch family of a Count—rambling on about?
"Shut up! If I say it's a duel, then it's a duel! Die!" Seloric screamed, thrusting his palm forward to release magic without waiting for Rest's consent.
Before Rest could even agree or refuse, Seloric launched a spell straight at him.
Rest reflexively cast a defensive spell.
"Fire Bolt!" Seloric shouted.
"Earth Wall!" Rest countered.
A wall of earth rose up from the ground, absorbing the fiery blast released by Seloric.
"I'll break through a dirt wall like that in a second!" Seloric screamed.
Shouting at the top of his lungs, the Selori boy launched a second blast of fire.
The second spell shattered the earth wall to pieces... but Rest was no longer standing behind it.
"What?!" Seloric gasped.
"Your spellcasting isn't bad, but it's sloppy and lacks finesse... You really are just like my stupid brother," Rest said calmly from behind him.
"Gah...?!" Seloric choked out.
Using the earth wall to draw his opponent's attention, Rest had swiftly flanked around to Seloric's rear.
Sweeping his leg out in a sharp trip, Rest grabbed Seloric's head and pinned him firmly to the dirt.
"G-Ghhhh...!" Seloric groaned in pain.
"Alright, match over. I take it you have no objections to my victory in this duel?" Rest asked pleasantly.
"No way... How could I, who carry the blood of a Count, lose to a mere commoner...!" Seloric whimpered.
"You're a commoner yourself. Honestly, you're hopeless..." Rest sighed deeply, keeping Seloric pinned to the ground.
Rest let out a long sigh while holding Seloric down.
Why did fake nobles like him always cling so desperately to lineage and status?
Genuine nobles like Viola, Primula, and even Yuri were gracious and open-minded toward commoners.
"...Thinking that I might end up as your classmate makes me worried about my academy life," Rest confessed dryly.
"Dammit... Do you really think you'll get away with doing this to me?!" Seloric snarled from the dirt.
"Hmm?" Rest raised an eyebrow.
"I'm connected to a Count's house...! If I petition Count Brute, my patron, you'll be ruined in an instant...!"
Still pinned face-first in the dirt, the Selori boy yapped away like an angry dog.
"I won't spare you, your family, or your lover! I'll have every last one of you thrown in prison for lèse-majesté against nobility!" he barked viciously.
"Oh my, Rest. So this is where you were," a light, refined voice cut in.
Just as Seloric was spewing his spiteful threats, a third party intervened.
A carriage pulled up along the street, and a young girl leaned her head out of the window.
"We hadn't crossed paths for so long that I thought we must have missed each other somewhere," she said.
"Viola? Why are you here?" Rest asked, surprised.
The vehicle parked right beside them bore the crest of the house of Marquis Rosemary on its side.
Viola poked her head out of the carriage window and offered Rest a warm smile.
"We decided to have dinner at a restaurant today. Naturally, Primula and Father are with me as well. We were looking for you so we could pick you up on the way."
For some time now, Rest had been sharing meals with the members of the Marquis family.
Though unheard of for a commoner servant, the reason was simple: unless Rest was present, Viola and Primula refused to sit at the dining table with their parents.
"Lord Rest, how was the entrance exam?" Primula asked, peeking her worried face out from behind Viola's shoulder.
She looked up at him with anxious, big eyes.
"Ah, it went perfectly," Rest assured her.
"Thank goodness... What a relief," Primula smiled softly.
"Well, it's Rest, so of course it went well... By the way, who might that boy be?" Viola asked, turning her gaze toward Seloric, who was pinned beneath Rest.
She looked down curiously at the Selori boy struggling on the ground.
"T-The crest of the house of Marquis Rosemary...?!" Seloric gasped, his face turning pale as his teeth chattered in terror.
Struck with utter horror, Seloric began shaking uncontrollably.
Though he had been boasting about his connection to a Count's lineage just moments before, the sudden arrival of a Marquis family—who held far superior status—sent him into absolute panic.
"Just a stranger I ran into during the exam. He challenged me to a duel, so I just took him down," Rest explained casually.
"Ho? A duel? That is hardly a peaceful matter," a deep, dignified voice echoed from inside the carriage.
"My Lord..." Rest greeted.
The sisters leaned back inside, and in their place, Albert, the head of the Marquis house, stuck his head out.
"You there. Speaking of a duel implies you are of a noble house, does it not? State your house and lineage."
"Huh... Ah... Well... that is..." Seloric stammered, trembling uncontrollably.
"...Be quick about it! Do not waste my time!" Marquis Albert commanded sternly.
"Y-Yes, sir! I am of the house of Count Brute!" Seloric squeaked, thoroughly intimidated.
Intimidated by the Marquis's commanding presence, Seloric blurted out his identity in a panic.
When Rest released his grip, Seloric scrambled to his knees, pressing both hands flat against the ground in a desperate kowtow toward the carriage.
"Hmm. A son of Count Brute? I recall no boys of your age in that household..." Marquis Albert remarked, narrowing his eyes.
"N-No... well... rather than being of the main Count family, I am from a branch family..."
"Ho? And what is the noble rank of your house?"
"...We have none," Seloric mumbled quietly.
"In short, you are a commoner. Why then would a commoner be bringing up a duel?"
Demonstrating justice through the outcome of a duel was a privilege reserved strictly for nobility.
The party challenged must also be of noble blood; while appointing a proxy was allowed, declining a legitimate duel was forbidden by unwritten law.
"A commoner with no nobility coercing a member associated with my house into a duel constitutes nothing short of an assault caught red-handed," Marquis Albert stated coldly.
"N-No, but... I carry the blood of the Count's house, and I am permitted to use the Brute surname...!" Seloric pleaded weakly.
"Does that alter the fact that you are a commoner? Am I mistaken?"
"Ugh..." Seloric choked on his words.
Seloric fell completely silent.
Albert's argument was indisputable logic, leaving Seloric with no rebuttal whatsoever.
"......"
"...Very well. I shall register a formal protest directly with Count Brute regarding this matter."
"N-No... Please..." Seloric gasped, turning deathly pale.
"We are about to dine as a family... I have no wish to be troubled by further trivialities. Rest, get into the carriage at once."
"Understood, my Lord," Rest replied.
Casting a pitying glance at the crestfallen Selori boy, Rest promptly boarded the carriage.
Inside, the Marquis and Marchioness Rosemary sat side by side, with Viola and Primula seated opposite them.
"Rest!" Viola called out with a smile.
"Please, right this way," Primula invited, patting the seat between them.
The sisters patted the empty space between them with bright smiles. Without offering any resistance, Rest took his seat right between the two girls.
"Coachman, set off," Marquis Albert commanded.
"Understood, Your Excellency," the coachman responded.
With the order given, the horses trotted forward and the carriage began to move.
Leaving the Seloric boy prostrate on the dirt road behind, the carriage rolled away heartlessly into the twilight.
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