Chapter 58

At the main gate of the Royal Academy, located at the center of the capital, a large number of young people were gathered.

Seeing this, Shuna let out a surprised voice.

"Wow, the atmosphere is intense..."

"Yeah. Whether or not they can pass this place can significantly change their lives. Everyone must be trying their hardest."

Looking around, I saw various expressions on the faces of the examinees: some were tense, some were full of confidence, and some were nervously glancing around. There were many noble children, but there were also quite a few commoners aiming for a big turnaround.

Due to the large number of people, various conversations could naturally be heard from all around.

Most of them were about anxiety and tension regarding the exam, but there were also some unusual ones—

"Hey, did you hear? The headmaster isn't coming this year."

"Really? I wanted to see him..."

"He's apparently on a long quest with a few of the academy's top students."

"Is the headmaster that legendary elf?"

"Yep, he suddenly appeared on the public stage about 150 years ago and founded this academy..."

Such conversations reached my ears.

"..."

"What's wrong, Zelos?"

Shuna, who noticed my silence as I listened to the conversation, called out to me curiously.

I smiled at her.

"Nothing, really. Anyway, while we're taking the exam, Shuna, you'll be doing something else, right?"

"Yeah. All the attendants will be allowed to tour the academy so that they won't have a hard time after enrollment."

So, from here on, Shuna and I would be going our separate ways.

"Got it. Well—"

Just as I was about to say goodbye, I stopped speaking.

I saw a familiar person walking towards me.

It was a blonde boy—my half-brother, Dione.

He seemed to have just noticed me and his face twisted in disgust.

"It's been a while, Dione."

"Shut up! Don't talk to me, you incompetent!"

"..."

After spouting his usual insults, Dione was about to walk through the main gate—then he suddenly stopped.

And then,

"Right. The fact that I, Dione, lost to someone like you must have been a mistake. I'll prove it here at the academy! Just wait and see!"

With that, he finally left.

Watching Dione's retreating back, I sighed softly.

"...He's still the same, that guy."

"But, Zelos, maybe in a way, his words show that he's confident you'll get into the academy?"

"..."

Indeed, it could be interpreted that way.

But the true intention is only known to him.

At this point, I remembered something important.

(Right. If he's here to take the exam, it means he's found an attendant...)

I was just wondering what kind of person had become Dione's attendant when—

"Long time no see, Zelos-sama."

"Huh?"

Turning around at the voice from behind, I saw a brown-haired young man standing there.

He was dressed in attendant-like clothing, and his posture was firm.

In fact, I recognized him.

"Um... I think you're Beryl, right?"

"Yes, you remember me."

Saying this, the young man—Beryl—bowed politely.

Then, Shuna, who was standing next to me, spoke with a puzzled expression.

"Zelos, who is this person?"

"He's a knight from the Sylphid Knights, Beryl."

After a brief introduction, I turned to Beryl again.

"But why are you here?"

"Actually, I have been appointed as Dione-sama's attendant this time."

"Right, you were the one who helped Dione level up..."

"Yes, that was me. Due to that connection, even though I am a knight, Dione-sama personally chose me as his attendant."

The Sylphid Knights include many nobles, and Beryl is one of them.

Like Shuna, he has the education of a noble (and his skills as a knight are beyond question), so Duke allowed it.

"I see... But that sounds tough."

"No, it is an honor for me. Besides, Dione-sama has been changing gradually since that duel. We even challenged a D-rank dungeon together recently... It's all thanks to you, Zelos-sama."

"Is that so..."

It seems that, without my knowledge, he has changed his heart a bit.

Gong Gong

As we were having this conversation, a loud bell rang.

It was the signal for the exam to begin.

"Well, I'll be off then."

"Good luck, Zelos!"

"I wish you the best of luck."

Leaving the two of them, I headed to the exam venue.

And so, the Royal Academy entrance exam began.

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