Chapter 9

The exam results will be announced the next day.

Since some people have come from far away to take the exam, it seems they will announce the results as soon as possible.

The names of those who passed will be posted on the school bulletin board from the morning, a classic method of announcement.

Many examinees have gathered even before the gates open.

I thought it would be okay even if I didn't pass, but I'm still nervous.

Finding the poster that says "Magic Department" in large letters, I discovered my name!

"Magic Department, Top Pass, Exam Number 187, Aristia"

Yes! All the hard work for two years paid off!

My father told me to aim for the top if I was going to do it, so now I can report back with my head held high.

I didn't expect to be the top, but I'm really glad.

At least now I won't be looked down upon.

Marina, surprisingly, was the second. Excellent!

Come to think of it, the only ones who stood out in the practical magic test were Marina and me.

A great achievement, a one-two finish by commoners.

However, looking at the number of people announced, it seems that almost everyone who took the exam passed.

Since the Magic Department is small, maybe just being able to use magic is enough to pass.

Unless you're a scholarship student, that is.

Since the enrollment is a month away, I'll go back to my family home for now, but I got a little pocket money, so I might go look for some souvenirs.

But I don't know where to go shopping.

Maybe I should ask someone... and while I was wandering around, I found Marina.

Okay, I'll ask her.

"Marina-chan!"

"Oh... you're, um, Aristia-san."

"You remembered me! We both passed, right?"

"Yes, I passed. I'm glad."

"Let's be friends when we start school. We're both commoners."

"Of course, I'd be happy to. I'm glad I'm not the only one."

She was quite tense during the exam, but today she showed a smile.

I was relieved too. I was worried what I would do if everyone was a noble.

"I want to buy some souvenirs for my family. Do you know any stores nearby?"

"Stores? What kind of things are you looking for?"

"Preferably something sweet, like pastries. I have a younger brother."

"In that case, I'll go with you. I know a few places."

"Thank you, that would be a great help. I moved here two years ago and don't know the area at all."

Then, guided by Marina, I was taken to a sweets shop.

She said she had visited the area before with a relative.

When I was in that remote village, I was so far removed from sweet pastries that I wanted to buy them all.

I thought it was really great to have moved here, knowing that this world has cakes and cookies too.

Since there was plenty of time before the carriage, we decided to go into a café.

I was hungry, so I ordered a donut-like pastry and a sandwich.

Surprisingly, this world has coffee too.

It was so nostalgic that I almost cried.

I couldn't help but wonder if we could grow coffee at our farm.

We introduced ourselves to each other.

Marina is from a fishing town further south than my hometown, by the sea.

Her family has been fishermen for generations, and the women process fish and collect shellfish, so there's quite a bit of work.

She was told she had an aptitude for water magic at the age of five, but her family was happy when they found out she had the freezing skill.

It's useful for keeping fish cold.

I was curious why she came to the academy if she had a job, but Marina has younger siblings, and the family's finances are tight with fishing alone.

So, she applied, thinking that if she became a scholarship student, she might be employed by the border lord's family.

While herbs can be dried and stored, fish are perishable.

It's not a very profitable business since they only sell locally.

But... that problem can be solved immediately by Marina and me.

Freezing and storage, in my opinion, are the ultimate combination.

When I said, "We can transport ingredients without any trouble," Marina's eyes sparkled with a smile.

Oh, right. I had a good idea.

"Hey, can I ask you a favor? Can you give me a little of your ice as a souvenir?"

"Ice...? Sure, but what for?"

"I want to give my family something cold to drink! It's getting hot, right?"

"Oh, I see."

Surprisingly, Marina can freely shape ice.

After we left the café, we bought a few buckets and she made a lot of cube-shaped ice for me. It's amazing. I'm so happy.

She said she always makes small ice cubes to transport fish.

When I put them all in storage, Marina's eyes widened.

It seems she had never seen the storage skill before.

Well, I haven't seen it used by anyone else either.

We shared the carriage for part of the way back, but Marina's home is farther away.

We agreed to meet at the student dormitory the day before the enrollment ceremony and then parted ways.

I made my first friend in this world, and it was fun.

I'm glad I aimed for the academy.