Chapter 10

The day after arriving in the capital.

The main event is in two days, but I came to the Royal Academy while doing my morning running training.

I think it’s fine, but I wanted to take a look at the venue beforehand so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the atmosphere on the day of the exam.

Hmm, about 10 km one way.

It’s just right for a warm-up. I’ll walk here on the day of the exam too.

But, as expected of the kingdom’s highest institution of learning...

The first thing that comes to mind... yes, it’s huge.

Looking through the grand entrance, where four carriages could easily pass each other, a beautifully polished stone path stretches endlessly, leading to what looks like a Western-style building, the school.

The white school building, which looks as small as a bean, is at least 3 km away, I estimate.

There, the stone path splits into two, circling the school; one leads to the forest in the back right, and the other extends straight from the left of the school and disappears into the distance.

Yeah, I’m glad I came to check it out beforehand.

It would be difficult to maintain composure if I saw this imposing sight for the first time on the day of the exam, in the unique atmosphere of an exam.

Some would probably shrink back, while others might get overly determined, thinking "I have to pass no matter what!" and leave the academy without showing their true potential.

Maintaining a normal state of mind and performing at a normal level is the best way to bring out one’s full strength.

Every year, only 100 students are admitted to the academy, combining the three courses: Knight, Mage, and Official, with only 300 students in three grades. I was wondering how the academy could accommodate over 10,000 examinees, but with this imposing size, it would easily fit them all.

...But just looking through the main gate, I can’t see the entire layout.

I started running along the wall of the academy in a clockwise direction.

◆

To sum up, the circumference of this academy is over 40 km, an incredibly vast area.

Even though it’s away from the center of the capital, it’s as large as the entire fortified city of Claubia, the capital of my viscount’s domain.

Thinking about it, mages need space for training, and a certain amount of area is convenient.

...But even so, it feels too large...

At home, running along the city walls was part of my morning routine.

It’s perfect for my morning running training, substituting for the familiar course.

By running the same distance, I can measure my own progress.

I shouldn’t change the distance easily.

I found a wonderful slope, 10° in gradient and 500 meters long, so I did 10 hill sprints on the way.

Running up at full speed and jogging down.

Why do I continue running training every day?

It’s for strength training.

While endurance is certainly important for knights, strength is directly linked to power.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that short-distance sprints contain all the strength training a knight needs.

You can see this by watching the Olympic 100m final; all the athletes have tree-trunk-like arms.

Simply put, the strength of the upper body, starting with the arms, is crucial for running fast.

There’s no other full-body exercise that can be done as efficiently.

For example, with swings, you can’t adequately train the leg muscles.

There aren’t many exercises where you can exert your 'full power,' so it also serves as training for magic control under full power.

In my previous life, 100 meters would have been enough, but in this world, with body-strengthening magic, I use the gradient to increase the distance and adjust the load.

At first, after my awakening, I ran aimlessly, but as I delved into the 'meaning of running,' I made various discoveries.

Each time, I made small changes to my routine to improve efficiency.

I find this work incredibly enjoyable.

Alright, I’ll come here again tomorrow.

Having established a routine, I’m a bit more excited about the upcoming enrollment.

By the way, I walked around the perimeter, and if the main gate is to the south, there’s a back gate to the north, and from there, you can see dormitory-like buildings far away. Otherwise, the height of the wall is adjusted so that you can’t see inside.

I could have climbed the wall, but this is an academy that even royalty attend.

I didn’t know what kind of security measures were in place, so I decided not to.

◆

Returning to the Lovaine Viscount’s residence, after finishing my swings in the small garden, I was about to eat my usual solid food when my mother called out to me.

"Alen? What is that?"

"This is portable emergency solid food."

"I can see that. Why are you trying to eat such a thing?"

She asked with a cold look. The atmosphere wasn’t good.

But eating this solid food for breakfast has become a routine for me! I don’t want to break this routine until the day after tomorrow, when the exam is over!

Gathering my courage, I explained.

"To approach the exam with the mindset of being on a battlefield, I’ve made this a kind of vow to myself.

I plan to continue this diet until the exam the day after tomorrow."

Mother looked into my eyes for a full five seconds before saying,

"Building a strong body is also part of a knight’s job. I believe that energy intake in the morning and body building at dinner are particularly important.

I won’t interfere with your lunch, but you should eat a proper breakfast."

The atmosphere was one that didn’t allow for argument...

As I was thinking about how to persuade her,

"Alen, good morning~"

My sister woke up.

For her to wake up this early on a holiday is quite unusual by our family’s standards.

But she had none of the refined aura from yesterday; her hair was a mess, and she was wearing a loose pajama, looking very slovenly.

She’s always been like this because she hates feeling confined.

"Rosa, try to be a bit more proper. Alen woke up very early and has been sweating.

I saw him swinging a sword a little while ago, and I could see his growth. Alen, you’ve been practicing every day, haven’t you?"

Mother has always praised me when I’ve worked hard and shown results.

I now understand how grateful I should be for this, thanks to my awakening.

"Yes. Though it’s only been about three months."

"Hmm~. To see Alen swinging a sword and being praised by Mother... I wish I could have seen it too."

The sleepy eyes from earlier were gone, and my sister said with great interest.

"Well, it’s fine! Once Alen enters the Royal Academy, I’ll be able to see it anytime! Hehehe."

My sister was in a good mood.

"Hey, Alen! Where should we go today? I’ve asked a lot of friends about delicious restaurants and stylish clothing stores in the capital for you~"

So that’s why she woke up early...

Mother shook her head in exasperation.

"Alen has an exam the day after tomorrow. He doesn’t have time to play. And Rosa, you have school starting the day after tomorrow too, don’t you?

Is your preparation done?"

"Aw! After all the research I did for Alen... Well, I guess it can’t be helped... We’ll be together every day from now on!"

This is the only chance...

If I miss this opportunity, there won’t be another one.

While secretly preparing to strengthen my body, I started.

"Yeah, I plan to live in the dormitory if I pass.

I’m aiming to be a knight, so sharing meals with my classmates is part of the learning process."

"…Huh?"

My sister’s mood plummeted.

She was about to snap.

"Are you joking, Alen? Do you know how much I’ve been looking forward to this day? I’ve been sending letters every month. You understand, don’t you, Alen?"

This is bad. Since I declared that I wouldn’t reply to her letters to focus on my studies, I haven’t even read them.

I need to move the conversation forward before we get into the specifics of the letters.

After confirming that Mother was nearby, I answered.

"I’m not joking, Sister. I plan to commute to the academy from the dormitory. I’ve already gotten Father’s permission."

Instantly, I caught the right fist that came flying at me.

It was quite fast, but if I knew it was coming, I could handle it. I’m not the same 'Alen' who used to act without thinking.

My sister’s rotation was incredibly fast.

By catching the first move, I blocked the next one.

"Hmm~ Stopping it, huh? You’re becoming more and more cool, Alen."

She was smiling, but she was angry.

"Isn’t it strange for a magic tool artisan to punch with a fist, Sister? Your hands are your life...?"

While pushing back against the unexpected strength from her thin arms, I answered.

But at that moment, the strength was suddenly released at an incredible speed.

I was already on guard for a quick draw from a locked position, but the speed from 100 to 0 was too fast!

As I tried to brace my feet to stop myself from leaning forward, her knee was aiming for my chin.

I reflexively used body strengthening to cover my chin, but my face was lifted up.

I managed to activate body strengthening in time, but if I hadn’t, my jawbone would have been shattered.

I think Sister anticipated that I would guard, but I have an important exam in two days...

As I was hit with a backhand to my lifted face, blood spurted from my nose.

"Thank you for worrying, Alen.

But Alen’s face is soft, so it’s okay, right?"

Sister said with a smile, "Let’s talk, shall we?"

Mother intervened at that moment.

"You two, finish your breakfast instead of playing around.

What Alen says makes sense.

Even if he lives in the dormitory, it’s nearby, so you can see him anytime. Rosa, understand that.

If Lord Bell, the lord, approved it, that’s the end of the discussion."

Hehehe.

I secretly smiled with a bloody nose...

Mother generally supports Father unless it involves the safety of her children.

I had already envisioned this scenario during dinner with Father! It’s a victory of meticulous strategy!

Even though Sister glares at me with tears in her eyes, making me feel like I’ve done something wrong, I’ve now eliminated my last concern and can face the exam the day after tomorrow in perfect condition.

By the way, when I tried to casually eat the solid food in the flow, Mother said, "Huh?" and I gave in without much resistance.

2022/08/19: Corrected the mixed use of third-person perspectives.