Chapter 6

It has become a bit long.

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I know that entrance exams are unpredictable.

Sometimes the questions may favor your strengths or weaknesses, or you might not feel well on the day of the exam, or your mental state might not be in the best condition.

There are all sorts of uncertain factors involved in entrance exams, but after many years of being a private tutor, I have finally realized something recently.

When it comes to exams, there is no such thing as passing by sheer luck.

Watching Allen these days has finally made me realize that those who pass do so because they are meant to pass.

It's that much of a stretch to say how much Allen has improved recently.

I've been a private tutor for 40 years, even before becoming the exclusive tutor for the Viscount's family. I knew that some students would make rapid progress just before the exam, but this is unbelievable.

What triggered this change... I feel a bit sad that I, as a tutor, have no idea.

I was surprised when he asked me to increase his study time, but what really shocked me was what happened afterward.

When I organized and handed over as many past exam papers as I could, following Allen's instructions, he not only completed all of them in less than a week but also started making requests for the lecture content.

He analyzed his weaknesses, areas where he could improve his score within a limited time, and recent trends in exam questions, and then instructed me to narrow down the lecture content and develop a detailed strategy for the exam.

I changed the lecture content according to his demands, which might make me a bad tutor, but from my perspective, it was also very reasonable.

Even when I had doubts, he explained the necessary reasons logically, and I was convinced.

Moreover, the style of the lectures has changed dramatically.

Until recently, I would explain everything one-sidedly, and I don't remember him asking many questions.

But recently, Allen has been asking thorough questions whenever he has any doubts, and the content is so sharp that it often turns into a debate rather than a Q&A.

I almost forget that I'm talking to a 12-year-old.

He has always been passionate about studying the essence of things, but recently, this passion has become even stronger.

However, he has also started to accept so-called exam techniques, which he used to despise.

When I asked him about it, he said, "While they may not be useful in the long run, the primary goal in the short term is to pass, so there's no problem. It's important to separate short-term goals from long-term plans."

I wonder what all the hard work until now was for...

In any case, Allen has grown remarkably over the past few months.

The lectures are so intense that I'm exhausted by the end, but Allen looks fine and continues to study after dinner.

Encouraged by his back, I've managed to keep up.

I believe that his studies are now at a level where he could easily reach Class A.

◆

Lord Belwood Lovaine, the head of the Lovaine family and Viscount, returned to his mansion after a long journey from the capital, where the social season had ended.

He arrived late at night, exhausted, but he called his exclusive private tutor, Zold, to his study to confirm one thing.

When he timidly asked about Allen's progress, he received this explanation.

The Viscount was greatly confused.

"So, you mean to say that for the past two months, Allen has been studying based on the lecture content he came up with?!

During the most important period just before the exam?!"

The Viscount faceplanted on his desk, feeling twice as tired from the journey.

Indeed, the letter he received in the capital mentioned that Allen had become motivated and wanted to increase his study time voluntarily.

The Viscount had thought, "Even if he only sticks to it for three days, it's better than nothing," and had completely forgotten about it.

"Grandpa? Is this really about Allen?

Are you mixing up the memories of Rosa (his eldest daughter) because you're tired?

Everyone in the family thinks Allen is talented and can do it if he tries, but it's a bit hard to believe this story.

Even Father, who had high hopes for Rosa, said it was fine if it didn't work out this time, so you don't have to feel so much pressure."

Grim, the eldest son, interjected, and the Viscount looked up.

Grim, being the heir, had accompanied him to the capital for the social season and had just returned with him.

"Ah, you mean Rosa! Yes, I understand.

She was a serious child from a young age and could become so engrossed in what she decided to do.

Is Grandpa really senile? Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha..."

Zold, who had been calmly reporting, suddenly changed his demeanor when he saw Belwood laughing.

The Viscount swallowed hard.

The atmosphere was like being on a battlefield.

With a killing intent in his eyes, Zold stared at the head of the family.

"Master Allen...

For the past two months, he has been saying that he cannot tarnish the efforts and tears of this prestigious Lovaine Viscount family's bloodline...

He has been pushing himself to the limit, working hard day and night.

With a fierce determination like a battlefield, he has been leading me with his back.

This old soldier is confident that the relentless efforts of the young master, who has entrusted his back to me, will be proven in the exam just two weeks away..."

Of course, Allen doesn't care about the family's history, but he used this line to fend off any concerns about his health while he was studying intensely, forgetting to eat and sleep.

"But, that doesn't sound like Allen at all...

He's the kind of person who even finds the annual tomb visit troublesome."

Pressed by Zold's intensity, the Viscount timidly countered.

When this "Grandpa" gets serious, it's unpredictable, even from the days when he was Bel's private tutor.

Zold gritted his teeth.

Indeed, it's hard to believe this story after being away for three months.

If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't believe it either.

"His character has become much more solid. If you're worried, why don't you have dinner with him tomorrow?

After all, he eats only emergency rations for breakfast and lunch, so it's not possible to eat with him."

Zold, who had a slightly twisted smile, said, "This old soldier still has to prepare for tomorrow's lecture, so I'll take my leave."

Allen had become so busy that he changed his breakfast to emergency rations, finding it a waste of time to eat leisurely.

"Emergency rations?? When did they become soldiers?"

The exhausted Viscount faceplanted on his desk again.

"Father, Grandpa seems to be a bit exam-stressed, but it's a good report that Allen has grown.

Tomorrow at dinner, listen to Allen's story and praise his efforts.

Be careful not to put too much pressure on him by taking Grandpa's words at face value."

The capable and positive Grim encouraged the Viscount.

"You're right. It's a good thing that our beloved Allen has grown.

I'll praise him subtly without putting too much pressure on him.

I'll have dinner with Allen tomorrow. Please make the arrangements."

...It's a bit sad to see the youngest child grow up.

The Viscount, who had regained his composure, muttered to himself and squinted his eyes.

◆

"Father, Brother Grim, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I was discussing the afternoon magic history lecture with Zold..."

Allen, who had hurried to the dining room, bowed apologetically.

Hmm, he really has changed.

His speech, which I couldn't correct no matter how many times I tried, has improved, and he seems quite composed.

Moreover, the rough and wild aura he used to have has completely disappeared, but he's not a wimp.

He seems to be containing his overflowing energy well... or maybe I'm just being a doting parent.

The Viscount squinted his eyes.

"Good, good. Zold has reported that you've been focusing on your studies recently.

It's an important period before we leave for the capital, so don't worry about me."

"I'm honored."

But this sudden maturity is a bit unsettling, and even Grim's smile looks strained.

"Allen, both your father and I are a bit tired from the endless social events in the capital.

We usually nag about manners, but today, it's okay to be informal. After all, it's just family."

The Viscount suggested, trying to cover up his hesitation.

"Mother isn't here either," Grim added with a wink.

Allen showed a slightly embarrassed look for a moment but then coughed and smiled.

"Old man! Grim! Welcome back!"

There he was, the usual Allen, a bit more mature but still cheekily asking for souvenirs from their trip.

◆

I was a bit worried if I could still be "Allen" without any sense of discomfort, but it turned out to be a groundless worry.

Even with the memories of my past life, the fact that I've lived as Allen for 12 years is an undeniable truth.

"Mother is staying in the capital, right?"

After listening to the recent trends in the capital and some harmless political talk...

I asked while eating the steak of a Papi, a magical creature that takes a long time to grow a magic stone inside its body.

"Yes, she couldn't bear to see Rosa's life becoming so chaotic.

Since Allen will be coming to the capital soon, she decided to stay."

"Sis is still the same, huh..."

I chuckled.

Even when we were living at home, once she got absorbed in her research or training, she would lose sight of everything around her and her life would become chaotic.

Pulling all-nighters was the norm, she barely ate, didn't wash her face, didn't fix her bedhead, and eventually stopped taking baths altogether, leading to arguments with Mother, who made it a rule to bathe before bedtime or after breakfast.

With her light pink hair and usually gentle personality and cute appearance, the citizens called her "Princess Cosmos."

But the saying "the name reflects the person" is true; my sister is not a cute girl at all.

She's not short-tempered, but once she gets angry, she even hits her favorite little brother.

Father, who looks tough but is actually a mild-mannered bureaucrat, is the only one in the family who can control her, along with Mother.

"Father... If I'm lucky enough to pass the Royal Academy exam, I'd like to live in the dorm. Even the general dorm is fine, please!"

I bowed so low that my head almost touched the table.

The Royal Academy has dormitories.

The general dorm is a small one-room apartment, but the rent is cheap for the capital, and it includes breakfast.

The Viscount family has a mansion in the capital, but it's just a regular house with a small garden, and it's possible to commute from there, but my sister lives there.

Mother won't stay in the capital forever.

Living with my sister in the capital is out of the question.

"True, a knight-in-training like Allen might benefit from living in the dorm and sharing meals with his peers."

Father, who understood my feelings, nodded with a wry smile.

"But, to be worried about what happens after you enter... You seem quite confident."

Father, emboldened by alcohol, asked, trying to appear calm, but I could sense a hint of tension in his words.

Glancing at Grim, he was frozen with a fixed smile.

Thinking back, the exam hadn't been mentioned at all since the start of the meal, which was unusually so.

Was he afraid to ask, or was he trying not to put pressure on me?

I am confident, of course, but as someone who is always considering when I might drop out of this competitive society, I don't want to raise expectations too high.

It's not good to set high expectations for the future.

I, too, had been careful not to raise expectations.

"Well, I've tried my best.

I don't think I'll make it to Class A, but I'm hoping to at least pass."

I answered cautiously.

"Is that so? Zold seemed unusually confident...

In the capital, the second son of the Moonlit Viscount, who is also taking the exam this year, is rumored to be excellent, even at the Dragun Duke's gathering."

Families like ours, small nobles, are usually under the protection of a Duke, who oversees a vast territory, including other noble territories.

In our case, it's the Dragun Duke.

And (while it's a bit impolite to talk about openly), the progress and achievements of children are important information in social circles.

If a highly talented person who could be involved in the country's core emerges from a faction, it becomes a source of power for that faction.

"He must be very confident. He keeps talking about how envious he is of your Allen, saying he's so excellent, in social settings.

This way, everyone's attention will inevitably be on the exam results...

The next month's general meeting in Dragraid is going to be heavy."

...What's with that pity flag that the idiot noble is setting up.

It's not my problem, though.

"Anyway, the exam is unpredictable, and even if I'm lucky enough to pass, I've heard that it's difficult to keep up with the studies at the Royal Academy, and if I drop out halfway, it would be a great embarrassment, so please don't go around boasting, Father."

I put a pin in it to prevent Father from digging a hole like that idiot noble.

"You're as carefree as ever...

Well, there's no point in panicking now..."

"Right, Father. That wild Allen has done everything he could, and now we just have to wait for fate."

The capable Grim wrapped it up nicely.

"You're right. Even Rosa, who was so talented, couldn't overcome her fate, so..."

But Father started to ramble.

He's a good father when he's not drunk.