Chapter 52

Yesterday, I was invited by the princess to the royal castle.

I had prepared a few snacks, but the cake was the most popular.

The fruit tart made with fruits from the labyrinth was exquisite.

Personally, I think the dango with sweet soy sauce is the best, but since they are not used to green tea, they seemed to prefer the cake that goes well with black tea.

At one point, the queen burst in, causing quite a commotion, but I'll skip that part.

I don't really want to remember it.

To be honest, even though it was the princess, it felt like visiting a friend's house, but since she said she would give me a reward, I was told to think of something.

I don't really have anything I particularly want...

If I want something, it seems the princess will buy it for me.

After that, nothing particularly notable happened, and peaceful days returned.

Thinking I should study just in case for the exam, I decided to do so, but Quinn said she wanted to go to the labyrinth.

Since there was no choice, we went to the labyrinth Quinn controls, and she flew off into the forest.

She must have wanted to see how things were after a long time.

Since we are unlikely to be attacked on this floor, I decided to set up a log cabin and study here.

I gave Luna and Yomi a break until the exam day.

At first, they refused to leave my side, but when I suggested they take the opportunity to go on an adventurer's job, they discussed it and accepted the break.

They come back at night, but they leave immediately after breakfast.

Even though they don't have to come back to the log cabin, I can't say anything.

They must be working hard as adventurers every day... It was supposed to be a break.

Quinn returned after a few days and was relaxing at home. It seems her inspection? was over.

For a change of pace, I walked in the forest, and Quinn led me to a beehive and gave me some honey.

Moreover, it seems the type of honey differs by beehive. If they change the flowers they collect nectar from, it's quite a detailed process.

"Thank you, Quinn. You always help me."

Shake, shake, shake!!

She clung to me and rubbed her cheek against me happily, like a little girl.

...Is Quinn a girl, though?

There were supposed to be high oaks in the forest area, but I didn't see many. When I thought about why, it seems the high oaks were being taken care of by Quinn's subordinates.

If I want meat, I can ask them to stop killing the high oaks, so it should be fine.

The entrance exam for the Luina Magic Academy consists of four subjects: 'Language', 'Mathematics', 'Martial Arts', and 'Magic'. History and such are learned after enrollment.

Well, it's hard for commoners to study history anyway.

Language is at the level of simple expressions and writing, and mathematics is at the level of upper elementary school, so it's not a problem for me.

So, I finished the written study early and have been practicing staff techniques and magic in the forest.

I've mostly regained my sense of staff techniques, so I just need to wait for growth.

The most troublesome part was magic. I've been training in magic control and amplification, but my magic is different from this world's.

If I mess up, I might be treated as a dangerous person. I think.

But only Alice and the princess know about me. If I act low-key and blend in, I might be able to graduate smoothly.

"Alright, I'll adjust my magic based on the other kids. I'll hold back in martial arts and show moderate results."

While training and gathering materials in the labyrinth, the day before the exam arrived.

On this day, I decided to spend the day at my home. The two of them stayed home and helped with the housework for the day.

"Master, tomorrow is the entrance exam. Are you feeling well?"

"Hehe, don't worry, Master will be fine."

"Thank you both. But I'm not worried. I'll just do it casually without drawing attention."

"Master, they say the academy treats students regardless of their background, but that's not the case. So, even though I think you'll be fine, please be careful."

...I see. If you're a commoner, you might be targeted by the nobles.

"Even if you're a commoner with a recommendation, it's better, but as a general commoner, I can't imagine what it would be like."

Indeed. Since the noble who recommended you has their reputation on the line, they won't attack you openly.

But I'm a general commoner. This academy life might be more troublesome than I thought...

"Well, there's no point in worrying about it before enrollment. Let's have a luxurious dinner today!"

Today's dinner is a crab pot made with Jewel Crabs from the sea area.

Jewel Crabs, as the name suggests, are crabs that refine gems in their shells. When I saw them, I was so happy I trembled.

According to the monster encyclopedia, the largest ones can grow up to about 2 meters. However, they were overhunted in the past, so it's rare to encounter them in the outside world.

So, I carefully took the gems without killing them and got a lot of rubies and sapphires.

However, I only encountered three Jewel Crabs in total.

Are there more in the deeper layers?

It was a shame not to get the crab roe, but I made do with regular crab roe.

"..."

It seems that eating crab quietly is a universal thing. I was so engrossed in eating it too.

The Jewel Crab was delicious, and the meat was packed. The delicate flavor and the firm texture were incredibly satisfying.

"Thank you for the meal. I'll take a quick bath and go to bed. Sorry, but I'll leave the cleanup to you."

"Understood."

"I'll clean up quickly and wash your back."

I thought I would get out of the bath before Yomi came, but she came much faster, probably using magic.

...Being too capable can be a problem.

While having my back washed, my heart was stirred by the touch of her chest, but I managed to escape the bath unscathed.

She's definitely doing it on purpose, but I'm a guy. It's inevitable to react, right?!

...I've recently realized that I might be weak to pressure. I need to be careful not to be taken advantage of.

When I woke up in the morning, I smelled a faintly good scent. It seems the two of them were up and making breakfast.

"Good morning, both of you."

"Good morning."

After quickly getting ready, I sat down to eat the breakfast they made.

Today's breakfast was a high oak cutlet sandwich, some mushroom soup, and a bit of fruit.

"I'm trying to bring good luck. You never know what might happen during the exam."

"Hehe, Luna worked hard this morning. She was cute, cooking diligently even while half-asleep."

I'm truly blessed with good people. I'll try to live up to their expectations and do my best moderately.

"Master, we actually have a request from the adventurer's guild today, so I'm sorry, but I have to leave first."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to take you to the exam venue, but it's a request I can't refuse."

I didn't know that I was already getting named requests after just a month. Considering my track record, it makes sense, but it's still impressive. I should buy them something as a reward.

I've told them they can use the money they earn as they like, but I want to buy them something separately.

"Is that so? Don't overdo it! And if a noble says something, you can use my name. If you're really in trouble, you can cry to the king, or... I'll silence them physically."

"Yes! Understood!"

"Hehe, Master is so worried. But don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Is that so? That's good. Well, let's celebrate when you finish the request!"

"Yes!"

I wonder if they'll be happy if I buy them something for the celebration?

Actually, even if I don't buy anything, they'll probably be happy if I make something. I got some gems, so maybe I'll think of something.

If I go to Granzahl for minerals, he might give me something good. I can prepare a delicious meal as a reward.

"I have the activation ring, I'm wearing comfortable clothes, and I have my staff and writing materials."

After seeing off the two who left ahead of me, I finished my preparations and set out.

It's a 30-minute walk to the academy, but I used presence concealment and body enhancement for a light warm-up, so I arrived in 10 minutes.

Even though it's not time yet, there are many people at the academy.

It seems what the princess and Alice said was true.

Just counting with spatial awareness, there are already 500 people. I'm looking forward to how many more will come by the time it's time.

I finished the registration early, so I have nothing to do...

So, I used spatial awareness and presence detection to look for particularly strong people.

I'm not being conceited, but I think I'm pretty strong. There's no one stronger than me, but there are a few who are surprisingly strong for 10-year-olds.

"Hmm... I didn't expect there to be kids this strong besides me. A few stand out in terms of magic power, a few are hiding their strength well, and a few have unique presences. ...Luina Magic Academy might be more interesting than I thought."

This year's incoming students are called the 'Generation of Talent' and are a miraculous generation where talented children have appeared all over the country.

'Talent' means 'a person overflowing with talent,' and it's used for particularly outstanding cases.

The content the princess kept from Owl was precisely about this 'Generation of Talent.'

However, whether they can make the most of their talent depends on the individual.

"Hey, this presence..."

"There you are, Owl!"

Of course, it's Alice. But if a commoner is seen getting along with a duchess's daughter, it might be suspicious...

Maybe they'll think I'm a recommended commoner...? But it would be troublesome if they found out.

"What is it, Alice?"

"Uh... What's with you, Owl? It's creepy?"

That's rude...

"Listen, Alice, a commoner and a duchess's daughter don't usually talk so casually."

"Well, that's true. But if you want, you can get a baron's title, even if it's just a ceremonial robe? In a way, you're more important than me."

That's the first I've heard of it. I was told I could get a noble title, but a baron?

It seems the king doesn't want to let me go. I won't leave as long as the village is in this country, though.

"That's the first I've heard of it, but even so, I'm a commoner. It feels weird."

"Besides, this academy is supposed to be regardless of status. The king and the founder, Luina Ednent, have acknowledged that. So, it's fine, right?"

"Even so..."

"Mmm... Fine. I shouldn't have said it before the exam. But once we're enrolled, we'll be on the same level? Hehehe."

She seems happy, but I'm glad she left before drawing attention.

I feel bad for Alice, but I plan to have a laid-back college life, so I'm busy.

If I can make friends with a few interesting people, that's enough.

"The entrance exam is about to begin! Please move to your designated venues according to your registration numbers! I repeat..."

It seems the entrance exam is finally starting.

I'll update regularly.

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