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"Allen. Congratulations on passing and getting to Class A. It\'s through your own resolve and effort that you were able to grasp the privilege of joining this academy. I can\'t be any more proud of you."

......It was worth it.

I was honestly wondering if I was on the right path, vying for the Royal Academy. I was worried, wondering if I was just drifting along with the unexpected flow of the situation I suddenly found myself in.

However, hearing the heartfelt praise from my Mother, who always accurately acknowledged the efforts of her child, I felt like that fog finally vanished like a puff of smoke.

That was right.

It was the best path that I could have grasped with my own two hands, the most adequate path that I had \'chosen by my own will\' to \'live freely like the wind\'.

Academic society or future success could be damned for all I cared. When the time came, I wouldn\'t hesitate to throw away the privilege I have gained today.

I would do so for sure if it came to that, but for now, I would believe in the value of the effort I have put into studying together with Schord in these three months.

I would believe in the 12 years of effort \'Allen\' has put in to become a strong knight.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. Once started, they keep tickling down like torrential rain.

\'Oh my, look at you\', Mother\'s expression gave way to a gentle smile as she gently pulled me into her warm embrace.

Warm...... Her heart was the real definition of compassion. I know the enormity of this compassion and its value.

After a short pause, Mother clasped my face in her hands while the corner of her lips lifted ever so slightly, she said in a very soft voice,

"Allen. I believe in you."

However, that smile didn\'t reach her eyes.

My tears which I thought were uncontrolled pulled back. Looking carefully, my Mother\'s hands clasping my face were pure white, a sense of chill pervading into me through them.

It was the omen that she was angry.

The pleasant warmth I had been feeling earlier melted faster than butter on a hot pan.

"W, Well, Mother... What do you exactly mean by that...?"

My throat suddenly felt dry, and the eyes that had been shedding beautiful tears were now dry as if they were experiencing severe drought.

"Don\'t sweat over it. Anyway, I\'m going to leave for the Viscount territory today. I\'m sure Bell and Schord must be impatiently waiting for good news."

"Alright, take care. Or not, I mean, does Mother know the meaning of that exclamation mark?!"

"A true knight must have the determination to crush everything if they feel like they\'re being threatened. Otherwise, they\'ll be taken lightly, you know?"

Mother smiled, her lips parting like a young girl.

"I see. I understood— ah, I am not asking that, Mother......"

She wasn\'t listening at all...... The contrast between her girlish smile and her words was just too far apart.

"Anyday, the orientation for the successful examinees starts at 11 a.m. You wouldn\'t want to be late on the first day, right?"

Mother gave me a push and turned on her heel toward the main gate. I really didn\'t understand the sudden situation, but there was something I wanted to say to Mother and hurriedly raised my voice—

"Mother, thank you for the delicious meal! See you later!"

Mother was also from a good family, and having a sheltered upbringing, she wasn\'t that proficient in housework.

Yet, she didn\'t skimp on my meals and cooked ready-made dishes for me. She had gone out grocery shopping each day and through her struggles, served me warm food in the morning and at night, carefully considering nutrition.

Mother turned back with a shy smile and replied with a wave.

◆

After asking for directions, I entered the school building.

Other than the building being stone-built, there was nothing worth mentioning about it when compared to Japanese standards. The only exceptional points were the polished marble beneath my feet and the lounge to the left of the entrance, which was filled with luxurious furniture, that had been closed yesterday.

Did a school with only 300 students really need such a huge lounge?

I threw a sideway glance to see some people, seemingly upperclassmen, curiously watching us from the lounge. The air in the entrance was filled with a coffee-like, fragrant aroma.

I arrived in front of the Class A classroom on the second floor.

◆

...Nervousness seized my body...

In my past life, I had dedicated my whole youth to studying. Whether it was middle school or high school, I had been preparing for the exam from the first day of the first term of my first year.

\'All the classmates you see are nothing but stepping stones1 you must step on\' used to be the catchphrase of my previous life\'s parents. It obviously ended with me having bleak memories of school and not a single person whom I could call a close friend.

\'Allen\' was not any different as while he had attended the local elementary school until the age of 11, being the son of their lord and exceptionally talented in magic aptitude, he had always been kept at arm\'s length by his classmates.

In this Royal Academy, I wanted to lead a rosy school life that I had never been able to experience before.

I wanted to create a club, have a girlfriend, research magic with friends, register with the Explorer Association, subjugate monsters to earn money, or sneak out of the dormitory and wander through the town\'s nightscape with mischievous friends. There were many things I wanted to try.

I didn\'t care about the result. All I wanted to do was to enjoy this moment, this chance I had managed to grasp again...... And if I wanted to fulfill my long-standing dream, the beginning was indeed the most important part.

Should I make a bold move at first or should I play it safe?...... Well, this wasn\'t the situation where I needed to take a risk yet. I was no longer the socially inept person I used to be in my previous life. Let\'s just take it easy, enter naturally, and make friends normally.

I knew the current me could do it. If something irregular happened, I\'d just go with the flow.

I opened the door to the classroom while steeling myself.

"I\'ve been waiting for you, Allen. My irrepressible curiosity to meet you again just made me restless all this time."

In front of me, Fey (code red individual) was smiling at me amused.

◆

I reflexively shut the door, caught off guard by the sudden situation.

I was careless...... I had already simulated this possibility countless times in my head, yet I failed to prepare any countermeasures......

My attention was focused on the strange appearance of my Mother so I even forgot to take a glance at the names of my classmates and went straight to class instead.

Troubles came as a surprise, but not as strangers. The door opened mercilessly without giving me a moment to think about my countermeasures.

"......My, oh my, if it isn\'t Fey-sama!"

"That\'s enough of that."

Tsk. I temporarily ignored Fey and scanned the classroom.

The classroom was furnished simply, with sturdy desks and chairs arranged in a typical school style. Several groups of students had already formed, chatting happily.

Did I lose the head start here?

But it\'s alright. I shouldn\'t be that late, most likely.

Students were free to choose their seats, so I exuded an air of innocence as much as possible while walking toward an empty seat by the window.

"You really are an aloof person, huh? But my word, I was so surprised seeing your knight course\'s practical exam result!"

As if we were long-time friends, Fey followed after me. I ignored her.

Just then, a man with short, sky-blue hair, sharp features, and a slender, muscular build, accompanied by two students, approached me. Despite his hair color, he seemed like someone you would find in a basketball club.

"I heard someone saying \'Allen\'... Are you Allen Rovenne?"

"Yes, I am...... You are?"

I introduced myself before asking about their sudden approach.

Fufufu. I have remembered all the noble names in this kingdom above the rank of baron along with basic information about their territories and special products. I would gradually start the conversation with topics about their territories and seize victory in this precious first battle!

"Ah, how rude of me. I am Aldore Engraver. I\'m in the Mage Course, specializing in magic. Feel free to call me Al."

Oh? Engraver means he was from a Viscount family like me. But appearances sure could be deceiving, I thought he would be one of those athletic type guys but he specialized in magic that I wanted so badly...... It would be nice if we could become friends.

"Oh, the Engravers. So you\'re from that Viscount family famous for growing Anju trees, one of the materials for a Mage\'s wand, in the Endymion Marquisate. Let\'s get along, Al."

A slightly surprised expression appeared on Al\'s face before revealing a smile as he patted me on the shoulder, saying \'I should have expected so\'.

Well, Anju trees were just some minor material after all. I guess I had more or less grasped the flow of this conversation, no?

"So strange, this reaction is so different compared to our meeting."

Fey seemed to be muttering something behind me, but I turned a deaf ear to that.

"Let me introduce you to my two friends, Allen. Err, this guy here is Coconial Canardial."

He then introduced the short guy next to him.

"Coco, co-co-co-co..."

...Stranger\'s anxiety, huh?...

I understood that nervousness to a certain degree so I wasn\'t going to drop some harsh comments here. It was like I was watching the past version of me.

Canardia used to be one of the prestigious Count families but for some unknown reason, they had fallen to baron rank in my understanding.

He had a pale slender feature and a chubby face, someone that would definitely be unpopular with the girls, though that was one of the parts I liked most about him.

I looked at him, and said,

"Can I call you Coco? I have seen the Canardia monster encyclopedia your ancestors have compiled. I must say it is one fine piece of work. I could feel how much effort they put into it and their enthusiasm was clearly visible. From that, I presume Coco must be from the civil course, right? I hope we can be good friends."

The Canardia Monster Encyclopedia was a past masterpiece detailing the ecology and habitats of monsters in this kingdom. I usually read it whenever I have time to spare.

Coco looked up, his eyes widened in surprise. It seemed like he wanted to say something—

"Y, You can. Just call me Coco. Civil course. Nice to meet you."

And the words he finally muttered were just introductions. Alright, I dare say I have managed to become friends with him as well. Here, I scored my second consecutive victory!

"Kyahaha! Why do you even know about the monster encyclopedia that doesn\'t have any relation to the exam at all? Do you just love to surprise me that much?"

"I\'m not talking to you."

Crap... She was chirping around like a noisy magpie, I reflexively jabbed at her.

Al looked at our exchange with a doubtful expression but he quickly changed it as he introduced the remaining member.

"This guy here is Leo Zatsinger. I assume you already know about him as well, no?"

The last person he introduced was an incredibly handsome guy. He had glossy black hair, with a bluish tint, and a tall and slim figure— he was very much the definition of a nobleman.

...Oh boy, what to do?... I had no idea who this guy was.

Editor\'s Note - I wonder what that exclamation mark means? His mother acted suspiciously there though I can\'t think of why she would be angry when he passed with amazing results.