The examination begins in King's Landing.
　Only authorized personnel may enter through the entrance.
　Those who are not students wait outside the gate.
　The moment the gates close, a shout of anger, rather than ale, rains down from the parents of the students.
　The exams haven't even started yet and this is it. In the evening, the results of the exam will be announced at the entrance, and there will be a scream at that time.

I followed the instructor to the auditorium. The auditorium is like a hall and is quite spacious.
　First of all, I will take a written test here.
　I guess I was taken care of, Dia and Tart were next to me.
　It seems that the test will begin after a sufficient amount of rest.
　It's the last time to prepare.

'I'm getting nervous. Even though I can be in the same class as Rougu-sama regardless of my grades, I can't get an embarrassing score as Rougu-sama's servant.
'Just do what you've always done. You don't have to be so self-conscious, but if you understand what I'm teaching you and use it to your advantage, you'll do well. That's what I told him. Or do you not trust what I say?
'No, it's not!　I'm starting to feel like I can do it.

This kind of tart candor and simplicity is an advantage.
　As for Dia, she was calm without having to say a word. She's got a lot of heart.
　I encourage them both to go to the bathroom, and I do the same.
　Deep breaths. The instructor came over and announced the end of the break.

The young birds of the future of the Kingdom of Alwan. It is good that you have gathered here. We will now begin the examination. There will be a written test first, followed by a practical test after an hour's break. I will tell you a few things to keep in mind. These are to see how good you are and to give you a proper education. If you stand tall, no one will benefit. ........Therefore, injustice awaits severe punishment. As soon as you are found to be dishonest, you leave. You will be in the lowest class without having to see the practical skills.

The lowest class in the Knight Academy.
　That's the biggest disgrace for a nobleman.
　It's a brand of incompetence of the lowest class in this country.
　........Yet, some will still cheat. That's how much we expect from those around us.

'No questions will be accepted. I will not allow you to leave the room. If you leave your seat, your answers will be collected at that time. That's all I have to say. Questions will be distributed.

The test was in everyone's hands, and the test was passed around.
　It was turned over and the content was not yet visible.

Then let's begin!

With the words of the instructor, we turn the test over in unison.
　First, I lightly review the content.

It's safe to say that the history and laws of this country have been taught without omission.

I chuckle slightly at the question. The questions are skewed.
　The percentage of history and laws that this country wants the aristocrats to understand is high. It's a school-like question that was created with that intention.

As for the questions that ask for thinking and calculation skills, the two of you can handle them.
　With this, all three of us should be able to get a high score.
　In fact, both Tart and Dia were nimbly running their pens next to each other.

''You can only earn points in writing for about 30 percent of the total?

You would think that a nobleman would know the history and laws of his own country, but this is not the case for the lower nobles.
　The history that they learn from their parents is rather adapted for each fiefdom, and they only teach the parts they want to teach. To begin with, they often know only a narrow area centered on their own fiefdoms.
　Books that provide comprehensive knowledge are valuable and expensive.
　In addition, it is difficult to find a book with correct information. There are more books that are full of lies and mistakes, and you will often find yourself grabbing that garbage.

This test is not so much about the talent of the individual, but rather the environment in which he was raised.
　Once again, I'm glad I was born in Touahade. My family reveres knowledge, which is why I had several books with expensive and correct content in the storeroom.

Let's score points whenever possible.

◇

The exam is over.
　I've been taking it for about three hours straight, and I'm very tired.
　They don't divide the test into each subject like the Japanese test, but they do it all together so the volume is huge.
　It may be that they are not only looking at how smart you are, but also how well you concentrate.

.........but not being able to leave your seat for three hours is a hard thing to do in its own way.
　One student continued to hold out in the bathroom, and even then, when he reached his limit, he turned red and cried and left the room halfway through, while an even more amazing guy continued to take the test while shitting himself.
　You have to show excellence in your own home. That's why they'd go so far.
　One by one, the students, tired and burnt out from the test, walked out.
　There will be a break for the next hour or so, during which time the grading will take place.
　We go to the spacious garden and rest on a bench.
　Dia looks excited and tells me the results of the battle.

'Probably ninety percent solved. That's a good score, but I'm not sure I got more points than everyone else.
'That's about it for me too. All I did was what Master Rouges taught me, so I was able to solve it properly!
That's good to hear. If I could solve 90% of the problems, I'd be in the top 10, I think. Only about 30 percent of them could solve the problems properly.
Can't wait to see the test results. How did the rooge do?
'As long as you haven't made a mistake, you get a perfect score. .... just because the answers you once learned aren't always right.

The accuracy of the records is fuzzy, so it's not uncommon for the descriptions to vary from book to book, so this is not an option.

'If you're number one, Master Rouges, we're celebrating today!　I'm going to get excited and make lots of good food!
'That's not necessary. Maybe they'll do something in the dorms to celebrate their enrollment.
'Ugh, I'm sorry. But I'll do my best in the direction of making dessert!

I smile bitterly. The tart always thinks about me more than I do.
　Such a tart takes out a basket.

'It's a sweet treat for a tired head!　I actually got up early to make myself a snack.
That's nice. I was just hungry. This will keep me going all afternoon.

In the basket was a yellow steamed bread.
　It's something that has recently become popular in Murteu, and instead of baking the bread, it's steamed to make it fluffy.
　They also add a lot of egg yolks to make the bread fluffy and full of egg flavor.

Then let's get on with it.

Tear off the fluffy dough and bring it to your mouth. It has a rich egg flavor and gentle sweetness.
　It's good, it's not amazingly delicious, but it's comforting.
　I can feel the sugar replenishing my brain.

'Tart, it's delicious,'
I love these snacks too. Please make them again.
I'll take care of it!　I'm glad they liked it. I wasn't sure if people would like it because it's the first time I've served it.

This is a pastry that me and my mom had never made before.
　When did I start to find new recipes on my own in cooking and pastry making?
　I thought this kind of spontaneity was something the tart didn't have, but it seemed to be growing out of sight.
　Dia said she was thanking me for the pastry and making a cup of tea.
　I don't have any cooking utensils, but Dia uses earth magic to create a vessel, takes out the tea leaves from the poacher, and I create water and heat it over the fire.

This is how witchcraft can be used.
　Even though it was an entrance test for the prestige of each family, we were mingling with a sweet egg-steamed cake and delicious tea.
　With this, I'm sure I'll be in good shape for the practical test.
　However, someone appeared to disrupt that peace.

Hi, Touahade people! Can I also be a part of the tea party?

Then a beautiful boy with bright blond hair came to us.
　That's right, the man who appeared on a white horse and sent us a wink. He's the eldest son of the Gephis duke family.
　........Honestly, I don't want to get tired of my precious break.
　However, Touahade is a baron and he is a duke in front of me.
　There was no way I could refuse.

''Yes, go ahead.
I'm sorry. You know my name, but let me introduce myself in case you're wondering. Neusch Gefis.
My name is Lugue Touahade.
''Haha, I don't care about honorifics. Within this academy, competence is everything and it doesn't matter what your family background is. That's what the royal family says. We who are loyal to the royal family should obey.

I didn't think that a duke would say that construction.
　But if you continue to use respectful language here, you'll surely earn your disapproval.

''Then I'll take you at your word.
Do it. I'd feel better if you did. Hey, boy, can I have a piece of candy?
Ha, yes. But it's the kind of candy a duke would eat.

He didn't listen to Tart's advice and grabbed a handful of egg-steamed bread.

'This pastry is good. My castle doesn't have these rustic pastries. I like it. I'll take another one.'

It's not too aristocratic a behavior. But when Neusch does it, even that is picturesque.

'Why have you come here?　No way, it wasn't for the candy.
I just wanted to say hello to you. I need you to help me achieve my dreams. Well, in a nutshell, I'm a scout. By the time I graduate, I will have recruited the best people in the school and made it big. And for that, I want you more than anyone else. That's why I came to you in the first place.

How much does this guy know?
　As long as he hadn't yet demonstrated his abilities in the entrance exam, there was no way he was going to call on a mere baronial child. There are more famous bloodlines lurking here.
　I would understand if you know the backstory, but Touahade's backstory is a secret known only to the royal family, and a certain duke family.

'Why me?'
Because you're better than anyone else in the room.
At least you're braver than me.
''Just a strong idiot can be of some use, but overall, I want you the most. Well, I'll just say hello for today. Think about it. ...we're going to change this rotten country. You know why we have to do it. If we let it go, it will be too late. I also enjoyed your snacks. You there made it. Here's a thank you.

After saying that much, he threw the handkerchief toward Tart and walked away.
　Tart was stunned and looked at the handkerchief.

''This is a very good one, isn't it?''
The gold thread used in the finest silks and embroidery techniques is also top-notch. Yes, it's something you could sell and live with for about two months.
d*mn it, I can't take that. I'll get it back!
'No, don't do that. That would be rude to do the opposite.

The tart is rattling.
　The kid still has a habit of being a small-time citizen.

'Hey, Roug. What do you think it means to change a country?
The same is probably true for Neusch. Is he planning to prevent that, or if the country is so vulnerable that it will become so, is he planning to turn it over? Either way, he's extraordinarily ambitious.

It's true that the Knight's Academy is a good place to gather talent.
　After all, you can get in touch with powerful people in the absence of the outside world.
　By the way, this is the first time I've ever met a man who says the words "change the country" straight away.
　When he showed up on his white horse, I wondered what kind of misunderstood monk he was, but there was something hot inside.
　I just don't know if it was an unthinking, reckless dream or a plan with visions to realize.

'Tart, Dear, I think the test results have been posted over there. Let's go take a look.
Yes, I hope you're the best.
'Yeah. If we don't score points here, we're not going to be able to stand out in the real world and be a top-tier class.
That's not what I'm talking about. I just want to see how cool you look, Master Rouges.

The three of us head to the crowd.
　Now, what are the test results?