Kays Translations

Chapter 40: Taking the Written Exam

At the entrance of the school building, Rest presented his examination ticket and received permission to enter the examination room. He entered the assigned classroom according to his exam number and took his seat.

It was the entrance exam for the Royal Academy, commoner division, and the first part was the written exam. The examinees, divided into ten classrooms based on their exam numbers, filled up their respective seats. Despite the exam starting in thirty minutes, half of the seats in the classroom were already occupied.

(Thirty people in one classroom. So, around three hundred examinees...)

According to the information he had gathered beforehand, the number of successful commoner applicants varied each year. First, the nobility took their exams, and those who reached a certain threshold were all admitted. Then, the remaining slots were allocated to commoner applicants.

(The number of commoner examinees, around three hundred, is consistent with previous years. I think about a hundred of them are expected to pass...)

Although all the commoner examinees were recommended for the entrance exam, most of them were expected to fail. The low pass rate was due to lower-ranking nobles recommending their servants to take the exam, resulting in numerous lower-quality recommendations. Higher-ranking nobles could ensure the quality of their servants, ensuring a high chance of success. However, lower-ranking nobles faced challenges in achieving the same success rate, hence the term "shotgun."

Rest placed the writing tools, including the backup ones, on the desk and took several deep breaths to calm his nerves. While waiting, a robed woman appeared through the door at the front of the classroom, presumably for preventing cheating. A male instructor-like figure also appeared at the back of the classroom.

"From now on, we will begin the Royal Academy entrance exam for the commoner division."

Seemingly, the exam was about to start. Rest straightened his spine in tension.

"The first part is the written exam. The written exam is common to all departments, and the time is three hours. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified without exception."

Answer sheets with the blank side facing up were distributed to everyone. On the desks were writing tools brought from the mansion. Everything was ready.

"Now, let the exam begin. Turn your answer sheets over and start answering."

All examinees simultaneously turned their answer sheets over. With a writing tool in hand, Rest began solving the problems.

(The first is a history question... 'List the names of the five generals who contributed to the founding of the Iwood Kingdom.') 

I studied this. He immediately filled in the answers.

The questions lined up on the answer sheet were all answerable with the knowledge he had acquired while studying with the Rosemary sisters.

(Thanks to Viola and Primula... Oh, this is a magic question. 'List all the members of the Twelve Wise Men who have held their position for more than a hundred years.' The answer is Van Wally, Nuada Kedis, and Kanehira Ichijo.)

It was a question in his field of expertise. Although somewhat challenging, he smoothly filled in the answers.

About two hours after the start of the exam, he had solved about ninety percent of the questions, if not all correct.

(The passing standard for the written exam is said to be over sixty percent... With this, passing is guaranteed.)

"Rest! When you finish, make sure to review it properly!"

"Rest-san, please check if the entries are not misaligned. Complacency is the enemy!"

Yesterday, Viola and Primula's words flashed back.

Rest smiled wryly and muttered, "Got it," in his mouth, starting the review. He thoroughly checked the entire answer sheet in the remaining time, ensuring there were no errors in his name or exam number. This part was no different from tests in his previous life. It was crucial to double-check everything when he was confident of passing.

"That's it. The exam is over."

Eventually, the time arrived, and Rest let out a deep sigh. Immediately, the examiners began collecting the answer sheets.

"Wait a moment! Just a bit more, just a bit more...!"

"Come on, submit it quickly!"

Persistently, someone continued writing on the answer sheet until the very end, much like in tests from his previous life. There were even examinees who, despite being scolded by the examiners with threats like, "Submit it quickly, or you'll fail!"

(There's a sense of accomplishment... I did what I could...)

"Oh! I forgot to write my name! Hey... give me back my answer sheet!"

A pitiful cry echoed from a corner of the classroom, but Rest closed his eyes as if unaffected.

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