Chapter 6: Aiming for Enrollment in the Academy

Two years had passed since then. Rest had turned fourteen, but his treatment hadn’t changed much. He still slept in the stable, and his meals consisted of one daily feeding, akin to a dog. While nutrition was lacking, some sympathetic servants, aware of Rest’s situation, shared discarded bread and vegetables, preventing him from starving.

Occasionally, he served as a test subject for magic experiments, allowing him to acquire new spells. Despite the mental damage, Rest endured the hardships, steadily growing.

(Next year, I’ll turn fifteen—an adult’s age…)

In the afternoon, after finishing tasks like caring for the horses, Rest sat on a pile of firewood beside the shed, reminiscing about the past.

(When I was ten, my mother died, and I’ve been taken into this mansion for four years. It was days of humiliation. But… that’s about to end.)

Once he turned fifteen, he could secure a proper job. He would leave this mansion, live freely, and escape the days of humiliation.

(But… if I’m going to be free, I want to aim higher.)

Thanks to his half-brother, Rest could use intermediate-level magic in this world. Even now, he wouldn’t struggle to find work in the commoners’ district. However, merely avoiding hardships and ascending to a higher position were two different matters.

(I want to climb higher than those who have belittled and trampled on me. I want to aim for a position higher than my father… higher than a Court Sorcerer.)

Climb above the humans who despised and trampled on Rest.

Rest thought that this would be the best way to avenge the humiliation of the past four years.

(For that purpose, I would like to attend a “school”. Is there any way?)

The “Academy” refers to the country’s top educational institution—the Iwood Royal Academy.

“Iwood” is the name of the country, and it is also the name of the royal family.

Situated in the western part of the continent, it is a kingdom of moderate size, not a major power, but certainly not a small nation.

(Ordinary people can enroll in Iwood Academy. Upon graduation, whether aspiring to be a civil servant or a military officer, one can aim for high positions.)

On the flip side, obtaining a national position is difficult without graduating from this academy. The same applies to positions like the Court Magician.

Father also graduated from the academy, and Cedric is currently studying to enter the academy.

Probably due to the stress of studying, there is no doubt that the disciplinary measures against Rest have increased.

(I can’t enter the academy until I’m fifteen. If I use the noble route, I just need permission from the head of the family and take the exam. But for the commoner route, a letter of recommendation is necessary.)

The Royal Academy has separate entrance exams for the “Noble Slot” and the “Commoner Slot.”

To take the exam as a noble, one simply needs the assurance of status from the head of the household and permission.

However, to take the exam as a commoner, one needs a letter of recommendation from someone with social status like a noble.

While Rest is technically classified as a noble in the family register… it’s hard to believe that his father would grant permission.

(If he can’t take the exam in the noble slot, then he’ll have to take it in the commoner slot. He needs connections with someone who is either a noble or has an equivalent status. Is there someone suitable for that role?)

Since his mother’s death, Rest had been confined to the mansion. While he occasionally sneaked out at night, he had no social interactions with other nobles, and he lacked connections. Somehow, he needed to meet someone with social status.

(Is there… no way?)

“…… Huh?”

As he pondered, he suddenly heard voices. They were the voices of people conversing, distinct from the usual sounds in the mansion, and there were several children talking.

(One is Cedric. There are a few others… Let’s eavesdrop.)

Out of curiosity, Rest activated the Wind Control spell. This magic could manipulate the wind to move objects or attack enemies. It also had the application of bringing distant sounds closer.

The voices seemed to be coming from the mansion’s garden.

“Alright, let’s go on an adventure!”

“Yeah, monster hunting. There’s a perfect forest near the mansion. Let’s go try our magic while practicing!”

“I learned a new magic! I’ve been itching to try it out!”

“But… isn’t it dangerous to go monster hunting just by ourselves? Shouldn’t we take an adult with us?”

“I agree. Monsters are dangerous and scary…”

“What, are you all cowards?”

(…There are five people talking. Cedric’s friends, perhaps?)

Judging from the voices, it sounded like Cedric and two boys and two girls. He vaguely remembered Cedric mentioning that his friends would come over for breakfast.

(Anyway… monster hunting in the forest?)

The forest referred to was likely the one Rest used for magic training. Due to regular thinning, there were few monsters in that forest. Still, it wasn’t completely devoid of them, and recently, powerful monsters had started inhabiting its deep parts. These creatures were highly intelligent and never approached Rest, so he generally left them alone.

“See, I knew girls are cowards!”

“Next year, we’re going to enroll in the academy. Both the Magic and Knight divisions have combat training, and it’s essential to practice fighting against monsters, right?”

“If you’re scared, why not just wait? We’re going on our own!”

“Well… we’re not cowards!”

“Hey, sis, calm down…”

“So, are we going? It’s okay; I’m coming with you!”

The conversation progressed, and it seemed like they had decided to go to the forest together. The two less enthusiastic girls were likely to join as well.

(Hmm… Cedric will be an adult next year, so he’ll probably be fine, but…)

Rest pondered with his arms crossed. If only Cedric was entering the forest, Rest wouldn’t interfere and would let him do as he pleased. Even if they were attacked by monsters, he would just laugh at their foolishness.

But… abandoning Cedric’s apparent four friends was something Rest couldn’t allow, especially the two girls. Ignoring the danger faced by unknown girls would leave a bad taste in his mouth.

(Oh well. I might as well follow them in secret…)

Today’s work was already done. It wasn’t for Cedric but for the two girls accompanying him. Rest decided to follow them into the forest to provide some protection. He stood up from the pile of firewood and set off after them.

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