NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
“Jin-sama, you must never go all out,” Mea cautioned as I got off the carriage in front of the academy.
It had taken us five hours to travel from the Divinesword Territory to the academy. Well, that was still relatively fast. Once you reached the level of a baron’s estate or beyond, it could take several weeks to get to the academy. That was one of the few advantages of being part of the Duke’s household.
“Of course, Mea. My goal is to be an average student, to enjoy a pleasant school life,” I replied, adjusting my tone to sound more like a noble.
Mea seemed somewhat reluctant but eventually relented. “It’s not necessary to aim for average, but if you understand, I won’t say anything more.”
I couldn’t help but notice the commotion around me. The people around were looking at me with disdain in their eyes.
“Look! Isn’t that carriage… the Divinesword family’s crest?”
“So, that’s the Duke’s family’s rejected…”
“He seems to have been abandoned by his family. Well, he seems like trash, so no surprise there.”
“Such a shame. He looked like such a nice young man.”
“He really shouldn’t have come to a place like this. He’s just bringing misfortune upon us.”
“Yeah, seriously. I hope he just drops dead soon.”
“And he seems to be an enemy of women. I won’t let my daughter out around here.”
“What a nuisance.”
The townspeople were whispering unkind things about me, not bothering to hide their disdain.
It seems like my reputation has spread all the way to the capital. I wonder if they recognize my face? Even though I’m considered the villainous noble, I’m still a noble. Isn’t it risky for the common people to openly insult someone of nobility like this? Don’t they fear retribution? Well, I won’t do anything about it.
As I pondered this, Mea suddenly pulled me back into the carriage and held my hand. Even though she’s done this many times before, my heart still raced as if it would leap out of my chest. However, Mea continued to hold my hand as if she didn’t care.
“W-What’s wrong?” I asked, puzzled by her actions. Mea, with a determined expression, began to speak.
“…Honestly, Jin-sama, your reputation is far from good. In fact, it’s safe to say it’s the worst.”
“Yeah…”
I understand that well. I haven’t done anything, yet…
“However, I… I’m the only one who knows that you’re not the person those rumors and reputation portray. I know that you’re a kind person.”
“W-What’s gotten into you…? This is so embarrassing…”
My face was probably bright red. It feels like my face was submerged in scalding water.
Nevertheless, Mea didn’t let go of my hand. In fact, she tightened her grip even more.
“Mea!?”
“Please remember this one thing… Even if the whole world condemns you, I will always be by your side… So, please, live your life the way you want. That’s all.”
With these words, Mea slowly released my hand and disappeared into the city along with the carriage.
As the carriage became out of sight, I squatted down on the ground.
People around me were giving me strange looks, but I had no energy to care or the usual enthusiasm to go crazy. I had witnessed it.
When she let go of my hand for the last time, she showed a different kind of shy smile than before. Her beautiful azure eyes seemed slightly moist, and not only her cheeks but also the tips of her long ears turned bright red.
I muttered, recalling an expression I had never seen in the game.
“Isn’t that cheating…?”
In the end, the warmth on my cheeks didn’t cool down until the entrance exam was almost upon me.
The entrance exam for the Royal Academy of Swordsmanship and Magic, the main setting for the game, consisted of only two parts: a written test and a practical test. The examination venue was divided into two sections, one for martial arts and the other for magic. It seemed that I was different from the main characters in more ways than one.
I couldn’t help but wish that I’d never have to see them again. If that were the case, maybe I could enjoy a truly carefree school life. But, being the villainous noble, such things were absolutely impossible.
By the way, the exam started with a written test. The written test at this academy was so easy that anyone with the knowledge equivalent to junior high school level could easily pass it. With the knowledge from my previous life, I finished the test in about 10 minutes, even though it was supposed to take an hour.
In reality…
“Ugh, what’s this… ‘When you buy 5 bottles of the low-level healing potion, each priced at X gold, the total cost is Y. Express the relationship between X and Y in an equation.’ Seriously… This is way too simple. What are these 15-year-olds even studying?” I muttered, feeling like the questions were insultingly easy.
However, I also thought, “Alright, I’m done! If I start writing anything else now, they’ll consider it cheating.”
And then, I pretended to be tired, thinking, “Phew… (How should I cleverly get some answers wrong?)”
I finished the test quickly but not too quickly, so as not to draw any attention. I pretended to take my time and stretched, just like the others who seemed to be tired after the test. It’s not easy pretending to be normal, but thinking back to what had just happened, any fatigue I felt was instantly gone.
As I grinned to myself, the exam supervisor called out, “Next is the practical exam. Everyone, gather at the training grounds outside. That’s it for now, you’re dismissed!”
With the supervisor’s signal, students regained their energy and eagerly left the classroom. I followed suit, joining the others as we headed to the training grounds.
The hallway was filled with senior students who had come to observe the promising candidates. They cast critical and annoying glances, seemingly appraising the newcomers. I, however, had concealed my magical presence flawlessly, so I was confident that I wouldn’t be discovered. Besides, I couldn’t use a sword anyway.
When I arrived at the training grounds, a large number of exam takers had already gathered. This prestigious academy lived up to its reputation, with over 500 people in just one half of the candidates. Considering that only 200 students would be accepted from a total of around 1,000 applicants, it was clear how difficult it was to secure a spot. However, I couldn’t afford to fail here. If I did, I might be in mortal danger, and even if I opposed my family, I still wouldn’t be able to protect Mea. So, I was determined to pass.
Just as almost everyone had gathered, a woman in military attire, with an incredibly seductive body, appeared. Her hair was a striking crimson that complemented her uniform, her eyes were a slightly deeper shade of red than her hair, and her figure was a perfect hourglass. While I personally had no interest because my heart belonged solely to Mea, in my previous life’s fan polls, she had overwhelmingly won the male vote. It made me sigh and think about how loyal guys were to their desires.
The popular character, Lucia, raised her voice with a microphone in hand.
“Everyone! First and foremost, I’m delighted that you’ve come to this academy! However, remember that less than half of you will pass! Approach this with all your heart! Now, let’s begin with the first candidate—”
Ah, so that tough military woman is here after all. I really didn’t want to meet her again. My instincts are really sharp, and I might accidentally blow my cover. I should try to avoid getting too close.
Why do I know her, you ask? Well, Lucia is none other than one of the main heroines in this world.
I finally got my first ko-fi ya’ll. They didn’t mention the novel so I’m posting 2 free chaps for all novels~