A few days had passed since the exam, and the day of the announcement of his acceptance had arrived.
In preparation for this day, he had been summoned to the royal castle for the past few days to receive a daily sermon.
His Majesty rammed me about the Adventurer's Guild being ranked A, and then asked me about destroying the training grounds of the state-run (...) school.
As expected, Cain was allowed to argue about that.
''The examiner told me to do my best to cast a spell. I was told that there were wards in place. As expected, I thought the super-grade and imperial grade was bad, so I lowered it to the elementary level. However, thanks to the blessing, the power increased and the entire ward was destroyed. As for the Adventurer's Guild, I was actually planning to register as a C-rank, but thanks to the knight leader's one word to the guild master, I was given an A-rank.
Cain, as expected, has just been pushed around and caused problems, and he doesn't feel bad about it at all.
'I can't tell you how many times I've gotten my head around your behavior .... But first! Cain! Did you say "imperial grade"? Does the magic in that book work?
''Yes, I understand now, so I thought I could use it. Just see what happens to the area if you use the imperial class: ...
Cain! Don't use it! Don't really use it!
His Majesty stops seriously, as if in a hurry.
Then, as if remembering, His Majesty speaks to you.
'Well, where did you take your exam? They said they didn't see Terestia or Miss Silk at the exam.
'I normally go to the south gate to register and take the test in the classroom I was shown to?
... Cain, you know why the school has a north and south gate, right?
'Of course. I know. Because the north gate leads to the nobleman's street side and the commoner's street side to the south gate.
So what gate did you enter through and where did you come in?
Of course, there's the South Mon: ... oh!
Well, there's a receptionist at the north gate for the nobility, and the examinations are held in a completely different place. You were taking an examination with a group of commoners, my Lord. Then you couldn't have met with anyone. Telestia was furious that you couldn't see them.
Moreover, you registered at the reception desk under the name of "Cain" only. That's why the school was in an uproar. The headmaster came to Eric, the superintendent, for advice.
'Yeah, how did that happen ... and why was it such a big deal?'
Cain couldn't understand and had to nod his head.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.
The time goes back a bit (after the exam).
A teacher who was grading the entrance examinations jumped into the headmaster's room.
'Headmaster, I've finished grading everyone, but I have a problem. There's only one person who has answered all the questions correctly on the written test, and he's a commoner. If that child becomes the chief executive, he or she will be .... This year, Her Royal Highness the Third Princess and Duchess Eric are taking the exam. The results of the written exam are that the next seat is for Her Royal Highness the Princess and the third seat is for the Duchess.
The examiner who graded the test speaks to the headmaster.
The headmaster folds his arms and begins to worry.
''Can't His Royal Highness and the Duchess be overtaken by a score in the practical test? I will be punished if I despise the common man for that reason in this country.
In the Esfort Kingdom, since the time of the first King Yuuya, it has been said that students are equal in everything and should be given equal rights to study.
''As for that matter, in practical skills, that commoner's child destroyed a training ground with that beginner's magic in magic, and in sword skills, he had a decent fight with A-ranked Lord Claude of Ice Flame. I have an S-plus rating in both magic and sword skills.
''Oh, that girl, there's no way to change that. I'll have to ask Duke Eric, the Superintendent, about this. It's not good as expected.
Then the headmaster went to visit Duke Eric.
''Duke Eric, I'm sorry to bother you at this time. I have a problem with this entrance exam, and I came to discuss it with you.''
Headmaster, what's going on? Why don't we just let the results speak for themselves?
That's what I'm talking about: ...
He explained the contents to Duke Eric. That the commoner had gotten a perfect score in writing, and of course, that he had destroyed the training grounds and had a decent confrontation with an A-class adventurer.
Hearing that, Eric couldn't help but laugh.
''Duke Eric, you can't be laughing at me. The commoner will be at the head of the table, His Royal Highness will be next in line, and your daughter will have three seats.''
The headmaster speaks to Eric seriously.
Eric replies with a laugh.
'Let's just leave it at that, shall we? Isn't that boy's name Cain?
The name's "Cain," yes, that's right. How do you know that?
The headmaster asks Duke Eric.
I'm sure you're right, Cain-kun. Then it's better to leave it that way.
Duke Eric still laughs as he answers.
'Why is that?'
The headmaster nodded his head.
"Cain-kun, you know, his official name is 'Baron Cain von Silford,'" he said, "and he's the son of the Earl of Garum Frontier. He is the son of the Earl of Garum frontier. And since he was knighted at the age of five, he is the official head of a noble family.
"!!!!!!!!
The Dean is surprised.
'Why on earth would such a person be ...
'Maybe you were accepted at the south gate on the commoner's side? I think Cain-kun would do it.
... So that's what it was all about. I understand. I will now present them in that order.
Saying that, the headmaster bowed to Duke Eric and left.
''Cain-kun, even so, you did it with a flourish~. I'm sure Prime Minister Magna will be surprised to see the estimated repair costs later.''
In the room where he was alone, Duke Eric muttered.
◇◇◇
I came to the place where the accepted numbers were posted on the list.
There was a crowd of people in front of the bulletin board that was posted up.
Some children were happy and others were crying in front of the bulletin board. The level of this school is very high: 220 students per grade are admitted to the school, and the students are divided into classes according to their grades. The top 20 students in each class are in the S class, and the next classes are from A to E, each with 40 students. In addition, the top 20 examinees had their names posted next to their examination numbers. More than 1,000 candidates would be taking the test there.
"I wonder where the number 285 is...
Cain looks at the bulletin board and searches for his number.
Then suddenly, he is tapped on the shoulder. When he turns around, it's Miss Silk there.
'Congratulations, Cain-kun, you're at the top of your class! Telles is next in line and I'm third in line. See, over there, over there, you see the names and numbers on the line?
As he said that, he pointed to the place where the rankings were written most prominently, "First seat, 285, Cain," "Next seat, 012, Telestia Terra Esfort," and "Third seat, 025, Silk Von Santana.
It's true. I'm so glad I did.
It was more important to Cain that he was accepted than the head of the class.
''Nevertheless, Father told me about it. He told me that you had to register at the south gate and take the exam at the commoner's side of the exam room? And I saw the training ground that was destroyed. That was terrible! I was about to head to the practice area when I was startled by the roaring sound. Also, Teres wasn't here today, but he was upset that he couldn't see me at the exam room.
"I didn't know there was a receptionist at the north gate. I thought it was strange because all I could find was my name on it.
Miss Silk and I chatted for a bit, and then we parted.
'Well, I'll see you at the Commencement! Look forward to seeing you in uniform.
With that, Miss Silk ran off.
I was just finishing up the reception for the successful candidates when I saw a familiar face. It was my sister Rayne.
''Sister Rayne, it's been a while.
I noticed Cain calling out to me from behind and looked at his face and gave him a universal smile.
It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
It's a beautiful girl, even if you look at it in favor of your younger brother.
It's a beautiful girl. Long time no see. You don't come to the house much. I'm glad you passed. How did you do on your test? What class have you been in?
'I was at the top of my class and had an S class. Well, I'm glad I passed.
It was a little hard for me to say that I was the head honcho, but I told Rayne honestly.
It's a good thing you're the head of .... You are indeed Cain-kun. I saw your name, but I didn't recognize it because it doesn't say "Silford". Then I'll have to do my best to greet you when you enter the school.
As expected, Rayne was surprised that she didn't expect to be the head of the class.
'Admissions?'
Cain hadn't heard the Chieftain say hello.
'You didn't know? Every year the Chief Executive addresses us. I thought you were being briefed.
'So it was ..., I wanted Teres to change it.
''No. It's already been announced. More importantly, since you've been accepted, you should come and tell the mother of the mansion about it.
'Yeah. I'll try to get there today.
I'm going to be home in a little while, so I'll wait for you at the mansion.
Rayne said and walked into the school building with the papers she was carrying.
''I have to show up at my parents' house once in a while.
Saying that, Cain walked through the gates of the school and towards Garum's mansion.
In Garum's mansion, his brother, Jin and Alec had already graduated from the academy and returned to the Gracia territory. And, of course, Maria, the first wife.
Brother Jin is learning about the management of the estate in order to take over from Garum. Brother Alec is also apparently looking at one city in the Gracia territory as an internal affairs officer.
The only people living in this mansion right now are Sarah and Rayne. And Garum is also back in the territory at this time of year.
When I arrived at the Garum family's villa in the royal capital, Rayne hadn't come back yet.
''I'm back~. Isn't it?''
I put my hand up to the gatekeeper and walked in.
"Oh, it's not Cain! I think you passed your test, but how did you do?
It was my mother, Sarah, who greeted me.
'I've been accepted at the top of the class. She told me to go report to your mother when I met Sister Rayne at the academy.
Oh my. It's amazing that you're the best in the world! I'll send a letter to Garum in Gracia territory as well.
Yes, nice to meet you.
'What are you doing today? Do you want to stay in this mansion?
Sarah suggested it, but everyone in the house still has a report to give.
'Sylvia is waiting for me at home, and I'm going home today. I'll come back to show up.
With that, I left the Garum residence.
I returned to my home and reported to my butlers, Coran and Silvia.
''As expected of Cain-sama. Even so, I'm surprised that you're the head of the class.''
Of course you would, Master Cain!
Coran was surprised, but for some reason Sylvia was beaming, as was the norm.
They were both pleased, though.
'Thanks, I'm looking forward to the school.'
Then the days passed and the entrance ceremony was successfully held.