Chapter 22: School Materials and Shopping at the Royal School
When I took my seat in the reception room, Lord Frederick asked Anne-san to prepare tea and requested the attendant to bring the study materials.
Seeing how they casually used servants, it was clear they were nobles. I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty and wanted to do things myself.
After a while, the tea was ready, and the study materials were prepared.
"Leon, these are the necessary materials for the entrance exam to the Royal School. Basically, it's about reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and some simple history."
"May I take a look inside?"
"Sure, if you have any questions, feel free to ask."
The materials Lord Frederick gave me were three books.
The first one was something like basic language skills, where more than half of the pages were dedicated to practicing writing. The latter half focused on developing reading comprehension.
I don't need to study this. I can read and write the language of this world just like Japanese, so there's no need for me to study elementary school-level language skills.
The second book was basic arithmetic. It covered addition, subtraction, simple multiplication, and division. There were no fractions, decimals, or geometry. Maybe I'll learn those after enrolling? I don't need to study this either.
The third book was about the history of this country. It roughly covered ancient times, but it was quite detailed when it came to recent history.
I want to read this! I should study it; I wanted to learn about this country.
"What do you think? Can you understand the content?"
"Yes. Since I can already read, write, and do calculations, I don't need the study materials for those. Can I borrow the history materials?"
"You don't need the materials for reading, writing, and calculations!? Really?"
"Yes. I'll be fine with just the history materials."
Should I have borrowed the other materials just to make it seem like I'm studying...? But it feels a bit too late for that.
I might have a long-lasting relationship with the Duke of Townsend's family, so I don't feel the need to hide it too much.
"Well, if you say you're fine, then I guess that's it. I'll lend you the history materials. You can return them after the exam."
"Thank you so much! I'll do my best to be of help to everyone!"
"Ah, yes. Please do your best."
"Yes!"
With that, I borrowed only the history materials and returned to my guest room.
The Townsend family seems like nice people, and it feels like they might become my supporters in exchange for me being of assistance to their influence. Today was a great outcome.
Perhaps due to the nervousness, as soon as I felt relieved, I became drowsy and fell asleep immediately.
"Aah~. It feels like it's been a while since I had such a good night's sleep..."
Huh? This isn't my usual house...
Oh, right. I stayed at the Townsend Duke's mansion last night.
I didn't oversleep, did I? Thinking that, I got out of bed and headed towards the sofa, where Anne-san was already waiting for me.
"Good morning, Leon-sama."
"Good morning, Anne-san. Did I oversleep?"
"In the morning, everyone has breakfast in their respective rooms and then goes to work, so it's okay."
I see. Well, that's a relief.
I sighed in relief and asked Anne-san.
"May I have breakfast too?"
"Yes. Frederick-sama requested that after having breakfast, I send you home. So I will accompany you in the carriage."
That's kind of you. But do I not have to greet the people of the Duke's mansion?
"Do I not have to greet the people of the Duke's mansion?"
"The lady of the house is at the mansion, so if you greet her upon returning, it should be fine."
"I understand. Thank you."
"Now, let's start with changing clothes. Please change into these clothes."
Saying that, Anne-san handed me clothes that were much more elegant than the ones I was wearing.
They weren't noble clothes, but they seemed like the kind that the affluent class among commoners would wear.
"This isn't my clothes, though...?"
"Yes. These are a gift from the master. He prepared clothes that wouldn't stand out among commoners."
While they might not stand out among commoners, they would definitely stand out around my neighborhood!
But it would be rude not to accept this gift...
"Thank you. Could you please convey my gratitude to Richard-sama?"
"Of course."
And so, I changed my clothes, had breakfast, and bid farewell to the Townsend Duke's mansion.
"Thank you for inviting me, Catherine-sama."
"We had a great time too. Let's keep in touch."
"Yes. Please take care of me from now on."
I exchanged greetings and got on the carriage with Anne-san. It was the same carriage as when I came here.
"Leon-sama, if there is anywhere you would like to stop in the city center, we can make a detour. How would you like to proceed?"
What should I do... I want to check my balance at the bank, and I also want to get a watch. It's quite a hassle to come to the city center, so maybe I can rely on them for now.
"Um, I'd like to go to the bank and the clock shop. How much does a clock cost?"
"Well, let me see. If you want something simple, I think you can purchase one for about one gold coin."
It's still expensive. But it's within my expectations, and I still want a clock.
"Then, could we go to the bank first and then to the clock shop?"
"Understood."
It seems Anne-san relayed the message to the coachman, and the carriage started moving.
When we arrived at the bank, Anne-san stood behind me. I told her she could stay in the carriage, but she insisted on accompanying me until I'm safely back home, saying she's a maid serving Leon-sama.
I headed towards the counter where I opened my account before. I preferred dealing with someone I was familiar with. This is my second time here, but I still feel nervous.
"Welcome. How may I assist you today?"
"I would like to check my account balance and withdraw some money."
"Understood. May I check your bank card?"
"Yes, please."
"Thank you. Now, please let a little magic flow into this crystal ball."
The bank clerk seemed slightly surprised by my attire and the presence of Anne-san, the maid. He must have remembered me from my previous visit. I stood out for the opposite reason.
However, he proceeded to handle the transaction calmly and efficiently. I appreciate that.
"I have confirmed your identity as Leon-sama. First, let me show you your current account balance."
The account balance was written on a small piece of paper, which he handed to me.
Upon inspecting it, I saw that the balance indicated ten platinum coins. Isn't that more than I expected!? I'll have to ask Marcel-san about it next time...
"Thank you. Could I withdraw the amount of one gold coin, please?"
"Understood. Would you like it in gold coins? Shall I exchange it for silver or copper coins?"
"In that case, please give me ten silver coins."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
It's convenient to be able to withdraw in smaller denominations. Among commoners, coins larger than gold coins are rarely used, so I have to be careful.
After a short wait, the receptionist brought me ten silver coins.
"Thank you for waiting. Please verify it."
I made sure I had all ten coins and put them into my wallet.
"It's all good. Thank you very much."
"If you have any other needs, please don't hesitate to visit us again. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you very much."
And so, I hurried back to the carriage with Anne-san. This strict atmosphere still makes me nervous.
"Next, we'll go to the clock shop."
"Yes, please. Thank you."
Shortly after that, we arrived at the watch shop. It seemed to be located quite close to the bank.
"Leon-sama, this shop only allows entry to nobles or those who have been introduced by a noble or noble family. So, I will go in first."
"I see. Thank you very much."
So there are shops like that, after all. Even now, I think there's still a difference between nobles and commoners, but it's scary to think it could become even worse... I'll do my best to assist the Townsend Duke's faction.
When we entered the shop, a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor came out, and when Anne-san showed him something like a crest from her pocket, we were allowed inside without any trouble.
Could it be a crest of a noble family?
"Welcome. What kind of watch are you looking for today?"
The man spoke to me. It seemed I was recognized as a customer.
"I'm looking for a portable-sized watch, simple and durable."
"Understood. In that case, this product here might be suitable."
The man showed me a simple pocket watch.
The design was also simple, and the price started at about five silver coins.
That's quite cheap. If I were to buy a pocket watch in modern-day Japan, it might be more expensive...
I compared the pocket watches on display.
Most of them had simple covers without any design, but one of them had a decoration resembling a wooden fruit on the cover.
Having a design does make it more stylish, after all.
It seems a bit more expensive than the simple ones, though...
"How much is the one with the wooden fruit design on the cover?"
"For that one, it would be eight silver coins and two copper coins."
About 82,000 yen in Japanese currency. It's expensive, but since I'll be using it for a long time, it might be worth it.
"In that case, I'll take that one, please."
"Understood."
I paid the money and received the pocket watch, putting it in my inner pocket. From now on, I want to carry a pocket watch with me at all times, so I'll have to add inner pockets to all my clothes.
Then I returned to the carriage, and they took me straight home.
"Well then, Leon-sama, I will take my leave now."
"Yes. Thank you very much for everything, Anne-san."
"Goodbye, then."
Feeling a sense of accomplishment along with considerable fatigue, I returned home.