Chapter 60: Preparation for the Exam
About sixty days had passed since I arrived at the duchy's territory, and finally, tomorrow would be the day of the exam.
During this period, I took things slowly. I considered studying, but since there was nothing more to do, I quit early. The history covered in the exam was only superficial, so there wasn't much to memorize. I want to know more about deeper history, but I suppose I'll learn that in class.
Also, practicing the antidote magic didn't go well. There weren't suitable poisons in winter. The easiest to obtain is potato sprouts, so I'll do it in the spring.
Today, Roger is scheduled to come and pick me up at home. I remember he was supposed to come in the afternoon, so I prepared in the morning and am waiting for the carriage to arrive.
"Leon, do your best on tomorrow's exam. You'll be fine."
"If it's Leon, you'll be okay if you stay calm."
"Mom, Dad, thank you. I'll do my best!"
Today, it seems Mom and Dad are more restless. They tell me to stay calm, but they're the ones fidgeting. I couldn't help but smile.
"Haha... You two should stay calm. I'll be fine."
"That's right, Leon will be fine. Of course, I believe in you, Mom."
"Dad too. But if you suddenly get a stomachache or if a noble harasses you, various worries..."
"Sorry about that!"
Dad is even more flustered. He's pacing around me. Maybe Dad should calm down soon...
But I feel like watching two anxious people is oddly calming. It's true that watching someone in a hurry can make you calm in turn.
While sitting in a chair in the dining room like that, I heard a knocking on the door and a voice saying, "I am Roger."
I stood up from the chair and immediately opened the door.
"Lord Leon, I have come to pick you up."
"Thank you. I'm ready to go, so let's leave right away."
I said that and picked up my prepared luggage, then turned to Mom and Dad.
"Mom, Dad, I'll do my best."
"Yes, do your best."
"If it's Leon, you'll be fine."
The two of them managed to hide their anxiety somehow and wore slightly awkward smiles.
Seeing those expressions, I couldn't help but smile again.
"Haha... You two have such funny expressions."
"Hey, don't say that in front of the duke's household staff! Um, you're Roger, right? Please take care of Leon."
"Nice to meet you."
Mom and Dad bowed deeply to Roger. Perhaps because it's rare for Roger to be bowed to, he seemed a little flustered, but he quickly returned to his usual expression. Truly Roger.
"Yes. I will serve Lord Leon dutifully."
And so, Roger also bowed his head as he said that.
We've become an unusual scene of bowing to each other. I stepped in between.
"Mom, Dad, well then, I'll be going. I'll come back once the exams are over."
"Yes, do your best. We'll be waiting with a feast ready."
"Leon, give it your all. Take care."
"I'm off!"
And thus, I boarded the carriage with Roger and headed towards the Duke's residence.
Upon arriving at the Duke's residence, I was immediately led to the usual guest room. It seems that I can use this room even when I start living in this mansion, and it has become my room. There are also the gifts of gratitude from Lady Elizabeth placed there. It's still too luxurious, even upon closer inspection.
"Leon-sama, regarding tomorrow's schedule, the Duke's carriage will escort you and Lucian-sama to the Royal School. The carriage can only go so far, so you'll have to walk to the examination venue from there. Since the examination venues are different based on social status, please be careful not to mistake the reception. Here is your examination ticket, please hand it to the reception."
Saying that, Roger handed me a small piece of paper. It has my name, examination number, and affiliation written on it. It says "Townsend Duke's Household" under affiliation, but what about people without an affiliation?
"What about those without an affiliation?"
"People without an affiliation are not common examinees. Nobles' children have their own households as their affiliation, and even commoners who take the exam are often children from merchant families, so the affiliation becomes the merchant association. If you don't belong to either of those, it seems that the local church of the district where you live is often used as the affiliation. Affiliation becomes the place where the examination results are delivered, so they probably choose a recognizable location."
That's how it is. I'm a commoner, yet being affiliated with the Townsend Duke's household would surely stand out. I wonder if there are other commoners affiliated with nobles?
"Are there other commoners who are affiliated with noble families?"
"There are very few. However, there are rare cases where those who hold the title of knight and have a knight's estate will send talented commoners with sword skills to the school to become knights."
So, commoners affiliated with noble households are practically unheard of... I hope I can make some friends normally. All I can see in the future is either being feared or bullied out of jealousy.
"Continuing with tomorrow's schedule, once the exam is over, please return to the place where you disembarked in the morning. The Duke's carriage will be waiting, so you can return with Lucian-sama."
"Got it, thanks. Do I have anything else planned for the rest of the day?"
"There are no special plans for today. The dinner will be enjoyed with the members of the Duke's household in the dining hall."
So, I only have about an hour left. It's an awkward time, so maybe I'll just relax here.
And so, while drinking the tea Roger prepared for me, I spent a leisurely time.
I think I'll be fine in tomorrow's exam, but I'm still a bit nervous. Well, I don't think I'll fail.
But there might be some unexpected events. Did something happen when I took an exam in Japan? I should draw from those experiences at times like these.
Speaking of which, I once forgot to put lead in my mechanical pencil and almost ran out of lead during an exam. I was really anxious that time. I barely managed to finish writing. But if I remember correctly, I failed that exam... Yeah, being anxious is no good. I'll go into tomorrow's exam with a calm mind.
Wait a moment... As I was thinking that far, I realized a critical mistake. Oh no, this might be really bad...
I don't have a pen with me!
For exams in this world, do you have to bring your own pen? I don't have one! Pens are considered luxury items in this world, right? Can I borrow one?
This is beyond staying calm! Why didn't I realize this earlier?
"Roger! Do we need to bring our own pens for the exam? I don't have my own pen!"
Even though I panicked and said that, Roger showed no signs of concern. Huh? Can you borrow pens? Is that okay?
"Leon-sama, for those who don't have a pen or have forgotten it, the school provides loaner pens. There's no need to panic. Also, Leon-sama's pen and ink have been prepared by the Master."
I'm surprised that you can borrow them, but Master Richard prepared them for me!? I'm grateful, extremely grateful, but it feels like I'm just accumulating debts. I feel truly sorry.
I'll pay back the money later. But they probably won't accept it. Anyway, I need to express my gratitude during dinner later.
But, I was really saved this time. I need to be more careful. After the exams, I should inquire about what I'll need at the Royal School and go shopping before enrolling.
"Here are Leon-sama's pen and ink."
Saying that, Roger brought me a pen that looked simple and easy to use. It's similar to the pen I borrowed from the bank, so it must be a common type. It's made of metal and you dip it in ink to write.
"Thank you. Is there anything else I'll need for tomorrow?"
"I don't believe there's anything else."
Well then, I can take it easy for now. I was a bit anxious about forgetting the pen, but I'm relieved that it's not a big deal.
Feeling reassured that nothing serious happened, I relaxed a bit more and sank into the sofa. It's a bit uncouth, but it's fine since Roger is the only one here.
Thinking that, I rested leisurely until dinner.