Outside, Zerenia and Tania wait while Rozer gets ready. Putting on his shoes, Rozer hurries out of the house to take the entrance test at the academy. Tania smiles and helps him arrange his hair.
"How do you feel now?" Tania asks.
"I'm very excited, Mother," Rozer replies enthusiastically.
"Let's go," Zerenia says.
Today is the day Rozer has been looking forward to – the entrance test for the academy. In the kingdom of Bajalekat, knowledge is highly esteemed, making academy enrollment mandatory for 4-year-olds to introduce them to essential skills like reading, writing, arithmetic, and more.
At 12 years old, Rozer faces competition from younger candidates. Zerenia, aware of this, advises, "Don't overdo it during the exam."
"I understand, Father," Rozer answers.
However, there's an exception for Rozer; he will take a test to determine which class he qualifies for.
The academy has 12 classes: 6 basic academy classes, 3 intermediate academy classes, and 3 specialized academy classes. Classes are named accordingly. In the basic academy:
- Class one focuses on making friends, etiquette, and basic reading and writing, with more time for play than study.
- Class two is similar to class one but with more study time.
- Class three introduces theories of martial arts, magic, history, natural elements, social studies, language, and more.
- Class four involves practical use of magic and martial arts, with advanced learning.
- Class five includes advanced practice and learning.
- Class six consists of practical magic, martial arts, and general knowledge tests.
Intermediate classes are divided into three: students showcase their talents from the basic class six tests and choose classes based on their preferences – magic, martial arts, or general knowledge.
Vocational academy, similar to intermediate, offer more time for practice, and students begin choosing professions based on their talents. These classes include Knights, Wizards, and General Knowledge (Merchants, Farmers, Politicians, Historians, Researcher, Blacksmiths, etc.).
***
The entire city is buzzing with activity as people leave almost every house, heading towards the academy in the eastern part of the city.
The test is held annually, drawing people from all over the world, especially those seeking the best education in magic. Families from nobility and commoners alike register their children, with subsidies available for those less fortunate.
The school is massive, occupying half of the eastern part of the city. Its sturdy stone walls have four entrance gates in the north, east, west, and south.
Zerenia's family arrives at the west gate, where a crowd awaits, discussing the potential outcomes of the test for their children. Several people who were aware of Zerenia's presence, greeted and asked about her arrival at the academy. A few moments later, Zerenia continued her behavior and ignored the people who came to her continuously.
"Are we late?" Rozer asks.
"No, Rozer, you'll take the test in a different location," Zerenia replies.
Passing through the crowd, they enter the large hall and then proceed down a wide corridor. At the end of the corridor, someone is waiting.
"Good morning, Mr. Zerenia, Mrs. Tania, and Rozer. I am Edele, a teacher at this academy, entrusted by the Headmaster to test Rozer," says Edele, a middle-aged woman with long straight black hair and brown eyes, wearing the academy's distinctive black robe with symbol of Bajalekat kingdom at back.
"Please help us," Zerenia and Tania say politely, bowing.
Rozer, unfamiliar with etiquette, tries to mimic his parents.
"Alright, please follow me," Edele says.
They walk to another corridor leading to a room where eight students are already seated, Waiting for Adele while reading their respective textbooks.
These eight students are from classes three basic to Intermediate class, taking a remedial test for class advancement. One of them is Rozer's acquaintance from yesterday, "Cyka," Rozer says.
Cyka, shyly, waves her right hand without saying a word.
"Take a seat in the empty desk," Edele instructs.
Rozer walks into the class, Seeing the empty seat behind Cyka, while Zerenia and Tania wait outside.
"Answer honestly, Rozer," Zerenia advises.
"Don't rush to answer; examine before writing your responses," Tania adds.
"Yes!" Rozer says enthusiastically.
As he enters and passes Cyka, Rozer asks, "Are you also taking the academy entrance test?"
"No, I'm taking the class 3 remedial test."
"Ah, I see," Rozer says, confused about the meaning of 'remedial.'
Rozer sits down, and Edele begins distributing question papers and pencils to each student. When finished, she stands in front of the class and warns, "No cheating, talking, eating, or drinking during the test."
"Hope we can succeed in this test, Cyka," Rozer says.
"Mnn..." Cyka mumbles, smiling shyly.
"Test time is 1 hour 30 minutes, allright, please begin!" Edele declares.
Rozer opens the question paper and reads the first question. His eyes widen, surprised, unsure of what answer to write.
He didn't study for this exam.
He reads other questions, and it's the same – Rozer doesn't understand at all. Cold sweat drips; he swallows nervously, thinking, 'What is this? I don't understand at all.'
The question paper contains 50 questions about etiquette, language, history, mathematics, theories of magic, and martial arts.
But Rozer recalls his parents' advice and answers to the best of his knowledge without overthinking correctness.