That Damned Exam

Carseain had a lot on his mind while swinging the sword.

' I knew my stepmother would be involved but I did not expect her to concoct such an elaborate plan.

With this company as a front, she planned to mitigate the resources of the Esselgardes using other micro subsidiaries.

In my last life, I think she was able to execute this to a certain extent because I accidentally destroyed the evidence which made it hard for Rovenin to catch her red-handed.

But coincidentally back then and now deliberately I nipped in the bud from its root.

I was too ignorant and wasn't completely aware of the situation.

It won't happen again.

Also, she wasn't thorough with her preparations.

The merchant was hiding the letters through which she communicated and gave orders probably to blackmail her later.

However, it is too much of a bold and reckless plan for a coward like her.

She must have proper backing.

The mastermind might hold an important clue to the identities of the hidden parties during the feud for the falling Marquessate and the civil war that happened back then.

I still feel like I am forgetting something important.'

He scratched his head.

'What could it be?'

The other knights who also were training watched his movements in awe.

Each swing, is so effortlessly perfect.

Carseain was supposed to be a squire in the Esselgarde Knightage.

But his impeccable skills got him an early promotion and he became the Captain.

While Esselgarde's complete military regiment was at the Marquessate, the 16th regiment came to the Zerous province where the Academy is located as the escorts of the Heir.

"Captain, would you like to spar?"

A middle-aged knight who was training asked.

" Ol' James? Ya sure your bones won't be broken?"

A few new recruits flinched.

"Is that fine?"

" Why is he speaking so casually?"

" What will we do if the Captain snaps?"

"It'll be fine ."

A man in his early thirties, lying shirtless dripping with sweat at the back said.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

" Sir Otto, haven't you heard about him?"

Otto: " Well, I don't know what you have heard about him but let me assure you one thing.

Our captain is a true Knight at his heart.

That is undeniable."

" Well, it's rare for you to praise someone."

" But we've seen his tyranny with our own eyes."

Otto sat up holding his sword. He was very muscular and tanned. He slid back his short brown hair and his brownish-black eyes were glistening.

Otto: " I've been watching him since he first held the sword.

It was a day when the skies were grey and he was drenched.

He was so bad that I wanted to cry."

" Given how he's younger yet more skilled, it's hard to believe."

" I guess even prodigies are bad at the beginning."

Otto chuckled and stood up.

Otto: "Prodigy, my ass."

He swung his sword once in front of them.

They all watched it with sparkling eyes.

Otto: " If he was just some prodigy, I wouldn't have served him as My Lord. He became a prodigy by swinging the sword until his hands bled but bleeding hands weren't enough to stop him. "

" He doesn't really look the type to do so."

Otto: " Well, rather than my words, why don't you see it for yourself?"

" You really like him, huh?"

Otto: " You too will fall in love with his ' way of the sword' ."

" We're already in love with him"

" Yeah, yeah, how can you not love it?"

Three girls squealed while putting off their swords. The guys felt their hearts skip a beat.

" Whoa! Could you not sneak up on us?"

" That's right! Quit eavesdropping."

The female knights had their eyes fixated on Carseain.

" That body!!! It feels like it's sculpted with porcelain."

" All hail that sculptor!! "

Otto placed his hand on the shoulder of one of those guys who were narrowing their eyes.

Otto: " Let it go! They're not even listening."

The girls continued with their appraisal.

" How can it be so lean yet so strong?"

" Such fine merchandise."

Otto: " How bold you to call your Lord 'merchandise'."

The girl flapped her hands in the air.

" BUT...BUT Do you know how hard it is to even behold such 'perfection'!"

" Exactly. There's no extra unnecessary muscle, just the right amount."

Otto: " What do you mean by ' hard to even behold such 'perfection'! '.

Look at my body! And What the hell's wrong with muscles? "

"That's right!"

Carseain's attention diverted to the commotion around Otto.

Carseain : " Hey, Otto! Stop hitting on girls, ya Ol' Man. "

He waved at him.

Otto : " I'm not Old! Ya brat."

Carseain : " Let's spar! "

Otto : " We're here as escorts, not your sparring mates."

Otto said, scratching his head.

Carseain : " Since I don't need escorts, how about your make up that share of work like this?"

James : " No fair! I came first."

Carseain took his stance and grinned.

Carseain : " I'll take you both at once."

James : " Would you look at that? There was a time when you couldn't even hold it properly."

The girls at the back had their eyes popped out.

The anticipation of watching a definitely worthwhile fight was contagious among the knights.

Otto : " But do you have time to spare ?"

Carseain : " What do you mean?"

Otto : " I heard you were giving written exams as well, don't you have one tomorrow as well."

Carseain's sword slipped from his hand.

Otto : " Don't tell me you forgot. "

He smiled awkwardly.

Carseain ran inside the mansion while yelling.

"That Damned Exaaaaaam!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The girls fell on their knees, pulling their hair, slamming their heads and hitting the ground.

"That Fucking Goddamned Exam!!!!!!!!!!!"

______________________

At the Royal Capital, Esselgarde Residence.

Marquis Johann Esselgarde, Carseain's father, finished the work required for the next Royal Council and was about to retire for the day.

He had dark blue hair which was going grey but his ruby-red eyes though tired, didn't lose radiance.

Ron, Rovenin's father and Head Butler of Esselgardes as well as Johann's Aide finished clearing out his desk.

He was in his early fifties. White hair, black eyes, though he had wrinkles on his fox-like face, his soul wasn't old.

Ron : " My Lord, Here's the report regarding the fraudulent merchant's case. "

Johann : " The one I gave Carseain to handle. It's fine. I saw the details. "

Ron : " My Lord, it seems the Young Master Carseain wrote it himself."

Johann widened his eyes.

Johann : " Huh? Did Rovenin finally stop babying him?"

Ron wiped a side of his face with a white handkerchief.

Ron : " That doesn't seem plausible. He sent a separate report just in case. "

Johann sighed and opened the seal with a letter knife carefully.

The Letter said :

" Dear Father,

It's been a while. I hope you're not planning on kicking the bucket just yet. "

Johann : ' Would it kill you to say, 'I hope you've been well.'? '

" Since, you already know everything from the ' seeds' you planted "

Johann : 'Ah...he knows I'm watching him.'

" Even if you don't, I'm sure Rovenin sent a follow-up report. Refer to that."

Johann : ' Don't rely on Rovenin so much!'

" So, cutting to the chase. I'll see this case to the end myself. Kindly don't interfere."

Johann : ' This brat, He's not even asking for permission anymore.'

" I'll also need some of your shadows. Send me six of them."

Johann : ' You're supposed to request those. '

" Also, assign someone capable and trustworthy for managing the newly bought (forcefully taken over) company.

Well, I guess that's all.

Your unfilial son with whom you haven't talked properly for years,

Carseain Esselgarde. "

Ron was curious about the contents of the first letter that Carseain sent to Johann in years since the Marchioness's death to be precise.

However, he decided not to pry in father-son matters after watching Johann's expression.

Ron : ' It feels like My Lord will burn the letter just staring at it.'

Johann : " Ron, bring me paper and ink."

Johann wrote a letter and gave Ron instruction to fulfil Carseain's (didn't really requested ) requests. Ron followed.

Johann was now alone in his office room and was about to leave.

Johann : " 'Your unfilial son with whom you haven't talked properly for years, huh?"

He gingerly folded the letter and placed it inside his drawer and locked it.

_________________

Carseain was running hysterically looking for Rovenin.

' I wish I could track him down somehow in this uselessly colossal mansion.'

It hit him hard that he could actually do it.

' I keep forgetting I can use magic. Is it a side-effect of being an earthling before ?'

He closed his eyes and tried to sense Rovenin's magic.

______________

Rovenin was talking to a Kitchen Maid.

" For the main course in dinner, use herbs like Rosemary, Ch- "

" Roveeeeeninnn!!!!!!!!"

Carseain's voice echoed as he dashed towards him.

He held his shoulders and shook him.

" Rovenin! You were the valedictorian during your time in the academy, right?"

{ valedictorian: One who graduates a top of the class/, in this case, it would be the department he enrolled in i.e. Magic }

Rovenin could not make sense of the sudden inquiry but well he had to answer it.

" That's correct but Young Master, how about we talk after you put on a shirt?"

Rovenin glanced at the young maid turning beet red beside him.

Carseain stared at her blankly. For some reason, he felt guilty looking at her which he couldn't understand.

" Oh, So-sorry. "