Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Evening Before the Exam

After that, I spent some time relaxing, and it was time for dinner. The people at the dinner table tonight are Lord Richard, Lady Catherine, Lucien, and myself.

Before I forget, I'll thank Lord Richard for the pen.

"Lord Richard, thank you for the easy-to-use pen. I had forgotten that I needed a pen, so this was a great help."

"Oh, I had one made, thinking it would be necessary at the Royal School. I'm glad it was of use. I actually wanted to make it more extravagant and decorative, but for everyday use, simplicity is better."

"Yes, it seemed very easy to use. I'll start using it tomorrow."

I'm glad he chose something simple. If I had a luxurious pen, it would have been another eye-catching element. Especially, having something luxurious would probably invite mischief or vandalism.

While I'm thinking about that, Lucien looks very pleased and turns towards me.

"Leon, it's been a while. Are you ready for tomorrow's exam?"

"Lord Lucien, it's been a while indeed. I believe I'm ready, but I won't let my guard down and will do my best."

"True. I also believe I'm ready, but let's give it our all tomorrow."

I'm not really nervous, and it doesn't seem like Lucien is too nervous either. We're having dinner just like usual. Well, Lucien seems intelligent too, so I doubt he'll fail.

In the first place, the entrance exam to the Royal School isn't that difficult for nobles who have the opportunity to learn. It's only basic calculations, reading and writing, and a bit of history. If you've been studying seriously so far, you won't fail.

It seems that all nobles usually pass, but once every few years, there's someone from a noble family who doesn't pass this exam. In that case, they're apparently disowned by their family.

It's quite strict, but unless you graduate from the Royal School, you can't become a noble, a quasi-noble, a bureaucrat, or a knight. I guess they wouldn't keep someone like that in their household.

Occasionally, in kinder families, they might hire those who didn't pass as servants, but I think that being employed as a servant in your own house is even more cruel.

However, for nobles, even those who achieve this much, it's rare for commoners to have the opportunity to learn, so most of them don't pass.

Commoners who pass are mostly the children of fairly wealthy merchants who can afford to invest in their children's education. Even if not, those who have even a slight opportunity to learn might attempt the exam, but most of them don't pass.

Thinking about it this way, there are probably many children right now who are desperately studying for the final push. Especially the noble children who were a bit lax are probably giving it their all.

"Since when has Leon been living in this mansion?" asked Lord Richard. The conversation was progressing with the assumption that he had already been accepted, even though he hadn't been. It made me feel sorry for the kids who were studying so hard, assuming they would be accepted. Well, it's partly their own doing though.

"I've been wanting to live here a few days before the start of school. Would that be acceptable? I'd like some time to prepare the things I need."

"A few days before the start of school, huh? I'll inform the staff accordingly."

"Thank you."

"I'm looking forward to living with Leon from now on!"

Lucian seemed quite pleased. It's not a bad feeling to receive such joy.

"I'm excited too. I'm not familiar with noble society, so please teach me various things."

"Of course!"

It's good that I've become friendly with Lucian. Considering the life ahead, he'll likely be a strong ally.

It would be nice if everyone here were as kind as the Townshend Duke's family... but I'm sure there are plenty of people who aren't.

...I'll do my best with a strong heart.

"Leon, although the magical lessons with Martine-sama ended before entering the Royal School, please teach me occasionally."

"Catherine-sama, I'd be happy to teach you anytime you ask."

"I'm glad! Now that we're living in the same mansion, I can learn from you even more than before."

The magical lessons with Martine ended when I entered the Royal School.

Partly because most of it was taught, and also because it would be too conspicuous for me to frequently visit the palace, considering my face would become known upon enrolling. Especially since I'm still concealing the matter about magic.

I thought it would be easy to figure out that I'm the same person since I had been going there frequently, but I was told that by styling my appearance and hair like a servant, I wouldn't be recognized easily. According to Alexis, when I went to the palace before, I tried my best to avoid being noticed. Few people accurately remember the faces of the staff in that state. Well, hearing that, I found it reasonable.

However, the most dangerous thing is what Martine said during our last lesson. "From now on, you can teach me at the Royal School anytime!" She said that!

If the princess starts coming to me, a commoner, frequently, it would be noticeable, and I might face harassment from nobles aiming for the princess.

It's very risky. I can't really avoid it...

But Alexis mentioned that Stefan-sama and Martine haven't met me, so I'm advised not to act like we're already acquainted. It's better if it seems like we became friends at the Royal School. In that case, Martine will probably restrain herself. She's smart, after all. Well, it might be only at first.

I've only spoken to Stefan-sama a few times, and we haven't had deep conversations, so I think that's okay. I hope we can become friends from now on.

They've kept my secret to ensure my safety, so I need to be careful. If it's known that Martine and I were already close, they would definitely look for a reason. Then, they might suspect that I'm related to the recovery of her illness. I want to avoid that as much as possible. It's better to wait until I've gained a position in all attributes before meddling becomes easy. It's still dangerous, but it's much better than being a commoner.

While pondering over such things, I realized I had finished eating without noticing. For now, let's get through tomorrow. I'll think about the future after the exams.

"Well then, both of you, rest early today and do your best tomorrow."

"Yes, Grandfather. We'll do our best."

"Understood, Lord Richard. We'll give it our all." And with that, dinner came to an end, and I went to bed early tonight. Let's do our best tomorrow.