Chapter 15: The Entrance Exams (II).

Chapter 15: The Entrance Exams (II).

One would try to prepare for the competition ahead, the entrance exams for the academy.

"..." (Rowan) stood in front of the main entrance of the academy. Feeling a bit nervous now that she actually came, abandoning her home and to fulfill her new goal.

To serve the royal family to repay the princess. 

The red-haired girl's hand finds itself on the handle of her sword that was given by her mentor. "Sir Arthur, wish me luck."

"I'm sorry elder sister. I won't be coming home for a while." She continues, keeping in mind that her sister will be waiting for her to come back soon.

Rowan has been training for months with the other knights back at home but she knows that it won't be enough if she wants to protect the princess, the private academy will help her hone her skills and gain experience.

To let her earn a spot among the royal knights.

…

Inside of the academy, one would stand in the middle and look like an ant.

The place was absolutely huge, the pathway seemed to be endless. There was a small colosseum in the middle of it all, made out of marble and stone.

An archery and track field- surrounded by green grass and there was even a few target practice in place. 

That was only the tip of the iceberg of the things she would have explored in the academy.

"Amazing, it is no wonder that Sir Arthur recommended my studies to be here."

Rumor has it that only five hundred soldiers will be allowed to enter the private academy.

Rowan decided to roam around, seeing the competition. There were so many people with good build looking to participate in the entrance exam. 

All of them were mostly men, it seems that the women who will be taking the exam are few.

"Hey where are you from?"

"I'm from the border province… I came to try my luck. My family is into the whole military thing, the whole three generations are soldiers you see."

"What luck! Well, let's do our best. We'll be staying in the city for a week to wait for the results."

After the entrance exam she'll also be needing to stay in the city for at least a week before the results are released.

This is also the same for the other soldiers trying to attend the private academy.

One would think, the kingdom would need a lot of soldiers- the more students there are the better. 

There are a few public ones in other cities near the borders of the kingdom. While it is true that the kingdom needs soldiers, there are a few merits if you attended at least two years of military school before applying for a job in certain areas.

This is where recommendations come through, not only they teach you treasured knowledge, diplomacy, criminal law, military tactics and physical training to the point of hell. 

This will help her become a much sharper blade in the future.

Rowan waited in the corner of the exam hall where all of the soldiers were hanging out in the open making small talk, it was clear that a lot of them were like her- from the province with nowhere to go but hopes that they pass and get free dorms provided by the academy. 

The nobility may also apply for the academy, because their family donates a lot to the school they let their kid in for free and a secure placement in the highest section where all the talented soldiers will be at.

"Alright everyone gather around! All of you please form two separate factions, one is for entrance admission and the other is for people who have a recommendation letter." An admissioner stands up from a podium ordering all the examinees to organize themselves in two groups. "We will check to see if there will be forged letters, please state your ID and verify your identity once you get there."

The recommendation letters like what Rowan has must have an official stamp with someone connected to the academy who called in a few favors, it is not easy to forge a letter because of stamped sealed with special ink and they have the names of the recommended student already achieved and ready to be accessed.

"Everyone should have an ID, because you have to be registered properly in your village! We will contain these records and archive them to count the number of people who have tried admitting this year." The admissioner advised and a few groaned in protest forgetting about their ID after coming such a long way.

The new ID system was just implemented five years ago after apparently the eldest princess of the kingdom suggested a system to lessen the spies and to know more information on the population of their domain. 

Each ID was made to be special and different by each village; their own blacksmiths were tasked to design an item that would represent their village, many designs made from vast materials- silver, gold, platinum whatever the land was rich from.

It was a wonderful idea, it was easy to implement as well.

It was clear that she was very smart- but one would question that perhaps this is a bit too advanced for their medieval time.

"I can't believe I didn't register in the village first!" One of the men yelled in distraught. 

The others around him began laughing, the new system was really annoying but they didn't mind it. "What are you an idiot? You came all this way from your province home in the city to participate in the exam and forgot about the basic requirements you need?"

"Apparently yeah-!"

"Damn you're dumb as hell you're not getting accepted with that attitude."

They all fell in line, the admission for the regular has it longer and harder. One by one the soldiers had to give them their ID and interview each of them for at least five minutes with personal questions. 

"Name and ID."

"Jonathan Smithers, sir." 

"You can have this form answered then you'll move onto the next step." An admissioner explained to a young man who was in the regular line, giving him a piece of paper. They'll have to answer their own documents and it will be checked thoroughly by the staff. "And if you can't read or write please tell us so we may be able to assist you with it."

The young man breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that there were so many people here from the province where education is something that you can't afford or get for free- this private academy sees past that and even understands the struggle.

So if they do well on the physical exam- they'll be able to attend writing and reading classes provided by the academy.

"Next!"

"Rowan Bonheur." (Rowan) helds out the letter that was in her hands and gives it to the admissioner from the ones who had a recommendation letter. She was the first one there and there's only a hundred in line.

The admissioner eyes her skeptically before trying to find her name on the list of recommended students. 

"Hmm…"

Red hair, gold eyes, tall figure- everything seemed to check out based on appearance. You never really see red hair like that much anyways these days. The stamp and letter was also real, so he gave a polite smile towards the girl and welcomed her into the academy.

"We've been waiting for you, Sir Arthur's recommendation. I am excited to see how you will perform in the entrance exam." The admissioner knew of her mentor and Rowan blinked in surprise, of course, she knew that he was an alumni at the academy but to think the admissions would even make some small talk with her when there's a huge line behind her…

"I admire your punctuality. He spoke so highly of you in that letter." He took one satisfied look at the letter and couldn't believe that this girl was only sixteen. With the way she was built you could easily mistake her for a man with her height.

"Thank you, sir." (Rowan) nods, lowering her head respectfully at the admisioner who continues.

"We already have your information beforehand so this will be short. An interview will be conducted and your answers will be recorded. You are recommended, meaning you'll immediately have a high chance of being accepted already since it is also proof that you have been trained beforehand."

"Yes, sir."

"First question, why do you want to go to this academy? There are others but why specifically this one." The interviewer asks, truly curious. It is very rare that they get a commendable woman who would try for the entrance exams. 

Not many of them pass.

"I have been told that it is one of the best and my mentor took on the liberty of making a recommendation letter for me. He believed that by studying here I will achieve my dream."

"Your dream? What is your dream?"

"...It is to serve the royal family someday."

"Wow! The royal family!" He was not expecting that answer. Only a few people can be part of the royal guard! "That is one dream. The royal guards should be your goal then! It won't be easy and the training will be hell but I can tell you're serious."

Rowan nods respectfully once more and answers. "Yes, sir."

The admisioner was pleased with her and stamps her documents pre-done before giving it to Rowan. "Haha a woman of a few words I can tell. I approve of your answer. Alright, you go right ahead to the next exam hall. I'll call on the next person to be interviewed."

"Mm, thank you sir."

Rowan decided to move onto the next exam hall but decided to stay for a bit to watch her fellow competitors, observing them taking notes on who might be her main competitors out of all of them.

There are… definitely not a lot of women.

"Ungh." 

She hears a groan nearby and it was the young man who was one of the first in the regular admission line. There's a table space for everyone to sit at and fill out their form, it seems that he's not the only one struggling to read and write. 

"T-This… is… name… okay so I have to put my name. A… Age… is this correct, am I reading it wrong…" The way he dips his quill in ink was rather clumsy and a huge drop fell into the table making him panic. 

"Shit I'm making a mess." He quickly tries cleaning the ink by using his own clothes out of guilt. 

Rowan sees this and takes her handkerchief offering it to the man. "No need to dirty your own clothes, sir. Please use this- I will not be needing it."

"O-Oh… thank you." He takes the handkerchief, surprised by the gesture but was thankful for the help. After all, he didn't bring much of his clothes out of his family's circumstances.

The crimson-haired girl sees his document form, the handwriting was barely readable but his name appears to be- 

"Jonathan Smithers." she mutters out, the brunette boy laughs nervously and looks at his very terrible handwriting.

"Ah yes, that's my name. My family does smithing and crafting." He explains, eyes gazing onto the sword that was by her waist. Jonathan smiles, pointing at her weapon. "You have a wonderful sword by the way. I can tell that it's been prepared and crafted with great care just by seeing the sheathe." 

"Thank you, it's been given to me by my mentor." She gives him her thanks, looking over once more at his documents before telling him that he made a small mistake. "You're supposed to put how old you are in this part."

He sees the part where he made the mistake and frowned, he's going to need another clean document to write it in. "Ah so that's what it's for. Apologies, I know that we can ask for help if we can read or write… but I was worried that it would lessen my chances of being accepted by the academy if they knew that."

Rowan looks at the long line, it will take a while before the next test will be done so she should have some spare time to use. "My name is Rowan Bonheur. If you would allow me, I would like to help you out. I am able to read and write."

"I-It's a little embarrassing miss if you do- aren't you supposed to fill up your own form?" (Jonathan) lowers his head looking at the words on the form, being puzzled. He does need the help- but… it is hard to ask for it.

She moves one of the chairs and sits right beside the young man, offering to help her guidance on filling up the form with a smile. "It is no shame if you do not know how to read and write. It is an asset that could be learned over time with effort and hardwork. Please let me help, I will just read the form over and guide you if you have any other questions or there is a part you are having difficulty with."

It was one of the many times he was thankful to the gods for sending him a good hearted person, with her help he'll be able to fill up the form with no problem! "T-Thank you, miss!"

"It is nothing." (Rowan) relaxes as the two start filling out the empty parts of the document.

"So in here what should I write?"

"That should be your marital status, it is asking if you are already wedded or you are single."

"Single."

"You need to check that box then."

The two were talking and helping each other. It seems that the crimson haired woman was helping someone finish their form. The other people who were struggling saw what they were doing and one by one they flocked and waited for the man to finish his own form first.

"I'm done!" (Jonathan) yelled happily holding his form. He turned to the good hearted person and almost kneeled in thanks for her service. "Thank you so much-!"

"As I have said, it is nothing. I have more time to spare, so do any of you gentlemen also need some help filling out your form?" (Rowan) asks the crowd that has formed behind her and they all stare at each other in silence.

The admissions that were supposed to help with their problem was a bit slow and even in that line it was so long it would take them a while to get finished.

Not until an old man with scars on his arms walked forward. "...I do need some help as well, miss. I can't read and write."

"Sit down then good sir, we'll be fast."

The crowd was helped on by the one and the process of admission became a lot smoother with her help, it didn't go unnoticed by the staff and secretly thanked her for her help. They rarely see that in their field of work these days.