**Chapter 38: The Day of the Exam, but an Accident Occurs**
“Alright, it’s time to go.”
And so, the day of the entrance exam had finally arrived. Whether or not he could enroll in the Royal Academy would significantly impact the course of Rest’s life. It was no exaggeration to say that today would determine whether Rest would become a winner in life.
“Rest, do your best! I believe in you!”
“You can definitely pass, Rest-sama! Good luck!”
Viola and Primula came out to the entrance to send him off with encouraging words. They not only offered words of support but also embraced him in a warm hug. The gaze of the surrounding servants felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“Thank you… For the two of you, I will definitely pass!”
The two had brought Rest out from the Ebern Viscount House. They provided him with study materials, taught him, and even arranged for instructors to teach him magic and combat techniques. To meet the expectations of these two who had given him the opportunity to learn in the best environment, he had to pass the exam without fail.
“…Well, do your best.”
“Don’t be too nervous, and go on.”
The Marquis and Marquise Rosemary also saw him off. Albert wore a somewhat ambiguous expression, while Airishu offered a soft yet strong smile. Albert had mentioned that he would arrange for a carriage, but Rest chose to walk instead. At this point, he was still merely a servant of the marquisate. It was not his place to accept such a favor as a carriage ride.
(It’s a bit late to realize this, but it feels wrong to just take everything given to me. Honestly, running is faster than taking a carriage anyway.)
“Alright… let’s go!”
He slung his bag over his shoulder after checking his belongings multiple times. Leaving the mansion at a time that would allow him to arrive at the exam with plenty of time to spare, he hurried toward the Royal Academy. The walk from the marquisate’s mansion in the noble district of the royal capital to the academy took about an hour on foot. With the use of Body Enhancement magic, he could arrive in no time.
“Ha… Ha… Ha…”
Maintaining a steady rhythm in his breathing, he moved his limbs, transforming the surrounding scenery into a blur as he sprinted toward the academy. He would not make the foolish mistake of getting lost along the way. He had scouted the academy’s location beforehand and had memorized the route without fail. Since he had left the mansion early in the morning, there were still few people on the main street of the royal capital. He slowed his speed slightly to avoid collisions while continuing straight ahead.
(I’ve studied enough for the exam. I easily passed last year’s practice tests. I’ve trained in magic with Diable-sensei, who even said I could become a Court Magician right now. I prayed for success at the temple. I got plenty of rest yesterday… It’s fine, there’s nothing to worry about.)
There was nothing to worry about. There was no way he would fail. He was absolutely certain he would pass… that conviction filled him.
(It’s strange… no matter how much I study, the anxiety doesn’t go away. Now that I think about it, it was the same for my high school entrance exams…)
Recalling his past life, Rest couldn’t help but smile wryly as he ran. Having not been blessed with a favorable family environment, he had studied desperately to gain admission to a school that offered scholarships for exceptional students. He had worked so hard that he nearly pushed himself to the brink, even to the point of blood in his urine as a middle schooler. Despite such life-or-death efforts, he had still felt anxious on the day of the exam, just as he did now.
(I worked hard, I put in the effort… and that’s why I worry about whether I can achieve the results.)
Feeling anxious was only natural. That was precisely why… he would show results without fail. He had succeeded during his high school entrance exams… and he would definitely pass this time too.
“Effort never betrays a person… I can do this, I can do it…!”
While Rest was reassuring himself in this way, he had forgotten one crucial thing. Effort never betrays a person… that was undoubtedly true. It was a universal truth. However, the gods loved to play tricks and were fond of testing people. Just as Rest had struggled to enter high school in his past life, only to be stabbed by his father over tuition issues. Just as his mother, who had worked tirelessly for her child, had lost her life to illness. Sometimes, in a person’s life, unreasonable things happen that cannot be overcome by effort alone.
“……Huh?”
As Rest sprinted down the main street of the royal capital, he suddenly felt something and looked up. He didn’t know why; it was an instinctive feeling.
“Ah…?”
“KYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
And then… he opened his eyes wide in shock. At the same moment, a young woman’s scream echoed through the morning air of the royal capital.
“Huh!? Why is there a person…!?”
A person was falling from the sky. From a distance, it appeared to be a young woman. The spot where Rest was running happened to be directly beneath the clock tower, the symbol of the royal capital. He didn’t know the circumstances, but it seemed that the woman had fallen from the clock tower.
“HYAAAAAAAHHHHH! S-someone, help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
“……!”
As gravity accelerated her descent, the woman plummeted toward the ground. It was only at that moment that the residents of the royal capital finally noticed her presence, but they merely stared in shock, unable to take action to rescue her. Only Rest, who had noticed her fall ahead of time, was prepared to act.
(Damn it… why today of all days…!)
Good fortune often brings misfortune. When things are going well, one must remain vigilant. Rest realized the truth in this old saying as he slid into the woman’s falling path.