**Chapter 44: Unspoken Truths**
And so, the time for Rest’s interview had arrived. Exiting the auditorium, Rest followed the examiner’s instructions and moved to a separate room. The ten-tatami mat room contained a solitary chair in the center, while at the table in front sat the familiar figure of the Academy Head. Velroid Hahn welcomed him with a gentle smile.
“Please, have a seat.”
“……Yes.”
Rest had expected two or three examiners to be present, but to his surprise, it was just the Academy Head alone.
(This is making me even more nervous… I’ve learned proper etiquette at the Marquis’s house, but I must ensure I don’t offend him…)
“You don’t need to be so stiff. Although we call it an interview, I merely wish to hear your thoughts for reference,” the Academy Head said cheerfully, as if sensing Rest’s tension.
“Rest assured, the content of this interview will not lead to your rejection. Just relax and answer comfortably.”
“I understand…”
“Now then, for the first question: Why do you wish to enroll in the Royal Academy?”
“…………”
If he were to think of this as a typical interview, he should respond with something safe, like wanting to improve his abilities or acquire skills for societal contribution.
(But… strangely, I feel like any attempt to fabricate an answer would be seen through.)
The Academy Head’s gaze was not particularly intense, yet Rest felt as if his innermost thoughts were being laid bare.
(Perhaps it would be wise to speak honestly without trying to embellish…)
“…I want to be happy. I want to become someone who can be called a success.”
After a long, deep breath, Rest revealed his true feelings.
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
“I am the illegitimate child of Lucas Ebern, the Court Magician. When I was ten, my commoner mother passed away, and I was taken in by the Viscount Ebern House. There, I faced neglect.”
“…………”
“Currently, I am working as a servant apprentice at the House of Marquis Rosemary, which I came to know through a fortunate connection… but the feelings of inferiority from not being loved by my parents and being mistreated by those who should be family still linger.”
“Is it that you wish to prove yourself to your family?”
“Yes, that is part of the reason.”
Nodding, Rest continued to voice the deeper feelings he had kept inside.
“And another reason is that I wish for a family.”
“A family…”
“Yes. A family that can care for one another, a family that can love each other… even if we argue, I want a family that doesn’t inflict one-sided suffering, one that can truly understand each other at a fundamental level… as many as possible.”
He longed for a family. And… he desired the power to protect that family. To ensure that nothing could be taken from him… to obtain overwhelming strength that would prevent the injustices he had faced in his past life, like the father he had been forced to kill or the members of the Viscount Ebern House who had abused him in this life.
“I want the power to protect my family… the strongest power that can crush any injustice threatening me and my loved ones…!”
Realizing what he had just said, Rest was taken aback.
(Did I really think like this…?)
It was an unconscious wish he had not even been aware of. As he spoke about his motivations for enrolling, the words had spilled forth naturally.
“I see, so that is the essence of who you are.”
The Academy Head nodded sagely as he listened to Rest’s story.
“I had planned to ask a few more questions, but with that, I believe I have a good understanding of you. Shall we conclude the interview here?”
“Yes… thank you very much.”
Although he felt he had said things he didn’t need to, the Academy Head’s reaction was not negative, so he decided to take it as a good sign.
“Lastly… could you touch this crystal for me?”
With a light wave of his right hand, the crystal orb on the table floated gently towards Rest.
“What is this…?”
“Well, just touch it, and you’ll find out.”
“…………”
Rest felt puzzled, but there was no sense of danger emanating from the crystal orb. He gently touched it with his fingertip, and in that instant, a brilliant light erupted.
“Whoa!”
“Oh!? ”
Startled, he quickly withdrew his finger, and the light vanished in an instant.
“Headmaster!? What was that…?”
“Oh, this crystal is a magic item that measures potential. It can assess a person’s capacity for growth.”
“Potential…?”
“Indeed. You scored remarkably well on the practical exam, and with that light just now… it seems you are not merely precocious; you still have plenty of room for growth. It’s quite wonderful.”
The crystal orb floated back to the table. When the Academy Head placed his hand on it, it emitted a faint glow that seemed to dissolve into the air.
“As you can see, my potential has waned with age. However… it appears you still have a bright future ahead of you. Nurture it well.”
“…Understood. Thank you very much.”
Rest bowed his head. It seemed he had successfully navigated the interview. He received permission to leave and stepped out of the room.