Chapter 40: Taking the Written Exam
At the entrance of the school building, I presented my examination ticket to gain permission to enter the venue. I stepped into the classroom designated for my candidate number and took my seat.
This was the entrance exam for the Royal Academy, specifically for the Commoner Division. The first part of the exam was the written test. The gathered candidates were divided into ten classrooms, each student seated at their respective desks. Even though there were still thirty minutes left before the exam began, half of the seats in the classroom were already filled.
(So, there are about thirty students in each classroom. That means there are roughly three hundred candidates in total…)
According to the information I had received beforehand, the number of successful candidates in the Commoner Slot varied each year. The exam for the Noble Slot was conducted first, and all nobles who met a certain standard were accepted. Then, the remaining slots were filled by successful commoner candidates.
(The three hundred commoner candidates are consistent with previous years. I heard that around a hundred of them would pass…)
All the commoner candidates had applied for the entrance exam through recommendations, but it seemed that many would end up failing. The low acceptance rate was due to lower-ranking nobles bringing their attendants to the academy, handing out recommendation letters to young servants and having them take the exam. Higher-ranking nobles could ensure that only qualified individuals took the exam, but lower-ranking nobles could not do the same, leading to a scattershot approach.
I laid out my writing tools, including backups, on the desk and took several deep breaths to calm my nerves. As I waited, the door at the front of the classroom opened, and a woman in a robe appeared. Perhaps to prevent cheating, a male instructor also entered from the back of the classroom.
“We will now begin the entrance exam for the Royal Academy, Commoner Division.”
It seemed the exam was about to start. I straightened my back, feeling the tension rise.
“First, we will have the written exam. The written exam is common across all departments, and the time allotted is three hours. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified without exception.”
Answer sheets were distributed to everyone, turned to the back. My writing tools from home were ready on the desk. I was fully prepared.
“Now, begin the exam. Please turn your answer sheets over and start writing your responses.”
All the candidates flipped their answer sheets at once. I picked up my writing tools and began to tackle the questions.
(The first question is about history… ‘List the names of the five generals who contributed to the founding of the Aiwood Kingdom.’)
I had studied this material. I quickly wrote down my answer. The questions on the answer sheet were all things I had learned alongside the Rosemary Sisters.
(I truly owe a lot to Viola and Primula… Oh, this one is about magic. ‘Name all the sages who have held the position in the Council of Sages for over a hundred years.’ The answers are Van Wally, Nuada Kedis, and Kanehira Ichijou.)
This was a topic I excelled in. Although it was a somewhat challenging question, I wrote down my answers smoothly. By the time two hours had passed since the exam began, I had managed to answer nearly ninety percent of the questions, if not all correctly.
(The passing mark for the written exam is over sixty percent, right? At this rate, I’m sure to pass.)
“Rest! Make sure to review your answers when you’re done!”
“Rest-san, please check that your entries are aligned correctly. Don’t let your guard down!”
The words Viola and Primula had said to me yesterday flashed back into my mind. I smiled wryly and muttered, “Understood,” as I began my review. I took the remaining time to thoroughly check the entire answer sheet, ensuring there were no mistakes with my name or candidate number. This part was no different from tests in my previous life. When I felt confident about passing, I had to double-check everything.
“Time’s up. The exam is over.”
Eventually, the time came, and I let out a deep sigh. The exam proctor immediately began collecting the answer sheets.
“W-wait! Just a little more, just a little more…!”
“Come on, hurry up and submit it!”
There were still some candidates stubbornly scribbling until the last moment, just like in my previous life. I could hear one candidate being scolded by the proctor, “If you don’t submit it soon, you’ll be disqualified!”
(I feel good about this… I did everything I could…)
“Oh no! I forgot to write my name! W-wait, give my answer sheet back!”
A pitiful scream echoed from the corner of the classroom, but I closed my eyes, choosing to ignore it.