Chapter 6 - I Became the Daughter of the Academy’s Villain

Episode 6 6 - A Carriage Journey Without Skips [Your training period has ended.] [All enhanced training efficiencies will now revert to their original state.] A month of rigorous training had come to an end. It was an arduous time, but it was also an opportunity to gain significant experience points for little effort, so I dedicated myself earnestly to the task. By actively applying the know-how known from a player’s knowledge, I was able to swiftly boost my experience points, greatly enhancing the power of my swordsmanship and archery skills. Could I be, perhaps, a little strong? Before entering the academy, my swordsmanship and archery skills were definitely at a level where no one could point out any deficiencies. “I'm not sure if Miss Oknodie is aware, but Gift Academy is a facility that cultivates the world's most exceptional talents. Anyone under the age of 20 is eligible to apply.” “Huh. I already knew that much.” “In that case, you must also be aware that due to the sheer number of applicants for the academy's entrance exam, there exists a qualification exam to determine who gets to take the entrance exam.” Of course. The qualification exam is the very first hurdle for academy admission. <The Event of the Entrance Exam's Qualification Test> You, seeking to enter the continent's foremost academy. To prove the minimum qualifications necessary to challenge the academy, you must pass the entrance exam's qualification test. Go find the examiners distributing entrance exam tickets, take the tests they require, and earn your ticket as proof of passing. If you're alone without resources, gathering information will cost a considerable sum of money, and so will the journey there. There’s a reason people end up resorting to donation labor in back alleys, vitality specimen collection, or clinical trial gigs. To scrounge up the money needed for such a place, there is no luxury of choosing only 'safe' jobs. Of course, for the well-to-do starter Oknodie with 100 gold coins in support funds, part-time jobs are a distant world's tale. She simply trained diligently. “There are three examiners you can seek out nearby. Two are low-level examiners with multiple tickets, while one is a high-level examiner with dozens of tickets.” “Then obviously it's the high-level examiner!” “Such confidence without even inquiring about the difficulty of the tests. Are you sure you won’t regret this?” Hah, low-level? Intermediate-level? Those tests are for beginners and intermediates—I'd get only one or maybe ten tickets at most from them. For veterans like me, places that only hand out 'tickets' are inefficient. “Where can I find this high-level examiner?” “He resides at one of the world's ten famous spots. It is a place listed on a traveler's must-visit-before-you-die list, known as the ‘Garden of the Gods,’ at the high altitude of 12,500 meters.” “Heh.” “You certainly exude confidence.” “Don't worry about me. I'm Oknodie, you know?” “If confidence alone were measured, you'd be assuredly passed.” Fortunately, from the starting point, Mount Sinjeong was not far. The reachable exam venues were limited to a manageable physical distance. If money was no object, one could hop on an airship and go exam shopping for easy venues, but even for a noble lineage starting off with 100 gold coins, that'd be a strain. Unless it was a route for the truly aristocratic with the likes of 1000 gold coins. ‘Though there is a clever way around it.’ There’s the method of flexing gold coins to just buy a ticket, but it’s merely an entrance exam, after all. The market price for a ticket is 10 gold coins. It would be too frustrating to risk the odds of getting a fake ticket for such a sum. The cost to obtain a guaranteed safe ticket is 100 gold coins. All my support funds would be spent. Veterans have their pride; taking such an easy out is absolutely out of the question. ‘The preparations this time have really paid off.’ Thanks to the stewardship of the butler, I was able to focus solely on improving my swordsmanship and archery. Using such a luxury item for the simple purpose of watching over a young lady's dress seemed excessive, and I couldn’t help but think that this father, indulging to this degree, must be an exceedingly doting parent. ‘Well, if he went as far as to assign someone as exceptional as Jonah as a butler, he's not your average noble father.’ For a noble who generously donated 100 gold coins as support funds, a magic camera is hardly a significant expenditure. "Just this once." At a rest stop for the carriage. Indeed, the sight of a butler presenting a teddy bear and a ribbon headband prompted chuckles from the other passengers. “Wow~ Isn't the young lady adorable.” "That's not flirtation with a child, is it, mister?" “Bard, my good man, here's three pennies for you—stop the sweet talk and sing us a song instead.” Whether it was the fur-clad hunter who stealthily eyed me from a corner, or the tourists treating me like their cute little child, it's all burdensome. Even the minstrel who caught my eye kept throwing winks my way. “Then, the song I shall sing for you is... ‘The Girl with the Pale Skin’.” Oh, please. Stop the shame play! * * The venue where all those who count among the under-20s have gathered. At an inn situated at the base of Mount Shinjeong, people looking to meet the examiner crowded the doorway. “I think the same thing every year, but the ticket exam really is popular. All the adventurers who fancy themselves light on their feet, all the powerful rookie adventurers have gathered here.” “You’re over twenty, aren't you? So what brings you here?” “Ha, what else do you think old folks have to do, young lady? Of course, it's to spectate. And naturally, I'm here to cheer on the most beautiful participant—you.” Unlike other passengers who disembarked along the way, the bard who endured the tiresome journey of the carriage till the end blew a kiss with his hand over his mouth. Initially, I had doubts about him, worried he was some kind of a creep, but as the journey drew long and tedious, his worth as a bard grew apparent, and I saw him in a different light. In a world without the likes of <Fast Travel> or <Skip>, a carriage-borne bard is as much of an insider as a rock star commanding an audience of thousands. Had it not been for the bard offering relief from the monotony of the long carriage ride, the discomfort caused by the silent butler and maid duo would have driven everyone mad. ‘Well, that was until Mr. Bard got a bit too frisky and got a cold shower after taking a hit.’ Despite everything, I couldn't condone him feigning drunkenness and trying to sling an arm around me. Because Jonah was quick to intercede, Mr. Bard now sports a panda-like black eye. The other passengers catching onto the butler's ferociousness, disembarked right at the foot of the mountain—it couldn't be a more wretched atmosphere. “You're far too open-hearted, miss. Do not grow too fond of a wandering bard who lives off the stories and songs he picks up.” “What’s wrong with that? It kept things interesting and I enjoyed it.” After waving back casually, I saw Leaf move stealthily aside. “Where are you heading?” “I have something to attend to.” “Can't you stay with me?” A hint of anxiety gripped me, prompting me to clutch at the maid's skirt as I spoke. Leaf let out a silent sigh. “You're a lucky one...” “What?” “It's nothing. Let’s go together.” Although Leaf seems lively, she doesn't talk much and that can come across as unsociable. She often mutters to herself in a way that doesn't appear very friendly. It feels slightly unsafe to leave her on her own—a maid of a somewhat worrisome type. “There sure are a lot of people.” “If you wish, I could queue up on your behalf. You should make the most of our travels and enjoy a little sightseeing.” The line stretches endlessly, reminiscent of how people swarm to a popular spot. It coils like a snake to the point of dizziness. Even the thought of standing in line is enough to tear down Leaf's resolved composure and bring on a wave of stress. It's clear that one couldn't possibly enter on the same day or even the next. There are people who, impulsively joining a waiting line without any real thought, end up at a street vendor’s skewer grill, only to lose their temper because they don’t understand what's happening. In the end, I'm a bit impressed by the vendor's craft as they sell and return skewers. “Don't even think about it.” Jonah noticed where my eyes were drawn and warned with his stern gaze. “That may as well be the meat of rats that grew up slurping mud from the streets. As long as I am here, I will not let you consume such poor-quality food, miss.” “You're too fastidious, Mr. Jonah Butler. If you scrutinize like that, there's nothing left to eat when we're out and about.” “Then you shall continue to enjoy the food I prepare for you.” “Tch. As if you're going to stay with me forever.” A shadow fell over Jonah's face. If I were to draw a comparison, it was as though he was a father realizing that his daughter would one day grow up, marry some other man, and leave his care. Feeling a bit sorry, I reached out and lightly grabbed his hand, only to see him furrow his brow severely. Squeezing tightly, Though his expression feigned displeasure, Jonah held my hand with the gentleness of touching a fragile sugar sculpture that could break with the slightest pressure. Male tsundere's might often be detested, but perhaps our butler has a charming side. A Word from the Author (Author's Note) Oknodie, the master of garnering fondness