"All right, 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 shape the rest of his life going forward.
No exaggeration — today was the day Rest's life would be decided: winner or loser.
"Rest, do your best! I believe in you!"
"If it's Lord Rest, you'll definitely pass! Please give it everything!"
Viola and Primula came out to the front entrance and sent him off with words of encouragement.
They didn't just use words — they gave him hugs, too.
The lukewarm stares of the surrounding servants made him uncomfortable.
"Thanks... I'll definitely pass — for your sake, too!"
The two of them had brought Rest out of House Eberun.
They had given him study materials, taught him how to study, and provided him with teachers to instruct him in magic and combat techniques.
He absolutely had to pass — to repay the expectations of those two who had given him the opportunity to learn in the finest environment.
"...Well, do your best out there."
"Don't be too nervous. Be safe."
Marquis and Marchioness Rosemary also came to see him off.
Albert wore an indescribably subtle expression, while Irish gave a smile that was soft yet firm.
Albert had said he would provide a carriage... but Rest deliberately chose to go on foot.
As things stood, Rest was still merely a servant of the marquis household.
Getting a carriage sent to pick him up? He wasn't in a position to receive that kind of consideration.
(I know it's late now, but relying on whatever's handed to me just isn't right. Honestly, running would be faster than a carriage anyway) "All right… time to head out!"
He swung his backpack — which he'd checked his belongings in over and over — onto his shoulders.
He left the manor at a time well ahead of the exam and broke into a jog toward the Royal Academy.
From the marquis family's manor in the noble district of the royal capital, it was roughly a one-hour walk to the academy on foot.
If he used the body reinforcement magic and ran, he could arrive in well under ten minutes.
"Hah… hah… hah…"
Keeping a steady rhythm with his breathing, he moved his arms and legs, turning the surrounding scenery into a blur of wind as he pressed onward toward the academy.
He wouldn't make the foolish mistake of getting lost along the way.
He had scouted the academy's location beforehand, and the route was firmly committed to memory.
Since he had left the manor in the early morning, the streets of the royal capital were still sparsely populated.
He eased his pace slightly to avoid any collisions, careful to weave through without incident as he made his way forward in a straight line.
(I've studied enough for the exam. I could pass last year's practice tests with room to spare. I've trained in magic with Diebl, and he even stamped his approval saying I'm ready to become a court magician right now. I went to the temple to pray for success — even resorted to begging the gods. I went to bed early last night and got plenty of sleep… It's fine. There's no problem.)
No problem.
There was no way he would fail.
He had absolute certainty that he would pass.
(Somehow that's strange… No matter how much I study, the anxiety won't go away. Come to think of it, the entrance exam for high school back then was the same way…)
Thinking back on his past life, Rest managed a bitter smile as he ran.
His family environment hadn't been a kind one, so Rest had studied desperately in order to get into a school that offered a special scholarship program with financial aid.
It was to the point of desperation — even as a middle schooler, he'd pushed himself too hard to the point of hematuria, essentially doing nothing but grinding himself into the ground.
Even with that kind of life-or-death effort, his anxiety never eased come exam day. Just like this very moment, right now.
(Because I tried so hard, because I put in that effort… that's exactly why I'm worried about whether I can deliver results.)
It was only natural to feel anxious.
And that was precisely why… he had to produce results no matter what.
He'd managed to pass his high school entrance exam back then… surely this time, too, he would absolutely pass.
"Effort never betrays you… I can do it, if anyone can I can…!"
Rest kept telling himself this over and over… but there was one crucial thing he'd forgotten.
Effort never betrays you — that was without question a fact. A truth.
However, God is fond of mischief and loves nothing more than to test people.
Just as Rest, who had struggled his way into high school, was stabbed to death by his father over tuition fees in his past life.
Just as Rest's mother, who had worked tirelessly for the sake of her children, lost her life to illness.
Sometimes, life thrusts upon you an unfairness that no amount of effort can overcome.
"Hmm?"
Rest was sprinting down the royal capital's main thoroughfare… when he suddenly felt something and looked up.
He didn't know the reason. It was purely instinctive.
"Huh…?"
"Screeeeeeeeeeeech!"
And then… before he knew it, his eyes went wide.
At the same time, a young woman's scream echoed through the morning streets of the royal capital.
"Wha—!? Why is a person…!?"
Someone was falling from the sky. From a distance, it appeared to be a young woman.
The spot Rest happened to be passing through was directly beneath the clock tower — the very symbol of the royal capital.
He didn't know the circumstances, but… it seemed the woman had fallen from the top of the clock tower.
"Scaaaaaaaahhh! S-somebody, pleeeeeeeeease heeeeeelp!"
"…!"
Propelled by gravity and gaining speed with every moment, the woman hurtled headfirst toward the ground below.
By that point, the residents of the royal capital had finally noticed her existence — but they could only stare with frozen expressions, not a single one of them capable of rushing in to help.
No one except Rest, who had noticed the fall before anyone else.
(Shit… why does it have to be today of all days…!)
Misfortunes never come singly.
The better things are going, the more you need to stay on your guard.
Rest reflected bitterly on how right the old wisdom truly was as he slid into position beneath the woman's trajectory.