Chapter 9: Won’t Give Up

“So, that’s why you took the exam?”

We had many conversations during the two-day journey to the academy.

Talks about our hometowns, our reasons for applying to the academy, and trivial small talk, but it was enough to pass the time.

“Yes, if I achieve excellent grades at the academy, I’ll gain a sponsor.”

In this world, the quickest way for a commoner to succeed is to become a special student, enroll in the academy, and achieve outstanding results.

Except for a few commoners, all students who enter the academy are nobles, the next generation of rulers in this world.

Building connections with them and proving one’s abilities to gain support is the reason Hori enrolled in the academy.

‘I realized it when she said she enrolled in the academy, but Hori seems to be an excellent alchemist.’

I didn’t plan to rely on drugs, but there was no harm in getting closer to Hori.

Thinking this was a stroke of luck, I spurred Silence on even faster.

“It’s starting to come into view.”

Far in the distance, a gigantic wall, incomparable to the one we saw two days ago, began to appear on the horizon.

While the wall from two days ago was stripped down to only its functional elements, the academy’s wall was grand and ornate, showcasing royal majesty.

A sense of reverence filled me as I saw the white wall with the royal insignia flying atop it, guarded by elite soldiers equipped with the latest magical weapons.

This wall was the sturdiest in the world, except for the walls of the imperial and royal cities, but honestly, it didn’t feel reassuring at all.

‘In the original story, it always gets breached….’

From assassins to demon worshippers, witches, and demons, that wall, looser than a whore’s hole, couldn’t stop anyone’s invasion.

Those who could break through the wall did so head-on, while those who couldn’t hid their strength and disguised themselves as merchants to enter boldly from the front.

It was no wonder I questioned the very existence of that wall.

Soon, as we approached the wall, I spoke to Hori, who was riding behind me.

“We’re almost there.”

“Really? Thank you for everything over the past two days, Baronet.”

“You’re still using formal language. You can just speak casually.”

“…I can’t, because I’m a commoner.”

“Is it because of my title? I plan to speak casually even with the prince.”

Hearing this, Hori stammered, as if she had misheard me.

“E-excuse me? Really?”

“Why not? Is he going to tattle to his dad because I spoke informally?”

From what I knew of the prince’s character, he wasn’t the type to hold a grudge over something as trivial as informal speech.

Besides, I was planning to defeat not just the prince but also his bodyguard knights and even the Sword Saint.

Informal speech was the least of my concerns now.

“Hehe… You’re really an unusual baronet.”

“Unusual? Compared to an alchemist who smashes a bandit’s head with a stone?”

“Please… forget about that….”

“Then you forget that I’m a baronet. I’m not the only baronet in the world.”

“…Alright.”

As we neared the wall, we saw a line of carriages and people entering through the gate, so we joined at the end of the line.

After a short wait, our turn came, and we presented our documents to the guard.

After a brief inspection, we were finally inside the academy grounds.

‘Amazing.’

Though I had read descriptions of it many times in the novel, seeing it with my own eyes was truly impressive.

Compared to the modern world I came from, it was slightly lacking, but the sight of the vast forest of large buildings was astounding.

In the novel, there was a saying that the academy lacked nothing, and indeed, the academy lacked nothing.

From general stores handling miscellaneous daily necessities to materials requiring specialized knowledge for alchemy.

Additionally, although not directly described in the novel, there were also brothels, pubs, and patisseries staffed by top-notch artisans.

Hori and I glanced at the buildings as we passed by and headed to the academy to be assigned a dormitory where we could unpack our things.

Although we got lost briefly after entering the main building, we soon arrived at the reception desk without much trouble.

After presenting our admission certificates at the reception, I was assigned to the Knight Department and Hori to the Alchemy Department.

“Baronet… no, Ian, you’re in the Knight Department.”

“Yes, that’s right….”

Hearing the term “Knight Department” from Hori’s mouth reminded me once again of my purpose for coming here.

My purpose in enrolling in the academy was none other than to defeat the future strong ones here and prove that Baldo is the strongest!

To achieve that, I had to think about how to minimize the damage to my family while challenging the children of the royal family or ducal families.

“Well then, Hori… I’ll be going now. See you at the entrance ceremony later.”

“Yes. Then, I’ll be going too….”

To calmly think about it, I first parted ways with Hori and headed to the dormitory I was assigned.

Naturally, being male and female, and noble and commoner, our dormitories were on opposite sides.

Entering the dormitory, I was surprised to find that it was even better than my room at the main house, and I slowly unpacked my belongings.

After finishing unpacking and sitting at my desk to think quietly, there was a knock at the door, interrupting the atmosphere.

“Who is it?”

When I opened the door, there stood a blonde man, already neatly dressed in his uniform, despite the entrance ceremony not yet taking place.

“Are you Baronet Ian Barthow?”

“Yes, and you are?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Victor de Beau. I came at your mother’s request.”

“Victor?”

Hearing that name, I recalled what my mother had said before my departure.

She had told me to greet that… uh… Lady… something… with Victor.

“Oh, right. Mother mentioned that. She told me to greet Lady… something… with you.”

“Lady something? Do you mean Lady Jessica?”

“Yes, that’s right. Lady Jessica. She told me to greet Lady Jessica with you.”

But what kind of noble lady’s name is Jessica? It’s not even something elegant like Eliza.

While inwardly mocking the author’s poor naming sense, Victor, standing in front of me, also laughed.

“Hehe…! There’s probably no other baronet who would call a count’s daughter that.”

“Well… I bet some people call her even worse behind her back.”

Surely, there must be someone other than me who resents greeting a lady who can’t even wield a sword.

“Maybe, but you should refrain from such words in front of her. It could affect your family.”

Though there were no particular rumors about Jessica having a bad personality, it wasn’t the opposite either, so it was better to be cautious.

“Alright… so did you come today for that greeting?”

“No, I heard the sound of someone unpacking next door, checked the nameplate, and saw it was you.”

It seems Victor’s room is next to mine.

“Well… if it was noisy, I apologize. I was a bit rough with my hands because I was deep in thought.”

“Deep in thought? About the gift for Miss Jessica?”

“That’s part of it… by the way, where did you decide to buy it?”

“From a shop with a pâtissier she likes. If you don’t mind, I can buy yours while I buy mine.”

“That would be great, then. Here’s the money….”

I took about thirty gold coins from my bag, put them in a pouch, and handed it to Victor.

Victor looked inside the pouch and was shocked.

“No! This is too much…!”

“What was the original budget?”

“I was thinking about 3 gold coins….”

Hmm… a dessert worth the price of a katana, indeed fitting for a count’s daughter.

“Well, since we’re buying anyway, let’s get something good. And say it’s from both of us.”

“I appreciate that, but… are you sure it’s okay?”

Honestly, I didn’t care about impressing that girl. As long as I could finish what my mother asked, it didn’t matter to me.

I actually felt sorry for making Victor run this errand.

“It’s fine. Just think of it as compensation for running this errand.”

“Thanks… I’ll accept your kindness. But what were you worried about?”

“Oh, that? It’s nothing serious. Do you know how to challenge the prince or a duke’s son without causing trouble for my family?”

“What? Are you joking?”

“I’m serious.”

Victor closed his eyes and thought for a moment before speaking.

“I don’t think there’s a way…”

“Is that so, then….”

I might have to bear the consequences.

‘…Damn it, why is there no way.’

Having settled the dessert for Lady Whatever, I left with a lighter heart and some gold coins.

My next goal was to find a new katana to use at the academy.

Although the one I was using had no issues, I needed a new one to avoid any disasters from a mishap.

‘The academy probably has some prepared….’

But I wanted a special one made for me, one I could use outside the academy too.

With that in mind, I set out, but….

‘Sorry, but it seems impossible at our shop….’

‘I suggest looking at another store….’

‘How about this place?’

No matter which weapon shop or smithy I visited, I couldn’t find the katana I wanted.

Why was this happening?

Could it be that the academy harbors a dislike for katanas?

After visiting countless smithies and weapon shops like a bureaucrat making rounds, the last place I arrived at was a shabby smithy.

‘This is the only place left!’

Hoping this last chance would be the one, I opened the door to the smithy.

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