"You're not going to run off with His Majesty's ten million belg, are you?"
Elena's question left me standing frozen in place. Ten million belg. To think that someone like me—a nobody who had just come from the countryside to sit for an exam—would receive such an astronomical sum from the King himself...
"That's not all. Show the examinee number on your left wrist, and every shop in the royal capital will give you preferential treatment."
"W-What do you mean?"
"If merchants do favors for a future court mage now, they can expect a return on their investment later. Bribing an official court mage is a serious crime, but as examinees, we're still ordinary citizens."
"...Meaning?"
"Meaning you don't have to worry about money. That's what."
The reality of the situation was finally sinking in. Standing at the very top of the ten thousand applicants who took the Court Mage Selection Exam here in Ulm carried far more weight than I had ever imagined.
With trembling hands, I picked up the ten-million-belg draft resting before me. Apparently, I could take it to a designated money changer and withdraw whatever amount I needed, whenever I wanted... but this was the first time in my life I had ever held so much money.
"Don't even think about running back home with it. A while back, someone took the royal grant only to withdraw from the exam halfway through."
"You're kidding..."
"His Majesty was reportedly furious. So don't get any funny ideas."
I was fairly certain I lacked the nerve for anything that reckless anyway.
"Be careful how you spend it, too. Even in the capital, moving ten million around will draw attention."
"In what way?"
"Don't let greed get the better of you. Keep it firmly in mind that this is a royal grant from the court."
In other words, I had to spend it in a manner worthy of a court mage candidate. No doubt some past applicant had drawn public ire by squandering their funds on luxury bathhouses or endless rounds of drinks. She was telling me to use it for the greater good.
Looking at it from another angle, though, this was the first money I had ever earned through my own merits. Normally, the right thing to do would be to send it back to my parents and little sister after all the trouble I'd put them through... but judging from Elena's warning, using it for personal matters wouldn't be looked upon kindly.
"Shall we head out?"
"Yeah, let's."
Still turning over possible uses for the funds in my head, I stepped out of the office with Elena. Even after setting aside living expenses for my stay, a massive amount would remain. What on earth should I do with it...?
"Hey there, you two!"
"Oh, Hermann. You waited."
Once we emerged outside, Hermann jogged over to meet us. It seemed he had been passing the time chatting with his classmates from the preparatory school.
"Yep! Looks like Bauer here struck it rich!"
"Honestly. That sounds terribly sarcastic coming from a noble."
"Hey, that's uncalled for! My family's pinching pennies just to cover my tuition!"
"Saying that makes things awkward for me, considering I live off the tuition you all pay!"
To a country bumpkin like me, their exchange felt entirely surreal. A young lord bantering casually with a commoner... values in Ulm were truly worlds apart from the countryside.
"—Oh, right. Hermann, I need to go see my father."
"To report your scores?"
"Yes. Though I'm sure he'll berate me for not taking first place."
"What's done is done."
"...I suppose. Which reminds me, could you do me a favor?"
"What's up?"
Elena, who had been talking with Hermann, glanced over at me.
"He doesn't seem familiar with Ulm or the exam. Could you show him around?"
"Sure, that's easy enough. But are you sure? You'd be helping the competition."
"!"
For a second, Elena hesitated. But she quickly lifted her chin and spoke with absolute conviction.
"There is no glory in defeating an impaired foe."
"Ha, that's the spirit! You really can't stand losing, can you, milady?"
So she wanted me in top shape for the next trial. Elena was fiercely determined to become a court mage, yet she clearly wasn't the type to settle for an hollow victory.
"Well, I'll take my leave here."
"Yeah, see you—"
"Wait, just a second."
Huh?
I called out to stop Elena just as she turned to go, then held out my right hand, palm facing upward. Even though I had beaten them, they had gone out of their way to help me. I wanted to offer at least a small token of gratitude.
"Watch."
"Bauer, what are you..."
"Flowers...?"
Above my palm, two crimson blossoms materialized. Naturally, matter couldn't be created from nothingness; this was an application of compression magic. I had completely forgotten that I'd kept a few wild blossoms tucked away after picking them back home.
"Incredible... I've never seen magic like this before..."
"Me neither. That really is something..."
Holding a stem in each hand, I presented the flowers to the two of them, whose eyes were wide with wonder.
"You've both been a huge help. Sorry, this is about the only thing I can offer right now."
"Th-Thank you. You're surprisingly thoughtful, aren't you?"
"Well, well... quite a gentleman. I've never seen this kind of flower in Ulm."
They gently took the blossoms. Elena tucked hers against her chest, while Hermann slid his into a pouch at his waist. As for Elena, the tight tension in her face seemed to soften. Having only seen her scowl until now, it came as a pleasant surprise to discover she could look so gentle.
"W-Well, I really must go. Hermann, take care of things."
"Leave it to me! Shall we get moving, Bauer?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Leaving Elena behind, Hermann and I set off toward the city center.
"First things first: your lodgings. Bauer, you really shouldn't stay at Groot's place anymore."
"Huh? Why not?"
As we walked down the street, Hermann's tone turned serious. The rooms at Groot's inn were spotless, the owner was friendly, and best of all, the meat pies were exceptional. I saw no reason to switch.
"Amalia was supposed to be with you, but she vanished, right?"
"Ah, now that you mention it..."
"Because running into us would have blown their cover. You were paying ten thousand belg a night, weren't you?"
"Yeah, that's right. He said he was giving me a discount."
"That's his standard con. The average rate in Ulm is eight thousand belg, and if you haggle, you can easily find a place for five thousand."
"What?!"
"Examinees from out of town don't know local prices, so they get taken for a ride."
...I had sensed something was slightly off, but I never imagined I was being swindled so brazenly. The difference between five thousand and ten thousand was enormous.
"Bauer, did you by any chance rekindle a hearth fire that Amalia put out?"
"Wait, how do you know about that?"
"They flatter examinees by coaxing them into using magic. Once your ego's stroked, you don't think twice about accepting the inflated price. That's the scheme."
I remembered Sophie warning me that not everyone in the capital had pure intentions, but I hadn't expected to encounter it so quickly. Rather than feeling bitter about being tricked, though... I was mostly just confused why a man who baked such delicious pies would resort to petty scams.
"Um, is Amalia not actually a new hire?"
"Not at all. She's worked there for about four years."
"...I see. But why would the owner do something like that?"
"You really are too trusting, Bauer. The truth is, he only gouges examinees. For regular patrons, it's actually a great inn."
"Then why target us?"
"Did you know our headmaster and the owner of Groot's place go way back?"
"Yeah, I heard."
Amalia had mentioned that earlier.
"...The owner is actually a failed mage."
"A failed mage?"
"Just like us, he once dreamed of becoming a court mage. His ambitions fell through, and he ended up running an inn instead."
"So he swindles examinees out of spite...?"
"Maybe he harbors some lingering resentment. Oh, speaking of which, this is the inn I'd recommend. If you flash your examinee number, a room is only three thousand belg—"
"..."
"Bauer?"
When I came to a sudden halt on the cobblestones, Hermann looked back at me with a puzzled frown. If Groot truly despised examinees that much, would he have bothered welcoming them in the first place? Would he have served them fresh, delicious pies every single morning?
"Sorry, Hermann, but I think I'll pick my own lodging after all."
"Wait, what? Why would—"
"Also, I need to visit a money changer. Could you show me the way?"
"I don't mind, but... what are you planning to do?"
Elena would probably sigh at me again, and Hermann would likely laugh. But that didn't matter. This was the first money I had ever earned on my own. Even if everyone thought I was a fool, I wanted to spend it on what I believed was right.
Clutching the certificate tightly, I turned and headed toward the money changer.