Two years had slipped by.
Rest was now fourteen, yet his treatment remained as wretched as ever. His home was a corner of the stables, and his "meals"—served once a day—were tossed to him as if he were a dog. He would have succumbed to malnutrition long ago if not for a few kind-hearted servants who, out of pity for his situation, secretly shared scraps of bread and vegetables destined for the waste bin.
His brother’s cruel magic experiments served a dual purpose; while they left him physically and mentally battered, they provided the perfect opportunity to witness and replicate new spells. He bore the strain, growing steadily within the crucible of his suffering.
Next year, I’ll be fifteen, he thought one afternoon. Adulthood.
The day’s chores, including the care of the horses, were finished. Rest sat atop a pile of firewood stacked beside the stable, reflecting on the path that had led him here.
It’s been four years since Mother died and I was brought to this mansion. Four years of utter humiliation. But... that’s almost over.
Once he turned fifteen, he could find legitimate work. He could finally leave this estate and live as a free man. The days of degradation would be behind him.
But if I’m going to be free, I might as well aim for the top.
Thanks to his half-brother, Rest had mastered spells equivalent to intermediate-level magic. Even now, he had enough skill to make a comfortable living in the city. However, "making a living" was a far cry from "climbing the ladder."
I want to rise higher than my father. I want a status that exceeds even that of a Court Mage.
To stand above the people who had looked down on him and trampled his dignity—that, Rest decided, was the best way to wash away four years of shame.
To do that, I need to attend the Academy. But how?
The "Academy" was the Aiwood Royal Academy, the most prestigious educational institution in the kingdom. Aiwood was the name of both the country and the royal family. Situated in the western part of the continent, it was a mid-sized kingdom—not quite a superpower, but certainly not a minor player.
Commoners can enroll in Aiwood Royal Academy. Graduates can look forward to high-ranking positions as either Civil Officials or Military Officials.
In fact, it was nearly impossible to secure a significant government post without an Academy diploma. The role of Court Mage was no exception. His father was an alumnus, and Cedric was currently buried in his books, preparing for the entrance exams. The increased frequency of Cedric's "lessons" for Rest was a clear indicator of his rising stress levels.
You can’t enroll until you’re fifteen. While those in the Noble Category only need their parents' permission to take the exam, those in the Commoner Category require a letter of recommendation.
The entrance exams were strictly divided. For a noble, the head of the house simply had to vouch for their status. But for a commoner to even sit for the exam, they needed a formal recommendation from someone of significant social standing, such as a noble. Rest was technically a noble on the official registers, but he knew his father would never grant him permission.
If I can't go through the Noble Category, I’ll have to take the exam as a commoner. That means I need a connection with another noble or someone of equal status. Is there anyone I can use?
Since his mother’s passing, Rest had lived as a virtual prisoner within the estate. Though he snuck out at night to train, he had no social life and zero connections. He needed a way to bridge that gap.
Somehow... there has to be a way...
"Hm?"
His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of voices—voices he didn't recognize. They sounded like children.
One of them is Cedric, but there are others with him. I think I’ll have a little listen.
Driven by curiosity, Rest activated his Wind Control magic. While the spell was typically used to move objects or lash out with pressurized air, he had learned to use it to carry sound waves from a distance directly to his ears. The voices were coming from the mansion’s garden.
"Alright, let’s go on an expedition!"
"Yeah, a monster hunt! There’s a forest nearby that’s perfect for it. We can practice our magic while we're at it."
"I just learned a new spell! I’ve been dying to test it out!"
"But... isn't it dangerous for just us to go? Shouldn't we bring an adult?"
"I agree. Monsters are scary..."
"What? Don't be such cowards."
Five of them, Rest noted. Cedric and his friends, I assume.
He recalled hearing at breakfast that Cedric was expecting guests.
A monster hunt in the forest?
They were likely heading for the very woods where Rest conducted his nightly training. Thanks to his constant culling of the local population, the forest was relatively safe. However, "relatively" was the keyword. A few monsters still roamed the area, and a particularly powerful, intelligent beast had recently taken up residence in the deeper parts. It usually avoided Rest out of a sense of self-preservation, so he had left it alone for the time being.
"See? I knew girls were cowards!"
"We’re entering the Academy next year. Both the Magic Department and the Knight Department have combat training. We need the practice, don't we?"
"If you're so scared, just stay here. We’ll go without you!"
"Hey! We aren't cowards!"
"S-Sister, please, calm down..."
"Then it’s settled. You're coming. Don't worry, I'll protect you!"
The group seemed to reach a consensus. Even the two hesitant girls were being dragged along into the woods.
Well... Cedric is nearly an adult. He should be able to handle himself, but still...
Rest crossed his arms. If it were just Cedric, he wouldn't care if the boy got himself eaten. In fact, he’d probably find it hilarious. But he couldn't stomach the idea of letting the other four get hurt—especially the two girls. Letting total strangers fall into danger when he had the power to prevent it would keep him up at night.
Fine. I’ll follow them from the shadows.
His work for the day was finished. This wasn't for Cedric's benefit; he would act as a silent guardian for the girls. Rest stood up from the woodpile and began tailing the five children as they made their way toward the treeline.