I presented my examination ticket at the entrance and was cleared to enter the building.
I located the classroom assigned to my number and took my seat.
This was the Royal Academy’s entrance exam for the Commoner Category. The written test came first.
The examinees had been split across ten classrooms, and everyone sat waiting at their assigned desks. Even though there were still thirty minutes until the start, the room was already half full.
(Roughly thirty people per room. That means there are about three hundred examinees in total...)
According to the information I’d gathered beforehand, the number of successful commoner applicants varied from year to year. The candidates in the Noble Category sat their exams first; any who met a certain standard were guaranteed admission. The commoners were then left to fight over whatever spots remained.
(Three hundred applicants for the commoner seats is fairly standard. I heard about a hundred of them usually make the cut...)
Every commoner here had been granted a recommendation to sit the exam, but the majority were destined to fail. The low success rate was largely due to lower-ranking nobles who wanted to bring their own attendants into the academy. They would hand out recommendation letters to their young servants like flyers, hoping for a "shot in the dark" success.
While high-ranking nobles had high-quality staff and only sent those they were certain would pass, the lesser nobles didn't have that luxury. They simply played the numbers game.
I laid out my pens—spares included—on the desk and took several deep breaths to steady my nerves.
As I waited, the front door finally swung open, and a woman in robes stepped inside. To prevent cheating, a man who looked like a faculty member took up a position at the back of the room.
"We will now begin the Royal Academy entrance exam for the Commoner Category."
The test was finally starting. Tension shot through me, and I straightened my back.
"The first phase is the written exam. This test is common to all faculties and will last for three hours. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified without exception."
Answer sheets were distributed face-down to the entire room. I had my supplies from the estate ready to go. I was as prepared as I could be.
"Now, begin. You may turn over your papers and start the exam."
The examinees flipped their sheets in unison. With my pen in hand, I dove into the first problem.
(History first... 'List the names of the Five Great Generals who were instrumental in the founding of the Aiwood Kingdom.')
I had studied this extensively. I filled in the answer without hesitation.
The questions on the paper were all things I could solve using the knowledge I’d hammered into my brain while studying with the Rosemary sisters.
(I really can’t thank Viola and Primula enough... Oh, here’s a magic theory question. 'Of the Twelve Sages serving as Directors of the Council of Sages, name every individual who has held their position for more than a century.' The answer is Van Wally, Nuada Kedis, and Kanehira Ichijo.)
This was right in my wheelhouse.
The questions were challenging, but my pen moved smoothly as I filled in the blanks. Two hours after the start, I had finished about ninety percent of the test. I wouldn't go so far as to claim I'd gotten a perfect score, but I was confident in my work.
(The passing grade for the written portion is sixty percent, if I recall... I should be safe with this.)
'Rest! When you finish, make sure you check your work properly!'
'Rest-san, please double-check that you haven't skipped any lines. Overconfidence is a dangerous enemy!'
A flashback of Viola and Primula lecturing me yesterday crossed my mind.
I gave a wry smile and whispered a quiet "Got it" to myself before starting my review.
I used the remaining time to thoroughly go over the entire answer sheet, making sure my name and examination number were correct. This part was no different from the exams in my previous life. It was precisely when you were certain of victory that you needed to be the most vigilant.
"Stop. The exam is over."
Eventually, time ran out, and I let out a long, heavy sigh. The examiners immediately began collecting the papers.
"W-Wait! Just a second, I’m almost done...!"
"Hand it over, now!"
Just like in my previous life, there were people who clung to their sheets with desperate tenacity. One examinee was even barked at by an examiner who threatened to fail them if they didn't let go immediately.
(I feel good about that... I did everything I could.)
"No! I forgot to write my name! W-Wait... Give it back! Give it baaaaaaaaack!"
A pitiful wail erupted from the corner of the room, but I simply closed my eyes and tuned it out. It wasn't my problem.