chapter 25

Today, the town was exceptionally lively; there was a bustling energy with more traffic than usual, all because it was the day of the written exam.

Alex, adorned in his best attire, stood patiently in line at the entrance of the academy, ready to show his registration proof. He exuded a calm demeanor, a result of his experience and preparation for the exam. Inside, the atmosphere was tense yet focused. The examiners, led by a stern D-rank official with a beard, maintained an air of seriousness as they monitored the students. Four hours of intense concentration passed swiftly, and soon, papers were being collected. With thirty minutes remaining, Alex confidently submitted his exam paper, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation.

The written exam encompassed all subjects in a single comprehensive paper, testing the breadth of knowledge acquired over the year. Upon leaving the academy, Alex swiftly returned to the inn where he was staying. Taking Pia and Ayelet, his loyal friends and study partners, they ventured out to procure ingredients for a celebratory dinner. The innkeeper, supportive of Alex's academic pursuits, had granted permission for them to use the kitchen, but they had to be ready before 6:30 PM.

With two hours at their disposal, they traversed the local markets, gathering mortal chickens, flour, bread, and an assortment of spices. Alex, renowned among his peers for his culinary skills, had already devised a plan to prepare fried chicken coated in a delectable sweet and spicy sauce.

Back at the inn, the kitchen bustled with activity as they meticulously prepared the meal. The innkeeper, curious about their culinary venture, watched with interest. Impressed by their skills, Alex offered her a taste test, and her approval was met with smiles all around. She even requested the recipe, which Alex gladly shared, adding a touch of camaraderie to their evening.

This year, only a handful of children from their village had shown interest in attending the academy, reflecting a decline in academic aspirations among the younger generation. Alex, empathetic to their situation, extended an invitation to all five prospective academy attendees for a celebratory dinner at the inn.

As they gathered around the table for dinner, the mood was jovial, marking the end of the grueling exam day. Conversations flowed freely, with discussions shifting to the future and the practical tests each academy administered for student admission.

"Alex, how did the test go?" asked Sam, breaking the lively chatter.

"It went well. Some questions were challenging, but nothing I couldn't handle," replied Alex modestly.

"Of course, you're the top student in our village. We expected no less," chimed in Roy, his tone filled with admiration.

"Don't underestimate yourselves. I know each of you worked just as hard. Success is within reach for all of us," Alex reassured them, his humility and encouragement earning nods of agreement.

As the evening wore on, laughter echoed through the inn until midnight, when they finally retired to their rooms, exhausted yet content with the day's events.

A month passed, filled with anxious anticipation as Alex and his friends awaited the exam results. To ease the financial burden of accommodation, they took on missions from the guild, focusing on lower-ranked assignments. Alex resumed his routine of training and hunting alongside Pia and Ayelet, occasionally joined by Brook and Roy, strengthening their bonds through shared experiences.

The day arrived when the academy would unveil the results. Excitement and nerves mingled as they gathered around the notice board. Alex scanned the scores eagerly, his heart racing when he found his number: 97, securing him the second position. A surge of pride and joy washed over him as he realized his hard work had paid off.

Entering the academy once more, Alex queued patiently to receive official confirmation of his passing the exam. The process was meticulous; he presented his identification, and with a shimmering enchantment, his results were displayed. Satisfied, he departed, a sense of accomplishment filling his heart.

Outside, Brook, a close friend and fellow student, walked away from the academy. Spotting Alex, he turned and smiled. "Hey, Alex, you look thrilled! What was your score?"

"Take a guess," Alex teased, reveling in the moment.

"Don't make me guess. Just show me," Brook insisted playfully.

"Not now. Let's share our scores with everyone at the inn," Alex suggested, eager to celebrate with their circle of friends.

An hour later, they gathered at the inn, the mood festive as they celebrated Alex's achievement. There was no alcohol on their table; instead, they toasted with shared pride and mutual respect for their accomplishments.

"So, Brook, are you planning to buy a slave?" Alex inquired, sipping on a refreshing mixed fruit juice.

"Why would I buy a slave?" Brook replied, genuinely puzzled.

"So you're not interested. What about you two?" Alex turned to Pia and Ayelet, curious about their perspectives.

They shook their heads in unison. "No, we don't see the need," Pia explained.

"None of us have slaves, but Sam and Roy mentioned everyone at the academy has one," Alex remarked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

The revelation sparked laughter among their group, even surprising Ayelet and Pia, who stifled giggles at Alex's innocent belief.

"It was just a prank, Alex. We thought you already knew," Roy admitted, amused by the misunderstanding.

"So, not everyone has a slave?" Alex asked incredulously, realizing the truth.

Laughing good-naturedly, Brook clarified, "It's common for noble children to have slaves, but for us, it's a luxury. While nobles may bring their slaves to the academy, it's not expected of us."

"Why do Sam and Roy have slaves, then?" Alex probed further, seeking clarity.

Roy hesitated, then explained, "My younger brother was fascinated by a slave collar he saw as a child. He asked our father about it, and after much persuasion, our father agreed to get him one. I followed suit, hoping to prepare for academy life."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Alex asked, surprised by the revelation.

"We assumed you knew," Sam admitted sheepishly, realizing their oversight.

Returning to his room later that evening, Alex reflected on the day's events. Despite his second-place achievement, a sense of contentment washed over him as he anticipated the future. With two months until academy recruitment began, he planned to maintain his rigorous training regimen.

Suddenly, the door to his room swung open, and Pia and Ayelet entered, their smiles contagious. Alex, about to ask what delayed them, found himself pleasantly surprised when Pia tiptoed forward and kissed him on the lips. It was a brief yet tender moment that left him momentarily stunned.

Before he could process what had happened, Ayelet followed suit, her touch softer, her kiss more lingering. Breaking the embrace, they congratulated him in unison, their cheeks flushed with a mixture of emotions.

"Congratulations, master, on securing second place," they chimed, their voices harmonizing.

"Thank you," Alex replied warmly, pulling them into a gentle embrace. The bond between them strengthened as they basked in the shared joy of his accomplishment.

"So, whose idea was it?" Alex inquired playfully, curious about the spontaneous display of affection.

"It was Pia's idea," Ayelet admitted, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

Grinning, Alex turned to Pia, silently acknowledging her role in the surprise. As they settled into a comfortable silence, the warmth of their companionship filled the room, a testament to their enduring friendship and shared journey toward academic Alex decided to tell them about his past life