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At the academy, students are placed into classes based on their abilities.
So how are those abilities measured? Through an entrance exam held prior to enrollment.
I don’t think meritocracy is a bad thing in itself, but the exam was so childish and vulgar it was laughable.
I was forced to cross swords with a big, dumb oaf who had nothing but size, and the magic portion was nothing more than a child’s game of target practice.
Utterly worthless… and yet!
I executed it all flawlessly with just the right amount of effort.
Had I wanted to, I could’ve shown far more power—but both people and school equipment are disposable resources.
Mother-sama always said not to trouble others, so I couldn’t justify causing unnecessary damage.
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On the day Hein took the exam, the proctors at the Imperial Sanford Academy were shaken to their core.
A boy so beautiful he could be mistaken for a maiden gave a lazy swing of his wooden sword—so slow and casual it almost seemed like a joke—and yet, the sword instructor didn’t even realize what had happened until the blade was already at his neck.
The same went for the magic exam.
When the boy lightly pointed his slender index finger at one of the targets, the target was instantly struck.
The farther the target, the higher the score, and yet he hit the exact combination required for a passing score—no more, no less—before declaring, 「I’ve run out of magic power」, and walking off.
On the written exam, he scored perfect marks across the board.
—「That sword stroke…」
—「It was slow. But that’s not all there is to it, is there?」
—「He’s holding back?」
—「He probably doesn’t care if people notice or not. But I do. That boy is a monster」
—「On the surface, he’s just barely meeting the passing criteria, but if we assign him based solely on that, the academy’s credibility will be questioned」
—「Should we put him in the special class then?」
—「No, let’s place him one tier below. If he’s holding back intentionally, we should respect that to some degree. We can’t afford to provoke him」
Without sparing the murmuring crowd a single glance, the boy left the testing grounds at once.
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Even after the exam had ended, the swordsmanship instructor, Gilbard, remained standing in the testing grounds.
—I saw the sword. From the very beginning of the swing to the very end. But I couldn’t move an inch. Why?
The answer came quickly.
Because it was beautiful—that sword—far too beautiful.
I didn’t want to tarnish that trajectory with my own wretched blade.
—I want to be cut down by that sword.
The thought crossed Gilbard’s mind, and he let out a wry chuckle.
「This year’s going to be something else…」
Gilbard von Zeren was a man who rose to nobility on sword skill alone.
“Von” is a title granted to first-generation nobles. Gilbard earned his name through slaying a dragon.
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I stopped dwelling on the pathetic memory of the exam and tried to think of something more worthwhile.
Naturally, that meant thinking of my night with Mother-sama.
When I told her I had done well on the test, she embraced me and kissed me on the cheek.
Love poured forth without end, overwhelming and unstoppable.
It’s not to boast, but I possess the mental fortitude to meditate atop burning iron—yet in front of Mother-sama, that strength was utterly meaningless.
I just want to be wrapped in her arms and drift peacefully to sleep.
I want her to stroke my head or pat my back while I laze the night away.
—『Mother-sa…』
—『Try calling me Mama, Hein』
“Mama” is what little children call their mothers.
No one my age would ever say that, and yet—!
—『Mama, I’m sleepy…』
That’s what I said, shamelessly clinging to her.
How disgraceful!
Even I wanted to beat myself to death for that.
But Mother-sama gently accepted the pitiful whining of her foolish son.
—『You’re sleepy, huh? Alright, let’s sleep together again tonight』
And so, in her arms, I found a blissful rest—
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「We’ve arrived at the academy, Hein-sama.」
The coachman’s tactless voice rang out, and I let out a heavy sigh.
Thus begins the hell of not seeing Mother-sama for several hours.
—I want to see Mama…
Inside, I wept.
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