Dream Life

The academic city of Doctus is a city sandwiched by the Saeum Mountains to the north and the Fatas River to the south, and was originally a fortified city built as a military base in the northern part of the Caerm Empire.

Initially it was a city set on a lonely perimeter, with only one side surrounded by a stone wall of 1 km. However, as the Sorcerer's Guild was based and further Aurelia Street rounds increased, a new city was created to surround the walls, now developing into a city of two km north and south, four km east and four west.

Doctus is a double structure between the new and old towns, with the old town surrounded by walls becoming an academic city and the new town on the outside becoming a commercial city. The population is five thousand in the old town and ten thousand in the new town. It is a large city with a total of fifteen thousand inhabitants.

Since there is only a simple fence around the new town, no entry tax is required to enter the new town, but in order to enter the old town on the academic city side, an entry tax of 2C (krona) (= about 2,000 yen) will be required.

We decided to stay in the New Town for now and choose after the next day to look for accommodation in the Old Town or stay in the New Town and pay the City Tax once at a time.

That's what I thought, but I started looking for an inn in the new city around 3: 00 p.m. and realized that was a mistake. Almost every inn was buried.

When asked about the circumstances at the Inn, many students were gathered for the entrance exam for the School of Magic, and because of this, the Inn was not available.

We hit about ten inns and were finally able to secure one empty three-person room with a cancellation.

"You didn't think about this situation. I didn't think about the number of magic school entrants."

"Right. I forgot, too. There must have been about two hundred successful candidates and about three times that number. Some people have houses in Doctus, but most of them must be from elsewhere, and if you put your entourage together, more than a thousand people will be staying."

I grate my chest that I was lucky to explain Liddy, but the three-person room means I'm missing one bed.

I asked him if he had an extra bed, but he tells me he's already paid for it all.

A troubled guy started to say he was going to use one bed with Sharon, but Sharon, who heard that, had a disgusting look on his face. Guy, who noticed it, had a plain scratched, lonely look on his face.

"Let's sleep with me," asked Sharon, laughing as Liddy saw how it was going. When Sharon nodded loudly, Guy was even more damaged.

(You're a ten year old girl...... I guess your father is about to start getting depressed. I don't know because I didn't have kids in Japan, but if I had kids in this world, would I know how Guy feels...)

"Anyway, it's small in this room today. Maybe we should look for another room tomorrow."

When I say that, Liddy shakes his head to the side.

"Maybe I'm not even looking. Tomorrow will come the students who were stopped."

"Then aren't you going to be okay after the exam?

"The results of the exam don't come out until you finish the practical exam after the written exam. It'll take about five days for everyone to get the results, so half a month is like this."

The examination of the Tilia School of Magic is in two sets: a written examination, which will take place on July 22, and a practical examination, which will take place in front of the examiner.

The written exam is five subjects in common language, arithmetic, history, geography and magic, and the written exam itself ends in a day.

Hundreds of people will be eligible because the practical exams will be taken by all written exams. Even if it's enough for one person, it will take about ten to twelve days because six hundred people will take a hundred hours.

Then I think we should reduce the number of practical exams in the written exam, but the acceptance or rejection says that the results of the practical exam say things, and if the results of the practical exam are good, they will not fall in the results of the written exam.

Then it would mean that you should stop taking the written exam, but most of the actual practice exam results are of the lowest rank, and the results of the written exam would be the deciding factor for acceptance or rejection. In fact, only about 20% of all successful candidates pass with the results of the practical exam.

Returning to the subject, the acceptance announcement will be made about five days after all the exams have been completed, during which time the students will be in this city. There are some examinees from Doctus and neighboring towns and villages, but they are less than 10% in number, and other students and escorts become accommodation.

Even more unsuccessful students often take a dozen private schools in Doctus, and the students will be overflowing for the entire month of August.

"Then will this state last for about a month? Speaking of which, me and Sharon are going into the dorm."

Liddy has a suspicious grin that "normally... but I have an idea".

I was anxious about the idea and I said, "Thoughts? I haven't heard, but I guess it's not weird," I saw her a lot.

"You rent a house and live with me. The dormitories at the School of Magic are quite expensive. Well, it's convenient because it has meals, and it's close to the college, but it's much cheaper to rent a house in the new city. I'm sure you guys can get an enrollment waiver, but the tuition and dormitory costs won't be reduced. Surely the dormitory cost alone should have been about 1,000 C (krona) per year (= about one million yen). If you rent a house, you can float for it."

"But there will be a rent on the house. And the cost of food. Wouldn't that change the burden so much?

"I'll get that out. Anyway, I'm going to rent a house here, and even if one of us is three, it doesn't change the size of the house that much. So is the cost of food. I think it would be cheaper for the three of us to eat out on our own. And Sharon's a good cook."

Sharon's eyes shine on Liddy's words.

"I do hear that it's not a full dorm system, so I guess that's still not a problem...... by the way, there's an entry tax to get into the old town from the new town. If you think about it..."

"It's okay. The students of the School of Magic become associate members of the Magician's Guild. A magician's guild associate walks through the gates and doesn't need an entry tax."

The Tilia School of Sorcery is a school run by the Sorcerer's Guild and is given the Orb of the Sorcerer's Guild with admission. However, while attending school, I am not a full guild member, but can become a full member with graduation.

Private schools other than the Tilia School of Magic do not have such a system, and entering the Mage Guild will require nomination and membership screening by members, plus a membership fee of 1,000 C. In the case of private school students, they often can't be a member of the Mage's Guild until they graduate.

I was uncomfortable with Liddy's watery description on the stand.

"When I was in the village, even when I asked you about Doctus, you said," I forgot because it was a long time ago, "but as soon as I got here, don't come out slutty. You've been planning this from the beginning, haven't you?

Liddy's eyes swim in my words.

"Fair enough. If Guy doesn't give us permission, we're not gonna talk about it."

Liddy said, "Eh!," he complains with his eyes, "I don't want to live with you.

"You can't just live with me. If it wasn't for Sharon and the three of us, I'd be in the dorm too."

Honestly, I was pretty fascinated to live with Liddy. However, this admission to the School of Magic is for the purpose of training myself, and if I live with her (...), I will always forget that purpose.

If Sharon is with us, self-restraint works, and first of all, it's pathetic to keep Sharon alone out of the company. If Sharon wants to be independent, I don't think that's a problem, but at least he should stay as close as possible until his friends can.

I ask Guy for his opinion.

"Seriously, I think Sharon should live with Liddy, anyway. We're going to grow up now. Something will come up that I would like to talk to my mother about. I think we should have an adult woman close by then. If you say you're anxious under the same roof as a man, I'll go into the dorm. What do you say, Guy?

Guy didn't envisage this sort of thing, he had a frightened face.

"... do you want to talk to your mother...... oh I know somehow...... Master Zach trusts you, so we have no problems together. But I have trouble with Lydia..."

"I don't think that's annoying. Maybe it's better for Liddy to have Sharon. Liddy is basically lazy. If someone doesn't manage the house, it's going to be a big deal. Sharon would be relieved in that regard. I can cook, I can do chores."

Liddy is pointing her mouth at the words, "Even I'm decent."

"So listen, has Liddy ever lived alone?

She says, "Uh..." and takes her gaze off.

"That's the thing. Guy, can you lend me Sharon to take care of Liddy?"

I took it to talk about taking care of Liddy to convince Guy. To tell the truth, I don't think Liddy is that much of a life breaker. I can cook, and I like it pretty enough, so it won't mean there's garbage all over the house.

But I thought it was possible that Guy wouldn't accept it if we went ahead with what Liddy said about the economics. Guy won't bother me and Liddy. Of course, I love my daughter, and it's true that she's financially tough. But for that reason, I didn't think I'd be overwhelmed with receiving aid from Liddy.

If Sharon means he can help us, we can weaken the grip on his mind. That's what I thought, and I dared to take it to a discourse that disparaged Liddy.

Guy nods after a little thought, "Okay," and turns to Sharon.

"What about your thoughts? Study and chores. We have to combine both. This place is not like home. It's not like my mother can help me. We need to make sure we don't compromise Zach's health in that situation. Can you still say you can do it?"

Sharon nods loudly, staring firmly at Guy with a strong tone.

"It's okay. Even kids younger than me did the house thing in the village. I should be able to do it, too."

You felt a strong will, Guy nods small at her. And he's turned to us, and he's bowed his head deep.

"Okay. Dear Zach, Lydia, Regards, Sharon"

Now the three of us are going to rent a house, but after this, I struggled unscrupulously to get Liddy in the mood with a bent navel.

The following July 20th.

After breakfast at the inn, I headed to the Tilia School of Magic to apply for an exam.

He arrived at the main entrance, looking at the walls of the old town, as he took an inn outside the new town.

At the main entrance there was already an entrance procedure with an accompanying adult, a boy and girl who looked like an examinee.

(Pretty good. I guess the guys who stopped by the rain just like us.)

In front of the main entrance, we'll be in that line too.

The main gate was heavy with grey stones, and the castle gate was so practical that it felt unnatural to be in downtown.

(When I look at this, I feel like there was no new city. Obviously it's a gateway to the purpose of preventing enemies...)

The guard looked at me with a strange face as to whether I was rare, the boy with the sword on his back, paying the entry tax in the examination. However, the procedure was closed without being told anything in particular.

Going around the main entrance, unlike the new town, the stone township was spreading. I don't feel like an academic city with houses lined up in grey stones similar to the Armaswaite I saw on my way here.

When a splendid castle fort caught my eye in the front, Liddy explained the building to me.

"It's a library. It's the best book collection in the world."

"A library? You're gonna let me in when you get into school?

"I'll let you in. With the Orb of the Magician's Guild, it's free."

"How much would you do without an orb?

"If it hadn't changed from the old days, we would have needed one gold coin (= 100C = 100,000 yen) as a security deposit and one half silver coin (= 5C) for the admission fee."

"Five C's just to get in... that's pretty expensive"

"I have a lot of valuable literature, so I can't help it. I used to be quite immersed, too."

Talking about that, I walk through the old town. After a short walk, you enter the district where the shops line up. The building here is made of gray stone, the same as the main entrance, and the whole thing feels a little bitter. However, shop-like buildings seem to create the brightest possible atmosphere with colorful shelters (awnings) and flowers embellished under wooden windows.

There are not many products lined up yet to open, but there seem to be many stores selling bookstores, stationery, magic prop materials, etc.

Further, a splendid stone building came into sight on my right.

Surrounded by slab walls and peering inside through the gates, there is a three-story building and a courtyard-like square.

"This is the Tilia School of Magic. You should be able to get a reception there."

At the tip of Liddy's finger, there was a large standing sign, which read "Acceptance of Exams".

"I usually keep my weapons here, but I have escorts for the duration of the exam, so I can bring them in."

If you look closely, there was a caveat where you enter the premises, and it said to deposit your weapon at the College Gate.

We follow the instructions on the stand signs and enter the building.

There are already about ten exams lined up in front of the reception table.

"I'll be waiting for you over there. Just follow the instructions of the clerk."

That's all Liddy said, he took Guy's arm, which seemed worried, and walked into his escort's waiting room.

Me and Sharon lined up at the end of the line.

Soon it was our turn, and a gentle looking female employee in her thirties or so handed over the application.

"Please write your name, age, origin, and race. If you know, write down the attributes you can use."

Me and Sharon will write down what we need in the documents we're given.

(Can I write all attributes? She said she would look it up on the aptitude test, so is it okay to write it)

Finish writing the paperwork and give it to the staff.

The look on the face of the staff member who saw my documents solidified for a moment, comparing my face to the documents over and over again.

"Uh, Mr. Lockhart. Is it true what it says here?

I dare to take the answer off and say, "Yes. I'm only ten years old," he nods.

"Yeah... it doesn't... it says all attributes, but you know what I mean."

"Yes," he nodded with a full grin at an upset official.

(I knew it was unusual to have all attributes. Anyway, I know after this, so I feel like I don't have to be so surprised)

"... ok. Uh, the exam number is five hundred and twenty-five. Follow the directions."

(525? That's the same as your birthday. Something is good ahead of me)

With that in mind, Sharon's proceedings are over, and the two of us are on our way.

Moving behind the school building, he met again a queue of about ten students.

The two of us line up behind it and wait for the order.

Being in line, I was instructed to wait very long for a fitness test for magic here.

Students enter the room one by one and come out in about a minute.

Enough was enough to be my turn, and I walked into the room.

Inside, there was a large crate that went in when I made the orb - a demonic prop to prove my identity - and next to it stood a young male employee.

"I was wondering if you could show me the application papers and the orb"

Pass the paperwork to the official and show him the orb.

"Zacharias Lockhart, is that you? What, all attributes!?... So, get in here."

Here again, I'm surprised by the letter "all attributes," but it doesn't matter, it goes inside the crate.

Once inside, the lid closes immediately,

"Then we'll start measuring. It'll be over soon, so stay still."

At the same time that voice ends, the primary laser light scans the body.

In about twenty seconds shorter than when I made the orb, the light abruptly disappears and the lid is opened.

"Here, that's it. Take the paperwork and follow the way... and I didn't know it was true..."

The official sweated on his forehead and looked upset.

(I heard that having all attributes is pretty rare, is that so surprising? Hi, I feel like an overreaction... and what exactly did you look into?

Until Sharon comes out, he decides to wait outside, and in the meantime, he looks at the application documents.

The application I wrote was checked with red ink.

In addition to the name, age, and place of origin, a circle was struck at the location regarding the attribute, adding the words "recheck complete”.

(Did you confirm the identity written on the application document in the orb and check the attributes with that demon prop? And “recheck”... maybe it's because it's all attributes)

Sharon's out, so I need to see her paperwork.

Her paperwork had the same checked marks as mine, but there was no letter rechecking.

As we followed the way down the hall, we arrived in a desk-lined room like a classroom.

There were about thirty students sitting inside.

A man in his forties or so is waiting at the entrance and tells me to show him the paperwork.

When I give you the paperwork,

"To get to a seat with your exam number on it. When your seat is filled, I'll explain the exam so you can wait quietly."

I was given my paperwork back and got to the seat where Sharon and his own number tag were placed.

The number tag is made of wood and has a needle on the back so that it can be pinned.

I look around and whine, "Classroom or... don't feel nostalgic".

I remember a wooden school building back in elementary school.

(Used wooden desks and chairs. Polished floors. Slightly clinging doors...... don't remember that wooden school building that was demolished. Yeah, there's a wooden verse on the floor, and sometimes, there's a hole in it... it would be perfect if the window was glass...)

The windows in this classroom are wood windows and now they are all open.

A male staff member who had earlier checked the paperwork stood on the lecture floor to see if he had been filled enough.

"Your application for the exam has been officially accepted. The exam is the day after tomorrow, July 22nd. I'll collect the paperwork I have now later. Take home the number tag at your desk instead. We will verify your identity at the orb on the same day, but as we can see, we will have that number tag on our chest..."

The staff description shall be brief and shall meet in this room on the 22nd of July at 9 a.m. Exams shall start at 9: 30 and end in two subjects in the morning, three in the afternoon and five in the afternoon. Bring the number tag to your chest at that time. Writing equipment was to be prepared by the college, etc.

"… naturally, if misconduct is committed, the Mage Guild will deal strictly with it. In any capacity, you will never be able to trade with a Sorcerer's Guild again. Keep that in mind for your liver. This is not a threat. Previously, officials of a duke family in a country committed and discovered fraud. Currently, its Duke family cannot make any contact with the Sorcerer's Guild. All the magicians registered to the guild are making them pull away. I'll say it again. If you intend to commit injustice, be prepared to do so. That's it."

At the end of the day, he complained of a ban on fraud in a rather harsh tone.

(So that's all you want to go to school for? I did hear that just graduating from Tilia School of Magic would be foiled... but is it also anti-canning measures for the College to provide writing equipment...)

At the end of the staff story, the students left the classroom with Zorozolo.